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Active & Discovery on the Rhine (Northbound) 2024

From Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands
Length: 8 Days - Departs: Sat, Jun 01, 2024
Operator
Ship
Departure
Jun 01, 2024
Arrival
Jun 08, 2024

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Special Offers

LOW UNPUBLISHED PRICES ON AVALON WATERWAYS (GLOBUS) CRUISES
We have Low Prices on Avalon Waterways (Globus) - Guaranteed!

$599 Air on select 2024 Europe river cruises

Mention Promo Code: PT3169
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$599 Air on select 2024 Europe river cruises

$599 Air on select 2024 Europe river cruises

Promotion Details
Book a select 2024 Avalon Waterways Europe river cruise to receive $599 round-trip economy class trans-Atlantic air from ATL, BOS, CHI (MDW, ORD) CHS, CLT, DFW, DTW, FLL, IAH, LAX, MIA, MCO, MSP, NYC (EWR, JFK, LGA), PBI, PHL, PIT, RDU, RSW, SAN, SFO, SLC, TPA, WAS (BWI, DCA, IAD). Plus, receive our AffordableTours.com everyday savings.
Must Book By Tue, Apr 30, 2024
View Promotion Terms & Conditions ›

*Book a select 2024 Avalon Waterways Europe river cruise to receive $599 round-trip economy class trans-Atlantic air from ATL, BOS, CHI (MDW, ORD) CHS, CLT, DFW, DTW, FLL, IAH, LAX, MIA, MCO, MSP, NYC (EWR, JFK, LGA), PBI, PHL, PIT, RDU, RSW, SAN, SFO, SLC, TPA, WAS (BWI, DCA, IAD). Other gateway cities available from $100 to $1,075/person additional (inclusive of taxes/fees). $599 air offer is based on lowest-priced economy class Flex airfare available for booking at time of reservation and scheduled to coincide with cruise itinerary; pre-assigned airline seats are limited and may not be available on all air segments. Alternate schedules may be available at an additional cost. In lieu of $599 Air a different promotion can be offered by calling Avalon Waterways. Quotes available online, calling Avalon Waterways or by calling a Travel Professional. Limited to new bookings for US originating travelers and economy class Flex air tickets; must be booked & under deposit between March 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024 for select cruises in 2024. A $550 non-refundable deposit is due at time of booking. Flight deviations are allowed when purchasing extra nights through Avalon Waterways only. Offer does not apply to instant purchase air, custom, or charters. Groups of 8 passengers or more don't qualify for this offer. Please call for Group promotion options. Offer is combinable with select $$ off promotions, Welcome Back Credit, and select account specific offers. Promotional discounts do not carry forward on voluntarily changed air bookings; other promotions at time of change may be available. Once ticketed, air reservations subject to change/cancellation penalties of between $300 per ticket and 100% of ticket value. Changes to ticketed air reservations (including itineraries involving free round-trip trans-Atlantic air) also subject to airfare differentials between originally ticketed air itinerary and re-ticketed air itinerary. Additional airline baggage fees may apply; visit www.iflybags.com for details. Air schedules are available approximately 330 days prior to return travel date. Flight schedules, routings and air carriers are at the discretion of Globus family of brands. Additional restrictions apply; see Travel Terms for details. Air tickets are non-commissionable. Offer is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. Offer available from participating GFOB offices only. CST#2017032-20. PRMYLW PRMYLW

Up to $500 Welcome Back Credit for Repeat Travelers

Mention Promo Code: PT2504
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Up to $500 Welcome Back Credit for Repeat Travelers

Up to $500 Welcome Back Credit for Repeat Travelers

Promotion Details
With the Welcome Back Credit, the more you travel, the more credit you earn toward future vacations. You can easily redeem your Welcome Back Credit towards a future Globus or Cosmos tour, or use your credit to experience a Monograms package or Avalon Waterways river cruise. In addition to the Welcome Back Credit program, if your plans changed, you could also be holding onto additional travel credits through a Letter of Credit and Peace of Mind Bonus Credit. The credit amount is based on the overall value of your vacation, from a $100 - $250 credit per person.
Must Book By Tue, Dec 31, 2024
View Promotion Terms & Conditions ›

The Welcome Back Credit is awarded upon completion of Globus family of brands vacations. Credit amount can only be applied to the land/cruise or cruise only portion of a new Globus family of brands vacation (excluding 2022 Oberammergau, Monograms City Getaways, and Custom/Charter vacations). Credit amount is per person and must be redeemed for a future vacation with a deposit within 2 years from date of credit issue. Bookings can be made by calling the Globus family of brands, online, or by contacting your preferred travel advisor. Passenger must activate redemption credit prior to redemption. Combinable with all applicable consumer promotions except those with any Globus family of brands special discount programs. Credit must be applied before final payment on a future booking. Credit is not redeemable for cash, non-refundable deposit, airfare, transfers, travel insurance, prepaid gratuities, pre/post nights, or optional excursions and is non-transferrable. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. Valid for all participating Globus family of brands offices. Additional restrictions may apply.


