2025 - All-Inclusive Luxury Moselle River Cruise

Itinerary

Charming Moselle aboard Premium River Cruiser

Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to France. Continue via the auto-routes of France and Belgium to your overnight hotel in Maastricht. Dinner (set menu), bed & breakfast.

Day 2 - Maastricht - Koblenz  
Head into the centre of Maastricht first thing for a short visit to this historic Dutch city brimming with culture and charm. With its Roman heritage, the capital of the Limburg region is full of beautiful architecture and monuments. Then board the coach for the journey to the impressive city of Koblenz with its unique location where the Moselle meets the Rhine at the mighty 'Deutsches Eck' (German Corner) with its imposing Kaiser Wilhelm monument which has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage 'Upper Middle Rhine Valley' since 2002. Perhaps take a stroll along the riverside promenade or head to the charming old town with its cosy wine taverns, narrow alleyways, romantic spots and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. Close by you will find the Koblenz Cable Car which offers a breathtaking ride over the Rhine to the epic 16th century Ehrenbreitstein Fortress at 118m above the river (fare not included - approx. €15 pp return in 2024).

Your cruise adventure starts in Koblenz when you embark the magnificent MS VIVA MOMENTS this afternoon for an 18.00 departure to cruise through the night.  Full board with included drinks, musical entertainment and a welcome bottle of sparkling wine awaiting in your cabin
For more information about what to expect on board see https://www.viva-cruises.com/en-gb/onboard-abc 

                                                                                                                                    Credit: VIVA Cruises

Day 3 - Traben-Trarbach  
After breakfast on board, it's time to explore the Art Nouveau twin town of Traben-Trarbach on an included walking tour with a local guide. Around 1900, it was one of the most important wine trading towns in Europe due to its exceptional position and the great demand for Riesling wines, especially to Great Britain and overseas. This resulted in the establishment of over 100 wine companies with large areas of the town centre covered with cellars, some of which are several stories high and over 100 meters long. Take a stroll through the vibrant town centre with its magnificent art nouveau villas and architectural treasures. Continue cruising this evening and through the night

Day 4 - Bernkastel
Dock late morning in Bernkastel, a quaint old riverside town where centuries-old half-timbered houses with beautifully decorated gables surround the pretty medieval market square. Together with Kues on the other side of the river, it forms a twin town on the left and right banks of the Moselle where you will find plenty of wine bars, boutiques and cafes. Enjoy a walking tour of the town as well as a walk through the sun-drenched vineyards for an insight into wine, vines and the cultural landscape of the Moselle. Continue cruising this evening and through the night 

Day 5 - Cochem and Treis-Karden
Dock early morning in charming Cochem, the Pearl of the Moselle, with its many medieval squares, beautifully restored houses and its dramatic castle, Schloss Reichsburg, perched precipitously on a rock above the town. There are plentiful wine shops, restaurants and cafes with open air terraces from which to enjoy the river view. Your included visit this morning takes you (by minivan) for a visit of the magnificent 11th century Reichsburg where the costumed 'lord' of the castle regales you with tales of exciting medieval history (There is a walk of approx. 200m from the minivan drop off point and there are frequent steps and uneven paths in the castle). Return to the boat to cruise during lunch to arrive in little town Treis-Karden for the afternoon. Tucked away in the valley Treis-Karden offers medieval charm and scenic tranquility and you may like to take advantage of the included visit to the Abbey.  Cruise overnight.

Day 6 - Koblenz - Bruges
Dock early morning back in Koblenz and disembark after your final breakfast. Your coach awaits to take you to your final overnight hotel in the centre of medieval Bruges in Belgium. Once you have checked in at the hotel this afternoon, you may like to take a stroll through one of Europe's most delightful and best preserved cities. With its lacework of narrow cobbled streets, gabled houses and tree lined canals, Bruges is often described as the 'Venice of the North'. Dinner (set menu), bed & breakfast

Day 7 - After an early breakfast, travel back to France for the return to England

