Fill out the form below and we'll contact you to book your vacation!
"*" indicates required fields
An all-inclusive, LGBT+ 7-night deluxe Rhine riverboat cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland.
Brand g Vacations is 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 Aurea, you will be pampered by a crew of forty-six in an atmosphere of total relaxation. Embark on an enchanting journey through the heart of Europe, where each city is a hidden gem waiting to be uncovered, as we journey through three countries: Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland.
Your adventure begins in picturesque Amsterdam, where you’ll embark the Amadeus Aurea. Then glide along the timeless waters of the Rhine river, 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, where your all-LGBT+ cruise culminates.
Join Brand g as they unveil the beauty of these captivating cities, creating memories that will linger in your heart forever.






On a Brand g European river cruise, every night is opening night. Brand g cruises always include featured Signature Entertainers, who provide nightly entertainment throughout the cruise.
Although the focus of Brand g cruises is mainly on sightseeing and socializing, they do like to mix in a bit of frivolity as well. With that in mind, they’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!
Today, you board the Amadeus Aurea. Settle into 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)
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.
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 with a canal cruise.
Walking Grade 3/5: The excursion by bus is followed by a longer walk. You may need to climb several stairs.
Duration approx: 4 hours
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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.
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, Brand g invites you to enjoy a glass of typical Kölsch, which is the number one beer in Cologne and large parts of the Rhineland.
Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 2.5 hours
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
This morning your 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 on the included tour and visit one of the wineries located directly in the town of Cochem. Before midnight, the vessel continues toward Koblenz.
Visit one of the wineries located directly in the town of Cochem and learn more about viticulture and wine cellar management. The Moselle region is famous for its top wines with the most traditional grape variety being the Riesling, which is also called “the queen of white wines” and is grown directly on the sunny slopes of Cochem. During the excursion you can taste different Moselle wines and learn more about the wine making process.
Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 1.5 hours
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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 you 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 and join the tour to visit a local vineyard. There, you’ll enjoy 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.
Discover one of the most pedestrian-friendly and oldest towns in Germany, with over 2,000 years of history. On our guided walk through the romantic streets between the St. Castor Basilica and the Liebfrauenkirche (the Church of our Beloved Lady) you will discover the most important sights of Koblenz and the town’s landmark, the Schängel Fountain at the town hall. This tour would not be complete without a visit to the Memorial of Emperor Wilhelm at the famous German Corner where the rivers Rhine and Moselle meet. See the cable car that hovers over the Rhine, built as an attraction and ecologically friendly traffic facility for the Federal Horticultural Show in 2011. This is Germany’s first 3-rope cable car with a transport capacity of 7600 people per hour.
Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate amount of walking will include stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 2 hours
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.
Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 2 hours
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Before breakfast, your vessel docks in the bustling town of Mannheim, your gateway 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 Brand g 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.
A comfortable coach will take you to 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.
Walking Grade 3/5: Moderate amount of walking which will include stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 4.5 hours
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).
Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 2.5 hours
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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. 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.
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 more.
Walking Grade 2/5: Easy amount of walking which may include stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 4 hours
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today you disembark and transfer to the Basel airport. Or, stay independently an additional day or two in one of the world’s most livable cities. Be aware that this week is typically Art Basel and therefore hotels book up early. If you plan to spend more time in Basel or Zurich, be sure to reserve your hotel room early to avoid disappointment. (Breakfast)
Ship

Enjoy a light and airy lunch at the AMADEUS Lounge, sweeten your afternoon in the Café Vienna, savor each bite in while dining in the Panorama Restaurant, and enjoy a cocktail under the stars at the Lido Bar on the Sun Deck. With numerous breathtaking spots on the AMADEUS Aurea, you will always find a new favorite place to discover.
Aurea’s cabins on the Mozart and Strauss decks feature lowerable panoramic windows along the entire cabin width. All deluxe cabins and suites are equipped with comfortable spacious bathrooms, a flat screen television with infotainment system, a telephone, a cabin safe, a minibar and individually adjustable air conditioning. The suites also have an accessible outdoor balcony with a seating area.
