Christmastime on the Romantic Rhine (Southbound)
Christmastime River Cruises| European Christmas Markets
Day 1: FRANKFURT, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.Flights into Frankfurt must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ (D)
Day 2: MAINZ
Printing Halls CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing. Spend free time browsing the exquisite Christmas Markets of Mainz. Stroll through the lovingly decorated and illuminated strolls for ornaments and handmade pieces.This evening, enjoy heartwarming Christmas carols with live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B,L,D)
Day 3: COLOGNE, GERMANY
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland CLASSIC 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. Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Cologne’s Christmas marketsDISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard workshop to learn about European Christmas decorations.DISCOVERY Enjoy a remarkable Christmas concert in a lovely Baroque venue at Engers Castle, home to the Villa Musica Rhineland-Palatinate National Foundation, one of Germany’s largest music institutions.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM(B,L,D)
Day 4: RHINE GORGE–RÜDESHEIM
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryEn 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.CLASSIC 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. Don’t miss the tantalizing treats, and the seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in the city. Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN(B,L,D)
Day 5: LUDWIGSHAFEN. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat—the world’s largest wine barrel. After the tour, visit the local German Christmas markets in Heidelberg, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Speyer, see its imperial Cathedral, one of the largest and most significant Romanesque edifices in Germany. After the tour, explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets. EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO KEHL (B,L,D)
Day 6: STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven’s Time, and Joyeux NoëlCLASSIC Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city’s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time this afternoon wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH(B,L,D)
Day 7: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestCLASSIC Join a Guided Tour through storybook Colmar, along the charming canals of the “Little Venice” of France and past countless historic buildings and monuments, OR:CLASSIC Join a full day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.In the afternoon you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, or spend your free time to enjoy Breisach’s Christmas MarketsEVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL (B,L,D)
Day 8: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.Flights shouldn't leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am. (B)
Details
- Cruise Line
- Avalon
- Ship Name
- View
- Departure Port
- FRA
- Arrival Port
- ZRH
- Number of Nights
- 7
Pricing
| Option | Price | Departure | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land Only (Double) | USD 4,699.00 | 2027-11-30 | 2027-12-07 |
| Land Only (Double) | USD 4,699.00 | 2027-12-07 | 2027-12-14 |
| Land Only (Double) | USD 4,699.00 | 2027-12-14 | 2027-12-21 |
Itinerary
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Day 1: FRANKFURT, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.Flights into Frankfurt must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ (D)
-
Day 2: MAINZ
Printing Halls CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing. Spend free time browsing the exquisite Christmas Markets of Mainz. Stroll through the lovingly decorated and illuminated strolls for ornaments and handmade pieces.This evening, enjoy heartwarming Christmas carols with live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B,L,D)
-
Day 3: COLOGNE, GERMANY
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland CLASSIC 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. Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Cologne’s Christmas marketsDISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard workshop to learn about European Christmas decorations.DISCOVERY Enjoy a remarkable Christmas concert in a lovely Baroque venue at Engers Castle, home to the Villa Musica Rhineland-Palatinate National Foundation, one of Germany’s largest music institutions.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM(B,L,D)
-
Day 4: RHINE GORGE–RÜDESHEIM
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryEn 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.CLASSIC 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. Don’t miss the tantalizing treats, and the seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in the city. Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN(B,L,D)
-
Day 5: LUDWIGSHAFEN. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat—the world’s largest wine barrel. After the tour, visit the local German Christmas markets in Heidelberg, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Speyer, see its imperial Cathedral, one of the largest and most significant Romanesque edifices in Germany. After the tour, explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets. EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO KEHL (B,L,D)
-
Day 6: STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven’s Time, and Joyeux NoëlCLASSIC Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city’s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time this afternoon wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH(B,L,D)
-
Day 7: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestCLASSIC Join a Guided Tour through storybook Colmar, along the charming canals of the “Little Venice” of France and past countless historic buildings and monuments, OR:CLASSIC Join a full day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.In the afternoon you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, or spend your free time to enjoy Breisach’s Christmas MarketsEVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL (B,L,D)
-
Day 8: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.Flights shouldn't leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am. (B)