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Romantic Rhine (Northbound) 2026

From Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands
Length: 8 Days - Departs: Sun, Apr 05, 2026
Operator
Departure
Apr 05, 2026
Arrival
Apr 12, 2026

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Save $3,000 on 2025 Avalon Waterways Mekong River Cruises

Mention Promo Code: PT3391
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Save $3,000 on 2025 Avalon Waterways Mekong River Cruises

Save $3,000 on 2025 Avalon Waterways Mekong River Cruises

Promotion Details
Book a select 2025 Avalon Waterways Mekong river cruise to receive $3,000 off per couple ($1500 off per person) on the cruise/land or cruise only price. Plus, receive our AffordableTours.com everyday savings.
Must Book By Mon, Jun 30, 2025
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*Book a select 2025 Avalon Waterways Mekong river cruise to receive $1500 off per person on the cruise/land or cruise only price. Offer available on select dates in 2025 and on select cruises ONLY. Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between May 9, 2024 and JUne 30, 2025 for travel at select times in 2025. Not applicable to custom tours. Not applicable on TBA space. Combinable only with the Welcome Back Credit. Promotional discount will apply to Groups of 8 or more who provide their Group Block Deposit within the promotion's booking dates and will apply to all individual members of the Group until the due date of the passenger names/non-refundable individual deposits. Applies to new bookings only and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability at time of booking and may be withdrawn at any time. This promotion is inventory managed and subject to availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply; see Travel Terms & Conditions for details. Offer applies to participating GFOB offices only. PRMW1115 PRMW1146


River Cruise Itinerary

One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which begins in Switzerland and visits France, Germany, and Holland! Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, at the foot of the Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border. Here you’ll find 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. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, and marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and the fascinating astronomical clock. Stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city, or stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Sail to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, then pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Last stop in Germany is Cologne—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral.At the conclusion of your Rhine River cruise, you’ll spend time in colorful Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city on an included canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Spend free time discovering world-famous museums, and an abundance of restaurants in the vibrant, modern capital of Holland.

  1. Day 1
    BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)
    Sun, Apr 05, 2026
    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.

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

    EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH

    (D)

  2. Day 2
    BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
    Mon, Apr 06, 2026
    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 CRUISE TO KEHL

    (B,L,D)

  3. Day 3
    KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE
    Tue, Apr 07, 2026
    A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

    ACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

    CLASSIC Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.

    You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line—the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France or visit Alsace’s wine country today.

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

    EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ

    (B,L,D)

  4. Day 4
    MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
    Wed, Apr 08, 2026
    Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel

    ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, 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,” OR:

    CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.

    This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship after a short sailing to Rüdesheim.

    OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM

    (B,L,D)

  5. Day 5
    RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE
    Thu, Apr 09, 2026
    Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

    ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:

    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, OR:

    DISCOVERY Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting.

    En route to Koblenz, 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.

    KOBLENZ

    Travel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History

    Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment.

    OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ

    (B,L,D)


  6. Day 6
    COLOGNE
    Fri, Apr 10, 2026
    Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

    Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

    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 CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM

    (B,L,D)

  7. Day 7
    AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
    Sat, Apr 11, 2026
    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.”

    During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. You may also choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside.

    Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.

    OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

    (B,L,D)

  8. Day 8
    AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
    Sun, Apr 12, 2026
    Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

    (B)

Countries Visited

France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland

Rivers Visited

Rhine

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Inclusions

•In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
•Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
•Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.



Accommodation Information

Gateway city for arrivals is Zürich.

Port charges:
$231 are included.

Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).

Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.

OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-342-0019

Ship Information

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Cabins

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Life on Board

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Questions & Answers
  Ask A Question

Question: Will the day-by-day itinerary change?

Yes, the river cruise itineraries may change due to reasons such as inclement weather or unforeseen events. Your safety is the number one concern aboard and all precautions necessary will be taken in order to ensure passenger safety, including changing itineraries. Please note that when itineraries do change, the ship staff will do their best to substitute any missed port with an alternative destination.

Question: In what language is the river cruise conducted?

The river cruise will be conducted in English only.