MS VIVA MOMENTS INCLUSIONS

• Welcome bottle of sparkling wine 
• Full board with breakfast buffet, lunch, dinner (multi-course gourmet menus, served at the table or buffet style) and snacks with free choice of table and flexible mealtimes
• All day high quality hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages and a selection of alcoholic beverages (sparkling wine, Aperol, house wines, beers, long drinks, cocktails, spirits and liqueurs) from 10.00 to 00.00
• One High Tea during your cruise with a selection of sweet and savoury treats such as scones, sandwiches, cupcakes, chocolates and macarons plus a variety of teas 
• Onboard entertainment each evening (subject to confirmation - may feature enrichment lectures, piano music, demos, local and themed fun)
• Cabin minibar re-stocked daily plus reusable souvenir water bottle (refillable at any of the onboard water dispensers)
• Free WiFi on board
• Porterage, port fees and taxes
• Tips and gratuities for the crew
• Full excursion programme as detailed 

NB MS VIVA MOMENTS operates a cashless system, so please ensure that you have a credit / debit card in case of additional onboard spend e.g. in the shop or spa treatments. The onboard currency is the Euro. Onboard languages are English and German. A continental plug adapter is required on board for your own appliances (220V)

Dress code on board is casual during the day and on excursions and sporty-elegant in the evenings. Sturdy and comfortable shoes are recommended for shore excursions 
 
GOOD TO KNOW
- Full valid travel insurance and a valid passport are required
- Non-refundable deposit for a cruise holiday is higher than for a normal coach holiday
- Cancellation charges and final payment due date is different to normal coach holidays
- Occasionally, there may be changes to the schedule at short notice due to high or low water

IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION

ETIAS
ETIAS (European Travel Information Authorisation System) is due to begin in April 2025 and will be an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals (inc. UK) travelling to Europe. ETIAS will be linked to a traveller’s passport and is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

ETIAS must be applied for at least 72 hours in advance of travel and will cost €7.00. Under 18’s and Over 70’s are free, but they still need to be registered. For more information, please visit https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

Passport
For advice on passports when travelling into Europe please visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/holiday-cancellations-and-compensation/travelling-in-europe/

EES (European Entry & Exit System)
The planned launch date of 10 November 2024 has been delayed and no start date has been given as to when EES (European Entry & Exit System) will be in place.  This is the new entry and exit system for UK citizens (and many other citizens) when entering or exiting the EU. For more information, please visit https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en

What's Included

• Return crossing Dover - Calais
• Coach travel and escorted by your Crusader driver-guide throughout
• Two overnight hotels dinner (set menu), bed & breakfast
• Time at leisure in Maastricht and Bruges
• 4-night all inclusive premium Moselle river cruise - see below

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Accommodation

MS VIVA MOMENTS Premium River Cruiser

The MS VIVA MOMENTS was built in 2017 and boasts a modern and spacious design with 88 cabins for up to 176 passengers. There are three decks - Emerald (lower deck via 6 steps), Ruby (mid-deck with lift access) and Diamond (Upper deck - entrance level). Cabins are 16m2 and elegantly decorated with 2 beds (separated if required). There are floor to ceiling windows which open to a French balcony on the Diamond and Ruby decks and non-opening windows on the Emerald deck. All cabins are equipped with flat screen TV, tables + two chairs, included mini-bar, Nespresso® machine, Beauty products from RITUALS®, hairdryer, safe, air conditioning, free WiFi, en-suite shower and toilet. There is generous storage space in the wardrobes and under the bed. There are two restaurants (main riverside restaurant and more relaxed bistro), a panoramic lounge and bar with nightly musical entertainment. There is also an onboard boutique (souvenirs and daily use items) as well as a small wellness and fitness area on Emerald deck. The sun deck (access via 6 steps) features a small golf putting green and whirlpool.

Overnight Hotels
NH Hotel Maastricht - Outbound
This large, modern 4* hotel is located next to the Exhibition Centre, approximately 30 minutes' walk to Maastricht centre with its shops, restaurants and museums. Spacious guestrooms include tea/coffee making facilities, WiFi, hair dryer and in-room safe. There is a basement gym as well as a wellness area featuring sauna and steam. The restaurant serves internationally inspired cuisine, and the lobby bar is a cozy spot for a drink or snack. There is also a pleasant outdoor terrace. There is a lift

NH Hotel Brugge - Return
Housed in a 17th century former monastery, this characterful 4* hotel is ideally located, just a 10-minute walk to the Market Square in the historic centre of Bruges. Smart guestrooms offer all mod cons with pillow menu, air con, WiFi and hair dryer. Facilities include a small gym and a peaceful outdoor terrace at the back of the hotel with a view over the garden. There is a homely bar on the ground floor with a range of local beers available. There is a lift Back to top