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The Rhine & Moselle (Northbound)

4.5/5 Based on 2 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Cruise Advisor

The Rhine & Moselle (Northbound)

4.5/5 Based on 2 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Cruise Advisor
Our Price From
US$3,623
Save $2,136pp
Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
11 Days
 Cruise Starts
Basel
 Cruise Finishes
Amsterdam
11 Day The Rhine & Moselle (Northbound) Itinerary (Avalon)
Countries Explored: Switzerland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Holland
 Cruise Length
11 Days
 Cruise Starts
Basel
 Cruise Finishes
Amsterdam
11 Day The Rhine & Moselle (Northbound) Itinerary (Avalon)
Countries Explored: Switzerland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Holland
Cruise Line
Avalon
Ship
Departures
Passengers
128
Crew
37
Launched
2015
Cruise Code
WZH
Cruise Line
Avalon
Ship
Departures
Passengers
128
Crew
37
Launched
2015
Cruise Code
WZH

Overview

Your cruise on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers begins in Basel, Switzerland, to explore extraordinary cities in Germany and France, as well as Holland’s capital of Amsterdam. At the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border sits Breisach—the gateway to Germany’s beautiful Black Forest. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, where a local expert will show you the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and its fascinating astronomical clock. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city, then sail for the charming Rhine Valley read more wine town of Rüdesheim.

Cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge for the most beautiful view of the Rhine River and see ancient castles standing majestically on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Visit Koblenz, strategically located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, before coming to the charming wine village of Bernkastel! Here, you’ll go on a guided walk and taste some of the famed Moselle wines. Visit a medieval castle, then sail back into the Rhine and explore the magnificent city of Cologne, Germany, which spans both sides of the Rhine River. Your river cruise vacation ends in marvelous Amsterdam. Take in the sights on a canal cruise through the elegant Grachten lined with stately homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.”
Your cruise on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers begins in Basel, Switzerland, to explore extraordinary cities in Germany and France, as well as Holland’s capital of Amsterdam. At the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border sits Breisach—the gateway to Germany’s beautiful Black Forest. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, where a local expert will show you the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and its fascinating astronomical clock. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city, then sail for the charming Rhine Valley read more wine town of Rüdesheim.

Cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge for the most beautiful view of the Rhine River and see ancient castles standing majestically on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Visit Koblenz, strategically located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, before coming to the charming wine village of Bernkastel! Here, you’ll go on a guided walk and taste some of the famed Moselle wines.

Visit a medieval castle, then sail back into the Rhine and explore the magnificent city of Cologne, Germany, which spans both sides of the Rhine River. Your river cruise vacation ends in marvelous Amsterdam. Take in the sights on a canal cruise through the elegant Grachten lined with stately homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.”

Itinerary

Welcome to Basel. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Zürich or Basel must arrive by 3pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5pm. Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.

EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)

German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest

Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.

  • Active: Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Classic: Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air - museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR:
  • 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.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.

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

A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

  • Active: Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Classic: Take a City Sightseeing Tour, 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.
This afternoon, choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available.

Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN (B/L/D)

Philosophers' Views and the World's Biggest Wine Barrel

  • Active: Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:
  • Classic: Discover Schwetzingen Palace—the heart of a stunning site consisting of the palace, palace gardens, and historic palace square, OR:
  • Classic: Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the “World's Largest Wine Barrel."
Enjoy a leisurely evening sailing to Rüdesheim.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM (B/L/D)

Breathtaking Views.

This morning leave Rüdesheim after breakfast and enjoy the breathtaking views as you cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Koblenz.

KOBLENZ: Fortress Walls and Manor Halls

  • Active: Explore Koblenz's Mosel side by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided City Walk amid ancient fortresses walls, towers, squares, and monuments, OR:
  • Classic: Enjoy a Guided Visit to the Sayn Manor House and its Butterfly Gardens.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.

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

Hillside Vines and German Wines.

Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.

This morning, enjoy leisurely sailing.

