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8 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Basel to Amsterdam 2026(WZA)
Romantic Rhine
Starting from $2,630Ship(s): Avalon Envision, Avalon Panorama, Avalon Tranquility II, Avalon View, Avalon Vista
Specialty Cruises: Wine Lovers; Festive Time
River Cruise Description
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! 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 you'll find the gateway to Germany's Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. 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 stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Sail to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, 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.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) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 4, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $2,830 | Call Us! |
| Apr 5, 2026 | Avalon Tranquility II | $2,830 | Call Us! |
| Apr 7, 2026 | Avalon View | $2,830 | Call Us! |
| Apr 18, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $3,030 | Call Us! |
| Apr 19, 2026 | Avalon Tranquility II | $3,030 | Call Us! |
| Apr 21, 2026 | Avalon View | $3,030 | Call Us! |
| May 2, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $3,230 | Call Us! |
| May 5, 2026 | Avalon View | $3,230 | Call Us! |
| May 9, 2026 | Avalon Panorama | $3,230 | Call Us! |
| May 12, 2026 | Avalon Envision | $3,330 | Call Us! |
| May 16, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $3,330 | Call Us! |
| May 19, 2026 | Avalon View | $3,330 | Call Us! |
| May 23, 2026 | Avalon Panorama | $3,330 | Call Us! |
| May 26, 2026 | Avalon Envision | $3,330 | Call Us! |
| May 30, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $3,330 | Call Us! |
| Jun 2, 2026 | Avalon View | $3,330 | Call Us! |
| Jun 6, 2026 | Avalon Panorama | $3,330 | Call Us! |
| Jun 9, 2026 | Avalon Envision | $3,330 | Call Us! |
| Jun 13, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $3,330 | Call Us! |
| Jun 16, 2026 | Avalon View | $3,330 | Call Us! |
| Jun 20, 2026 | Avalon Panorama | $3,080 | Call Us! |
| Jun 23, 2026 | Avalon Envision | $3,080 | Call Us! |
| Jun 27, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $3,080 | Call Us! |
| Jun 30, 2026 | Avalon View | $3,080 | Call Us! |
| Jul 4, 2026 | Avalon Panorama | $3,080 | Call Us! |
| Jul 7, 2026 | Avalon Envision | $3,080 | Call Us! |
| Jul 11, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $3,080 | Call Us! |
| Jul 18, 2026 | Avalon Panorama | $3,080 | Call Us! |
| Jul 21, 2026 | Avalon Envision | $3,080 | Call Us! |
| Jul 25, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $3,080 | Call Us! |
| Aug 1, 2026 | Avalon Panorama | $3,080 | Call Us! |
| Aug 4, 2026 | Avalon Envision | $3,080 | Call Us! |
| Aug 8, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $3,080 | Call Us! |
| Aug 11, 2026 | Avalon View | $3,080 | Call Us! |
| Aug 15, 2026 | Avalon Panorama | $3,280 | Call Us! |
| Aug 18, 2026 | Avalon Envision | $3,280 | Call Us! |
| Aug 22, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $3,280 | Call Us! |
| Aug 25, 2026 | Avalon View | $3,280 | Call Us! |
| Aug 29, 2026 | Avalon Panorama | $3,630 | Call Us! |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Avalon Envision | $3,730 | Call Us! |
| Sep 5, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $3,730 | Call Us! |
| Sep 8, 2026 | Avalon View | $3,980 | Call Us! |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Avalon Panorama | $3,980 | Call Us! |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Avalon Envision | $3,980 | Call Us! |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $3,730 | Call Us! |
| Sep 22, 2026 | Avalon View | $3,730 | Call Us! |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Avalon Panorama | $3,730 | Call Us! |
| Sep 29, 2026 | Avalon Envision | $3,730 | Call Us! |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $3,730 | Call Us! |
| Oct 6, 2026 | Avalon View | $3,730 | Call Us! |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Avalon Panorama | $3,630 | Call Us! |
| Oct 13, 2026 | Avalon Envision | $3,630 | Call Us! |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $3,280 | Call Us! |
| Oct 20, 2026 Wine Lovers(WZA-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 | $3,280 | Call Us! |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Avalon Panorama | $3,280 | Call Us! |
| Oct 27, 2026 | Avalon Envision | $3,280 | Call Us! |
| Oct 31, 2026 | Avalon Vista | $2,830 | Call Us! |
| Nov 3, 2026 Wine Lovers(WZA-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 | $2,830 | Call Us! |
| Nov 10, 2026 | Avalon Envision | $2,630 | Call Us! |
| Nov 17, 2026 Wine Lovers(WZA-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 | $2,630 | Call Us! |
| Nov 24, 2026 Festive Time(WZA-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 | $4,130 | Call Us! |
| Dec 1, 2026 Festive Time(WZA-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 | $3,855 | Call Us! |
| Dec 8, 2026 Festive Time(WZA-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 | $3,855 | Call Us! |
| Dec 15, 2026 Festive Time(WZA-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 | $3,480 | 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 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
(D)
Day 2 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.
EVENING CRUISE TO KEHL
(B,L,D)
Day 3 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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ
(B,L,D)
Day 4 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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM
(B,L,D)
Day 5 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.
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 6 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.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM
(B,L,D)
Day 7 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.”
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
(B,L,D)
Day 8 AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
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