Romantic Rhine
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
One of Europe’s most legendary rivers takes you across Germany and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland! This magnificent Rhine River cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Cruise on its famous canals along the elegant grachten--the best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city dating back to the “Golden Age.” Visit Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture—and see its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns.
Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—offering the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Cruise to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim and visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Continue your Rhine River cruise to Ludwigshafen for a guided visit to Schwetzingen castle, or take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle.
In Strasbourg, France, marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest. Here, find unrivaled natural beauty in the area best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.
8 Day River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel
Black Forest, Germany
Romantic - Any Time of Year
From the lively energy of summer to the golden calm of fall and the fresh renewal of spring, the Rhine reveals a different kind of romance in every season. Depending on when you sail, you can enjoy spring jam making, summer brewery tours and tastings or fall visits to historic vineyards. Sail when vineyard-covered hills glow with color, medieval towns feel extra special, and the river’s legendary scenery unfolds at an unhurried pace. It’s the same iconic Rhine – beautifully shaped by the season in which you experience it.
Your Ship, Avalon View
As one of the newest additions to our award-winning fleet of Suite Ships, the Avalon View certainly lives up to its name! With the youngest fleet of ships offering the widest views on Europe's waterways, The View illustrates our outstanding commitment to relaxed luxury. Passengers can choose from two full decks of award-winning Panorama Suites, featuring wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that transform your living space into a unique Open-Air Balcony. The 200-square-foot Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, with Avalon's signature window-facing "Beds with a View."
Onboard amenities include complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi access, a convenient Fitness Center, an Adventure Center for bikes and active gear, and an Avalon Adventure Host to assist with active excursions and activities. Enjoy exceptional onboard cuisine, including Avalon Fresh menu options, premium coffee and spirits, and versatile FlexDining venues, including the casual Panorama Bistro, al fresco Sky Grill, or elegant glass-walled Dining Room. Library books, cards, and board games are favorites in the Club Lounge, and our Observation Lounge affords the perfect vantage point to watch the world go by. The expansive Sky Deck beckons with a whirlpool, premium lounge chairs, shade system, and deck games-against a backdrop of Europe's most spectacular views!
Itinerary
-
Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.
During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year.
Overnight Docking in Amsterdam
Meals Included Dinner
Optional Excursions for an Additional Cost
Windmills, Canals & Cheese of The Netherlands. Discover the Netherlands legendary story of land reclaimed from the sea in the stunning Beemster Polder, where windmills stand as they have for centuries amid cheese farms and captivating landscapes'
-
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
Classic Excursion Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:
Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age."
This afternoon, choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available or take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.
Afternoon/Overnight Cruise to Cologne
Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Excursions for an Additional Cost
Medieval Muiderslot Castle. From Golden Age paintings to 13th-century arms and armor, discover the wonders of Muiderslot Castle, one of Holland's most beautiful medieval castle fortresses, on this captivating half-day guided tour.
-
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Active Excursion Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR:
Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.
Spend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!
Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery.
Overnight Cruise to Rüdesheim
Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
En route to Rüdesheim, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei—where the mythological siren’s songs lured ill-fated sailors.
Active Excursion Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, followed by a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee OR:
Classic Excursion Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:
Discovery Excursion Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting.
Overnight Cruise to Ludwigshafen
Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel
Active Excursion Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:
Classic Excursion Join a Guided Visit to Schwetzingen Palace—the heart of a stunning site consisting of the palace, palace gardens, and historic palace square, OR:
Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel.”
Afternoon/Overnight Cruise to Kehl
Excursion to Heidelberg
Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
Active Excursion Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.
Choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line—the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace’s wine country today.
Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center.
Evening/Overnight Cruise to Breisach
Excursion to Strasbourg, France
Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Excursions for an Additional Cost
Into the Alsace Countryside with Wine Tasting. Travel along the famed Alsace Wine Route on this enchanting half-day excursion that visits a traditional medieval Alsace village and includes a cellar tasting of the local wines.
-
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
Active Excursion Take a Guided E-bike Tour to experience the magical Black Forest from a unique point of view, OR:
Classic Excursion Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR:
Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.
Overnight Docking in Paris
Excursion to Black Forest
Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Excursions for an Additional Cost
Storybook Colmar, France's Little Venice. Discover the fusion of German and French culture on this wonderful guided tour through storybook Colmar, the "Little Venice" of France and capital of the Alsace wine region.
-
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.
Meals Included Breakfast
Cruise Inclusions
8-Day River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel
Accommodation 7 nights aboard your Avalon Suite Ship®, featuring Panorama Suites and premium onboard amenities
Included Meals 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
Choose Your Style of Discovery A wide range of Active, Discovery and Classic excursions are included throughout the journey, allowing you to tailor each day to your interests
Tour Director & Adventure Host Expert guidance and local insight throughout the journey
Book by 30 October 2026 and Fly Free on select 2027 Romantic Rhine River cruises. From $6,710 per person share twin, save $100 per person.
*From pricing listed above is based on the departure date 16 Nov 2027 in a Deluxe Stateroom. Flights included. The listed price does not include taxes or fees. Offer applies to new bookings only and is not transferable.
-
In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
Gateway city for departures is Zürich.
Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).
Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not available.
Heidelberg Castle, Germany
Terms & Conditions Pricing is to be used as a guide only and is subject to availability at the time of booking. Offer valid for new bookings deposited by 30 October 2026, cannot be claimed retrospectively and is not combinable with any other discounts except Second Tour Discount and Welcome Back Credit. Fly Free is to the value of $3,000 per person. Charges apply if airfare exceeds this value. A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit totalling $2,500 per person is required at time of booking to secure the airfare ($1750) and cruise ($750). Airfares are based on economy class travel departing AKL with travel to select European ports and include government taxes current at the time of booking. A surcharge may apply for flights from other New Zealand cities and any flight deviations. Airlines and booking classes are subject to availability and may include Singapore Airlines (N class) and Qatar Airways (O class), depending on routing. A surcharge may apply if the allocated booking class is unavailable and a higher booking class is required. Frequent flyer point accrual may be limited and is subject to airline policy. Tickets must be issued by the Avalon Waterways air desk. Business Class upgrades may be available on request and are subject to availability and additional charges. Cancellations after booking incur a minimum fee equal to the deposit or as otherwise specified. Full cancellation penalties may apply. Booking amendments may incur additional charges. Airline schedule changes are subject to change without notice and Avalon Waterways is not liable for any additional costs incurred due to airline changes. SafetyNet Protection can be purchased in conjunction with this offer. SafetyNet Protection applies to the cruise component of the booking only and does not apply to the airfare component of the booking or any air-related fees, charges or penalties. Offer applicable to singles (single supplement applies). Offer not applicable to group bookings. Offer may be withdrawn or amended at any time without notice. Complimentary transfers are offered at select times and dates and must be booked in conjunction with Avalon services and flights booked through Avalon where applicable.
Travel agent service fees and credit card fees may apply. For full terms & conditions, current availability and pricing for your preferred departure date, please contact our Wanderlust Travel Experts for details
Interested in this experience? Mention this Deal Code: 1259 when speaking with your travel agent. Don't have an agent? Click here to connect with one of our experts.