World Pride Amsterdam & Castles of the Rhine River All-Gay Cruise 2026 - Happy Gay Travel

World Pride Amsterdam &
Castles of the Rhine River
All-Gay Cruise 2026

August 3 – 10, 2026

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World Pride Amsterdam &
Castles of the Rhine River All-Gay Cruise 2026

7 nights from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland

August 3 – 10, 2026
Lüftner Cruises Amadeus Riva

Amsterdam World Pride Gay Cruise 2026 An all-inclusive, all-gay 7-night deluxe Rhine river cruise from World Pride in Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland. We are proud to offer a unique river cruise experience unlike any you’ll find on the rivers of Europe today. With this all-LGBT+ full cruise charter on the Amadeus Riva, you will be pampered by a crew of forty-six in an atmosphere of total relaxation. We’ve created an itinerary that includes four countries: Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland.

Embark on an enchanting journey through the heart of Europe, where each city is a hidden gem waiting to be uncovered on your unforgettable Rhine River cruise.

Our adventure begins in picturesque Amsterdam, setting the stage for a voyage filled with awe. Glide along the timeless waters, discovering the vibrancy of Cologne, the enchantment of Koblenz, the allure of Ruedesheim, the history of Speyer and the charm of Strasbourg.

Finally, bask in the alpine glow of beautiful Basel. Join us as we unveil the beauty of these captivating cities, creating memories that will linger in your heart forever.

Marvel at romantic castles perched upon mountains and impressive cliffs that rise to meet the sky, combined with cosmopolitan cities and quaint winegrowing villages, all in one journey. Enjoy the picturesque landscapes along the Rhine as you allow yourself to relax and drift through the centuries of history.

Discover the many beautiful facets of “Father Rhine” during this week long cruise along one of the most important and attractive rivers of Europe.

Castles of the Rhine River Gay Cruise Highlights

• See the Amsterdam waterways and villages of Amsterdam, as well as the city

• Visit Cologne with a walking tour and Kölsch tasting

• Enjoy Cochem and the Reichsburg Castle

• Experience Koblenz with a walking tour that includes the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

• Sail past castles and the Lorelei Rock along the Rhine Gorge

• In Mannheim, visit the picturesque Heidelberg with castle ruins

• Enjoy Speyer with a visit to the Speyer Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Visit the French wine region of Strasbourg with a canal boat tour

• Explore Basel, Switzerland, widely regarded as Switzerland's cultural capital

Castles of the Rhine River Gay Cruise Inclusions

• FROM THE TIME YOU LAND UNTIL YOU LEAVE, NEARLY EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED.

• Guaranteed all-LGBT+ charter

• Arrival and departure airport transfers in Amsterdam and Basel

• 7 nights cruise accommodation

• Daytime cruising through the Rhine Gorge past castles and Lorelei Rock

• Walking tour of Speyer, Germany where you'll see the Imperial Cathedral

• Canal boat tour of Strasbourg, France

• Complimentary shore excursions offered daily, including tours of Mannheim, Ruedesheim, Koblenz, Cochem, Cologne and Amsterdam

• Complimentary beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the cruise

• Superb dining: all meals included during your cruise

• Brand g Signature Entertainment

Your Ship - Amadeus Riva

Amadeus Riva embodies the spirit of adventure, cruising far and wide across countries and cultures. Discover the fine art of choice, both onboard and onshore, beginning with your cruise preference. From exclusive golf cruises to New Year’s revelry among friends, this vessel is your personal luxury window to the world.

This vessel represents our commitment to a new generation of luxury cruising, showcasing our innovative and green designs that focus on sustainability, renewal, and wellbeing. You’ll find plenty of room to roam, from the River Terrace bar to the generous sun deck. Enjoy an afternoon on your private balcony or dance late into the night at the Panorama-Bar. How will your day unfold on the Amadeus Riva? The choice is yours.

Restaurant
Floor to ceiling windows contribute to the sophisticated ambience of the AMADEUS main dining venue, the Panorama Restaurant. With an everchanging landscape as your view, relax in the spacious setting while enjoying gourmet cuisine and the highest standard of service by our well-trained, english-speaking staff. Each course is served with a strong sense of pride; before the plate is set in front of you, the culinary team has been hard at work preparing a perfect blend of authenticity featuring our own twist on traditional dishes with contemporary flair.

