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Romantic Rhine
From £1,734 pp
This Christmastime river cruise is a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate the season! Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Frankfurt, Germany, then sail up the Rhine River to Basel, Switzerland, passing beautiful views and quaint villages festively lit and decorated. This one-of-a-kind Christmas river cruise through France and Germany takes you on an excursion to Heidelberg, Germany, to visit the fascinating ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city. At this time of year, an ice rink can be found at the foot of the castle and the Christmas market is spread over five town squares. Delight in the holiday cheer with Glühwein (hot mulled wine), bratwursts, and other regional delicacies. You’ll also find an array of crafts, Christmas decorations, and gifts. Strasbourg, located on the border of France and Germany, perfectly blends the cultures of both countries. Strasbourg is home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe—dating back to the 16th century. Take in the aromas of mulled wine, spice cakes, and biscuits. Bask in the holiday atmosphere as you visit the Strasbourg Cathedral, a gothic masterpiece made of red sandstone, and containing ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Your Christmas river cruise along the Rhine River takes you to Breisach, considered 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. There is no better setting than this time of year when smoke curls from the chimneys of the traditional Black Forest houses. Your delightful holiday cruise ends in Basel, Switzerland. Don’t miss this experience to savor the holiday season in traditional and beautiful Christmas traditions of European winter markets and festivities!
What’s Included:
- Beautifully appointed accommodation with private bathroom and premium L’Occitaine toiletries
- Flexible dining with all meals included in a range of venues and styles
- Afternoon tea and cakes
- Regional wines & beers and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine with breakfast
- Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner and Captain’s Gala Dinner
- Choose from Classic, Discovery & Active included tours and excursions with state-of-the-art audio headset
- 24 hour beverage station serving speciality teas and coffees
- All onboard entertainment including talks, cooking demonstrations, musical performances and nightly piano music
- Bottled water in every stateroom
- Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard
- Services of a professional Cruise Director
- Gratuities
Flights and overseas transfers available on request.
Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Frankfurt must arrive by 3 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER
Day 2 - Speyer (Heidelberg)
Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King
DISCOVERY EXCURSION 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
Day 3 - Strasbourg
A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven’s Time, and Joyeux Noël
CLASSIC EXCURSION 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 CRUISE TO BREISACH
Optional Excursions
Day 4 - Breisach (Black Forest)
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
DISCOVERY EXCURSION Visit to Badischer Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Discover Germany’s southernmost wine country in Baden—ideally situated between the hills of the Black Forest and the Rhine River. Learn about the vintners’ process in the vineyards here, and enjoy a wine tasting, OR:
DISCOVERY EXCURSION Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.
After your visit to Badischer Winzerkeller, 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
Optional Excursions
Day 5 - Basel (Disembark)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.
The larger of the Avalon Suite Ships, these vessels accommodate 166 passengers and features two full decks of Panorama Suites. With wall-to-wall panoramic windows that transform into a unique open-air balcony, the suites are the ideal setting for stretching out and relaxing or even throwing a private cocktail party for up to six adults in the spacious sitting area. On board, passengers enjoy free Wi-Fi access and complimentary computer use in public areas, a fitness centre, a hair salon, lift, and an expansive Sky Deck with shade system, premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, deck games and the delightful Sky Bistro for al fresco lunches of light grill fare.
Ships
- Avalon View
- Avalon Envision
- Avalon Passion
- Avalon Illumination
- Avalon Impression
- Avalon Expression
- Avalon Visionary
- Avalon Vista
- Avalon Panorama
Onboard Features & Facilities
- Two full decks of suite accommodation
- Wall-to-wall panoramic windows opening to create an Open-Air Balcony in every suite
- Spacious Sky Deck with sun-shades, premium lounge chairs and whirlpool
- Open-air bistro on the Sky Deck
- Elegant open-seating dining room including a five-star fine dining service
- Self service hot drinks centre with complimentary coffee & tea throughout the day
- Panoramic lounge with first class bar serving premium spirits
- Stern Club Lounge & library
- Fitness centre
- Internet centre & complimentary Wi-Fi
- Lift to cabin decks
- Laundry service*
- Complimentary bicycles
* Payable locally.
