8 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel 2026(WAZ)

Avalon Waterways River Cruise - Amsterdam to Basel

Romantic Rhine

Starting from $2,480
Ship(s): Avalon Envision, Avalon Panorama, Avalon Tranquility II, Avalon View, Avalon Vista
Specialty Cruises: Wine Lovers; Festive Time
8 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel 2026 - WAZ

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.



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Departure DateShipPriced From
(per person)
 
Mar 28, 2026Avalon Vista$2,480Call Us!
Mar 29, 2026Avalon Tranquility II$2,480Call Us!
Mar 31, 2026Avalon View$2,480Call Us!
Apr 11, 2026Avalon VistaWaitlistCall Us!
Apr 12, 2026Avalon Tranquility II$3,180Call Us!
Apr 14, 2026Avalon View$3,180Call Us!
Apr 25, 2026Avalon Vista$3,380Call Us!
Apr 26, 2026Avalon Tranquility II$3,630Call Us!
Apr 28, 2026Avalon View$3,630Call Us!
May 5, 2026Avalon Envision$3,730Call Us!
May 9, 2026Avalon Vista$3,730Call Us!
May 12, 2026Avalon View$3,580Call Us!
May 19, 2026Avalon Envision$3,580Call Us!
May 23, 2026Avalon Vista$3,330Call Us!
May 26, 2026Avalon View$3,330Call Us!
Jun 2, 2026Avalon Envision$3,330Call Us!
Jun 9, 2026Avalon View$3,330Call Us!
Jun 16, 2026Avalon Envision$3,330Call Us!
Jun 20, 2026Avalon Vista$3,330Call Us!
Jun 23, 2026Avalon View$3,330Call Us!
Jun 30, 2026Avalon Envision$3,080Call Us!
Jul 4, 2026Avalon Vista$3,080Call Us!
Jul 7, 2026Avalon View$3,080Call Us!
Jul 14, 2026Avalon Envision$3,080Call Us!
Jul 18, 2026Avalon Vista$3,080Call Us!
Jul 21, 2026Avalon ViewWaitlistCall Us!
Jul 28, 2026Avalon Envision$3,080Call Us!
Aug 1, 2026Avalon Vista$3,080Call Us!
Aug 4, 2026Avalon View$3,080Call Us!
Aug 8, 2026Avalon Panorama$3,080Call Us!
Aug 11, 2026Avalon Envision$3,080Call Us!
Aug 15, 2026Avalon Vista$3,280Call Us!
Aug 18, 2026Avalon View$3,280Call Us!
Aug 22, 2026Avalon Panorama$3,280Call Us!
Aug 25, 2026Avalon Envision$3,630Call Us!
Aug 29, 2026Avalon Vista$3,630Call Us!
Sep 1, 2026Avalon View$3,980Call Us!
Sep 8, 2026Avalon Envision$3,980Call Us!
Sep 15, 2026Avalon View$3,980Call Us!
Sep 22, 2026Avalon Envision$3,980Call Us!
Sep 26, 2026Avalon Vista$3,730Call Us!
Sep 29, 2026Avalon View$3,730Call Us!
Oct 6, 2026Avalon Envision$3,730Call Us!
Oct 10, 2026Avalon Vista$3,630Call Us!
Oct 13, 2026
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$3,630Call Us!
Oct 17, 2026Avalon Panorama$3,280Call Us!
Oct 20, 2026Avalon Envision$3,280Call Us!
Oct 24, 2026Avalon Vista$3,280Call Us!
Oct 27, 2026
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$3,080Call Us!
Oct 31, 2026Avalon Panorama$3,080Call Us!
Nov 3, 2026Avalon Envision$2,830Call Us!
Nov 7, 2026Avalon Vista$2,730Call Us!
Nov 10, 2026
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$2,630Call Us!
Nov 17, 2026Avalon Envision$2,630Call Us!
Nov 24, 2026
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$3,130Call Us!
Dec 1, 2026
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 Envision$3,855Call Us!
Dec 8, 2026
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$3,855Call Us!
Dec 15, 2026
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 Envision$3,480Call 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 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.
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."
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
(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.
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.
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.
Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.
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 KEHL
(B,L,D)

Day 6 KEHL. EXCURSION TO 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.
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
(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.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.
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)
Need more information?
Having trouble deciding which cruise is right for you?
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