Dates of Stay: June 8 – 15, 2027
Note: Prices below include port charges of $200
Single occupancy pricing is double the pricing listed above
(284.2ft²) with walk-out exterior balcony:
The magnificent suites offer private walk-out balconies and lounge areas—perfect for enjoying your morning coffee or gazing at the starry sky at night. Each suite includes our AMADEUS Signature Bed (available as a double or twin), a luxurious bathroom with a shower and high-quality Rituals® bathing products, walk-in wardrobe, Espresso machine with complimentary selection of coffee, flat-screen TV, cabin safe, bathrobe and slippers, hair dryer, direct dial telephone, individual climate control, and a minibar for your convenience.
For single occupancy pricing add $2,500 to the per person pricing listed above
(188.4ft²) with drop-down panoramic window:
Discover the perfect balance of luxury and tranquility in your personal retreat. These staterooms feature the AMADEUS Signature Bed (available as a double or twin), a drop-down panoramic window for uninterrupted river views, a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower and premium Rituals® bathing products, walk-in wardrobe, flat-screen TV, individual climate control, well-stocked minibar, in-room safe, bathrobe and slippers, hair dryer, and direct dial telephone — ensuring a comfortable and refined travel experience.
For single occupancy pricing add $2,500 to the per person pricing listed above
(188.4ft²) with drop-down panoramic window:
Discover the perfect balance of luxury and tranquility in your personal retreat. These staterooms feature the AMADEUS Signature Bed (available as a double or twin), a drop-down panoramic window for uninterrupted river views, a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower and premium Rituals® bathing products, walk-in wardrobe, flat-screen TV, individual climate control, well-stocked minibar, in-room safe, bathrobe and slippers, hair dryer, and direct dial telephone — ensuring a comfortable and refined travel experience.
For single occupancy pricing add $2,500 to the per person pricing listed above
(188.4ft²) with drop-down panoramic window:
Discover the perfect balance of luxury and tranquility in your personal retreat. These staterooms feature the AMADEUS Signature Bed (available as a double or twin), a drop-down panoramic window for uninterrupted river views, a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower and premium Rituals® bathing products, walk-in wardrobe, flat-screen TV, individual climate control, well-stocked minibar, in-room safe, bathrobe and slippers, hair dryer, and direct dial telephone — ensuring a comfortable and refined travel experience.
For single occupancy pricing add $2,500 to the per person pricing listed above
(172.2ft²) with panoramic window:
Designed with both style and practicality in mind, our Haydn Deck cabins offer a peaceful and well-equipped space for your journey. Each cabin features a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower, luxurious Rituals bath products, and a hair dryer, along with a fixed panoramic window a non-opening windows positioned about five feet above the floor and looking out just over the water line. Thoughtful touches like a comfortable double or twin bed, generously-sized wardrobe, secure in-room safe, flat-screen TV, individual climate control, and direct dial telephone ensure a restful and well-equipped stay.
(172.2ft²) with panoramic window:
Designed with both style and practicality in mind, our Haydn Deck cabins offer a peaceful and well-equipped space for your journey. Each cabin features a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower, luxurious Rituals bath products, and a hair dryer, along with a fixed panoramic window a non-opening windows positioned about five feet above the floor and looking out just over the water line. Thoughtful touches like a comfortable double or twin bed, generously-sized wardrobe, secure in-room safe, flat-screen TV, individual climate control, and direct dial telephone ensure a restful and well-equipped stay.
Wait List Only
Brand g’s Best Price Guarantee ensures that you’ll get the best advertised rate.
If a lower fare is ever offered on the Brand g website, you can request (either directly or through us) to have that savings applied to your final payment
Single Travelers
C-4 category staterooms are priced for single travelers.
A single supplement of $2,500 applies to single occupancy bookings in staterooms A-1 through C-1.
A 100% single supplement applies in the Amadeus Suites.
Additional Charges
Pre-paid gratuities of $190 are additional.
Payment Information
An $1,500 per person credit card deposit is required to confirm your space. A second deposit of $1,500 is due 180 days prior to departure on December 10, 2026 and the final payment is due 120 days prior to departure on February 8, 2027. Failure to make payment(s) in a timely manner may cause your reservation to be cancelled.
Travel Insurance
Consider purchasing travel insurance to help protect your trip. Brand g offers travel insurance as part of a travel protection plan from Travel Insured International. Click here, or call Brand g at 952-405-9309 for pricing information. Please note, to be eligible for certain additional travel protection benefits you must purchase your plan within 21 days of the date your initial trip deposit is received.
Please review Brand g’s Terms and Conditions before contacting us to book this all LGBT Rhine Castles cruise.
