10 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Lucerne to Amsterdam 2026(WZA3)

Avalon Waterways River Cruise - Lucerne to Amsterdam

Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne

Starting from $3,699
Ship(s): Avalon Panorama, Avalon View, Avalon Vista
Specialty Cruises: Wine Lovers; Festive Time
10 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Lucerne to Amsterdam 2026 - WZA3

River Cruise Description

You'll start your European vacation with a 2-night stay in Lucerne, Switzerland. Enjoy a guided walking tour including the Lion Monument, Old Town, Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, Jesuit Church, and a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility).

Your dramatic river cruise on the Rhine will commence in Basel, Switzerland, with stops in France, Germany, and Holland. Sail to Breisach, your starting point for an excursion to the Black Forest. Then venture on to Strasbourg, France, to see its Gothic cathedral with stunning murals and stained glass.

Sail to Mainz for an excursion to Heidelberg Castle or join your Avalon Adventure Host® for a hike up Philosophers' Way. You can alternatively visit the Gutenberg Museum for the amazing history of the early pioneers of printing. Sail to Rüdesheim and through the spectacular Rhine Gorge-the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. You'll visit Koblenz and Cologne and arrive in Amsterdam for a guided canal cruise through the colorful city.

Your scenic river cruise on the Rhine River, with a 2-night stay in Switzerland are the perfect combination to unlock a guided European vacation of a lifetime.



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Departure DateShipPriced From
(per person)
 
Apr 5, 2026Avalon View$3,899Call Us!
Apr 16, 2026Avalon Vista$4,207Call Us!
Apr 19, 2026Avalon View$4,099Call Us!
May 3, 2026Avalon View$4,379Call Us!
May 7, 2026Avalon Panorama$4,407Call Us!
May 17, 2026Avalon View$4,399Call Us!
May 21, 2026Avalon Panorama$4,507Call Us!
May 31, 2026Avalon View$4,429Call Us!
Jun 4, 2026Avalon Panorama$4,529Call Us!
Jun 18, 2026Avalon Panorama$4,279Call Us!
Jun 28, 2026Avalon View$4,179Call Us!
Jul 2, 2026Avalon Panorama$4,326Call Us!
Jul 30, 2026Avalon Panorama$4,326Call Us!
Aug 9, 2026Avalon View$4,209Call Us!
Aug 13, 2026Avalon Panorama$4,526Call Us!
Aug 23, 2026Avalon View$4,409Call Us!
Aug 27, 2026Avalon Panorama$4,876Call Us!
Sep 3, 2026Avalon Vista$4,976Call Us!
Sep 6, 2026Avalon View$5,069Call Us!
Sep 10, 2026Avalon Panorama$5,226Call Us!
Sep 24, 2026Avalon Panorama$4,976Call Us!
Oct 4, 2026Avalon View$4,799Call Us!
Oct 8, 2026Avalon Panorama$4,807Call Us!
Oct 18, 2026
Wine Lovers(WZA3-T7)
A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.
Avalon View$4,349Call Us!
Oct 22, 2026Avalon Panorama$4,457Call Us!
Nov 1, 2026
Wine Lovers(WZA3-T7)
A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.
Avalon View$3,899Call Us!
Nov 15, 2026
Wine Lovers(WZA3-T7)
A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.
Avalon View$3,699Call Us!
Nov 29, 2026
Festive Time(WZA3-T3)
At every stop, you’ll experience the magical charm of this time of year, with the towns decked out in festive lights and décor, and the Christmas markets waiting to be explored.
Avalon View$4,924Call Us!
Dec 13, 2026
Festive Time(WZA3-T3)
At every stop, you’ll experience the magical charm of this time of year, with the towns decked out in festive lights and décor, and the Christmas markets waiting to be explored.
Avalon View$4,549Call Us!
Avalon Choice

Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are 3 types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:

Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You'll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Discovery
We've found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests — from cooking classes, to painting workshops — to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go — from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
  • Plus independent exploration options and use of Avalon's exclusive AvalonGO APP.

River Cruise Itinerary

Day 1 LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND

Welcome to Switzerland
The day is free to start exploring this delightful town on the Reuss River. Discover the many squares and churches and how tradition and modernity stand side-by-side or spend your free time enjoying some shopping in the city center.

Day 2 LUCERNE

A Historic Bridge and Heart of a Lion
Classic
Join a Guided Walking Tour, which includes the poignant Lion Monument, Old Town, Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, and Jesuit Church.
(B)

Day 3 LUCERNE–SWISS ALPS–BASEL (EMBARKATION)

Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding
Classic
This morning, enjoy a special Highlight Excursion to Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead).
EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH
(B,D)

Day 4 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
Active
Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, OR:
Discovery
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
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 in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.
EVENING CRUISE TO KEHL
(B,L,D)

Day 5 KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE

A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
Active
Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic
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.
You may also choose to join 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 MAINZ
(B,L,D)

Day 6 MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel
Active
Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:
Classic
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,” OR:
Classic
Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship after a short sailing to Rüdesheim.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM
(B,L,D)

Day 7 RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
Active
Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:
Discovery
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.
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.
KOBLENZ
Travel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History
Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ
(B,L,D)

Day 8 COLOGNE

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
Active
Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:
Discovery
Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR:
Classic
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
(B,L,D)

Day 9 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
Active
Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:
Discovery
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:
Classic
Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”
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. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. You may also choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside.
Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
(B,L,D)

Day 10 AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
(B)
Need more information?
Having trouble deciding which cruise is right for you?
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