GCCL TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE Christmas Markets Along the Rhine 2021 Learn how to personalize your experience on this vacation Grand Circle Cruise Line® The Leader in River Cruising Worldwide 1 Grand Circle Cruise Line ® 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210 Dear Traveler, At last, the world is opening up again for curious travel lovers like you and me. Soon, you’ll once again be discovering the places you’ve dreamed of. In the meantime, the enclosed Grand Circle Cruise Line Travel Planning Guide should help you keep those dreams vividly alive. Before you start dreaming, please let me reassure you that your health and safety is our number one priority. As such, we’re requiring that all Grand Circle Cruise Line travelers, ship crew, Program Directors, and coach drivers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure. Our new, updated health and safety protocols are described inside. The journey you’ve expressed interest in, Christmas Markets Along the Rhine River Cruise, will be an excellent way to resume your discoveries. It takes you into the true heart of Europe, thanks to our groups of 38-45 travelers. Plus, our European Program Director will reveal their country’s secret treasures as only an insider can. You can also rely on the seasoned team at our regional office in Bratislava, who are ready to help 24/7 in case any unexpected circumstances arise. Throughout your explorations, you’ll meet local people and gain an intimate understanding of the regional culture. Get a glimpse of everyday German life when you join a family for a Home-Hosted Visit in Speyer, enjoying an afternoon of homemade treats and friendly conversation. Plus, a portion of our proceeds goes toward the charitable efforts of Grand Circle Foundation: inside you’ll also see how your travel dollar helps make the world a better place. We understand that no two people are the same. That’s why more than 80% of our travelers take advantage of the freedom to personalize their experience. Join the 31% of travelers who extend their time abroad. Add the pre-trip extension to Switzerland: Basel, post-trip extension to Belgium: Brussels & Bruges, or both of these extensions to your European vacation. I hope you find this Grand Circle Travel Planning Guide helpful. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact one of our Travel Counselors at 1-800-221-2610. Warm regards, Harriet R. Lewis Vice Chairman Overseas Adventure Travel P.S. For further peace of mind, please know that we are EXTENDING our Risk-Free Booking Policy through 12/31/21. Learn more at www.gct.com/riskfree-booking. 2 WHAT’S INSIDE TRIP SUMMARY It’s Included . 4 Departure Dates and Prices . 5 Deck Plans. 6 Freedom to Personalize Your Experience . 8 DETAILED DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY . .9 ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION . 25 Travel Documents & Entry Requirements . 27 Rigors, Vaccines & General Health . 29 Money Matters: Local Currency & Tipping Guidelines . 32 Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch . 37 Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . 41 Climate & Average Temperatures . 48 Aboard Your Ship: Cabin Features, Dining & Services . 51 About Your Destinations: Culture, Etiquette & More. 56 Demographics & History . 73 Resources: Suggested Reading & Movies . 85 Health & Safety Measures – Vaccines Required . 95 MAP . 99 3 Christmas Markets Along the Rhine Switzerland: Basel | France: Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Strasbourg | Germany: Baden-Baden, Speyer, Mainz, Koblenz, Cologne | The Netherlands: Nijmegen, Amsterdam Countries: 4 | Cities: 11 | 10 Nights Aboard Our Privately Owned 140-passenger M/S River Harmony Christmas market, Mainz, Germany Discover the distinct holiday traditions of four European countries in one River Cruise $ IT’S INCLUDED 12 days from 2795 International airfare, airport transfers, government taxes, fees, and airline Including international airfare fuel surcharges, unless you choose to make your own air arrangements from New York Travel from only $233 per day Accommodations for 10 nights aboard a private river ship with wireless Internet access now in all common areas and cabins $ ALL meals: 10 breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 10 dinners—plus all onboard house 11 days from 1895 beer & wine, as well as soft drinks River Cruise only 7 included tours with personal headsets, up to 7 Christmas markets, and Travel from only $173 per day 4 Exclusive Discovery Series events—Home-Hosted Kaffeeklatsch • German Christmas Traditions conversation • Stollen baking demonstration • Operation Single Supplement: $495 Market Garden conversation Local Program Directors, a Grand Circle Cruise Line exclusive: These MAXIMIZE YOUR dedicated experts are with you and your group of 38-45 travelers from DISCOVERIES & VALUE beginning to end to provide insider’s knowledge and a local perspective Gratuities for local guides and motorcoach drivers OPTIONAL EXTENSION S all with FREE Single Supplements Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person, including tips Basel, Switzerland All port charges 3 nights pre-trip from $645 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next trip Brussels & Bruges, Belgium 3 nights post-trip from $795 To get a richer view of the Included Features on this trip, watch our Trip Itinerary video at www.gct.com/rxs2021 Christmas Markets Along the Rhine 4 CHRISTMAS MARKETS ALONG RISK-FREE BOOKING POLICY: RESERVE WITH CONFIDENCE—NOW THROUGH 12/31/21 THE RHINE We will waive any change fees if you transfer to another departure date for any reason—up until 24 hours prior to departure. 