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Christmastime from Basel to Nuremberg

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Christmastime from Basel to Nuremberg

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Our Price From
US$5,575
Save $370pp
Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
10 Days
 Cruise Starts
Basel
 Cruise Finishes
Nuremberg
10 Day Christmastime from Basel to Nuremberg Itinerary (Avalon)
Countries Explored: Switzerland, France, Germany
 Cruise Length
10 Days
 Cruise Starts
Basel
 Cruise Finishes
Nuremberg
10 Day Christmastime from Basel to Nuremberg Itinerary (Avalon)
Countries Explored: Switzerland, France, Germany
Cruise Line
Avalon
Ship
Departures
Passengers
166
Crew
47
Launched
2011
Cruise Code
WMN
Cruise Line
Avalon
Ship
Departures
Passengers
166
Crew
47
Launched
2011
Cruise Code
WMN

Overview

Experience the holiday season like never before with a Christmastime cruise through Germany and France. From the beauty of the Black Forest to the glistening lights of Strasbourg’s Christmas markets, you’ll discover traditions and tastes that warm the heart. With views like no other, the shining stalls with crafts, cuisine, and curios come alive with music and merriment. Visit glowing German Christkindlesmarkt stalls as you cruise on the Rhine and Main Rivers through Heidelberg, a Main river village, Wurzburg, Bamberg, and Nuremberg.
Experience the holiday season like never before with a Christmastime cruise through Germany and France. From the beauty of the Black Forest to the glistening lights of Strasbourg’s Christmas markets, you’ll discover traditions and tastes that warm the heart. With views like no other, the shining stalls with crafts, cuisine, and curios come alive with music and merriment. Visit glowing German Christkindlesmarkt stalls as you cruise on the Rhine and Main Rivers through Heidelberg, a Main river village, Wurzburg, Bamberg, and Nuremberg.

Itinerary

Welcome to Switzerland! Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Zürich or Basel must arrive by 3pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5pm. Stroll through the city centre, enjoy the festive illumination and savor Christmas delicacies like waffles, gingerbread, sweets and Swiss raclette.

EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)

History, Artistry, 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.
In the afternoon, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.

Alternatively, spend your afternoon leisurely browsing Breisach's lovely Christmas market to sample pretzels, mulled wine, and Black Forest cake.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B/L/D)

Joyeux Noël in Strasbourg

  • 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.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion in a wine country village in beautiful Alsace.

Spend free time this afternoon strolling through the glowing winter markets of Strasbourg.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER (B/L/D)

Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King

  • Discovery: Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat—the world's largest wine barrel After the tour, visit the local German Christmas Markets in Heidelberg.
Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT (B/L/D)

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country.

  • Classic: Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rüdesheim, enjoy a special treat.
Don't miss the tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in the city.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE (B/D)

Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights in Beautiful Bavaria.

  • Discovery: Join a German Cookie - Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.
  • Classic: Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque village along the Main River.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG (B/L/D)

Old Saint Nicholas, and Nutcrackers Sweet

  • Classic: Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Pearl of the Romantic Road” with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residence.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. Visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum—the world's most extensive collection of traditional German Christmas decorations.

Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Wurzburg's Christmas markets.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B/L/D)

Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes.

  • Discovery: Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.
  • Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg—medieval home of Germany's Roman Empire dynasties. Stroll through dozens of Bamberg's nativity scenes—from miniature to life-size.
Take free time to enjoy the quaint Christmas markets, and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and a glass of hearty Bavarian ale.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG (B/L/D)

Legends and History Lessons

  • Classic: Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
  • Classic: Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.
Spend free time browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other Christkindlesmarkt culinary delights.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B/L/D)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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.

Stroll through the city centre, enjoy the festive illumination and savor Christmas delicacies like waffles, gingerbread, sweets and Swiss raclette.

EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)

History, Artistry, 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.
In the afternoon, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.

Alternatively, spend your afternoon leisurely browsing Breisach's lovely Christmas market to sample pretzels, mulled wine, and Black Forest cake.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board including the best Christmas carols.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B/L/D)

Joyeux Noël in Strasbourg

  • 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.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion in a wine country village in beautiful Alsace.

Spend free time this afternoon strolling through the glowing winter markets of Strasbourg.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER (B/L/D)

Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King

  • Discovery: Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat—the world's largest wine barrel After the tour, visit the local German Christmas Markets in Heidelberg.
Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT (B/L/D)

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country.

  • Classic: Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rüdesheim, enjoy a special treat.
Don't miss the tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in the city.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE (B/D)

Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights in Beautiful Bavaria.

  • Discovery: Join a German Cookie - Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.
  • Classic: Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque village along the Main River.
  • Discovery: Get into the holiday spirit as cheerful carolers come aboard to fill the air with beloved Christmas songs.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG (B/L/D)

Old Saint Nicholas, and Nutcrackers Sweet

  • Classic: Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Pearl of the Romantic Road” with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residence.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. Visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum—the world's most extensive collection of traditional German Christmas decorations.

Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Wurzburg's Christmas markets.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B/L/D)

Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes.

  • Discovery: Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.
  • Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg—medieval home of Germany's Roman Empire dynasties. Stroll through dozens of Bamberg's nativity scenes—from miniature to life-size.
Take free time to enjoy the quaint Christmas markets, and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and a glass of hearty Bavarian ale.

  • Discovery: Join an onboard workshop to learn how to create beautifully decorated candles.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG (B/L/D)

Legends and History Lessons

  • Classic: Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
  • Classic: Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.
Spend free time browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other Christkindlesmarkt culinary delights.

  • Discovery: Join a gingerbread Cooking Demonstration on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B/L/D)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Avalon River Cruises (2025-26)

Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration, Avalon puts guests in the captain’s seat to navigate their journey, fuel their passions, and steer clear of the usual while cruising on the world’s most memorable and mesmerizing waterways. One more 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.

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Cabin Layout Options:

Select Cabin Preference:

From $6,274
From $7,920
From $11,087
Wednesday 02 Dec 2026 02 Dec 26 Basel
Friday 11 Dec 2026 11 Dec 26 Nuremberg
Details
Avalon Tranquility II
Exclusive Savings
River View
Sold Out
Unavailable
Sold Out
Thursday 25 Nov 2027 25 Nov 27 Basel
Saturday 04 Dec 2027 04 Dec 27 Nuremberg
Details
Avalon Expression
Exclusive Savings
River View
US$6,274
Save $248
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Saturday 27 Nov 2027 27 Nov 27 Basel
Monday 06 Dec 2027 06 Dec 27 Nuremberg
Details
Avalon Panorama
Exclusive Savings
River View
US$6,274
Save $248
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Tuesday 30 Nov 2027 30 Nov 27 Basel
Thursday 09 Dec 2027 09 Dec 27 Nuremberg
Details
Avalon Vista
Exclusive Savings
River View
US$6,274
Save $248
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.

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