Overview
Read 3 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Avalon's 5 Day Christmastime in Alsace & Germany (Southbound). 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 read more time of year, an ice rink can be found at the foot of the castle and the Christmas market is spread over five town squares. Delight in the holiday cheer with Glühwein (hot mulled wine), bratwursts, and other regional delicacies.
You’ll also find an array of crafts, Christmas decorations, and gifts. Strasbourg, located on the border of France and Germany, perfectly blends the cultures of both countries. Strasbourg is home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe—dating back to the 16th century. Take in the aromas of mulled wine, spice cakes, and biscuits. Bask in the holiday atmosphere as you visit the Strasbourg Cathedral, a gothic masterpiece made of red sandstone, and containing ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock.
Your Christmas river cruise along the Rhine River takes you to Breisach, considered 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. There is no better setting than this time of year when smoke curls from the chimneys of the traditional Black Forest houses. Your delightful holiday cruise ends in Basel, Switzerland. Don’t miss this experience to savor the holiday season in traditional and beautiful Christmas traditions of European winter markets and festivities!
You’ll also find an array of crafts, Christmas decorations, and gifts. Strasbourg, located on the border of France and Germany, perfectly blends the cultures of both countries. Strasbourg is home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe—dating back to the 16th century. Take in the aromas of mulled wine, spice cakes, and biscuits. Bask in the holiday atmosphere as you visit the Strasbourg Cathedral, a gothic masterpiece made of red sandstone, and containing ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock.
Your Christmas river cruise along the Rhine River takes you to Breisach, considered 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. There is no better setting than this time of year when smoke curls from the chimneys of the traditional Black Forest houses. Your delightful holiday cruise ends in Basel, Switzerland. Don’t miss this experience to savor the holiday season in traditional and beautiful Christmas traditions of European winter markets and festivities!
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Our Price From
US$2,195 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $586 per person
Cruise Length
5 Days
Cruise Starts
Frankfurt
Cruise Ends
Basel
Cruise Departures
Dec 2026 to Dec 2027
Countries Visited:
Rivers Sailed:
Cruise Line
Avalon
3 Trip Reviews
Avg. Rating: 4.3/5
Passengers
166
Crew
47
Launched
2012
Cruise Code
WFZ
Itinerary
Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Frankfurt must arrive by 3pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5pm.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER (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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO STRASBOURG (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 On Board
One of our favourite sayings that describes Avalon Waterways is ‘the possibilities are as wide open as the views’. From Europe to the Galapagos and Asia, you can cruise in relaxed luxury with Avalon Waterways, with choices as unique as you. Avalon offers you a range of choices from excursions, dining options, activities more that help you tailor your experience.
Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
Avalon Vista
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
Trip Reviews (3)
Our first river cruise experience was nothing but AMAZING! 1
Zyra & Ryrenn Joseph, WA, Australia, Dec 2022
We would like to thank Toni our travel advisor at Global Journeys & the rest of the Avalon Tranquility 2 crew for making our holiday cruise getaway a memorable and relaxing experience. From getting in touch with yourself to enquire at first, to sorting out our trip, I couldn’t believe how easy everything was.
Onboard the cruise, EVERY crew member read more made sure we are ALWAYS looked after and they even made time decorating our room & making a cake to celebrate my birthday. Every place we went throughout the cruise was remarkable and we also loved the part where we were given ample time to be able to roam around & explore each town/place on our own without having to rush. Overall the experience was delightful and we can hand on heart say it will not be our first & last as we will definitely book with you again in the future.
Onboard the cruise, EVERY crew member read more made sure we are ALWAYS looked after and they even made time decorating our room & making a cake to celebrate my birthday. Every place we went throughout the cruise was remarkable and we also loved the part where we were given ample time to be able to roam around & explore each town/place on our own without having to rush. Overall the experience was delightful and we can hand on heart say it will not be our first & last as we will definitely book with you again in the future.
Christmas markets in Europe 1
Neil and Anne, New Zealand, Dec 2018
Great trip met some really nice people. The ship was well presented apart from a rip in our cabin carpet.
Our trip was disrupted due to the shootings at Strasbourg Christmas Market, so that was by-passed but Avalon recovered well and provided alternative markets to visit.
Staff, particularly the waiting staff, were very good and the cabin attendant read more made up the room every day so that it sparkled.
Our trip was disrupted due to the shootings at Strasbourg Christmas Market, so that was by-passed but Avalon recovered well and provided alternative markets to visit.
Staff, particularly the waiting staff, were very good and the cabin attendant read more made up the room every day so that it sparkled.
This short cruise was a great way to start our Christmas European holiday with delicious food, highlighting local produce, and a reasonable wine list with meals. Our cabin was spacious, well designed along Avalon’s panoramic window principles and had the most comfortable bed with zero partner disturbance. The staff were fine but a little hit and miss read more in terms of quality and friendly service. Certainly our cruise director needed to be more present, more light humoured and more personable. Given the tragic events in Strasbourg we understood and appreciated the urgent changes to our schedules along the way.
Most excursions were well done with informative local guides but having to spend extra time in Basel was a disappointment.
We both appreciated the friendly, timely and comprehensive service from Juliet from Global Journeys and intend to book through her again.
Most excursions were well done with informative local guides but having to spend extra time in Basel was a disappointment.
We both appreciated the friendly, timely and comprehensive service from Juliet from Global Journeys and intend to book through her again.
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Avalon River Cruises (2025-26)
Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. One step aboard our modern, luxurious Suite Ships with the grandest views in cruising and it’s easy to see how the tides are changing. Welcome to a new wave in cruising. Welcome aboard Avalon Waterways.
Dates & Pricing
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Cabin Layout Options:
Select Cabin Preference:
Wednesday
16 Dec 2026
16 Dec 26
Frankfurt
Sunday
20 Dec 2026
20 Dec 26
Basel
Details
Avalon Tranquility II
Exclusive Savings
River View
Sold Out
Unavailable
Sold Out
Friday
18 Dec 2026
18 Dec 26
Frankfurt
Tuesday
22 Dec 2026
22 Dec 26
Basel
Details
Avalon Illumination
Exclusive Savings
River View
Sold Out
Unavailable
Sold Out
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.