Accommodation & Amenities
83 elegantly appointed staterooms and suites range in size from 172-300 ft². On the middle and upper decks, Panorama Suites are 200 ft² and feature Avalon’s trademark extra-wide, 11ft, French balconies with the bed angled towards the windows to really soak up those views. Royal Suites on the upper deck are even larger at 300 ft² and have an extended seating area with a sofa, armchairs and a table a larger bathrooms and separate WC.
Royal Suite
300 ft² – Royal (Upper) Deck
- Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows opens to transform the living space into a large Open-Air Balcony
- Separate seating area with Sofa, armchairs and table
- Large private bathroom with glass shower enclosure, twin wash basin, premium L’Occitaine toiletries, bathrobes and slippers. Separate WC
- Comfort Collection Bed, premium mattress covers, Egyptian cotton linens
- Nightly turn-down service & Pillow menu
- In room safe, mini-bar, hair dryer, full-length mirror, plenty of storage space & telephone
- Flat-screen televisions with satellite TV channels, GPS and for & aft camera views.
- Individually controlled air-conditioning
- Plenty of wardrobe space and under-bed storage
- Continental breakfast and beverage room service available
- Bottled water
Cat. P, A & B Panorama Suites
200 ft² – Royal (Upper) & Sapphire (Middle) Deck
- Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows opens to transform the living space into a large Open-Air Balcony
- Seating area with Sofa, armchair and table
- Private marble bathroom with glass shower enclosure, wash basin, WC, premium L’Occitaine toiletries, bathrobes and slippers
- Comfort Collection Bed, premium mattress covers, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
- Nightly turn-down service & Pillow menu
- In room safe, mini-bar, hair dryer, full-length mirror, plenty of storage space & telephone
- Flat-screen televisions with satellite TV channels, GPS and for & aft camera views.
- Individually controlled air-conditioning
- Plenty of wardrobe space and under-bed storage
- Continental breakfast and beverage room service available
- Bottled water
Cat. D & E Deluxe Stateroom
172 ft² – Indigo (Lower) Deck
- Private marble bathroom with glass shower enclosure, wash basin, WC, premium L’Occitaine toiletries, bathrobes and slippers
- Comfort Collection Beds, premium mattress covers, Egyptian cotton linens
- Nightly turn-down service & Pillow menu
- In room safe, mini-bar, hair dryer, full-length mirror, plenty of storage space & telephone
- Flat-screen televisions with satellite TV channels, GPS and for & aft camera views.
- Individually controlled air-conditioning
- Plenty of wardrobe space and under-bed storage
- Continental breakfast and beverage room service available
- Bottled water
At 110m in length these are the smaller of Avalon’s two Suite Ship families, accommodating 128 passengers and features two full decks of Panorama Suites. With wall-to-wall panoramic windows that transform into a unique open-air balcony, the suites are the ideal setting for stretching out and relaxing or even throwing a private cocktail party for up to six adults in the spacious sitting area. On board, passengers enjoy free Wi-Fi access and complimentary computer use in public areas, a fitness centre, a hair salon, lift, and an expansive Sky Deck with shade system, premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, deck games and the delightful Sky Bistro for al fresco lunches of light grill fare.
Ships:
- Avalon Imagery II
- Avalon Poetry II
- Avalon Tranquillity II
- Avalon Tapestry II
Onboard Features & Facilities
- Two full decks of suite accommodation
- Wall-to-wall panoramic windows opening to create an Open-Air Balcony℠ in every suite
- Spacious Sky Deck with sun-shades, premium lounge chairs and whirlpool
- Open-air bistro on the Sky Deck
- Elegant open-seating dining room including a five-star fine dining service
- Self service hot drinks centre with complimentary coffee & tea throughout the day
- Panoramic lounge with first class bar serving premium spirits
- Stern Club Lounge & library
- Fitness centre
- Internet centre & complimentary Wi-Fi
- Lift to cabin decks
- Laundry service*
- Complimentary bicycles
* Payable locally.