Panorama-Bar
Relax in elegance, comfort and luxury amid the versatile setting of the Panorama Bar and Lounge. The full-service bar offers our signature and custom cocktails, draught beer and a selection of premium regional wines sources from local vineyards. An assortment of beverages is served throughout the day, along with snacks and passed hors d'oeuvres during late-evening cocktail hours. Visit the Panorama Bar for early-riser breakfast that includes several healthy options, and mid-morning for continental breakfast items. Dine on a lighter buffer-style lunch menu in this casual setting that is the perfect place to gather with new and old friends alike. In the evening, the Panorama Bar transforms into a celebratory atmosphere where live musical entertainment performs nightly and late night snacks are served.

Café Vienna
Immerse yourself in the origins of the unique Viennese coffeehouse tradition! The Café Vienna gives guests lavish room to imbibe delicious coffee variations or to indulge a sweet tooth with delectable confections.

Entertainment
On a Brand g European river cruise, every night is opening night. Our cruises always include two featured Signature Entertainers who provide nightly entertainment throughout the cruise.

Onboard Parties and Activities
Although the focus of our cruises is mainly on sightseeing and socializing, we do like to mix in a bit of frivolity as well. With that in mind, we’ll plan a couple of themed deck parties during the cruise, for which details will be released closer to the cruise. If you should choose to participate, great – and if you’d rather just be a voyeur, that is totally fine as well!

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I schedule my flights?
Arrival: You should schedule your flights to arrive in Amsterdam (AMS) on or before August 3rd. Embarkation begins at 4:00 PM on August 3rd.
Departure: You should plan to fly home from Basel (BSL) on August 10th after 1:00 PM. The riverboat arrives in Basel at 9:00 AM and all guests must be disembark the river boat by 11:00 AM.

What arrival and departure transfers are included?
Arrival transfers are provided from the Amsterdam Airport (AMS) to the ship or an Amsterdam hotel. If you choose to arrive early, we will provide your transfer from the airport to your hotel. Onward transfer to the ship will need to be arranged independently.
Departure transfers are provided from the ship to the Basel Airport (BSL) or a Basel hotel. Additional transfers will need to be arranged independently.

What should I expect on the included shore excursions?
Excursions during your travel program are mostly in groups of 25 people led by expert English speaking local guides. Utilizing wireless audio guides enables you to hear every word of your travel guide at absolutely all times. It provides maximum flexibility and convenience without missing a moment of fascinating commentary and is compatible with hearing aids.

What if I have dietary requirements?
We will make every effort to accommodate special dietary requests. Please inform us at least 45 days prior to departure of these requests.

Is there a dress code?
You are on vacation as the last thing we want to impose is a dress code. We will however appreciate you wearing more than a thong or mankini at dinner and in the bar/performance area. Be as dressed up or down as you see fit as long as you are comfortable and dress appropriately for changeable weather.

Will there be smoking areas?
The comfort and safety of our guests is our first priority. Smoking is not permitted in the suites or enclosed, public areas on board. There is a designated smoking area on the Sun Deck. Land properties will have designated smoking areas.

What weather can I expect from this trip?
Europe is at the peak of the summer heat. The days can reach the high 70s and the evenings are in generally in the 50s. On the river can make it feel a little cooler, so don’t forget a shawl or light jacket.

World Pride Amsterdam & Castles of the Rhine River All-Gay Cruise 2026 Itinerary
Date	Port	Meals
03 Aug	Amsterdam, Netherlands	D
04 Aug	Amsterdam / Utrecht, Netherlands	B, L, D
05 Aug	Cologne, Germany	B, L, D
06 Aug	Cochem, Germany	B, L, D
07 Aug	Koblenz / Rudesheim, Germany	B, L, D
08 Aug	Mannheim / Speyer, Germany	B, L, D
09 Aug	Strasbourg, France	B, L, D
10 Aug	Basel, Switzerland	B

Day 1 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
Today we board the Amadeus Riva. Settle in to your cabin and enjoy a welcome dinner before spending the night in Amsterdam. Get set for a week of enriching shore excursions, exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and Brand g Signature Entertainment, all in the intimate company of 150 of your closest Brand g friends!
Dinner

Rhine gay cruise - Amsterdam, Netherlands

Day 2 - Amsterdam / Utrecht, Netherlands
This morning enjoy a tour of Amsterdam, complete with a panoramic canal cruise. You’ll rejoin the vessel in Utrecht by lunch, and continue our journey to Cologne. Or, you may choose to stay on board this morning to enjoy a full day of sailing.

