Romantic Rhine for Wine Lovers

8 Day River Cruise Basel to Amsterdam

October 20 - 27, 2026

Book with Mike Today!

 

 

 

Vacation Overview

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! A Certified Sommelier will accompany you on your river cruise on the Rhine River with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way. 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, enjoy an excursion to Germany’s Black Forest or take an excursion to the charming village of Colmar, followed by a visit to a chateau wine cellar. 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 Speyer for a guided walk and a visit to the Wine Museum. Sail to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or enjoy a visit to Eberbach monastery and its wine cellar, 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.

About Certified Sommeliers
Seldom do travelers get the chance to learn about wines from certified experts in the field! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a certified sommelier who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. We are honored to offer our guests the expertise of certified sommeliers who join select cruises to share their insights and inspiration in all things wine. Truly exclusive experiences for wine lovers!

 

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
 
dinner

 

DAY 2 - BREISACH, GERMANY (EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST) 

 
Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
 
Discovery Excursion
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:
 
Discovery Excursion
Take a full-day Guided Tour to the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, followed by a visit to a countryside chateau wine cellar, OR:
 
Classic Excursion
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.
 
Discovery Excursion
Join a lecture about wine hosted by your Certified Sommelier.
 
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KEHL
 
breakfast - lunch - dinner 

 

DAY 3 - KEHL (EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE) 

 
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
 
Active Excursion
Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
 
Classic Excursion
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.
 
Discovery Excursion
Join an enchanting Guided Tour along the famed Alsace Wine Route to discover the heart of France’s wine country and sample several local wines.
 
Discovery Excursion
Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Certified Sommelier
 
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER
 
breakfast - lunch - dinner 

 

DAY 4 - SPEYER (EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG) 

 
The World’s Biggest Wine Barrel
 
Discovery Excursion
Enjoy a Guided City Tour, including a visit to the Wine Museum to learn about the history of viticulture and wine production, OR:
 
Classic Excursion
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.”
 
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN SPEYER
 
breakfast - lunch - dinner 

 

DAY 5 - RUDESHEIM - RHINE GORGE - KOBLENZ

 
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country 
 
Active Excursion
Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:
 
Discovery Excursion
Join a Guided Tour to experience the beauty and simplicity of 13th-century Eberbach Monastery-a former abbey for Cistercian monks that today is known for its wine production and as the film location for the blockbuster movie, "The Name of the Rose". Also enjoy a wine tasting, OR:
 
Discovery Excursion
Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a wine tasting.
 
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.
 
Discovery Excursion
Enjoy an onboard wine and cheese tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.
 
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
 
breakfast - lunch - dinner 

 

DAY 6 - COLOGNE, GERMANY 

 
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
 
Active Excursion
Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:
 
Discovery Excursion
Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR:
 
Classic Excursion
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!
 
Discovery Excursion
Enjoy a wine and chocolate tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.
 
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM
 
breakfast - lunch - dinner 

 

DAY 7 - AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND 

 
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
 
Discovery Excursion
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 Excursion
Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”
 
Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops or join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
 
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
 
breakfast - lunch - dinner 

 

DAY 8 - AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION) 

 
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
 
breakfast 

 

Cabin Options

 

 

Deposit due at Booking Book by October 2025 & make monthly payments from Oct 2025 - June 2026
Final Payment Due on or before July 2026 Starting at $442.60 per person per month

 

 

Cabin Pricing

CABIN TYPE CABINS AVAILABLE CRUISE FARE PER PERSON UPGRADE COST TAXES / FEES / PORT CHARGES GRATUITIES INSURANCE DISCOUNT PER PERSON TOTAL PER PERSON DEPOSIT PER PERSON BALANCE PER PERSON MONTHLY PAYMENT PER PERSON (10 MO.)
Deluxe Stateroom
Category D (Tan)
8 $4,299.00 $0.00 $231.00 $146.00 $479.00 ($0.00) $5,155.00 $729.00 $4,426.00 $442.60
Deluxe Stateroom
Category E (Yellow)
4 $4,299.00 $0.00 $231.00 $146.00 $479.00 ($0.00) $5,155.00 $729.00 $4,426.00 $442.60
Panorama Suite
Category A (Dark Blue)
19 $4,299.00 $1,899.00 $231.00 $146.00 $519.00 ($0.00) $7,094.00 $769.00 $6,325.00 $632.50
Panorama Suite
Category B (Light Blue)
6 $4,299.00 $1,799.00 $231.00 $146.00 $519.00 ($0.00) $6,994.00 $769.00 $6,225.00 $699.40
Panorama Suite
Category P (Green)
25 $4,299.00 $1,949.00 $231.00 $146.00 $519.00 ($0.00) $7,144.00 $769.00 $6,375.00 $714.40
Royal Suite
Category S (Pink)
2 $4,299.00 $3,699.00 $231.00 $146.00 $519.00 ($0.00) $8,894.00 $769.00 $8,125.00 $889.40