Our Price From
US$3,563
Save $888pp
Port charges, taxes and fees included
Cruise Length
8 Days
Cruise Starts
Frankfurt
Cruise Finishes
Basel
Ship
Departures
Passengers
166
Crew
47
Launched
2019
Cruise Code
WEZ
Overview
This Christmastime river cruise is a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate the season! Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Frankfurt, Germany, then sail up the Rhine River to Basel, Switzerland, passing beautiful views and quaint villages festively lit and decorated. This one-of-a-kind Christmas river cruise through France and Germany takes you on an excursion to Heidelberg, Germany, to visit the fascinating ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city. At this time of year, an ice rink at the foot of the castle glistens with good cheer where a very special Christmas market...read more spans more than five town squares! Delight in the holiday cheer with Glühwein (hot mulled wine), bratwurst, and other local specialties.
You’ll also find an array of crafts, Christmas decorations, and gifts to carry the festive charm home. Strasbourg, located on the border of France and Germany, perfectly blends the cultures of both countries. Home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe—this stunning city dates back to the 16th century. Breathe in the aromas of mulled wine, spice cake, and biscuits as you bask in the holiday atmosphere, including a visit to Strasbourg Cathedral. Marvel at the Gothic masterpiece made of red sandstone, ancient murals, and fascinating astronomical clock.
This Christmas river cruise along the Rhine River also takes you to Breisach—the the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest. Discover its unrivaled natural beauty and signature Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. Storybook Christmas charm doesn’t get better than this as smoke curls from the chimneys of traditional Black Forest houses. Your delightful holiday cruise ends in Basel, Switzerland with timeless Christmas traditions of European winter markets wrapped in your memories to last a lifetime!
You’ll also find an array of crafts, Christmas decorations, and gifts to carry the festive charm home. Strasbourg, located on the border of France and Germany, perfectly blends the cultures of both countries. Home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe—this stunning city dates back to the 16th century. Breathe in the aromas of mulled wine, spice cake, and biscuits as you bask in the holiday atmosphere, including a visit to Strasbourg Cathedral. Marvel at the Gothic masterpiece made of red sandstone, ancient murals, and fascinating astronomical clock.
This Christmas river cruise along the Rhine River also takes you to Breisach—the the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest. Discover its unrivaled natural beauty and signature Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. Storybook Christmas charm doesn’t get better than this as smoke curls from the chimneys of traditional Black Forest houses. Your delightful holiday cruise ends in Basel, Switzerland with timeless Christmas traditions of European winter markets wrapped in your memories to last a lifetime!
Itinerary
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)
Printing Halls
- Classic: Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.
This evening, enjoy heartwarming Christmas carols with live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B/L/D)
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.
- Discovery: 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)
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.
- 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.
Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN (B/L/D)
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)
A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven's Time, and Joyeux Noël.
- Classic: 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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH (B/L/D)
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest.
- 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, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL (B/L/D)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights shouldn't leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am. (B)
Life Onboard Avalon Envision
Avalon Envision
Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships. Read more
Our Vision. Your View.
With the only Open-Air Balconies in river cruising, experience Europe with a view like no other in a Panorama Suite. Read more
Exclusive Meets Inclusive
Avalon features all the right inclusions which compliment your luxurious river cruise experience. Read more
Avalon Choice
Personalise your cruise to make it your own with Avalon Choice. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more
Active & Discovery
Avalon's Active & Discovery river cruises offer activities for travelers with varying interests & for all energy and fitness levels. Read more
From View to Table
Savour regional cuisine and familiar favourites using the freshest local ingredients throughout your river cruise. Read more
Dates & Pricing
USD
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Cabin Layout Options:
Select Cabin Preference:
Tuesday
30 Nov 2027
30 Nov 27
Frankfurt
Tuesday
07 Dec 2027
07 Dec 27
Basel
Details
Avalon View
Exclusive Savings
River View
US$4,235
Save $316
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Tuesday
07 Dec 2027
07 Dec 27
Frankfurt
Tuesday
14 Dec 2027
14 Dec 27
Basel
Details
Avalon Envision
Exclusive Savings
River View
US$4,139
Save $412
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Tuesday
14 Dec 2027
14 Dec 27
Frankfurt
Tuesday
21 Dec 2027
21 Dec 27
Basel
Details
Avalon View
Exclusive Savings
River View
US$3,563
Save $888
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 Avalon. 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.
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 Avalon. 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.