Accommodation & Amenities
58 elegantly appointed staterooms and suites range in size from 172-300 ft². On the middle and upper decks, Panorama Suites are 200 ft² and feature Avalon’s trademark extra-wide 11 ft, French balconies with the bed angled towards the windows to really soak up those views. Royal Suites on the upper deck are even larger at 300 ft² and have an extended seating area with a sofa, armchairs and a table a larger bathrooms and separate WC.
Royal Suite
300 ft² – Royal (Upper) Deck
- Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows opens to transform the living space into a large Open-Air Balcony
- Separate seating area with Sofa, armchairs and table
- Large private bathroom with glass shower enclosure, twin wash basin, premium L’Occitaine toiletries, bathrobes and slippers
- Separate WC
- Comfort Collection Beds℠, featuring premium mattress covers, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens and European-style duvets
- Nightly turn-down service & Pillow menu
- In room safe, mini-bar, hair dryer, full-length mirror, plenty of storage space & telephone
- Flat-screen televisions with satellite TV channels, GPS and for & aft camera views.
- Individually controlled air-conditioning
- Plenty of wardrobe space and under-bed storage
- Continental breakfast and beverage room service available
- Bottled water
Cat. P, A & B Panorama Suites
200 ft² – Royal (Upper) & Sapphire (Middle) Deck
- Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows opens to transform the living space into a large Open-Air Balcony
- Seating area with Sofa, armchair and table
- Private marble bathroom with glass shower enclosure, wash basin, WC, premium L’Occitaine toiletries, bathrobes and slippers
- Comfort Collection Beds℠, featuring premium mattress covers, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens and European-style duvets
- Nightly turn-down service & Pillow menu
- In room safe, mini-bar, hair dryer, full-length mirror, plenty of storage space & telephone
- Flat-screen televisions with satellite TV channels, GPS and for & aft camera views.
- Individually controlled air-conditioning
- Plenty of wardrobe space and under-bed storage
- Continental breakfast and beverage room service available
- Bottled water
Cat. D & E Deluxe Stateroom
172 ft² – Indigo (Lower) Deck
- Private marble bathroom with glass shower enclosure, wash basin, WC, premium L’Occitaine toiletries, bathrobes and slippers
- Comfort Collection Beds℠, featuring premium mattress covers, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens and European-style duvets
- Nightly turn-down service & Pillow menu
- In room safe, mini-bar, hair dryer, full-length mirror, plenty of storage space & telephone
- Flat-screen televisions with satellite TV channels, GPS and for & aft camera views.
- Individually controlled air-conditioning
- Plenty of wardrobe space and under-bed storage
- Continental breakfast and beverage room service available
- Bottled water
Prices are per person based on two sharing and are cruise only. Please call for a flight inclusive price.
| Depart | Ship | Embark | From |
|---|
| Dec 2 | Avalon Tranquillity II | Basel | Please Call | Cabin Upgrades |
| Deluxe Stateroom | Lower Deck | 172 ft², Fixed Windows | Sold | ||
| Panorama Suite | Middle Deck | 200 ft², French Balcony | Sold | ||
| Royal Suite | Upper Deck | 300 ft², French Balcony | Sold |
| Dec 16 | Avalon Tranquillity II | Frankfurt | Please Call | Cabin Upgrades |
| Deluxe Stateroom | Lower Deck | 172 ft², Fixed Windows | Sold | ||
| Panorama Suite | Middle Deck | 200 ft², French Balcony | Sold | ||
| Royal Suite | Upper Deck | 300 ft², French Balcony | Sold |
| Dec 19 | Avalon Illumination | Frankfurt | £1734 | SAVE £275 | Cabin Upgrades |
| Deluxe Stateroom | Lower Deck | 172 ft², Fixed Windows | £1734 | Was £2009 | |
| Panorama Suite | Middle Deck | 200 ft², French Balcony | £2219 | Was £2494 | |
| Royal Suite | Upper Deck | 300 ft², French Balcony | Sold |
A Solo Savings: No solo occupancy supplement for selected staterooms on these sailings.
