Join us aboard the MS Thurgau Saxonia for a seven night journey that promises to be a scenic treat as we cruise between Saarbrucken and Stuttgart along four of Europe’s rivers. We have planned our voyages for late summer, a wonderful time to explore Europe by river, the weather is warm, the evenings longer, and the popular towns and cities are not overly busy with tourists.
Our river odyssey begins in Saarbrucken on the River Saar and we will sail through unspoilt landscapes, past fascinating small towns towards Bernkastel. From here we continue along the beautiful Moselle River travelling through this historic region first cultivated by the Romans. The river’s intricate and picturesque path meanders between steeply terraced vineyards and hills with riverbanks home to attractive towns and villages. Upon reaching Rudesheim the River Rhine shows her unique beauty; high on the hills are legendary castles, sunlit vineyards and charming villages scattered along both of its banks. Last, but not least, we journey along the River Neckar, one of Germany’s most idyllic rivers, cruising past tiny villages and majestic castles such as Neckargemund, Neckarsteinach and Hirschhorn.
To complement our time sailing along these four picturesque rivers, we will enjoy guided excursions of which the highlights include the picturesque town of Heidelberg, a wine tasting in Bernkastel and the fascinating Medieval town of Bad Wimpfen. Our floating hotel, the MS Thurgau Saxonia which we have exclusively chartered for these unique journeys, will transport us in comfort and with a maximum of just 70 passengers on board along with our expert team and Guest Speaker, we can promise you a marvellous experience.
Thurgau Saxonia
For our journey along the rivers of Germany we have chartered the charming MS Thurgau Saxonia. Renovated in 2020, this comfortable ship offers a tranquil atmosphere on which to relax and enjoy the picturesque views of the passing landscapes. The vessel can accommodate up to 84 passengers but we will be limiting numbers to just 70 for our charters in order to enhance our guests’ experience.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Saarbrucken, Germany.
Fly by scheduled flight to Frankfurt. On arrival transfer to the MS Thurgau Saxonia moored in Saarbrucken. Sail in the early evening and meet your fellow guests and crew this evening during dinner on board.
Day 2 Saar River Cruising & Trier.
Spend a leisurely morning cruising along the Saar River arriving over lunch in lovely Trier, the oldest city in Germany. Trier was once the capital of the Roman Western Empire and retains one of the most impressive groups of Roman monuments north of the Alps. Here we will see the Roman ruins including the impressive Porta Nigra, the most important ancient monument in the city and the largest Roman city gate extant. Sail this evening to Bernkastel where we moor overnight.
Day 3 Bernkastel & Moselle River Cruising.
After breakfast a morning walking tour will include the Medieval market square and lovingly decorated half-timbered houses and will end with a wine tasting of some of the region’s glorious wines. Return to the ship for lunch as we continue cruising this afternoon through the beautiful Moselle Valley.
Day 4 Rhine Gorge & Rudesheim.
A morning of cruising takes us along the romantic Rhine. Enjoy witnessing some magnificent scenery including the Rhine Gorge, the striking hilltop castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Later this afternoon we arrive into Rudesheim and join a walking tour of this lively town, including a visit to the entertaining Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum. The ship will remain here overnight allowing time ashore for independent sightseeing; perhaps visit the famous Drosselgasse with its numerous cafes, bars and live music.
Day 5 Rhine River Cruising & Heidelberg.
After a morning cruising on the Rhine River we will join the Neckar River at Mannheim and in the early afternoon we arrive in Heidelberg. This most picturesque and romantic of cities is home to Germany’s oldest university dating back to 1386. An afternoon tour will include the dramatically sited castle, the old town with its famous palace and the city gates. We will moor overnight for anyone wishing to take an after dinner stroll.
Day 6 Neckar River Cruising & Bad Wimpfen.
Spend the morning cruising down the Neckar River passing idyllic villages and majestic castles such as Neckergemund, Neckarsteinach and Hirschhorn on our way to Bad Wimpfen. As we approach, we will see the dramatic skyline of the town which is dominated by the largest Hohenstaufen Imperial palace north of the Alps and its imperious Medieval towers. Although only small, the town is fascinating with a wonderful array of monuments that testify to its richly varied history, dating back to pre-historic times. During our afternoon walking tour we will experience the unique atmosphere of the Medieval town centre with its half-timbered houses in Alemannic and Franconian architectural styles.
Day 7 Lauffen & Ludwigsburg Palace.
