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12 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Amsterdam to Lucerne 2026(WDZE)
Reflections on the Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne
Starting from $5,272Ship(s): Avalon Imagery II
River Cruise Description
Your 12-day river cruise vacation includes stays in Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland-all beginning with your Avalon Rhine River cruise embarking from Amsterdam. Before sailing down the Rhine River, you'll enjoy a guided canal cruise through the captivating capital of Holland.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 Frankfurt for a guided walk 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, you'll find unrivaled natural beauty in the area best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.Cruise to Basel, Switzerland, to disembark from your Avalon Suite Ship® and continue your vacation with a visit to Mt. Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) and a walking tour in Lucerne. Spend two nights in this lovely Swiss setting where the Swiss Alps provide a stunning, snowcapped backdrop. Your Rhine River cruise and vacation in Switzerland are the perfect combination to unlock a guided European vacation of a lifetime.Thanks for your interest!
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I'm sorry, but an error has occurred. Try Again| Departure Date | Ship | Priced From (per person) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2026 | Avalon Imagery II | $5,745 | Call Us! |
| Jun 5, 2026 | Avalon Imagery II | $5,425 | Call Us! |
| Jul 8, 2026 | Avalon Imagery II | $5,272 | Call Us! |
| Aug 10, 2026 | Avalon Imagery II | $5,272 | Call Us! |
| Oct 2, 2026 | Avalon Imagery II | $5,303 | Call Us! |
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 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
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.This afternoon, you may join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
(D)
Day 2 AMSTERDAM
Canals of Captivating Amsterdam
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.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."
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NIJMEGEN
(B,L,D)
Day 3 NIJMEGEN
Wildlife and WWII Valor
Active
Explore the beautiful landscape of lush fields and blue water on a bike ride through The Ooijpolder Nature Reserve, OR:
Discovery
Join a Guided Tour of Nijmegen— the oldest town in the Netherlands. Learn how this city was first built more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans and see the archaeological Roman-era ruins in the city that was also damaged in WWII, OR:
Classic
Join a Guided Tour of the Airborne Museum of Hartenstein commemorating the 1944 WWII Battle of Arnhem.
ARNHEM
WWII Valor and Medieval Castle
Classic
Discover Arnhem, a key site during WWII’s Operation Market Garden, and enjoy a Guided Tour featuring the city’s historical highlights and war memorials, followed by a tasting of herb and vegetable products at a medieval castle.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE
(B,L,D)
Day 4 COLOGNE, GERMANY
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.Discovery
Discover the people and true spirit of one of Cologne's hippest and most creative districts on this fascinating Guided Walking Tour through the Belgian Quarter, OR:DISCOVERY Learn all about the 5,000-year history and production process behind “Brown Gold”—chocolate—on this fun hands-on Guided Tour and Tasting at Cologne’s incredible Chocolate Museum, OR:
Classic
Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM
(B,L,D)
Day 5 RHINE GORGE–RÜDESHEIM
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
Take an open-air cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument. Ride or walk back down through the vineyards; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:
Discovery
Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT
(B,L,D)
Day 6 FRANKFURT
Charm in Frankfurt
Active
Enjoy a biking experience in the city of Frankfurt with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Frankfurt to see the city’s cultural landmarks and gleaming financial headquarters combined with the cozy ambience of quaint neighborhoods.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER
(B,L,D)
Day 7 SPEYER. 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
Take a Guided Tour of Speyer, see its imperial Cathedral, one of the largest and most significant Romanesque edifices in Germany, 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.”
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
(B,L,D)
Day 8 STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
(B,L,D)
Day 9 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
Winemaking and Wonderful Woods of the Black Forest
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL
(B,L,D)
Day 10 BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–SWISS ALPS
Spectacular Views in Switzerland
This morning, disembark your Avalon ship and take a motorcoach transfer which will bring you in the heart of the Swiss Alps.Classic
Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) up for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead).
LUCERNE
A Historic Bridge and Heart of a Lion
Classic
Join a Guided Walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne, which includes Thorvaldsen’s poignant Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge.
(B)
Day 11 LUCERNE
Lake Views and Vineyards
Discovery
Join a wine tasting for an unforgettable experience amid the stunning views of Lake Lucerne with a visit to a local vineyard.
(B)
Day 12 LUCERNE
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
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