Morning: Amsterdam & iconic canal cruise
Founded as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age as a result of its innovative developments in trade. Today, the city has one of the largest historic centers in Europe, with about 7,500 registered historic buildings. The street pattern is largely unchanged since the 19th century. The center consists of 90 islands, linked by 1,300 bridges. On the city tour through the Dutch metropolis, you will see the Maritime Museum, the Jewish Quarter and the Museum Quarter. As there is no better way to see the city than cruising on the water, the tour will end by a canal cruise boat trip.
Duration approx: 4 hours
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - Cologne, Germany
After breakfast, view our arrival at the beautiful cathedral city of Cologne. Explore the historic Old Town with its High Gothic architecture, the famous twin-spired Cologne Cathedral, and sample the famous Kölsch beer brewed in Cologne.
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon and evening exploring on your own. Then, after a wonderful day in Cologne, enjoy dinner on board as the vessel continues cruising the Rhine River.

Morning: Tour of Cologne
The morning is dedicated to the fascinating cathedral city of Cologne, which has over a million inhabitants. You can expect a young, vibrant metropolis with a rich cultural history and world-famous sights, in particular the Cologne Cathedral. The cathedral city dates back over 2,000 years and is full of history, the traces of which can be seen everywhere in the Rhine region. During the walking tour, explore the area around the cathedral all the way to the old town. As you travel through the narrow, cobbled streets, and the lively squares such as the Alter Markt or the Heumarkt, you will get a feel for life in Cologne from yesterday and today. Since its completion in 1880, the Cologne Cathedral with its two 515ft high towers has been the city’s landmark, as well as the most famous architectural monument and most frequently visited sight in Germany. As your excursion concludes, we invite you to enjoy a glass of typical Kölsch, which is the number one beer in Cologne and large parts of the Rhineland.
Duration approx: 2.5 hours
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 - Cochem, Germany
This morning our AMADEUS vessel takes a special trip down the romantic Moselle River, the largest tributary of the Rhine. This area is the 5th largest German wine region with some of the steepest, terraced vineyards along the river.
After lunch, your vessel will arrive in Cochem. Explore the town which is filled with narrow streets, twisting alleys, medieval town gates, churches and walls on your own, or discover the beauty of Cochem and visit the stunning Reichsburg Castle on a guided tour. Before midnight, the vessel continues toward Koblenz.

Afternoon: Cochem walking tour & Reichsburg Castle
Located along the beautiful Moselle wine valley, the harmonious triad of unique Moselle landscape, millenia-old wine culture and history makes Cochem a popular destination. Discover the town with its narrow, winding streets during a city tour. Next, visit the Reichsburg castle with its imposing complex which dominates the area landscape due to its size and its location on a rugged rock high above the town.
Enjoy the impressive view from the castle of the Moselle valley with its dreamy mixed forests and vineyards, as well as the old town. Inside the castle, you will find a collection of Renaissance and Baroque furniture, as well as other treasures, carefully collected by the Ravene family who owned the castle until 1978, when it was turned over to the town of Cochem, for all to enjoy.
Duration approx: 3 hours
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 - Koblenz / Rudesheim, Germany
Early this morning, arrive in Koblenz, ideally situated at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle Rivers. Join this morning's tour exploring the town of Koblenz on foot.
This afternoon, spend time on deck as we cruise the most beautiful section of the river – the legendary Upper Middle Rhine Valley. This area is registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its dramatic riverbanks dotted with vineyards and picturesque castles. Late afternoon, arrive in the winegrowers town of Rüdesheim. This afternoon join the tour to visit a local vineyard for a tasting of the local wines and a walk through the famous Drosselgasse with its wine taverns, garden restaurants, beer bars and live music venues. Back on board, enjoy a delicious dinner and another night of signature Brand g entertainment.