Overnight we sail to Lauffen, the base for our morning visit to Ludwigsburg Palace. The residential palace was built at the beginning of the 18th century under Duke Ludwig Eberhard and is one of the largest preserved German Baroque palaces. This “Swabian Versailles”, formerly the residence of the Wurttemberg dukes and kings, is picturesquely situated in the middle of the Blooming Baroque gardens. Return to the ship for lunch and a leisurely final afternoon cruising on the Neckar River before we arrive in Stuttgart and moor overnight.
Day 8 Stuttgart to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Dates and Prices
SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE £300 PER PERSON FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
Prices per person based on double occupancy
| 29 August to 5 September 2026 • 12 to 19 September 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
| B Main Deck Double | £3095 | £2795 |
| A Upper Deck Double | £3495 | £3195 |
| B Main Deck Double for sole use | £4095 | £3795 |
Tour Reference Code: RCTS290826/RCTS120926
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Seven nights aboard the MS Thurgau Saxonia on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Shore excursions • Noble Caledonia onboard team including Guest Speaker • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes • Airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
NB: Ports subject to change, water levels and weather conditions may affect the itinerary.
Please be aware that our website does not display real-time availability. As a result, the categories and prices listed above are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please call us at 020 7752 0000 and speak with one of our experienced Travel Consultants.
Thurgau Saxonia
For our journey along the rivers of Germany we have chartered the charming MS Thurgau Saxonia. Renovated in 2020, this comfortable ship offers a tranquil atmosphere on which to relax and enjoy the picturesque views of the passing landscapes. The vessel can accommodate up to 84 passengers but we will be limiting numbers to just 70 for our charters in order to enhance our guests’ experience.
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Information Directory
Ship Directory
Please find below further details pertaining to the vessel or click on the booklet to download.
VESSEL TECHNICAL DETAILS
Passengers: 70
Crew: approx. 22
Length: 82 metres
Width: 9.5 metres
Year built: 2001 (Renovated 2020)
Number of cabins: 42AIR-CONDITIONING
All cabins have an individually controlled heating and cooling system. We recommend you keep your cabin windows and front door closed for optimal performance of the unit.ALARM
An alarm will be sounded in the event of emergency. Please follow the instructions provided on board for what to do should an emergency occur.CABIN DIMENSIONS
All cabins measure 12 square metres and are furnished with a fixed double bed with two mattresses. Cabins on the Main Deck feature two picture windows that cannot be opened, whereas cabins on the Upper Deck have floor to ceiling windows and the upper windows can be opened.CABIN FACILITIES
Each cabin features individual air-conditioning, hairdryer, safe, in-cabin telephone, television, minibar (chargeable), wardrobe, cupboards and drawers for storage. There is also underbed storage for suitcases. There is an en-suite bathroom with shower and toiletries (including shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap and body lotion).DAILY PROGRAMME
A daily programme, detailing the following days arrangements as well as any specific information about the day’s activities, is produced on board and delivered to your cabin each evening.DRESS CODE
Comfortable and practical attire is recommended during the day for excursions and something dressier for the evening. You may like to wear smart casual clothing for the welcome and farewell dinners (black tie not necessary).DRINKS
House wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner on board. Complimentary tea and coffee are available 24 hours a day in the Lounge. Re-usable water bottles are provided in your cabin at the start of your voyage and there is a refilling station in reception to use at all times. Bottled water is available in your cabin and can be replenished on request.ELECTRICITY
Electricity on board is 220v with 2-pin power outlets. We recommend you take an adaptor with you.EMERGENCY & SAFETY PROCEDURES
Full details of the ship’s emergency and safety procedures will be provided following your embarkation. Please note there is no doctor on board the vessel. Please take careful note of all safety instructions provided to you by the Master and crew of the vessel.FIRE SAFETY
On your cabin door is a deck plan displaying your closest (and all other) emergency exits. Emergency exits are marked in green and fire extinguishers fitted in all corridors.FIRST AID
A number of crew are fully trained and certified to provide First Aid. Further medical assistance can be sought from one of the hospitals along the river in the event of emergency.GRATUITIES
Gratuities have been included in your holiday price.GIFT SHOP
A small gift shop selling various practical and souvenir items is available by Reception.HOUSEKEEPING
Your cabin will be cleaned once a day and you will be provided with a ‘turn down’ service at night.LAUNDRY
There is a laundry service on board. Laundry bags and a price list can be found in the wardrobe of your cabin.LIFT
There is no lift on board.LOST PROPERTY
Lost property can be handed in to the ship’s Reception. Please ensure you have all your belongings with you before you return home. Should you leave any items on board the ship, please contact Noble Caledonia. If we are able to recover your item (s) we will contact you to arrange delivery or collection and to advise any associated costs.MEALS
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on board. Breakfast is buffet style with hot and cold items. There are also items available to order from a set menu. Lunch and dinner are a mix of buffet items and a served set menu with a choice of three main courses, always with a vegetarian option. There is tea, coffee and cake available every afternoon from 2pm to 5pm in the Lounge.
