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. At every stop, you’ll experience the magical charm of this time of year, with the towns decked out in festive lights and décor, and the Christmas markets waiting to be explored. 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 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 Christmastime 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 Christmastime vacation in Europe continues as you disembark your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland. Transfer to Lucerne to explore this lovely city with more delights to unwrap with the perfect gift of this Rhine River cruise and Swiss vacation of a lifetime.

1. Day 1
   FRANKFURT, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)

   Tue, Dec 07, 2027

   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)
2. Day 2
   MAINZ

   Wed, Dec 08, 2027

   Printing Halls CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing. Spend free time browsing the exquisite Christmas Markets of Mainz. Stroll through the lovingly decorated and illuminated strolls for ornaments and handmade pieces.This evening, enjoy heartwarming Christmas carols with live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B,L,D)
3. Day 3
   COLOGNE, GERMANY

   Thu, Dec 09, 2027

   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. Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Cologne’s Christmas marketsDISCOVERY 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)
4. Day 4
   RHINE GORGE–RÜDESHEIM

   Fri, Dec 10, 2027

   Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryEn 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. Don’t miss the tantalizing treats, and the seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in the city. Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN(B,L,D)
5. Day 5
   LUDWIGSHAFEN. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

   Sat, Dec 11, 2027

   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)
6. Day 6
   STRASBOURG, FRANCE

   Sun, Dec 12, 2027

   A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven’s Time, and Joyeux NoëlCLASSIC 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.Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time this afternoon wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH(B,L,D)
7. Day 7
   BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

   Mon, Dec 13, 2027

   German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestCLASSIC 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, or to spend your free time to enjoy the Breisach’s Christmas Markets EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL (B,L,D)
8. Day 8
   BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–MOUNT PILATUS

   Tue, Dec 14, 2027

   Spectacular Views in SwitzerlandThis morning, disembark your Avalon ship and take a motorcoach transfer to Mount PilatusCLASSIC Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus. Journey almost 7,000 ft. (2,132 m) up for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead). LUCERNEA Historic Bridge and Heart of a LionCLASSIC Join a Guided Walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne, which includes Thorvaldsen’s poignant Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge. (B)
9. Day 9
   LUCERNE

   Wed, Dec 15, 2027

   Lovely Lucerne Today, enjoy a day at leisure in Lucerne. Discover the many squares and churches and how tradition and modernity stand side-by-side or spend your free time enjoying some shopping in the city center.(B)
10. Day 10
    LUCERNE

    Thu, Dec 16, 2027

    Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)