2021 DATES & PRICES See details at www.gct.com/riskfree-booking. To calculate your trip price with airfare, add deck price to air add-ons below. CABIN CATEGORY NOVEMBER DEC 6 DEC 16 A Serenade Deck $2645 $3045 $2245 B(Top Deck w/balcony) $2645 $3045 $2245 C Sonata Deck $2545 $2945 $2145 (Middle Deck w/picture Dwindow) $2545 $2945 $2145 E Cantata Deck $2495 $2895 $2095 (Middle Deck w/picture F$2495$2895$2095window) G Prelude Deck $2395 $2795 $1995 H(Lower Deck w/small window) $2295 $2695 $1895 AIR ADD-ONS NOVEMBER; DEC 6 DEC 16 New York $800 $900 Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, $1000 $1100 Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco, Washington, DC Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, Seattle, $1100 $1200 Tampa Additional departure cities are available. Upgrade to Business Class may be available for the international portion of your flight. Call for details. RXS2021 Prices are per person. Airfare prices include government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges. Standard Terms & Conditions apply, please visit our website: www.gct.com/tc. Every effort has been made to produce this information accurately. We reserve the right to correct errors. Low-cost Single Supplement is $495 on your main trip & FREE on all extensions. For specific departure dates, current availability, and detailed pricing, visit www.gct.com/rxs2021pricing SAVE UP TO 10% WITH OUR GOOD BUY PLAN SHARE YOUR LOVE OF TRAVEL The earlier you reserve your departure and pay in full, the more New travelers you refer will instantly save $100, and you’ll earn you’ll save—up to 10%—plus, you’ll lock in your price. increasing rewards—up to a FREE trip! For details, visit www.gct.com/gbd For details, visit www.gct.com/va Publication Date 1/6/21 1-800-221-2610 • www.gct.com/rxs2021 5 Your Rhine, Mosel, Main, and Danube river ships Sail aboard our privately owned 140- to 162-passenger vessels Grand Circle Cruise Line’s Rhine, Mosel, Main, and Danube ships were designed specifically to create an unforgettable European river cruise experience for American travelers. Explore storybook landscapes with up to four groups of no more than 38-45 travelers, each with one of our dedicated, local Grand Circle Program Directors, and enjoy the attentive onboard service of our top-notch English-speaking ship crew. Shipboard Features • Dining room with single, open seating: Enjoy • Sun Deck: Sit outside and enjoy the view as your ship regionally-inspired cuisine in your ship’s dining room. glides past the European countryside. • Bar & lounge: Relax with friends old and new. • English-speaking crew: Our crew is dedicated to your comfort, and all shipboard announcements are made • Complimentary beverages: Enjoy house beer and in English. house wine—as well as soft drinks—at any time of day while onboard. • Smoking/non-smoking: Smoking is not permitted indoors, but is permitted on the Sun Deck. • Complimentary wireless Internet access: Connect online in cabins and common areas. Please note: Wireless • Shipboard security: State-of-the-art shipboard radar Internet access may be limited at certain points throughout ensures safe navigation at night and in low visibility; your River Cruise. safe docking space; onboard security staff; state-of- the-art fire safety system; and secured entryway doors. 6 M/S RIVER HARMONY R E RESTAURANT BAR LOUNGE SHOP SERENADE DECK E FITNESS MASSAGE SAUNA/ WHIRL– POOL SONATA DECK CANTATA DECK PRELUDE DECK Registry: Malta Length: 366 ft. International crew: 34 Number of cabins: Width: 38 ft. Passenger capacity: 140 Decks: 4 70—all outside Elevator: Yes M/S RIVER ARIA & M/S RIVER ADAGIO 5 6+23 ( 5(67$85$17 %$5 /281*( /,%5$5< 6(5(1$'('(&. 6$81$ ( :+,5/² 322/ 0$66$*( ),71(66 621$7$'(&. &$17$7$'(&. 35(/8'('(&. Registry: Malta Length: 418 ft. International crew: 38 Number of cabins: Width: 38 ft. Passenger capacity: 162 Decks: 4 82—all outside Elevator: Yes CABIN CATEGORIES A B C D E F G H E ELEVATOR R RESTROOM (Does not go to Prelude Deck) 1-800-221-2610 • www.gct.com 7 Freedom to Personalize Your Experience Your Choice, Your Trip, Your Way Extending the length of your stay in a destination can improve your overall travel experience—and allow you to seek out even more eye-opening cultural interactions.