10 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Amsterdam to Lucerne 2027(WAZ2)

Avalon Waterways River Cruise - Amsterdam to Lucerne

Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne

Starting from $3,900
Ship(s): Avalon Envision, Avalon Panorama, Avalon View
Specialty Cruises: Wine Lovers; Festive Season
10 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Amsterdam to Lucerne 2027 - WAZ2
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1.888.804.CRUISE (2784)

River Cruise Description

Your 10-day river cruise vacation includes stays in Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland-all beginning with your Avalon Rhine River cruise embarking from Amsterdam. Before sailing down the Rhine River, you'll enjoy a guided canal cruise through the colorful capital of Holland.

Next, you'll cruise to Cologne, Germany-a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic architecture-an exciting stop with its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns. On your way to Rüdesheim, relax on the Sky Deck of your ship as you pass through the spectacular Rhine Gorge -the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. You'll take a guided tour of Rüdesheim's outstanding Mechanical Music Museum.

Sail to Ludwigshafen for a guided visit to Schwetzingen castle, or choose an excursion to nearby Heidelberg-and cruise to Strasbourg, France. Then, stop in Breisach, Germany, 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.

Cruise to Basel, Switzerland, to disembark from your Avalon Suite Ship® and continue your vacation with a visit to Mt. Pilatus and a walking tour in Lucerne. Your Rhine River cruise and vacation in Switzerland are the perfect combination to unlock a guided European vacation of a lifetime.
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Departure DateShipPriced From
(per person)		 
Mar 23, 2027Avalon View$4,150Call Us!
Mar 30, 2027Avalon Envision$4,150Call Us!
Apr 6, 2027Avalon View$4,950Call Us!
Apr 13, 2027Avalon EnvisionWaitlistCall Us!
Apr 20, 2027Avalon View$5,275Call Us!
May 4, 2027Avalon View$5,275Call Us!
May 8, 2027Avalon Panorama$5,375Call Us!
May 11, 2027Avalon Envision$5,375Call Us!
May 25, 2027Avalon Envision$5,250Call Us!
Jun 1, 2027Avalon View$5,250Call Us!
Jun 5, 2027Avalon Panorama$5,250Call Us!
Jun 15, 2027Avalon View$4,750Call Us!
Jun 22, 2027Avalon Envision$5,000Call Us!
Jun 29, 2027Avalon View$4,500Call Us!
Jul 3, 2027Avalon Panorama$4,500Call Us!
Jul 6, 2027Avalon Envision$4,750Call Us!
Jul 13, 2027Avalon View$4,500Call Us!
Jul 17, 2027Avalon PanoramaWaitlistCall Us!
Jul 20, 2027Avalon Envision$4,750Call Us!
Jul 27, 2027Avalon View$4,500Call Us!
Jul 31, 2027Avalon PanoramaWaitlistCall Us!
Aug 3, 2027Avalon Envision$4,500Call Us!
Aug 10, 2027Avalon View$4,500Call Us!
Aug 14, 2027Avalon Panorama$4,600Call Us!
Aug 17, 2027Avalon Envision$4,950Call Us!
Aug 24, 2027Avalon View$5,300Call Us!
Aug 31, 2027Avalon Envision$5,150Call Us!
Sep 7, 2027Avalon View$5,775Call Us!
Sep 11, 2027Avalon Panorama$5,775Call Us!
Sep 21, 2027Avalon View$5,650Call Us!
Sep 28, 2027Avalon Envision$5,650Call Us!
Oct 5, 2027Avalon View$5,400Call Us!
Oct 12, 2027Avalon Envision$5,300Call Us!
Oct 19, 2027
Wine Lovers(WAZ2-T7)
A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.
Avalon View$4,850Call Us!
Oct 23, 2027Avalon Panorama$4,650Call Us!
Oct 26, 2027Avalon Envision$4,300Call Us!
Nov 2, 2027
Wine Lovers(WAZ2-T7)
A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.
Avalon View$4,450Call Us!
Nov 6, 2027Avalon Panorama$4,200Call Us!
Nov 9, 2027Avalon Envision$4,100Call Us!
Nov 16, 2027Avalon View$3,900Call Us!
Nov 20, 2027
Festive Season(WAZ2-T0)
At this time of year, the towns and cities are festively lit and decorated, each in its own particular style and taste. Christmas markets abound, and the strains of carols and aroma of gingerbread fill the air.
Avalon Panorama$4,650Call Us!
Nov 23, 2027
Festive Season(WAZ2-T0)
At this time of year, the towns and cities are festively lit and decorated, each in its own particular style and taste. Christmas markets abound, and the strains of carols and aroma of gingerbread fill the air.
Avalon Envision$5,150Call Us!
Avalon Choice

Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are 3 types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:

Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You'll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Discovery
We've found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests — from cooking classes, to painting workshops — to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go — from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
  • Plus independent exploration options and use of Avalon's exclusive AvalonGO APP.

River Cruise Itinerary

Day 1 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)

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)

Day 2 AMSTERDAM

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
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."
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)

Day 3 COLOGNE, GERMANY

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Active
Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic
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)

Day 4 RHINE GORGE–RÜDESHEIM

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
En 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, followed by a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee 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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN
(B,L,D)

Day 5 LUDWIGSHAFEN. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

Printing Halls, 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
Join a Guided Visit to Schwetzingen Palace—the heart of a stunning site consisting of the palace, palace gardens, and historic palace square, 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.”
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KEHL
(B,L,D)

Day 6 KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE

A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
Ask 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)

Day 7 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
Active
Take a Guided E-bike Tour to experience the magical Black Forest from a unique point of view, 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, with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL
(B,L,D)

Day 8 BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–SWISS ALPS

Spectacular Views in Switzerland
This morning disembark your Avalon ship and take a motorcoach transfer which will bring you in the heart of Swiss Alps
Classic
Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead).
LUCERNE
A Historic Bridge and Heart of a Lion
Classic
Join a Guided Walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne, which includes Thorvaldsen’s poignant Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge.
(B)

Day 9 LUCERNE

Lakeshores and Soaring Peaks
Today, enjoy a day at leisure in Lucerne. Discover the many squares and churches and how tradition and modernity stand side-by-side or spend your free time to enjoy some shopping in the city center.
(B)

Day 10 LUCERNE

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
(B)
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