23.09.2018 Magazin , Flussgenuss

Wonderfully Christmassy

An extremely enjoyable programme in Cologne and Düsseldorf

Cologne or Düsseldorf? A question that KD doesn’t have to ask. The traditional shipping company is rooted and at home in both Rhine metropolises. It has also given equal consideration to both cities when putting together its programme for the Advent and Christmas seasons. An Advent excursion on the Rhine is definitely worthwhile in either city.

Anyone who has ever been on board one of KD’s two large event ships during the Advent season will not forget in a hurry the sight they saw there: thousands of
lights sparkling on the decks, presents piled high under snow-covered Christmas trees on the stages, icy fir sprigs entwined around the large windows and oversized Christmas baubles hanging from the ceiling, shimmering in the glow of the fairy lights: a Christmas fairy tale!

The KD decoration team invests several days, including night shifts, to give the MS RheinEnergie and MS RheinFantasie their festive appearance – with overwhelming results. But the ships are not only visually transformed into a Christmas hotspot in front of Cologne’s old town. From the end of November, the onboard programme will be all about pre-Christmas delights.

Something for young and old

During the Advent season, Santa Claus is a guest on board every afternoon from Tuesday to Sunday. During the two-hour round trip, he is guaranteed to bring a smile to the little guests’ faces when he greets them on stage in his mighty armchair and gives them sweet treats from his big sack. And the adults? They can revel in the festive atmosphere with live Christmas music, perhaps indulge in one or two treats from the sweet menu and otherwise enjoy the cathedral, old town, Rheinauhafen harbour and the whole pre-Christmas hustle and bustle passing leisurely by.

TIP

KD offers an attractive package deal for groups of ten or more: two-hour afternoon cruise including Belgian waffle with cherries and cream and a pot of coffee, tea or hot chocolate for €18.40 (Düsseldorf) and €19.90 (Cologne) per person.

In the evening hours, the Cologne skyline sparkles in wonderful bright lights and offers the guests on the all-inclusive Advent evening cruises beautiful views while they wine and dine on board: from Tuesday to Saturday, guests can expect a sumptuous buffet with winter delicacies, wine, beer and soft drinks – all included in the ticket price. Just like the atmospheric live music, which is sure to get guests hitting the dance floor later on.

An enjoyable start to Advent Sunday

Those who love abundant buffets are in good hands on board the KD during the Advent season. Every Sunday the kitchen crews of the event ships offer a brunch buffet that is un- paralleled in Cologne: spend two and a half hours here dining to your heart’s content, while the picture-perfect ship sets sail in front of the cathedral city. Perhaps you’ll think about which of Cologne’s many Christmas markets to visit after docking, while enjoying a cup of coffee or helping yourself at the tea station and savouring the Christmas atmosphere on board.

Düsseldorf has never been so Christmassy

It is a real eye-catcher, located at the jetty below the Schlossturm (castle tower): the KD event yacht MS RheinPoesie. But you should not only be satisfied with a glance at its attractive appearance, because its true values lie within. KD took over the ship at the beginning of 2018 and invested a great deal in having it modernised. Guests are now welcomed below deck in a spacious, elegant and modern saloon with a chic, backlit bar. In the Advent season the interior gets a wonderfully Christmassy touch thanks to stylish decorations, making the MS RheinPoesie the perfect location for Christmas get-togethers.

In Düsseldorf too, guests have a wide range of atmospheric events on board to choose from. How about an all-inclusive evening cruise, for example? When the MS RheinPoesie lifts its anchors on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm during the Advent season, guests can expect an abundant buffet with a selection of beverages in the festively decorated saloon, and while the yacht cruises leisurely in front of the city, guests can enjoy a unique blend of culinary delights, festive ambience and river cruise in complete peace.

If you are looking for an oasis of calm in all the wonderful but also strenuous hustle and bustle in the run-up to Christmas, you should set a course for the KD jetty. Every Friday to Sunday at 3.30 pm, the MS RheinPoesie departs for the Christmas afternoon cruise and should be one of the most pleasant places in Düsseldorf to relax and enjoy an afternoon coffee, and perhaps a piece of cake. When the boat returns to the jetty after two hours, each guest is guaranteed to have recharged their batteries enough to plunge back into the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle.

TIP

Depending on the city and day, tickets for the all-inclusive Advent evening cruises cost between €64 and €69. Like the buffet and boat tour, all drinks (wine, beer, soft drinks) are included in the ticket price. This makes the cruises an attractive offer for company and club Christmas parties, as they give you full control of the costs.
For advice, bookings and table reservations, also for larger groups, please contact the KD service team at +49 (0)221/2088-318 or info@k-d.com

One new addition to the KD programme for Düsseldorf is the Sunday brunch during the Advent period starting 2 December. The kitchen will serve up everything your heart desires in a sumptuous buffet, including coffee and tea, of course. So the MS RheinPoesie is the perfect place for a leisurely Advent Sunday breakfast with friends and family. And after docking at 1 pm there is still plenty of time for further pre-Christmas delights at home or in Düsseldorf’s old town.