Morning: Koblenz walking tour and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
Discover Koblenz, one of the most beautiful and oldest cities in Germany with more than 2,000 years of history. During a walking tour in the romantic side streets between the Basilica of St. Kastor and the Church of Our Lady, view the most important sights of Koblenz. Continue your excursion by cable car (which was built for the International Garden Show) high above the Rhine to the impressively situated Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is the second largest preserved fortress in Europe. The fortress dates back to 1000 CE and evolved to its present form between 1817 and 1828. Today, the fortress houses the Koblenz State Museum with its diverse exhibitions, including the history of the fortress, the Army Memorial and a youth hostel.
Duration approx: 3 hours

Afternoon: Tour – Rüdesheim wine tasting & Drosselgasse
Enjoy an unforgettable tram ride on the Winzerexpress and discover the beauty of the Rhine Valley. Visit a typical winery and taste different wines of the region. Afterwards, stroll along the famous Drosselgasse, which is a narrow cobblestone street, first mentioned in the 15th century as an alley used by the Rhine boatmen to reach their homes. Here you can still find numerous half-timbered wine houses, restaurants and shops. Immerse yourself in the history of the village before returning to the ship on the Winzerexpress.
Duration approx: 2 hours
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 - Mannheim / Speyer, Germany
Before breakfast, your vessel docks in the bustling town of Mannheim, your gate to an excursion to nearby Heidelberg, another old university city with its beautiful Heidelberg Castle.
This afternoon’s call is at Speyer, a city known for its cathedral where eight Roman emperors and German kings are interred. Join us for a guided tour of one of the oldest cities in Germany and discover the secrets of the Speyer Brezel, one of Germany’s staple snacks and famously celebrated at the annual Pretzel Festival in Speyer. At night, your floating luxury hotel sets sail to Strasbourg.

Morning: Tour – Romantic Heidelberg with castle ruins
A comfortable coach will take you to the Heidelberg, the world famous University City on the Neckar River. The town is one of the few German cities with a widely preserved baroque Old Town. Heidelberg was discovered quite early by romantics to use for diverse literature, songs and paintings. The tour through Heidelberg begins with a visit to the castle. The formerly splendid residence made of red sandstone has been a ruin, maybe the most beautiful ruin in all of Germany. The castle tour leads also into the castle garden. From the grand Terrace you will have a wonderful view of the city and the Neckar River. The tour continues with a stroll through the enchanting old town, to the Karl-Theodor Bridge, the late gothic Church of the Holy Spirit and the town hall.
Duration approx: 4.5 hours

Afternoon: Tour of Speyer
Speyer, the time-honored imperial city on the Rhine, looks back on a rich and eventful past. Historic testimonies of ecclesiastical architecture, impressive facades of different building epochs, winding alleys and romantic squares characterize the face of the city today. During the city tour, enjoy a short guided tour of the Romanesque Imperial cathedral with its striking twin-towered portal, and a visit to the beautiful baroque Church of the Holy Spirit, the Old Gate of Speyer and the medieval Judenhof, one of the most important Jewish medieval sites in Germany. The Jewish community had a storied history in Speyer reaching back over 1,000 years. View the remains of the Jewish courtyard, which was the central area of the Jewish quarter and consisted of the synagogues, and a ritual bath (Mikveh).
Duration approx: 2.5 hours
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 - Strasbourg, France
This morning we arrive in the dynamic capital of Alsace. This beautiful city’s sights include the famous cathedral Straßburger Münster and the Petite France quarter, a former mill and tanner district that still maintains its medieval charm. Half-timbered houses, the Ponts Couverts, the Palais de Rohan, and the Council of Europe are among the wonders that Strasbourg holds in store for you. The Grand Island, the city center, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is connected to the rest of the city by 22 stone bridges.
See Strasbourg by canal boat on this morning’s guided excursion. After lunch on board, take in the views of the romantic Rhine as we move toward Switzerland, our final destination.

Afternoon: Tour of Strasbourg with canal boat tour
Enjoy a discovery tour through the beautiful city of Strasbourg. After a short coach trip through the city, the tour continues with a walk through the lovely, historic old part of the town and includes a visit to the famous cathedral Straßburger Münster. During a boat cruise on the river, discover the famous quarter, “Petite France.” This former mill and tanner district still maintains its medieval charm. Some of the beautiful, half-timbered houses on the banks of the river Ill are up to 500 years old. You will enjoy Strasbourg’s half-timbered houses, the Ponts Couverts, the Palais de Rohan, the Council of Europe and all the other wonders that Strasbourg holds in store for you.
Duration approx: 4 hours
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 - Basel, Switzerland
Disembarkation
Today we disembark and Transfer to the Basel airport or stay an additional day or two in one of the world’s most livable cities.
Breakfast