Once you’ve cleared customs, you will be greeted by a Transcend Cruises representative and transferred to your floating boutique hotel, The Advance by Transcend Cruises. Enjoy lunch onboard and spend the afternoon relaxing, recharging, and exploring the ship. This evening, join your fellow travelers for an exclusive performance onboard, followed by a Gala Reception and Welcome Dinner. Savor gourmet dishes curated by renowned Chef Todd Erickson and set the tone for the fantastic journey ahead.
Spend your morning enjoying the scenic views along the Rhine River from a cozy corner in our sunlight-filled Skylight Lounge onboard. Arrive in Cologne after lunch, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore this historic city with us. Beyond its iconic Cathedral and rich history, Cologne’s strategic location along the Rhine River positions it as a central hub in Europe, and being close to Belgium and the Netherlands, Cologne serves as a gateway to the continent.
Cologne has played a pioneering role in LGBTQ+ rights in Germany, with some of the country’s earliest gay demonstrations in the 1970s. The city boasts one of Germany’s oldest gay communities, fostering an inclusivity and vibrancy that has drawn LGBTQ+ individuals for generations. Visit the “Centrum Schwule Geschichte”, Cologne’s fascinating Gay History Center, where you can learn more about the evolution of LGBTQ+ life in this region.
Return to the ship for our evening Cocktail Reception and epicurean dinner before enjoying an incredible private performance by Envy Peru, RuPaul’s Drag Race Holland’s winner and RuPaul’s Drag Race Germany contestants Nikita Vegaz and Metamorkide.
This morning we enjoy a lively brunch onboard before you can choose to head to the city center to participate in one of the most important days of a Kölner’s year. Every year, the Cologne Carnival season officially kicks off on the 11th November at 11:11am, when around 70,000 carnival-goers pack into Heumarkt Square, Cologne to celebrate the opening of Cologne Carnival Season together.
Cologne Carnival is opened by the three main carnival figures who are collectively known as the Dreigestirn. They consist of a Prince, a Peasant, and a Virgin, and the characters embody the spirit of Cologne Carnival. They are joined by traditional Cologne Carnival bands and a celebration in the city square. Following our time at the celebration we return to the ship and set-sail for a relaxing and restorative sail to our next port.
Arrive in the charming town of Cochem this morning. Nestled in the heart of the Moselle River valley, it’s perhaps one of Germany’s most colorful cities, Cochem feels just like a storybook with its dramatic castle, impressive landscapes, and pastel-colored shops, restaurants, and buildings lining the banks of the Moselle. Perched high above on a cliff sits the brilliant Cochem Castle, or Reichsburg Cochem, which brings German history and culture to life and provides panoramic views of the Moselle and Cochem below. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring or relaxing before returning to the ship for cocktails and to see what Chef Todd has in store for you! Afterwards, enjoy a performance by Kelly Carey and Rick Santamaria, a John Heath Travel favorite.
Today, you’ll arrive in Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. a historic town with a colorful past and eclectic architecture, maybe enjoy a visit to the stunningly medieval Marksburg Castle. As you come upon picture-perfect Koblenz, you’ll sail past Deutsches Eck (German Corner) with its historic monument to Kaiser Wilhelm I.
This afternoon we set sail as we begin lunch, enjoying one of the most scenic parts of your journey. We’ll head to the top deck this afternoon with our hot chocolate as we sail through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning landscapes and medieval castles. Capture the breathtaking views and learn about the legends of the Lorelei Rock. This afternoon’s scenery is a true highlight of this itinerary! This evening we reach the pinnacle of entertainment onboard Advance by Transcend with a private performance by world-renowned Comedian, Pam Ann.
This morning, we embark on a brief drive to Heidelberg, sometimes called the most romantic city in Germany. It is home to the nation’s oldest university, a charming baroque Old Town lying along the banks of the Neckar River, and extraordinarily beautiful castle ruins overlooking the town. Your tour will take you to the castle, with its views of the red-tile roofs of the town below, the handsome Old Bridge and the wooded hillsides beyond, and then into Old Town, where you will see the late-Gothic Holy Spirit Church, the Student Prison and the longest pedestrian street in Germany. Following enjoy free time to enjoy the city before returning to the ship for an amazing dinner and our final performance with Kelly Carey and Rick Santamaria, followed by a night of dancing with DJ James Munich
Following breakfast, we bid you farewell and provide airport transportation to the Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) with memories of a truly remarkable cruise. Safe travels!
