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Christmas on the Rhine - Basel to Amsterdam - 2028

From Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands
Length: 8 Days - Departs: Sun, Dec 10, 2028
Operator
Departure
Dec 10, 2028
Arrival
Dec 17, 2028

Please see below brochure cabin pricing

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All the River Operators Offers & More:

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Your Choice Sale, up to $2000 Credit or Free Beverage Package & Tips

Mention Promo Code: PT3508
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Your Choice Sale, up to $2000 Credit or Free Beverage Package & Tips

Your Choice Sale, up to $2000 Credit or Free Beverage Package & Tips

Promotion Details
For a limited time, receive up to $4000 off, plus choose your bonus savings between up to $1000 onboard credit or a Free Beverage package and Included gratuities. Also, receive our exclusive $400 off per couple and up to $1000 onboard credit. (Not all sailings apply, contact your Travel Consultant for full details.)
Must Book By Thu, Apr 30, 2026
View Promotion Terms & Conditions ›

Your choice of shipboard credit (SBC36) or a FREE beverage package & included gratuities (BEV36). Shipboard credit based on cruise length. Up to 8 days: $500 per couple ($250 per person); 9 to 12 days: $750 per couple ($375 per person); 13+ days: $1,000 per couple ($500 per person). No beverage package on Egypt ships. Excludes World Cruise itineraries. A limited-time $25 per person deposit is due at time of booking for all featured itineraries; remaining deposit is due with final payment (excludes World Cruise itineraries). Oceans: Save up to $4,000 per couple ($2,000 per person) based on select departures and categories of Iconic Western Mediterranean, Journey to Antiquities, Ancient Mediterranean Treasures and West Indies Explorer; other itineraries, dates and categories may vary. FREE roundtrip airfare based on select departures of Panama Canal & Central America. Rivers: Save up to $4,000 per couple ($2,000 per person) based on select departures and categories of Grand European Tour; other itineraries, dates and categories may vary. FREE roundtrip international airfare based on select departures of Grand European Tour and Magnificent Mekong. FREE roundtrip airfare based on select departures of Mississippi Delta Explorer and New Orleans & Southern Charms. Expeditions: FREE roundtrip international airfare based on select departures of Antarctic Explorer. FREE roundtrip airfare based on select departures of Niagara & the Great Lakes. FREE Airfare offer available from most gateways and is subject to change: Based on inventory availability at time of purchase and may be withdrawn at any time. Additional restrictions may apply

Exclusive, $400 Off + up to $1000 Onboard Credit

Mention Promo Code: PT3013
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Exclusive, $400 Off + up to $1000 Onboard Credit

Exclusive, $400 Off + up to $1000 Onboard Credit

Promotion Details
Only at AffordableTours.com will you save an additional $400 per couple ($200 per person) and up to $1000 onboard credit on any Viking cruise.
Must Book By Thu, Dec 31, 2026
View Promotion Terms & Conditions ›

Offer applies to new bookings deposited from April 9, 2024 and is capacity controlled which may be removed at any moment without notice. Promotion is not combinable with Viking vouchers. Offer is combinable with all Viking offers Additional restrictions apply. Onboard credit amount varies by length of cruise and has no monetary value and is non-refundable and non-transferable, may not be used toward service charges, cannot be redeemed for cash, and unused portions will become void after sailing is complete.

Save 2% On Your River Cruise!

Mention Promo Code: PT2191
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Save 2% On Your River Cruise!

Save 2% On Your River Cruise!

Promotion Details
Enjoy the convenience of paying for your trip by echeck and save 2%. (Speak with your Travel Consultant for full details.)
Combinable with all current offers
Must Book By Thu, Dec 31, 2026
View Promotion Terms & Conditions ›

You may use echeck to pay for your Viking cruise or cruisetour, and for airfare. Every dollar paid for cruise, air, taxes, fees or surcharges can be paid by echeck, including regular-priced itineraries and airfare, any special offers or Viking Air Plus services to receive a 2% discount. Additional restrictions may apply.


River Cruise Itinerary

  1. Day 1
    Basel
    Sun, Dec 10, 2028

    A delightful blend of old and new, Basel is Switzerland's best-kept secret. During the holiday season, the medieval Old Town is transformed into a magical yuletide affair. Cobblestone streets are lined with wooden chalet-style huts selling all manner of festive treats and gifts. Visitors to the Christmas market can enjoy a warming cup of aromatic glühwein in a decorated boot-shaped mug. Hand-carved tree decorations, cheerfully painted ceramics and delicious food are sold from stalls throughout the city.