River Cruise Itinerary

Fairytale settings await on every Rhine River cruise, but an Active & Discovery cruise with Avalon immerses you in new, interactive ways. As you glide from untouched villages to touching cities throughout Holland, Germany and France, our range of excursions, from Classic to Discovery to Active options, presents the opportunity to move at your desired pace and be moved at every turn. Clifftop castles, rolling vineyards, and cobblestone lanes become even more enchanting when you experience them from the seat of a bicycle or an artist’s stool. From culinary walks and beer tours to cave, castle, and kayaking explorations, you choose exactly how to toast the joys of the Rhine and your moving journey on it.Move. Enjoy a little get-up-and-go on your cruising vacation when you:•Paddle through the canals of Amsterdam on a kayak.•Take an E-Bike tour surrounded by beautiful vineyards at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers.•Follow the road less traveled on an exciting hike along Heidelberg’s Philosophers’ Way.And Be Moved.Get off the beaten path and relish the world when you:•Discover your inner artist at an Amsterdam painting class inspired by the Dutch masters.•Explore the lava caverns on a one-of-a-kind volcano encounter below the town of Mendig.•Join a foodie tour through Strasbourg to discover the cuisine of France’s Alsace region. Plus, Classic sightseeing is always available in every port along the way.Activate your senses and discover a world of wonder in all-new, entirely “you” ways on your personal, passion-packed cruise along the Rhine.

  1. Day 1
    BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)
    Sat, Jun 01, 2024
    Welcome to Switzerland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.Flights into Zürich must arrive before 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH(D)BASEL-SUNSET.jpg
  2. Day 2
    BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
    Sun, Jun 02, 2024
    German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestACTIVE Take a Guided E-bike Tour to experience the magical Black Forest from a unique point of view, OR: DISCOVERY 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: DISCOVERY Visit a local winery and its vineyards to learn about German winemaking; a wine tasting will be the perfect end of this tour.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG(B,L,D)BLACK-FOREST-SCENIC.jpg
  3. Day 3
    STRASBOURG, FRANCE
    Mon, Jun 03, 2024
    A Grand Cathedral and La Petite FranceAsk about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.ACTIVE Enjoy a walking tour along the river and explore Strasbourg’s lovely European District around the Marne-Rhein Canal, OR:DISCOVERY Join a Culinary Walk to discover the Alsatian cuisine and traditions, so influenced by the unique history of a region, whose control alternated between Germany and France for centuries, OR:CLASSIC Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s 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 one of the Optional Excursions available,Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ (B,L,D)STRASBOURG-PETIT-FRANCE.jpg
  4. Day 4
    MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSIONS TO HEIDELBERG
    Tue, Jun 04, 2024
    The World’s Biggest Wine Barrel and Famous VineyardsACTIVE Follow the road less traveled on this exciting Guided Hike along the Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below, OR: DISCOVERY Learn about the art of beer making with an entertaining and exclusive Guided Tour of four breweries in and out of Old Heidelberg, 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. While visiting the city, also enjoy a tasting of local specialties.DISCOVERY Enjoy an experience fit for royalty during an exclusive private reception at Rheinstein Castle.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BINGEN (B,L,D)HEIDELBERG.jpg
  5. Day 5
    RHINE GORGE–KOBLENZ
    Wed, Jun 05, 2024
    Fortress Walls and Manor Halls Where the Rhine and Moselle MeetEn 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.Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.ACTIVE Take a Guided E-Bike Tour in the vineyards surrounding this beautiful city at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, OR: DISCOVERY For a unique experience, join us on an excursion to the “Lava City” of Mendig for a Volcano Encounter, including exploring the caverns and corridors where basalt (cold lava) was mined, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a leisurely Guided Walk of ancient Koblenz, including a cable car ride to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for a spectacular panoramic view. DISCOVERY Enjoy a remarkable classical music 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 DÜSSELDORF (B,L,D)RHINE-GORGE-RHEINSTEIN-CASTLE.jpg
  6. Day 6
    DÜSSELDORF
    Thu, Jun 06, 2024
    Avant-Garde Architecture and Amazing AltbiersACTIVE Join a City Biking Tour to discover interesting stories about the sights and the city itself along the way, OR:DISCOVERY Experience Düsseldorf’s Old Town and get an insight into its culinary diversity, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Düsseldorf. Visit the Old Town, but also discover its spectacular subway line, where each station has an individual magic character.This afternoon you might take a Guided Optional Excursion to Düsseldorf’s microbreweries to try a variety of Altbiers. Later enjoy live entertainment on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KOBLENZ(B,L,D)DUSSELDORF.jpg
  7. Day 7
    AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
    Fri, Jun 07, 2024
    Colorful Canals of Amsterdam ACTIVE Enjoy a Guided Kayak Tour for an adventure which will provide you a unique perspective of the “Venice of the North” from the waters of its magnificent canals, OR: DISCOVERY Attend a Painting Class and be inspired by the masters’ techniques. Paint your own canvas and discover your inner artist, OR:CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Canal Cruise to explore the iconic waterways and sites of Amsterdam. This afternoon consider an Optional Culinary Walk in one of Amsterdam’s famous districts. Spend free time strolling at leisure through the galleries and cafés of Amsterdam. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)AMSTERDAM-KAYAKING.jpg
  8. Day 8
    AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
    Sat, Jun 08, 2024
    Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)AMSTERDAM-SUNRISE.jpg

Countries Visited

Germany, Netherlands

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

Port charges:
$210

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.