Pricing, availability and itinerary for this all LGBT Rhine Castles tour is subject to change. Neither Purple Light Vacations nor Brand g will be responsible for any inaccuracies.
Purple Light Vacations handled our two-week trip to France, including Paris, Normandy and Provence. It was a pleasure working with them and they reflected professionalism, expertise and responsiveness at every step. They clearly understood our needs and preferences and put together a superb trip based on their keen experience and knowledge. They were gracious and accommodating, and supported and checked in with us all along and made us feel very secure.
I was lucky enough to find Jonathan just by googling. He was very personable, friendly and professional. He was able to put our entire trip together in just a few days and checked on us every day of our trip to make sure we were satisfied. He is the best and only travel agent I will use going forward.
Jonathan Geen and Purple Light Vacations are beyond superior. Jonathan has planned two European vacations for my husband and I and we are thrilled with his knowledge of what to do, his research of beautiful places to stay, and his communication and planning leading up to and throughout the vacation itself. I encourage you to try Purple Light as your travel agent and see how much easier and richer your vacation experience can be.


Jonathan and his team pulled out all the stops for our boys trip! I planned a very last minute trip for me, my dad and son and this team completed an entire agenda full of entertainment, food stops, and must see places! Truly impressed with his customer service, attention to detail, and responsiveness. If these guys are helping you plan a trip, you can rest assured that it will be amazing!
My wife and I had the trip of a lifetime in France for our 20 year anniversary, thanks to Jonathan and Purple Light Vacations. His ideas for hotels, itinerary and tours were spot on. He was completely able to gauge what we would love with just a short conversation and a few emails. Thank you Jonathan. You're a rockstar and we will definitely be using you again and again!
Finding an excellent travel agent today is extremely rare and we can honestly say, that Jonathan from Purple Light Vacations is an absolute gem of a find. He helped us find the best package deals for our trip when my husband and I were in a tough situation. We were impressed by the great deals he offered us. We are so grateful for all he has done for us and our travel plans. It certainly made our lives so much easier. My honest suggestion to anyone who needs a travel agent today is look no further! Book with Jonathan at Purple Light Vacations!We just booked our second cruise within the past year through Purple Light Vacations due to their outstanding service. Jonathan Geen is not only highly professional, he is enjoyable to work with. What is the one thing we all want from the service industry, and especially dealing with travel and vacations-- timely and helpful assistance. Jonathan was quick to respond to any question or inquiry, whether by email or phone, any time or day of the week. He went over and above to make sure we were taken care of, and even provided information about places he didn't even book for us. Purple Light is now our go-to firm for travel and vacations.
Thank you Jonathan for making my dream come true! Bora Bora has been on our mind for years; for its exotic and remote location you are required to pay high $$$$! I thought it wasn't definitely within our budget.I was over the moon when Jonathan proved me wrong and found us an amazing deal!
He made all our arrangements and kept in touch to make sure we had everything we needed right down to the time of our departure. During our trip everything was seamless! I couldn't ask for a better experience
My husband and I recently took a trip to Thailand on a vacation that was booked thru Purple Light. Southeast Asia was new to us, and we wanted a bit of extra help. We got a ton of extra help, for free! Purple Light was with us the whole way- from early stages of planning to the actual booking and throughout our travel. When we arrived to our hotel room, flat-out beat from travel, there was champagne on ice to greet us. Wow! We've used them before, and will absolutely use them from now on. I just can't recommend them highly enough to our family and friends.
Save
Save
Save
Save
My husband and I just came back from our 5 year anniversary trip to Cancun. We told Jonathan the dates we wanted, our budget and what sorts of things we were looking to do. He got right on it! Booked us airfare, an amazing all-inclusive resort, transportation to and from the airport (which I wouldn't have even thought of!) and even booked us a trip to Chichén-Itza. He even gave us some tips on what do and where to visit while we were there. Easiest trip we've ever taken! Purple Light will always and forever be my go-to for any traveling! Will definitely be referring them to any of my friends and family
We love Purple Light Vacations. We have used them for quite a few trips and they always surpass our expectations. Jonathon is the absolute best. He takes care of all of the details and is very prompt in answering all of our questions. We will definitely use Purple Light Vacations for all of our traveling needs.