  • Active: Join your Adventure Host for a hike in this beautiful area, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided Walking Tour of the charming wine village of Bernkastel—with its medieval marketplace and 17th-century gabled timber - framed houses.
This afternoon, select a Guided Optional Excursion to a local winery for a wine tasting.

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

Ancient Worlds and Old - World Charm.

  • Active: Get your daily dose of exercise through a Power Walk in Trier with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided Sightseeing tour of Trier—Germany's oldest city with ancient remnants dating from 144 - 152 AD. Starting from Porta Nigra, walk through the city center, OR:
  • Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Luxembourg City—with its dramatic views, ancient ruins, and modern architecture along the deep gorge terrain.

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

The Charm of the Moselle Valley.

Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

  • Active: Bike along the Moselle River with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Discovery: Visit the former bunker of Germany's Central Bank (Deutsche Bundesbank) and immerse yourself in the underground vault where millions of German Mark were kept during the Cold War, OR:
  • Classic: Join a Guided Walk of Cochem to see the charming town's half-timbered houses and winding streets. Visit the hilltop Reichsburg Castle with a bird's - eye - view of the Moselle Valley and river bend.
Enjoy free time to explore at your own pace. Alternatively, select a Guided Optional Excursion to Eltz Castle.

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

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland's Capital City

  • Active: Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Discovery: Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.
Spend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT SAILING TO AMSTERDAM (B/L/D)

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam.

  • Active: Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:
  • Classic: Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:
  • Classic: Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's “Golden Age.”
You may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.

Alternatively, choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside.

You may choose to spend some free time this afternoon visiting one of Amsterdam's many fascinating museums or galleries.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B/L/D)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Welcome to Basel. 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.

Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.

EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)

German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest

Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.

  • Active: Take a Guided E-bike Tour to experience the magical Black Forest from a unique point of view, OR:
  • Classic: Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air - museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR:
  • 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.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.

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

A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France.

  • Active: Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Classic: Take a City Sightseeing Tour, 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.
This afternoon, choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available.

Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN (B/L/D)

Philosophers' Views and the World's Biggest Wine Barrel

  • Active: Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:
  • Classic: Discover Schwetzingen Palace—the heart of a stunning site consisting of the palace, palace gardens, and historic palace square, OR:
  • Classic: Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the “World's Largest Wine Barrel."
Enjoy a leisurely evening sailing to Rüdesheim.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM (B/L/D)

Breathtaking Views.

This morning leave Rüdesheim after breakfast and enjoy the breathtaking views as you cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Koblenz.

KOBLENZ: Fortress Walls and Manor Halls

  • Active: Explore Koblenz's Mosel side by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided City Walk amid ancient fortresses walls, towers, squares, and monuments, OR:
  • Classic: Enjoy a Guided Visit to the Sayn Manor House and its Butterfly Gardens.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.

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

Hillside Vines and German Wines.

Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.

This morning, enjoy leisurely sailing.

  • Active: Join your Adventure Host for a hike in this beautiful area, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided Walking Tour of the charming wine village of Bernkastel—with its medieval marketplace and 17th-century gabled timber - framed houses.

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

Ancient Worlds and Old - World Charm.

  • Active: Get your daily dose of exercise through a Power Walk in Trier with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided Sightseeing tour of Trier—Germany's oldest city with ancient remnants dating from 144 - 152 AD. Starting from Porta Nigra, walk through the city center, OR:
  • Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Luxembourg City—with its dramatic views, ancient ruins, and modern architecture along the deep gorge terrain.

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

The Charm of the Moselle Valley.

Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

  • Active: Bike along the Moselle River with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Discovery: Visit the former bunker of Germany's Central Bank (Deutsche Bundesbank) and immerse yourself in the underground vault where millions of German Mark were kept during the Cold War, OR:
  • Classic: Join a Guided Walk of Cochem to see the charming town's half-timbered houses and winding streets. Visit the hilltop Reichsburg Castle with a bird's - eye - view of the Moselle Valley and river bend.
Enjoy free time to explore at your own pace. Alternatively, select a Guided Optional Excursion to Eltz Castle.