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Ship Information

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Cabins

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Life on Board

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Questions & Answers

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
4.3
Accommodations
4.3
Itinerary
4.3
Professional Staff
4.6
Repeat with Operator
4.1
Value for Money
4

Ratings based off 86 reviews - currently showing 22 reviews with comments only

This was our second Avalon cruise and we recommend them to everyone!

Wonderful river cruise on the Rhine. Superb crew and service. Excellent food. Excellent tours.

Phil.... is THE REASON I took this trip and had a marvelous time! HE is THE ONLY help I need from now on in booking trips ANYWHERE! 

This was our first trip on a river boat. The Avalon staff was exceptional! We were treated like kings and queens.

Very well organized - from the arrival to departure there was never an issue. Everything was clearly explained daily. Basel to Amsterdam is the better direction to travel.

This river cruise exceeded expectations. It was A+ from start to finish. The ship room size was excellent, the crew was awesome, and the food was very good and varied.Our local guide experts provded a bonus level of expertise, were witty and interesting. Gusta was an excellent tour director, keeping everything on time, providing tips and insights to various places we were visiting. Our waitress in the dining room was Elena and she was always pleasant, on task and provided a very good level of service for our meals.

Our Avalon cruise was an absolutely wonderful and unforgettable experience, and a dream vacation. Our cruise director Bart was outstanding and enhanced our cruise experience. We enjoyed the laid back atmosphere onboard, and the beautiful scenic cruising itinerary and interesting ports. All included tours and excursions were well organized with knowledgeable and great tour guides. The crew provided excellent services. We were however disappointed with the dinner menus, with regards quality of food and preparation. Breakfast and lunches were good. We also would have liked more flexibile times or buffet options for dinners at overnight ports,

We enjoyed the Danube Tour, but preferred the previous Avalon tour in France. This tour focused more on cities whereas the France tour from Nice to Paris stopped at smaller towns.

GREAT CRUISE -WONDERFUL BOAT AND ACCOMMODATIONS ; WISH A FEW LAND TOURS SLIGHTLY LONGER-IE ENOUGH TIME TO STOPIN QUICKLY SEE SAY THE SYNAGOGUE OR THE CATHEDRAL--EXAMPLE BUDAPEST LAND TOUR.

The guides for the most part were excellent some the stops were an added joy. Duration , Bratislovia and Linz were surprisingly wonderful the entertainment was beyond my expectations I had a wonderful trip.to top it off we had exceptional weather

My only criticism of Avalon is that the company does not take into account the dining experience for groups. Dining tables are on a "first come-first-serve" basis. This means rushing to get a table nightly so that 5 couples can eat together, leaving our mportant port talks early to secure a table . A luxury cruise experience should not require one to do this.

The trip was spectacular. Met all expectations. The only negative comment would be related to the Avalon Rep in Prague due to lack of assistance and presence.

I thought our leading tour guide did a terrific job. She started every event, every talk right on time. She said that was part of her German upbringing. She was concerned about every passenger and dealt with one issue we had promptly and professionally. The local tour guides were routinely well informed, personable, and helpful.

Avalon Waterways does a great job. The ships are in very good shape, nicely appointed and offer great itineraries and excursions.

This was a wonderful trip. We are thankful to our agent at Affordable Tours for recommending this Avalon Danube trip. Our cruise director was excellent and humorous. Food and wine was excellent. Staff provided superb service.

This cruise was great and all the details we received about everything was all correct. Thank you.

I talked to a lot of the other passengers and learn that they got a lot of perks that my wife and I did not receive. If I book another trip through Avalon, I will wait until the "last minute" and look for a lower price and perks like free airfare. We also talked to people on other cruise lines and saw that there was a lot of competition for our travel dollars.

Avalon Waterways Panorama was a beautiful ship. The food was great, and the afternoon and evening programs were interesting. The crew director was excellent: he was very knowledgeable and helpful and his talks about the various sights we were visiting were very instructive. His concern for and accessibility to the passengers set the tone for the crew members; they provided uniformly excellent service with a smile. All in all, a wonderful experience!

The river cruise exceeded our expectations! The vessel and staff were wonderful. The itinerary was all-encompassing and the tours interesting. We had absolutely no complaints about any aspect of the cruise, other than we didn't want to leave the boat. We returned home weary but very happy.

Our river cruise was fabulous. Ship & staff were excellent. Food very good. Tours were excellent. Everything was very organized. Can't wait to go on another Avalon river cruise. The agent at Affordable Tours did a great job for us. I have already recommended him to friends. Thanks for everything.

This was a great trip. excellent job in supplying all details and assistance that "older people" like my wife and I need.

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AffordableTours.com is a travel agent for Avalon Waterways. 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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