Golden Tours & Kosher Travelers Rhine River Cruise 2026
An 8-Day Kosher Cruise Through 1,000 Years of Jewish History
June 15–22, 2026 | Aboard the 5★ VIVA Gloria | Departing from Düsseldorf
Embark on an extraordinary journey tracing over a millennium of Jewish heritage along the Rhine River. This fully kosher 8-day cruise explores the legendary ShUM communities of Speyer, Worms, and Mainz — UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the cradle of Ashkenazi Jewish life.
Sail past medieval castles, vineyard-lined cliffs, and charming wine towns, all while enjoying freshly prepared gourmet kosher cuisine, a fully koshered ship, and an inspiring cultural and spiritual experience. From the iconic Lorelei Rock to picturesque Rüdesheim, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, and Frankfurt — this unforgettable voyage blends history, beauty, and comfort at every turn.
Tour Benefits
- Cruise aboard the luxurious 5★ VIVA Gloria
- Kosher supervisor accompanying the group throughout
- Freshly prepared gourmet kosher meals, cooked daily on board
- Private chef • Fully koshered kitchen • New porcelain dishes
- Torah scroll + designated hall for daily tefillot
- Shabbat reception with Friday-night and Shabbat-day Kiddush
- Electronic Shabbat candles
- Unlimited soft drinks, wine, beer, cocktails, coffee, tea
- Daily replenished minibar
- Free Wi-Fi on board
Itinerary
Day 1 – Monday, June 15
Düsseldorf, Germany – Embarkation
Board the ship at 16:00, settle into your cabin, and enjoy a festive welcome reception and celebratory dinner as we begin our ShUM journey.
Overnight: Onboard
Day 2 – Tuesday, June 16
Koblenz – Moselle Valley – Cochem, Germany
Travel through the scenic Moselle Valley, renowned for vineyards, dramatic landscapes, and rich Jewish history. Explore Cochem’s charming old town, then return for lunch and an afternoon walking tour of Koblenz, including the “German Corner.”
Overnight: Onboard
Day 3 – Wednesday, June 17
Rhine Valley – Lorelei Rock – Rüdesheim, Germany
Arrive 01:00 PM | Depart 11:59 PM
Sail the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with castles and cliffs. Pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, then visit Rüdesheim, including Drosselgasse and the Music Box Museum.
Overnight: Onboard
Day 4 – Thursday, June 18
Wiesbaden – Mainz (Magenza), Germany
Tour elegant Wiesbaden, then continue to Mainz, spiritual center of medieval Ashkenaz. Visit the reconstructed synagogue, Gutenberg Museum, and historic old town.
Overnight: Onboard
Day 5 – Friday, June 19
Speyer – Heidelberg – Speyer, Germany
Explore Heidelberg, including Jewish memorial sites and the famous Chagall windows. Return to Speyer, one of Europe’s oldest Jewish communities. Prepare for Shabbat, followed by candle-lighting, festive meals, and Oneg Shabbat.
Overnight: Onboard
Day 6 – Saturday, June 20
Speyer (Shabbat)
Walking tour of Speyer’s Jewish Quarter, including the medieval synagogue ruins and the best-preserved ancient mikveh in Europe. Afternoon rest, lecture, and Havdalah ceremony. Evening sail to Worms.
Overnight: Onboard
Day 7 – Sunday, June 21
Worms (Warmaisa) – Frankfurt, Germany
Discover Worms, home to Rashi’s Synagogue, the famous “Wonder Wall,” and Europe’s oldest Jewish cemetery. Continue to Frankfurt for a panoramic tour, then return for a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Onboard (Frankfurt Port)
Day 8 – Monday, June 22
Frankfurt – Disembarkation
Enjoy breakfast before disembarking. Farewell to the crew and to the enriching heritage journey of the ShUM communities.
Itinerary subject to change due to local conditions.
What’s Included
- Round-trip flights: outbound to Düsseldorf, return from Cologne
- Air-conditioned tourist bus for all transfers and touring
- 7-night cruise aboard MS VIVA Gloria (5★)
- Full-board kosher dining (with take-away lunch options on excursion days)
- Unlimited soft drinks, wine, beer, cocktails, coffee, and tea
- Daily replenished minibar
- Afternoon coffee/tea and cake
- Hot drink station available all day
- Free Wi-Fi
- Comprehensive touring program with all entrance fees
- Audio headsets for guided tours
- Expert Israeli guide for the entire trip
- Operations manager + kashrut supervisor
- Fully koshered ship with private chef and new dishes
- Shabbat services, Torah scroll, Kiddush wine
- Electronic Shabbat candles
- All taxes and port charges
What’s Not Included
- Mandatory gratuity for ship’s crew: €70 per person (prepaid)
- Travel health & luggage insurance (required upon registration)
- Personal expenses
- Tip for the Israeli guide (customary: €6 per person per day, based on 8 working days).
- Tip for the kosher operations manager (customary: €5 per person per day, based on 8 working days).