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Romantic Rhine (Southbound) 2024

From Amsterdam, Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland
Length: 8 Days - Departs: Sat, Jun 08, 2024
Operator
Ship
Departure
Jun 08, 2024
Arrival
Jun 15, 2024

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Special Offers

LOW UNPUBLISHED PRICES ON AVALON WATERWAYS (GLOBUS) CRUISES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

Save $1500 on select 2024 Europe river cruises

Mention Promo Code: PT3042
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Save $1500 on select 2024 Europe river cruises

Save $1500 on select 2024 Europe river cruises

Promotion Details
Book a select 2024 Europe river cruise to receive $1500 off per couple ($750 off per person) on the cruise/land or cruise only price. 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 $750 off per person on the cruise/land or cruise only price. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between June 24, 2022 and April 30, 2024 for travel for select cruises in 2024. Not applicable to custom tours and charters. Not applicable on TBA space. 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. Offer reliant on space availability at time of booking and may be withdrawn at any time. Combinable with Welcome Back Credit and select account specific offers only. Applies to new 2024 bookings only and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply; see Travel Terms & Conditions for details. May be withdrawn at any time. Offer applies to participating GFOB offices only. PRMW0967 PRMW0967

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

One of Europe’s most legendary rivers takes you across Germany and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland! This magnificent Rhine River cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, Holland. Cruise on its famous canals along the elegant grachten--the best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city dating back to the “Golden Age.” Visit Cologne, Germany—a 2,000 year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture—and see its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—offering the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Cruise to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim and visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Continue your Rhine River cruise to Mainz for a guided walk and visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum, or take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle. In Strasbourg, France, marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest. Here, find unrivaled natural beauty in the area best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.

  1. Day 1
    AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
    Sat, Jun 08, 2024
    Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.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. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (D)AMSTERDAM-CANAL.jpg
  2. Day 2
    AMSTERDAM
    Sun, Jun 09, 2024
    Canals of Colorful AmsterdamJoin your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age." This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available or take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE(B,L,D)AMSTERDAM-CANAL-CRUISE.jpg
  3. Day 3
    COLOGNE, GERMANY
    Mon, Jun 10, 2024
    Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland 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! Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM(B,L,D)COLOGNE-BEER.jpg
  4. Day 4
    RÜDESHEIM
    Tue, Jun 11, 2024
    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.ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:DISCOVERY 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.Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM(B,L,D)RUDESHEIM-VINEYARDS.jpg
  5. Day 5
    MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
    Wed, Jun 12, 2024
    Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine BarrelACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing, 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.”EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)HEIDELBERG.jpg
  6. Day 6
    STRASBOURG, FRANCE
    Thu, Jun 13, 2024
    A Grand Cathedral and La Petite FranceAsk about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.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.Choose 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 BREISACH(B,L,D)STRASBOURG-PETIT-FRANCE.jpg
  7. Day 7
    BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
    Fri, Jun 14, 2024
    German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestDISCOVERY 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 to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting, 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 half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL(B,L,D)BLACK-FOREST-SCENIC.jpg
  8. Day 8
    BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)
    Sat, Jun 15, 2024
    Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.(B)BASEL-SUNRISE.jpg

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 departures is Zürich.

Port charges:
$210

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

Please call for single accommodation details and prices. 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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