River cruiser MS Swiss Crown
Ship photos courtesy of Scylla AG
The entire conference, including the scientific program, accommodation, and meals, will take place on board the beautiful river cruiser MS Swiss Crown.
The ship has three decks, a restaurant, a lounge where talks will be held, a small library, a sun deck with a whirlpool, and a sauna.
A total of 68 cabins are available, which can be occupied individually or double depending on requirements and capacity. The allocation of cabins on the various decks will be decided by random draw.
The conference fee includes full board with breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake during breaks, and dinner. Beverages (water, juices, coffee, tea, house wine and beer) are also included in the price.
The route and destinations
The cruise starts and ends in Cologne. The conference begins on the afternoon of 9 November. Before boarding, participants who booked these extras can join a lunch on board and/or a guided tour of Cologne Cathedral.
Boarding (Mon, 9 Nov): KD landing stage „Bastei“, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer, north of the Hohenzollern Bridge – show on map. Please note: it is a good kilometre from Cologne Cathedral and the main station (approx. 15–20 min on foot). Check-in from 16:00 to 18:00 – please be on board by 18:00; participants who booked lunch please arrive by 12:30.
Disembarkation (Fri, 13 Nov, 09:30): KD landing stage no. 5, Frankenwerft (Old Town) – show on map. Please note: this is a different pier than for boarding.
Dordrecht, the oldest city in the historic county of Holland, lies at the meeting point of three major rivers – a wonderful place for an afternoon stroll through the historic harbour, merchant houses and narrow streets.
Pier (Tue, 10 Nov, arrival 13:00): Buiten Walevest – show on map
Antwerp, known as the diamond capital of the world, is a vibrant center of culture and history. Its Grote Markt captivates with opulent 16th-century guild houses. The afternoon is free to explore the city on your own; we will send around suggestions (e.g. museums or the Cathedral of Our Lady) before the conference.
Pier (Wed, 11 Nov, 12:00–18:00): Scheldekaaien, new cruise pontoon – show on map
As the oldest city in the Netherlands, Nijmegen has a rich history dating back to Roman times. With its mix of ancient ruins, lively student life and lush green surroundings, Nijmegen offers a great opportunity for a peaceful stroll on the last day of SQL26 (Thu, 12 Nov, 10:00–16:00).