  2. Day 2
    Breisach
    Mon, Dec 11, 2028

    In the heart of Breisach's old town with a backdrop of the Romanesque-Gothic St. Stephen's cathedral, the Weinachtsmarkt is a highlight of the season. Steaming aromatic glühwein served in decorated mugs, alongside tasty yuletide treats, is sold from festive wooden huts and taverns, keeping visitors warm as they browse market stalls for gifts and handicrafts. The nearby Black Forest provides a fairy-tale atmosphere; its towering, snow-covered spruce trees resemble a winter wonderland.

  3. Day 3
    Strasbourg
    Tue, Dec 12, 2028

    Strasbourg is said to be the capital of Christmas in France, with the city's cathedral square taking center stage as it is transformed into a winter wonderland. The city's Christkindelsmärik is the oldest in France, dating back to 1570. Hundreds of stalls are brimming with colorful wares, fine food and mulled wine, bringing festive cheer in abundance. Alsatian specialties feature an array of hearty classics, from bretzels (soft, bread-like pretzels) to bredele (star-shaped spiced cookies), and knacks (sausages) to pain d'epices (gingerbread).

  4. Day 4
    Mannheim
    Wed, Dec 13, 2028

    Mannheim's Christmas market is a holiday season shopping extravaganza, centered around the city's iconic water tower. One of Germany's oldest and largest markets, more than 160 booths host vendors from around the world, offering handicrafts and handmade items. Beautiful glassware, and carved wooden toys and games, sit alongside Christmas lanterns, colorful baubles and ornaments, all of which are presented in quaint wooden houses. Luxurious cashmere scarves, sheepskin mittens and felt hats are the ideal purchase to take home as gifts for friends and family.

  5. Day 5
    Scenic Sailing: Middle Rhine
    Thu, Dec 14, 2028

    The Rhine River flows through one of Germany's most scenic regions. As you sail its most picturesque stretch, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Middle Rhine, you will pass vineyard-blanketed hills whose steep slopes require vintners to pick grapes by hand, keeping a centuries-old tradition alive. Splendid castles line the banks, all of which have stories to share, and the Lorelei Rock presides at a dramatic curve in the river. This infamous river maiden mesmerized sailors with her song and lured them to their demise at her feet.

  6. Day 6
    Cologne
    Fri, Dec 15, 2028

    Themed winter markets feature across Cologne during the holiday season, inviting visitors to browse colorful market stalls for handmade gifts, beautiful artwork and colorful crafts. The towering Gothic Cologne Cathedral provides a stunning backdrop to the city's festivities and array of offerings from its red wooden stalls. Beneath the pointed roofs of Cologne harbor's tented market, unique crafted goods are displayed amid the twinkling lights of boats bobbing in the marina.

  7. Day 7
    Scenic Sailing: Waal & Merwede
    Sat, Dec 16, 2028

    Sail the bucolic waters of the Rhine, deep into the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt Delta, as classic Dutch landscapes unfurl all around. Flat farmland, charming windmills and svelte poplar trees line the shores, and vast tracts of land stretch in all directions, growing all manner of bounty, from tomatoes to tulips. Gaze upon Friesian cows and tidy villages with their neatly laid farmhouses and marvel at how much of this land was reclaimed from the sea, with the aid of traditional windmills and the construction of dikes.

  8. Day 8
    Amsterdam
    Sun, Dec 17, 2028

    Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.

Countries Visited

France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland

Rivers Visited

Rhine

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

Inclusions

8 Days 8 Guided Tours / 4 Countries

Daily Shore Excursions: 8 included guided tours
Port Charges: Included on all itineraires

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.

Viking Tours Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
4.4
Accommodations
4.3
Itinerary
4.4
Professional Staff
4.7
Repeat with Operator
4.3
Value for Money
4.2

Ratings based off 764 reviews about Viking Tours - currently showing 15 reviews with comments only

Trip was excellent. Food was great and service perfect.

This was the best trip I have ever taken!

Great service! operator was very helpful with our special requests and was able to meet them.