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

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland's Capital City

  • Active: Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Classic: Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.
Spend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT SAILING TO AMSTERDAM (B/L/D)

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam.

  • Active: Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:
  • Classic: Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:
  • Classic: Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's “Golden Age.”
You may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.

Alternatively, choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside.

You may choose to spend some free time this afternoon visiting one of Amsterdam's many fascinating museums or galleries.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B/L/D)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Trip Reviews (2) Most Recent 'The Rhine & Moselle (Northbound)' Reviews

4.5
Average Rating 4.5 / 5
2 Reviews
5 Star
50%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Avalon will still be my first choice for any river cruising 3 , Australia, Oct 2014
I felt the overall standard of this cruise was a little bit lower than the Avalon river cruise I did in 2012. Although my points of disappointment are very minor I was not the only passenger to have similar views. 1. Previous cruise. Cake/pastry selection for afternoon tea had several choices. This cruise. Only one choice. 2. Previous ship looked immaculate. read more This ship had rust showing through in a number of places. 3. I thought housekeeping standards, although very good, had dropped a little. 4. Noise in the restaurant at meal times was abominable. This comment was made by others in the Tour Operator survey. Avalon definitely need to consider sound absorbent ceiling tiles. 5. The tour guides for the shore excursions, although excellent at what they do, tend to load you up with so much information that your brain hurts when you are getting this every day. This is not limited to Avalon but common across all the cruise operators. The longer the cruise went the more people opted out of guided tours in favour of 'doing their own thing'. Despite the above negatives Avalon will still be my first choice for any future river cruising.
The best holiday we have ever had 2 , Australia, Oct 2013
This European river cruise was the best holiday we have ever had. Every detail had been expertly planned by Global Journeys. Avalon Waterways cruise ship 'Affinity' was staffed by exceptional friendly, helpful and professional crew. The food and drinks provided were abundant, varied and delicious. Included sightseeing was thoroughly enjoyable. I read more would recommend this cruise to anyone considering a river cruise holiday and have plans to book another one in the future.

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Cabin Layout Options:

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From $3,623
From $6,228
From $8,834
Tuesday 26 May 2026 26 May 26 Basel
Friday 05 Jun 2026 05 Jun 26 Amsterdam
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Avalon Imagery II
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River View
US$5,801
Save $228
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Sunday 14 Jun 2026 14 Jun 26 Basel
Wednesday 24 Jun 2026 24 Jun 26 Amsterdam
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Avalon Imagery II
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Friday 17 Jul 2026 17 Jul 26 Basel
Monday 27 Jul 2026 27 Jul 26 Amsterdam
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Avalon Imagery II
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US$4,937
Save $692
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Wednesday 19 Aug 2026 19 Aug 26 Basel
Saturday 29 Aug 2026 29 Aug 26 Amsterdam
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Avalon Imagery II
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Tuesday 22 Sep 2026 22 Sep 26 Basel
Friday 02 Oct 2026 02 Oct 26 Amsterdam
Details
Avalon Imagery II
Exclusive Savings
River View
US$5,801
Save $228
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sunday 11 Oct 2026 11 Oct 26 Basel
Wednesday 21 Oct 2026 21 Oct 26 Amsterdam
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Avalon Imagery II
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US$5,033
Save $696
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Wednesday 19 May 2027 19 May 27 Basel
Saturday 29 May 2027 29 May 27 Amsterdam
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Avalon Tranquility II
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US$4,727
Save $1,432
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Monday 14 Jun 2027 14 Jun 27 Basel
Thursday 24 Jun 2027 24 Jun 27 Amsterdam
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US$4,487
Save $1,672
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Saturday 17 Jul 2027 17 Jul 27 Basel
Tuesday 27 Jul 2027 27 Jul 27 Amsterdam
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US$3,623
Save $2,136
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Friday 06 Aug 2027 06 Aug 27 Basel
Monday 16 Aug 2027 16 Aug 27 Amsterdam
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Avalon Tranquility II
Exclusive Savings
River View
US$3,623
Save $2,136
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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