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
4.2
Accommodations
4.3
Itinerary
4.2
Professional Staff
4.5
Repeat with Operator
4
Value for Money
4.1

Ratings based off 81 reviews - currently showing 25 reviews with comments only

Avalon is as good as it gets. Perfect in pretty much everything. Pretty astounding what a great job they do. will book them again. actually, we have already done that

There were adjustments to the itinerary along the way due to high water levels but the Cruise Director and Captain did a great job of adjusting. Avalon also compensated us for the issues even though they were not within their control.

It was difficult to break larger bills on the trip, so I would recommend brings small bills for tips for excursions or staff members who are exceptional.

The entire Avalon staff were outstanding, especially our cruise director. I was very pleased to be able to book this trip with the single supplement waived.

Very enjoyable, relaxing experience. The accommodations, excursions, and service were exceptionally good.

I had a nice surprise of an upgraded cabin on the Avalon Tranquility II, done by the cruise lines. Very enjoyable to have a cabin with full window wall.

Despite the problem of the low water level of the Rhine in parts, Avalon went out of its way to provide us with wonderful shore accommodations and all the excursions we were looking forward to enjoying. They couldn't have been more solicitous of our situation. They are to be highly commended for the way the company handled the situation, and I would recommend this company to anyone looking to book a river cruise. They go above and beyond in caring for their passengers!

Was a great trip. Enjoyed every minute. We saw a lot of beautiful sites and cities.

Alex was very competent and professional. Whenever we had a question she would answer right away . We would definitely recommend her!

Wonderful trip, enjoyed every moment.

Excellent service. Once of a life time experience but wish that there extra days in smaller towns like Miltenberg etc to enjoy the culture of the place.

The entire cruise was wonderful. It was our first experience and it couldn't have been better. The staff was professional, courteous, fun and helpful. All the tours were well organized and very informative.

Avalon Waterways is a great company to travel with. They are efficient and have a variety of tours that you take. Very friendly people. Would highly recommend them.

We had a bad experience in that our room was flooded on the second day, thus we could not stay on the boat. However Avalon put us up in hotels and bussed us each day to the ship. They paid all of the expenses including a refund of our our cruise costs. We were able to do almost all of the same things that the other people on the cruise did. They were very upfront and tried to make the trip acceptable.It was unfortunate but it worked out pretty well for us.

I would book another trip with Avalon but would want a different experience. We are in our mid 50's and the schedule was too early and too scheduled. Would like to have some meals off the boat.

There could have been more flexibility in the off-boat included tours. The trip felt very regimented. Up by 6:30/7:00 for breakfast, off the boat by 8:30 for the morning tour, back to boat for lunch, off the boat by 1:00/1:30 for afternoon tour, back to boat for some minor down time before dinner, then basically off to your stateroom for sleep. If you wanted some time for relaxation you felt like you were going to be missing out on something.

Avalon portion was wonderful! Monogram portion was less than satisfactory!

We were very impressed with Avalon Waterways. It was top-notch, and we plan to travel with them again in the future.

The Avalon Rhine River cruise was phenomenal - first class in all ways. The Tranquility II ship was new and immaculate, and the cruise director and crew were first rate, taking care of our every need! The excursions along the cruise were outstanding with the local guides all very pleasant and knowledgeable. Avalon, as a cruise provider, was on par with the Insight land tour provider, and I expect my wife and I will return to Avalon in the future for another cruise or two in coming years!

Everything about this trip was top notch and definitely met and exceeded our expectations.

It was interesting to visit with the families in Croatia & the extra income helped them,I suspect,as well as helping us learn about the true reality of their lives.

The Avalon Panorama was a beautiful new ship. The captain, crew, restaurant and bar personnel were extremely friendly and made you feel welcome.

I would highly recommend Affordable Tours to anyone and everyone! We had the trip of a lifetime! The local guides at each destination were extremely knowledgeable! Our tour guide was great! He made sure everything went perfectly and everyone's needs were met. The staff on the ship were so friendly and personable. We felt like we were one big family by the end of the trip.

we all had a wonderful time. Our trip went smoothly 

Our Avalon River Cruise was superior . From the cruise director to the wait staff, all was excellent. The staff had fun so the passengers did as well. We can\'t say enough about our cruise director and our Maitre\' D. These individuals went above and beyond to make our vacation very special!

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