Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Budapest, after enjoying two nights in the “Pearl of the Danube.” Sail on your European river cruise to visit Vienna, picturesque Krems, and through beautiful views of the rich wine-growing region of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Your Danube River cruise continues to Melk, where you’ll see its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, with fantastic frescoes, statues, library, and ornate pipe organ. Your Germany river cruise continues with an excursion to Nuremberg. While sailing, you’ll hear an onboard lecture about Christmas traditions in Europe and choose from two guided excursions—a classic sightseeing tour of Nuremberg, or a tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds of WWII notoriety. Continue your festive European vacation to enjoy Christmas in the Heart of Germany with a guided sightseeing tour of the glowing Christkindlesmarkt of Bamberg—complete with dozens of nativity scenes of every size. Würzburg is the next stop on your Christmas cruise through Germany. Savor the sights, sounds, and confections of Würzburg’s warm Christmas markets before sailing to visit a picturesque Main River Village. You’ll continue your scenic river cruise on the Rhine River to see the shining Christmas markets of Germany, France, and Switzerland. Enjoy Heidelberg’s sparkling Christmas markets during your stay, before sailing for Strasbourg, France. City sightseeing includes Strasbourg’s stained-glass, gothic cathedral, astronomical clock, and La Petite France district. On to Breisach and the Black Forest of Bavaria to experience generations of warm and festive Christmas traditions. Your Christmastime river cruise will conclude in Basel, Switzerland. With Christmas celebration and special traditions large and small, and panoramic views, you’ll keep the visions of your scenic European river cruise in your memory for many Christmases to come.

1. Day 1
   BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

   Fri, Dec 04, 2026

   Welcome to Budapest—Hungary’s Captivating Capital
   
   The day is yours to relax and enjoy Eastern Europe’s shining city on the Danube.
   
   
   
2. Day 2
   BUDAPEST

   Sat, Dec 05, 2026

   The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe
   
   CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.
   
   Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge and picturesque Christmas market. Get to know the city’s cafés and pubs, or take a hike through the hills above the Danube.
   
   (B)
   
   
3. Day 3
   BUDAPEST (EMBARKATION)

   Sun, Dec 06, 2026

   Time for Coffee and Confections
   
   With a free day to explore before your cruise, take time to take photographs on the Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture. Try Budapest’s famous thermal bath spas, then lunch in a garden or rooftop eatery before boarding your Suite Ship®.
   
   EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
   
   (B,D)
   
   
4. Day 4
   VIENNA, AUSTRIA

   Mon, Dec 07, 2026

   Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube
   
   Enjoy sailing the Danube, which shares dozens of miles with Hungary and Slovakia and see the rolling landscape and red rooftops of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava come into view.
   
   DISCOVERY Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting while sailing to Vienna.
   
   This evening in Vienna, you may choose to join an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.
   
   OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
5. Day 5
   VIENNA

   Tue, Dec 08, 2026

   Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions
   
   CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
   
   Spend free time on your own enjoying the Christkindlesmarkt, or relaxing by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café. Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace— summer home of the Habsburg Empire. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
   
   OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KREMS
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
6. Day 6
   KREMS

   Wed, Dec 09, 2026

   Christmas Magic in the Austria’s Wine Country
   
   CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk to explore this small valley town, seemingly untouched by the new world.
   
   During lunchtime, sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk.
   
   MELK
   
   Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below
   
   CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.
   
   EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
7. Day 7
   PASSAU, GERMANY

   Thu, Dec 10, 2026

   Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet
   
   CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.”
   
   Later spend some free time in Passau’s charming Christkindlesmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
   
   Alternatively, join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart and learn how Austrians celebrate Christmas.
   
   Meet your ship back in Passau after your full-day selected activity for sailing.
   
   EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
8. Day 8
   REGENSBURG

   Fri, Dec 11, 2026

   Christmas Magic in Bavaria
   
   CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.
   
   Take time to browse Regensburg’s sparkling Christmas markets. Enjoy hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst.
   
   This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner.
   
   EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
9. Day 9
   NUREMBERG

   Sat, Dec 12, 2026

   Legends and History Lessons
   
   DISCOVERY Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board
   
   CLASSIC Choose a Guided Sightseeing of Nuremberg—with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
   
   CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.
   
   Spend free time on your own browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlesmarkt.
   
   OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
10. Day 10
    NUREMBERG. EXCURSION TO MUNICH

    Sun, Dec 13, 2026

    Beer Songs and Bavarian Kings
    
    CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Tour which will show you the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace—a former residence of Bavarian monarchs, along with the Old and New Town Halls of Marienplatz.
    
    OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG
    
    (B,D)
    
    
11. Day 11
    NUREMBERG

    Mon, Dec 14, 2026

    Living Heritage and History Lessons
    
    A day to relax and enjoy Nuremberg at your own pace. Stroll through the festively lit streets, buy those last-minute Christmas gifts, or ask your Cruise Director for suggestions of things to do. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
    
    EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG
    
    (B,L,D)
    
    
12. Day 12
    BAMBERG

    Tue, Dec 15, 2026

    Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes
    
    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 Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.
    
    AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG
    
    (B,L,D)
    
    
13. Day 13
    WÜRZBURG

    Wed, Dec 16, 2026

    Old Saint Nick 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. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
    
    EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MILTENBERG
    
    (B,L,D)
    
    
14. Day 14
    MILTENBERG

    Thu, Dec 17, 2026

    Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights
    
    CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany’s oldest inn.
    
    DISCOVERY Join a German Cookie Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.
    
    AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT
    
    (B,L,D)
    
    
15. Day 15
    FRANKFURT. EXCURSION TO RUDESHEIM

    Fri, Dec 18, 2026

    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.
    
    EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER
    
    (B,D)
    
    
16. Day 16
    SPEYER. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

    Sat, Dec 19, 2026

    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.
    
    Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing sailing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets.
    
    This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
    
    EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO STRASBOURG
    
    (B,L,D)
    
    
17. Day 17
    STRASBOURG, FRANCE

    Sun, Dec 20, 2026

    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.
    
    You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Alsace, for an afternoon in a French wine-country village. 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)
    
    
18. Day 18
    BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

    Mon, Dec 21, 2026

    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.
    
    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
    
    EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL
    
    (B,L,D)
    
    
19. Day 19
    BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)

    Tue, Dec 22, 2026

    Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
    
    Flights shouldn’t leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.
    
    (B)