8 Day River Cruise Basel to Amsterdam

One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which begins in Switzerland and visits France, Germany, and Holland! A Certified Sommelier will accompany you on your river cruise on the Rhine River with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way. Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, at the foot of the Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border. Here, enjoy an excursion to Germany’s Black Forest or take an excursion to the charming village of Colmar, followed by a visit to a chateau wine cellar. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, and marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and the fascinating astronomical clock. Stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city, or visit Schwetzingen Castle. Sail to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or enjoy a visit to Eberbach monastery and its wine cellar, then pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Last stop in Germany is Cologne—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral.

At the conclusion of your Rhine River cruise, you’ll spend time in colorful Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city on an included canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Spend free time discovering world-famous museums, and an abundance of restaurants in the vibrant, modern capital of Holland.

About Certified Sommeliers

Seldom do travelers get the chance to learn about wines from certified experts in the field! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a certified sommelier who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. We are honored to offer our guests the expertise of certified sommeliers who join select cruises to share their insights and inspiration in all things wine. Truly exclusive experiences for wine lovers!

Day 1: Basel, Switzerland (Embarkation)

Welcome to Switzerland

Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Zürich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.

EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH

Day 2: Breisah, Germany with Included Excursion to Black Forest

Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

Active Excursion

Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, 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:

Classic Excursion

Take a full-day Guided Tour to the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, followed by a visit to a countryside chateau wine cellar, OR:

Classic Excursion

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.

Discovery Excursion

Join a lecture about wine hosted by your Certified Sommelier.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KEHL

Day 3: Kehl and Strasbourg, France

A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

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.

Discovery Excursion

Join an enchanting Guided Tour along the famed Alsace Wine Route to discover the heart of France’s wine country and sample several local wines.

Discovery Excursion

Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Certified Sommelier.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN

Day 4: Ludwidhafen with included excursion to Heidelberg 

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:

Classic Excursion

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.”

This afternoon through the evening, enjoy leisurely sailing to Rüdesheim.

Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship

Day 5: Koblenz, Rudesheim and the Rhine Gorge

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

Active Excursion

Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim; enjoy a wine tasting, OR:

Discovery Excursion

Join a Guided Tour to experience the beauty and simplicity of 13th-century Eberbach Monastery-a former abbey for Cistercian monks that today is known for its wine production and as the film location for the blockbuster movie, "The Name of the Rose". Also enjoy a wine tasting, OR:

Classic Excursion

Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a wine tasting.

En route to Koblenz, 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.

Discovery Excursion

Enjoy an onboard wine and cheese tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.

KOBLENZ

Travel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History

Classic Excursion

Take a Walking Tour in beautiful Koblenz and discover its charming streets, historic landmarks and vibrant atmosphere.

Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment.

Day 6: Cologne, Germany 

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

Active Excursion

Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:

Discovery Excursion

Join a Guided Visit to Brühl Castle, learn about its history and enjoy a wine tasting, OR:

Classic Excursion

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!

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE

Day 7: Amsterdam, Holland 

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

Active Excursion

Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:

Classic Excursion

Join a Guided Walk to Chateau Amsterdam, an urban winery where you can enjoy a unique wine tasting experience right in the heart of the city, OR:

Classic Excursion

Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”

Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops  

(Not Included) Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

Day 8: Amsterdam (Disembarkation) 

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

2027 Fall Off-Season Pricing:  Starting at $2,651* per person, double occupancy 

Includes: 

• Classic, Active, and Discovery Excursions listed in the itinerary.
• *$750 per person credit on select 2027 Avalon Waterway Cruises  
• Meals and drinks are included while aboard the Avalon Suite Ship.  

Not Included:

• Flights 
• Extra Night Hotel Stays (Pre and Post Cruise) 
• Travel Protections
• Optional Excursions

Avalon Waterways includes Active, Classic, and Discovery Excursions to accommodate your travel style and desired activity level.

CLASSIC

A local expert is ready to guide your clients through the history and heritage of local destinations and the "must see" sites.

DISCOVERY

Inspiring and interactive hands-on activities designed to speak to your clients' interests - they spend their day immersing themselves in the destination’s unique culture.

ACTIVE

Embark on energetic excursions keeping them in motion and on the go — from a guided jogging tour, to biking, paddling, and hiking their way through scenic locales.

All excursion groups are small (<25).

You do have the option to add on excursions that are of special interest

Countries

Switzerland

Germany

France

Netherlands