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Captivating Rhine (Taste of Christmas Markets)

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Captivating Rhine (Taste of Christmas Markets)

No Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Cruise Advisor
Our Price From
US$2,529
Save $1,362pp
Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
8 Days
 Cruise Starts
Amsterdam
 Cruise Finishes
Basel
8 Day Captivating Rhine (Taste of Christmas Markets) Itinerary (AmaWaterways)
Countries Explored: Holland, Germany, France, Switzerland
 Cruise Length
8 Days
 Cruise Starts
Amsterdam
 Cruise Finishes
Basel
8 Day Captivating Rhine (Taste of Christmas Markets) Itinerary (AmaWaterways)
Countries Explored: Holland, Germany, France, Switzerland
Cruise Line
AmaWaterways
No Reviews
Ship
Departures
Passengers
156
Crew
51
Launched
2021
Cruise Code
AIL
Cruise Line
AmaWaterways
No Reviews
Ship
Departures
Passengers
156
Crew
51
Launched
2021
Cruise Code
AIL

Overview

Aglow with seasonal lights and holiday festivities, the legendary Rhine captivates those who glide along its waters. Experience the allure of France’s Alsace region in its welcoming capital, Strasbourg, and its priceless gem, Colmar. Discover Breisach, the twinkling Christmas lights strung throughout the charming town, and Freiburg, one of Germany’s picturesque cities. Fabled towns lost in time present you with the chance to taste local flavors—Rüdesheimer coffee and Christmas Markets’ glühwein—and to touch history up close with guided walking tour and active excursions. From Amsterdam’s colorful...read more canals to the majestic Swiss Alps, board your beautifully decorated ship and journey into the heart of the destinations you visit, experiencing the holiday spirit that comes alive in select markets along the Rhine during this Taste of Christmas Markets cruise.

Note: Select Christmas Markets will be open during select departures and may vary.
Aglow with seasonal lights and holiday festivities, the legendary Rhine captivates those who glide along its waters. Experience the allure of France’s Alsace region in its welcoming capital, Strasbourg, and its priceless gem, Colmar. Fabled towns lost in time present you with the chance to taste local flavors—Rüdesheimer coffee and glühwein—and to touch history up close with guided walking tours and active excursions. From Amsterdam’s colorful canals to the majestic Swiss Alps, board your beautifully decorated ship and journey into the heart of the destinations you visit, experiencing the holiday...read more spirit that comes alive on board and on shore along the Rhine during this Festive Delights river cruise.

Itinerary

Board the ship in Amsterdam for your Captivating Rhine cruise.

There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you'll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Canal cruise tour
  • Scenic cruising out of Amsterdam

As a leading hub for German culture, commerce, and architecture, Düsseldorf is a must-visit city for any travelers on the Rhine. Here, you will have multiple options for the day's excursion. Explore this grand city on the Rhine by joining a walking tour, concluding with a tasting of Altbier, a local specialty brewed using traditional techniques. Or, cover more ground with an active bike tour of the city.

If you're feeling adventurous, take a brief trip to the nearby city of Cologne. Join a full-day tour and visit the enchanting Old Town, where you will see sites such as the Cologne Rathaus, Germany's oldest town hall; the Fishmarkt, which dates back to the 12th century and the Great St. Martin Church. Alternatively, you may opt to join a guided tour of Cologne later this day in the afternoon. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Full-day Cologne tour OR Düsseldorf walking tour & Altbier tasting OR Düsseldorf Bike tour
  • Cologne walking tour

Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town's iconic vineyards. Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. For a more active adventure, hike through the town's beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River.

Later in the day, let Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town's special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising
  • Rüdesheim wine tasting OR Gondola ride OR Vineyards hike OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau
  • Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet OR Rüdesheimer Coffee

Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany's Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine cask.

For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher's Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany's oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Old Gate, Altpörtel. Or join a guided bike tour along the shores of the river Neckar and enjoy a cycling break to explore the picturesque medieval town of Ladenburg. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • “Romantic Heidelberg” excursion OR “Secrets of Speyer” tour OR Heidelberg Philosopher's hike OR Ladenburg bike tour

Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy walking through the iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l'Orangerie. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • “The Gem of Alsace” tour OR Strasbourg bike tour

Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Colmar. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and famous sights. Those wishing for a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside, or hike through the heart of the Kaiserstuhl, a volcanic region in the Rhine plain known for its unique landscapes, vineyards, and exceptional biodiversity. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Colmar walking tour OR Kaiserstuhl Vineyard hike OR Breisach wine country bike tour

After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare for your return flight home. (B)

Board the ship in Amsterdam for your Captivating Rhine cruise.

There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you'll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam to Utrecht, where you can explore this charming town on a walking tour or sip beer during a special tasting tour. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Canal cruise tour
  • Scenic cruising out of Amsterdam
  • Walking Tour OR Beer Tasting tour

As a leading hub for German culture, commerce and architecture, Düsseldorf is a must-visit city for any travelers on the Rhine. Here, you may explore this grand city on the Rhine by joining a walking tour, concluding with a tasting of Altbier, a local specialty brewed using traditional techniques.

If you're feeling adventurous, take a brief trip to the nearby city of Cologne. Join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town, where you will see sites such as the Cologne Rathaus, Germany's oldest town hall; the Fishmarkt, which dates back to the 12th century, and the Great St. Martin Church. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Düsseldorf walking tour & Altbier tasting OR Cologne walking tour

Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town's iconic vineyards. Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. For a more active adventure, hike through the town's beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River.

Later in the day, let Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town's special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising
  • Rüdesheim wine tasting OR Gondola ride OR Vineyards hike OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau
  • Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet OR Rüdesheimer Coffee

Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany's Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine cask.