Be prepared to be "on-the-go" every day during the trip. Food was excellent. Excursions were well done. Ship was clean and smartly decorated. Met many nice people.

This was our second Viking River Cruise. The first cruise was almost exactly two years prior on the Rhine River and was perfect, which made my expectations for this trip higher than they had a right to be. Due to a hotter and dryer than normal summer, river levels on the Danube were too low. Our Viking Cruise ship could not make it to Budapest nor could it sail past Passau, which resulted in our first night at a hotel instead on the Viking Gullveig. The Hilton Hotel was beautiful and in a great location but not what we had signed up for. Upon reaching Passau our itinerary was changed because of the number of river cruise ships that were forced to make adjustments. We spent two nights docked in an industrial area instead of Viking's usual dock. Our visit to Regensburg required a 90 minute bus trip each way and the included tour of Nuremburg would require a 3 hour bus trip each way for a 4 hour walking tour. In place of Nuremburg, we opted for a shorter trip into Linz, Austria and were given a credit to be used on the ship. Viking also provided a larger credit to compensate for the overall issues with the cruise. I believe that Viking, as a company did much to make up for problems over which they had no control. My wife and I have a future Viking ocean cruise booked and will be able to use the credits on that trip; other people (especially first timers who only have this experience to judge Viking as an organization and river cruising in general) may simply lose out by not booking a second Viking cruise within the year for credit expiration. One issue that I have concerns our Viking arranged flights. We were to fly from Nuremburg to Frankfort to London only to find upon our arrival at the Nuremburg airport that our flight to Frankfort was cancelled. No reason was offered. We were given a voucher for a taxi to the Frankfort airport and we arrived with time to spare before our next flight. We paid for air travel from Nuremburg to Frankfort, not a taxi ride and believe we should receive some compensation for that change as well. Overall, I still rank Viking as the best cruise line and would not hesitate to book additional cruises. I must point out that our cruise director on this trip and all of the staff did their very best under difficult circumstances to make this an enjoyable trip.

I very much liked the passenger size of 200. I don't care for the large capacity ships. I felt like I received much better personal service

Marianne was extremely helpful in planning our trip and making arrangements for air. She was also helpful during the trip when a question arose. We will definitely book through Marianne. She is professional, efficient and knowledgeable and friendly. She makes you feel personally cared for.

Our Viking cruise on the Danube was amazing! Really exceeded our expectations.

I was thoroughly happy with my trip and booking thru Affordable Tours.

Viking is a first class operation. The staff was always helpful and professional. The accommodations and food were excellent. The only negative comment that I have is the amount of time it took to get to Salzburg was not adequately conveyed in the description/itinerary. It took almost 2 1/2 hours to get there and the same to get back to the ship. The tour was good, however, if we knew that the travel time was going to be 5 hours, we probably would not have signed up. the alternative was to tour Passau which I understand from other "cruisers" was a very quaint and enjoyable town.

Viking River Cruises is first class. We had an excellent experience as first time river cruisers. The tour guides were the most knowledgeable and professional in their area of expertise. They were also entertaining! We have only positive things to say about our cruise!!

Excellent tour and from start to finish everything was top notch!

Food was very good - not great but plenty good enough. Cruise ship food is just as good. The cruise was very organized and stress free. The cruis director did a terrific job and the non-balcony room was fine.

The only negative about this trip is that the WiFi connection on the Viking ship was quite poor. My phone would not connect to their WIfi but my Samsung table would connect. However, in general the Wifi was quite a bit slower than we are used to. Never the less the service and organization was fantastic. The food was very high quality. I would mention also, that the river cruise on the Danube at this time of year was quite calm so no worries for someone like me who is prone to motion problems.

Loved the service and the food. Very friendly staff.

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AffordableTours.com is a travel agent for Viking. Brochure Price is based on the itinerary's highest brochure price. Our price reflects our base price for the same departure as Brochure Price. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time. All prices are USD per person and based on double occupancy. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. All prices change frequently and our website prices are not guaranteed until a deposit has been received by us. The prices on our website are intended to serve as a guide only and may not accurately reflect current prices. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in these prices until a booking has been confirmed by one of our agents. Please call us toll free at 1-800-342-0019 to confirm current prices and availability. Prices listed are per person, cruise only, and based on double occupancy.

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