Purple Light has made planning several vacations easier for me. They worked out a family trip getting parents and siblings in from various places. More significantly, they helped us arrange two international vacations. After recommending Argentina to us, Jonathan took care of everything and it was probably our best vacation together ever. He also recommended the RSVP river boat cruise up the Danube from Budapest to Prague...wonderful trip! We've booked an Atlantis cruise through P.L. as well. Of course we could have booked on our own, but using Purple Light was so less stressful and provided...extra help and advice at no extra cost!
I used Jonathan and Purple Light to book a trip for my birthday celebration. He was very helpful and from the very first email contact to the end of the cruise Jonathan handled everything with excellence. His communication during the booking process to the day of starting the trip was very thorough and he missed no details. I will definitely be using Jonathan and Purple Light Vacations again for my future vacation and travel needs.
Jonathan of Purple Light Vacations guided us through the entire process to book our Atlantis Caribbean cruise at no additional charge to us. He kept us informed on all the details of the cruise and events happening on/off the boat. Upon arrival on the ship, a bottle of Merlot was waiting for us. Upon disembarkation, an email was waiting for us to see how we enjoyed the cruise as well as a card in the mail to welcome us home. This attention to detail did not go unnoticed and was very much appreciated. I hold Purple Light Vacations as the gold standard for high quality travel services.
Purple Light has booked vacations for us at Disneyland, Aruba, Charleston, Fort Lauderdale, New York City, Bahamas, Brazil and two cruises and all this since January 2016. We are discerning frequent travelers with a budget in mind. Working with Purple Light gives us the confidence to keep planning more travel!
Normally I research and book hotels on my own. This year, however, I was extremely busy at work and I had no time to do this, so I reached out to Purple Light for their help in planning a trip to the Greek islands, and am glad I did! Purple Light recommended excellent hotels that I probably would not have found on my own, and they even provided helpful city island overviews that were referenced often. In addition, they helped fill in some of our time with tours that we thoroughly enjoyed. I highly recommend Purple Light and plan to use them again for my next trip!
We used Purple Light when we booked our Atlantis P.V. Mexico Resort Vacation. With no additional cost to us, Purple Light made what would have been a good vacation...an amazing vacation. They handled everything (airline, shuttles, etc.). Additionally, they provided excellent insight on what to expect on our vacation and what to see and what to avoid. I give them my highest recommendation.
Thank you Purple Light Vacations, and to Jonathan especially. Jonathan helped us plan an amazing Cuba Cruise for my bachelorette trip. It is not easy to book a trip for a large group including all of the flights, rooming/accommodations and excursions. Luckily, we just proposed dates, destinations in mind with a budget and Purple Light took care of the rest. Jonathan researched the options, made suggestions and provided us with great advice. He was so patient and informative throughout our planning process, and really made sure that everything worked out well.
After such a great experience, we also asked Purple Light in helping us plan a cruise for our parents too. Our parents were very happy and impressed with the entire trip. Thank you!!
We used Purple Light Vacations to help us book our hotel rooms in Copenhagen and Stockholm recently during a Baltic cruise. I had previously booked room through an online travel website but I'm glad I decided to go with Jonathan instead, or our hotel choices would have been in the wrong area. You can trust Purple Light Vacations to make sure you have a wonderful, surprise free vacation!
I took a short weekend vacation to Catalina Island with a friend and reached out to Purple Light and was amazed how quick they got me a hotel room and a list of great things to do! They went above and beyond!
I don't think I will take a trip without them!!
Thanks Jonathan and Purple Light!
We were in New Orleans for Southern Decadence. Purple Light Vacations recommended a spectacular hotel right in the area we were interested in staying. We have also traveled to Italy, France, and Barcelona where each of their recommendations was excellent! Everything went exactly as planned.
Jonathan and Purple Light are great! Had them manage our reservations for a couple of Atlantis cruises and always been incredibly responsive and on top of things
I used Purple Light's Copenhagen overview to plan for restaurants and get a sense of must-see sights in the city. The suggestions were perfect and I don't want to take another trip without consulting Purple Light before I travel. Recommended for a first-class vacation that leaves you free to spend your time enjoying the city rather than struggling to navigate it!
Sign up for our eTravelMag to learn about new destinations and partners
"*" indicates required fields
Purple Light Vacations
Send us a message
Phone: (619) 324-1444
Fax: (619) 765-3033
CST# 2113473
FL Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST40248
WA License No. UBI 605002405 001 0001
Travel services not offered to those outside of the United States and the Canadian provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia or residents of the State of Hawaii.