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8 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel 2025(WAZ)
Romantic Rhine
Starting from $3,459
Ship(s): Avalon Envision, Avalon Illumination, Avalon Panorama, Avalon View, Avalon Vista
Specialty Cruises: Wine Lovers; Festive Time
River Cruise Description
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, Holland. 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 Mainz for a guided walk and visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum 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.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) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 23, 2025 | Avalon Panorama | $5,058 | Call Us! |
| Mar 30, 2025 | Avalon View | $4,408 | Call Us! |
| Apr 5, 2025 | Avalon Vista | $4,858 | Call Us! |
| Apr 19, 2025 | Avalon Vista | Waitlist | Call Us! |
| Apr 29, 2025 | Avalon View | Waitlist | Call Us! |
| May 3, 2025 | Avalon Vista | Waitlist | Call Us! |
| May 10, 2025 | Avalon Panorama | Waitlist | Call Us! |
| May 20, 2025 | Avalon Envision | Waitlist | Call Us! |
| May 27, 2025 | Avalon View | $3,709 | Call Us! |
| May 31, 2025 | Avalon Vista | $3,709 | Call Us! |
| Jun 3, 2025 | Avalon Envision | $3,709 | Call Us! |
| Jun 10, 2025 | Avalon View | $3,709 | Call Us! |
| Jun 17, 2025 | Avalon Envision | $3,459 | Call Us! |
| Jun 21, 2025 | Avalon Panorama | $3,459 | Call Us! |
| Jun 24, 2025 | Avalon View | $3,459 | Call Us! |
| Jun 28, 2025 | Avalon Vista | $4,209 | Call Us! |
| Jul 1, 2025 | Avalon Envision | $4,209 | Call Us! |
| Jul 12, 2025 | Avalon Vista | $4,209 | Call Us! |
| Jul 15, 2025 | Avalon Envision | $4,209 | Call Us! |
| Jul 19, 2025 | Avalon Panorama | $4,209 | Call Us! |
| Jul 22, 2025 | Avalon View | $4,209 | Call Us! |
| Jul 29, 2025 | Avalon Envision | $4,209 | Call Us! |
| Aug 2, 2025 | Avalon Panorama | $4,209 | Call Us! |
| Aug 5, 2025 | Avalon View | $4,209 | Call Us! |
| Aug 9, 2025 | Avalon Vista | $4,209 | Call Us! |
| Aug 12, 2025 | Avalon Envision | $4,209 | Call Us! |
| Aug 19, 2025 | Avalon View | $4,409 | Call Us! |
| Aug 26, 2025 | Avalon Envision | $4,009 | Call Us! |
| Sep 2, 2025 | Avalon View | $5,883 | Call Us! |
| Sep 9, 2025 | Avalon Envision | $4,109 | Call Us! |
| Sep 13, 2025 | Avalon Panorama | $4,109 | Call Us! |
| Sep 16, 2025 | Avalon View | $4,109 | Call Us! |
| Sep 23, 2025 | Avalon Envision | $4,109 | Call Us! |
| Sep 27, 2025 | Avalon Panorama | $4,109 | Call Us! |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Avalon View | $4,109 | Call Us! |
| Oct 14, 2025 Wine Lovers(WAZ-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 | $3,759 | Call Us! |
| Oct 18, 2025 | Avalon Vista | $4,409 | Call Us! |
| Oct 21, 2025 | Avalon Envision | $4,409 | Call Us! |
| Oct 28, 2025 Wine Lovers(WAZ-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 | $4,209 | Call Us! |
| Nov 1, 2025 | Avalon Vista | $4,209 | Call Us! |
| Nov 4, 2025 | Avalon Envision | $4,209 | Call Us! |
| Nov 11, 2025 Wine Lovers(WAZ-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 | $4,009 | Call Us! |
| Nov 22, 2025 Festive Time(WAZ-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 Illumination | $3,509 | Call Us! |
| Nov 25, 2025 Festive Time(WAZ-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 | $4,009 | Call Us! |
| Dec 2, 2025 Festive Time(WAZ-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 Vista | Waitlist | Call Us! |
| Dec 6, 2025 Festive Time(WAZ-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 Illumination | $4,109 | Call Us! |
| Dec 9, 2025 Festive Time(WAZ-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 | $5,758 | Call Us! |
| Dec 16, 2025 Festive Time(WAZ-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 Vista | Waitlist | 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.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.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
(D)
Day 2 AMSTERDAM
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.Classic
Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age."
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE
(B,L,D)
Day 3 COLOGNE, GERMANY
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM
(B,L,D)
Day 4 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
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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM
(B,L,D)
Day 5 MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Printing Halls, 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 City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing, 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 6 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 7 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful 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 8 BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.(B)
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