For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher's Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany's oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Old Gate, Altpörtel. Or join a guided bike tour along the shores of the river Neckar and enjoy a cycling break to explore the picturesque medieval town of Ladenburg. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • “Romantic Heidelberg” excursion OR “Secrets of Speyer” tour OR Heidelberg Philosopher's hike OR Ladenburg bike tour

Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy walking through the iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l'Orangerie. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • “The Gem of Alsace” tour OR Strasbourg bike tour

Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Colmar, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and perhaps get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, a small replica of the famous version in New York, to commemorate the sculptor's Colmar birthplace.

Those wishing for a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside, or hike through the heart of the Kaiserstuhl, a volcanic region in the Rhine plain known for its unique landscapes, vineyards, and exceptional biodiversity. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Colmar walking tour OR Kaiserstuhl Vineyard hike OR Breisach wine country bike tour

After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare for your return flight home. (B)

Life Onboard AmaLucia

AmaLucia
AmaLucia

Sister ship to the award-winning AmaLea and AmaKristina, you'll find inviting public spaces, massage and hair salon, fitness room and heated pool with swim-up bar. Read more

All Excursions Included
All Excursions Included

Our guests have different tastes, so we offer a variety of included shore excursions so you can tailor your experience in every port of call. Read more

The Luxury Of Space
The Luxury Of Space

Sophisticated, contemporary and elegantly appointed, your spacious stateroom serves as your personal oasis for rejuvenation. Read more

Award-Winning Dining
Award-Winning Dining

All onboard dining, as well as unlimited wine and beer with lunch and dinner, is included so you can indulge whenever and however you'd like. Read more

Feels Like Family
Feels Like Family

Our staff are committed to the happiness of our guests and cruise after cruise they tell us of their wonderful experiences the've had with us. Read more

Active Ways To Discover
Active Ways To Discover

All of our guided hikes and bike tours are included in the cruise fare so you have more choices when it comes to how you prefer to explore. Read more

Brochure

AmaWaterways Danube River Cruises (2025) Brochure

AmaWaterways Danube River Cruises (2025)

Flowing through multiple countries and four iconic capitals – Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and Belgrade – the Danube winds through Old-World Europe, where castles were built, kings and queens were crowned, and visionary artists were inspired. With ships cruising the Danube River nearly year-round, no two journeys on this storied waterway are the same....more Plus, we offer an unparalleled variety of included excursions to suit every kind of traveler – in every single season.

Brochure

AmaWaterways Heart of the River (2026) Brochure

AmaWaterways Heart of the River (2026)

Step aboard a world of unparalleled experiences, where your journey is our passion. Allow us to share villages that time forgot. Walk along cobblestone streets filled with delights. Pedal through historic town squares. And revel in moments that last a lifetime. When you step aboard AmaWaterways, each day brings a genuine smile that warms the heart....more Every river a new culture that inspires, and each course a moment to savor and share. Experience these wonders and delights with AmaWaterways, the Heart of the River.

Dates & Pricing USD USD

Cabin Layout Options:

Select Cabin Preference:

From $2,529
From $3,595
From $6,408
Wednesday 19 Nov 2025 19 Nov 25 Amsterdam
Wednesday 26 Nov 2025 26 Nov 25 Basel
Details
AmaCerto
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River View
Sold Out
Unavailable
Sold Out
Thursday 20 Nov 2025 20 Nov 25 Amsterdam
Thursday 27 Nov 2025 27 Nov 25 Basel
Details
AmaSiena
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River View
US$3,779
Save $359
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Saturday 22 Nov 2025 22 Nov 25 Amsterdam
Saturday 29 Nov 2025 29 Nov 25 Basel
Details
AmaViola
Exclusive Savings
River View
Sold Out
Unavailable
Sold Out
Saturday 20 Dec 2025 20 Dec 25 Amsterdam
Saturday 27 Dec 2025 27 Dec 25 Basel
Details
AmaViola
River View
Sold Out
Unavailable
Sold Out
Wednesday 18 Nov 2026 18 Nov 26 Amsterdam
Wednesday 25 Nov 2026 25 Nov 26 Basel
Details
AmaCerto
Exclusive Savings
River View
US$2,529
Save $1,320
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Thursday 19 Nov 2026 19 Nov 26 Amsterdam
Thursday 26 Nov 2026 26 Nov 26 Basel
Details
AmaSiena
Exclusive Savings
River View
US$2,819
Save $1,329
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Saturday 21 Nov 2026 21 Nov 26 Amsterdam
Saturday 28 Nov 2026 28 Nov 26 Basel
Details
AmaViola
Exclusive Savings
River View
Sold Out
Unavailable
Sold Out
Thursday 24 Dec 2026 24 Dec 26 Amsterdam
Thursday 31 Dec 2026 31 Dec 26 Basel
Details
AmaLucia
Exclusive Savings
River View
US$2,917
Save $1,332
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Thursday 18 Nov 2027 18 Nov 27 Amsterdam
Thursday 25 Nov 2027 25 Nov 27 Basel
Details
AmaSiena
Exclusive Savings
River View
US$3,577
Save $1,102
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sunday 21 Nov 2027 21 Nov 27 Amsterdam
Sunday 28 Nov 2027 28 Nov 27 Basel
Details
AmaViola
Exclusive Savings
River View
US$3,432
Save $1,347
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Thursday 23 Dec 2027 23 Dec 27 Amsterdam
Thursday 30 Dec 2027 30 Dec 27 Basel
Details
AmaLucia
Exclusive Savings
River View
US$3,674
Save $1,105
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by AmaWaterways. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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