If you have any dietary requirements such as vegetarian, low salt, gluten free and low cholesterol, please notify the Reservations Department. We regret that not all dietary requirements can be guaranteed. If you have any specific or special foods that you require, we recommend that you take some with you although we will endeavour to accommodate your needs. Once on board please speak to the Chef or Maitre D’ at dinner on your first night on board to reconfirm your needs.MOORING
Docking space is allocated by the local river authorities. On occasion other river cruise vessels may be required to dock alongside our ship. This may result in restricted cabin views and may also entail us being required to embark and disembark the ship through another vessel’s public area and/or for the other ship’s passengers to do the same.PAYMENTS ON BOARD
The currency on board is the Euro. All passengers will have their own shipboard account, which allows you to sign for all purchases and services throughout your cruise. You may then settle the bill by Visa, Mastercard or cash (Euros only) at the end of the cruise.QUESTIONNAIRES
We are always looking for ways to improve our holidays and the services provided and in order to do this we welcome feedback from our guests. Your comments are important to us therefore we request that you complete the questionnaire that will be provided to you on board.QUIETVOX/AUDIO SYSTEM
Noble Caledonia has arranged for all passengers to have access to an audio system for shore excursions. Further details will be provided to you following your embarkation.RECEPTION
Reception is staffed throughout the day. A member of crew can be contacted 24 hours a day.SAFE
All cabins are fitted with a safe and we recommend you place your valuables inside the safe whenever you are away from your room.SMOKING
Smoking within your cabin or any of the vessel’s public areas is strictly prohibited. Designated outdoor smoking areas are provided and can be advised by the ship’s reception upon embarkation.SUN DECK
The ship has a Sun Deck which is available for guests to enjoy. There may be times, for example at periods of inclement weather or low bridges (when sailing), when it is necessary to close the Sun Deck. Please listen carefully to the Captain and Crew for instruction. Please also note that the Sun Deck and its steps may become slippery if the weather is cool or dew forms.TELEPHONE
A telephone is available in your cabin to make cabin-to-cabin calls. If you wish to contact Reception, dial 0. If you wish to contact the MS Thurgau Saxonia whilst ashore, please call 0049 1520 150 62 30.WI-FI
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the ship’s public areas and in your cabin. Please obtain the login details from Reception. There may be times when internet connection is slow or not available.PLEASE NOTE: These details should be used as a guideline only. Information is subject to change.
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Deck Plan
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Tour Extensions
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Before embarking the MS Thurgau Saxonia, we are offering the opportunity to spend three nights in the charming town of Colmar, capital of the Alsace region. Colmar offers an intriguing glimpse of 1,000 years of European history, with its wonderfully preserved historical centre, careful restoration, traditional hospitality and friendly ambience. Lying near the vine covered foothills of the southern Vosges, the town boasts picturesque 16th and 17th century burghers’ houses, art treasures, delicious cuisine and superb wines.
Colmar
The Itinerary
Day 1 London to Colmar, France.
Fly by scheduled flight to Basle. On arrival transfer to our hotel in Colmar for a three night stay. After settling into your room meet for dinner tonight. (D)
Day 2 Colmar.
After breakfast join a walking tour of Colmar, including a visit to the Unterlinden Museum which is home to the Isenheim Altarpiece, an altarpiece sculpted and painted by Niclaus of Haguenau and Matthias Grunewald. The remainder of your day will be at leisure to sightsee independently. (B)
Day 3 Colmar & Alsace Wine Region.
This morning is free to relax. In the afternoon we will travel into the surrounding Alsace wine growing region. With vastly contrasting terrain, from plains to slopes and mountains, it boasts 37 wine-growing communities and 30 Grands Crus. We will visit one of the vineyards to learn more about the wine production before enjoying a tasting. Return to Colmar and meet for dinner this evening. (B, D)
Day 4 Colmar & Strasbourg to Saarbrucken, Germany.
Check out this morning and drive to Strasbourg where on a walking tour will see the Ponts Couverts, a series of wooden bridges dating back to the 13th century, the Place Gutenberg and the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the tallest Medieval building in Europe. After lunch we transfer to Saarbrucken to embark the MS Thurgau Saxonia. (B, L)
Prices per person based on double occupancy
26 to 29 August 2026 • 9 to 12 September 2026 Category Price Twin £1195 Single £1395 Price Includes: Three nights hotel accommodation, meals as indicated (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner), Tour Manager, tours as described, gratuities, transfers.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000