Cruise Itinerary
Date |
Port |
Arrive |
Depart |
16 Dec 2024 |
Frankfurt, Germany |
|
Embark |
17 Dec 2024 |
Speyer, Germany |
|
|
18 Dec 2024 |
Strasbourg, France |
|
|
19 Dec 2024 |
Breisach, Germany |
|
|
20 Dec 2024 |
Basel, Switzerland |
Disembark |
|
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, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivalled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. There is no better setting than this magical 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 savour the holiday season in traditional and beautiful Christmas traditions of European winter markets and festivities!
Day 1
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 (D)
Day 2
Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King
CLASSIC - 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.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board
EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)
Day 3
A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven's Time, and Joyeux Noel
CLASSIC - 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 (B,L,D)
Day 4
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
DISCOVERY - 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 - 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 (B,L,D)
Day 5
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights shouldn't leave Zurich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am. (B)
Another exciting Suite Ship graces the rivers of Europe in 2015. The intimate setting of the Avalon Tranquility II® features two full decks of Panorama Suites with Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows that transform the living space into a unique Open-Air Balcony. With 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard-perfect for stretching out and relaxing-or even throwing a private cocktail party for up to six adults in the spacious sitting area. Onboard amenities and services include free Wi-Fi access, Internet corner, a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment, a hair salon, elevator, and a spacious Sky Deck with shade system, whirlpool, deck games, and the delightful Sky Bistro for al-fresco lunches of light grill fare.
Ship Profile & Stats
- Maiden voyage: 2015
- Refurbished: 2014
- Tonnage: 5000
- Length: 110 m
- Passenger capacity (dbl): 128
- Crew nationality: European
- Officer nationality: European
- Dining nationality: European
Ship Amenities
- Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window measuring 11 feet wide & 7 feet high
- Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window opens to transform the living space into a large Open-Air Balcony®
- Open-Air Balcony® with spacious sitting area
- Nightly turn-down service
- Bedside tables, reading lamps
- Large private bathroom featuring full shower with glass door, hairdryer & premium L’Occitane bath amenities
- Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
- Easy under-bed luggage storage
- Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channel
- Alarm clock
- Writing desk/vanity with mirror & comfortable chair
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access
- Direct-dial telephone
- Bathrobes & Slippers
- Well-stocked minibar* with complimentary bottled water replenished daily
- In-room safe
- Individual Climate Control
- Continental breakfast & beverage room service available*
Ship Facilities
- Reception and Atrium – guest services and Cruise Director desk
- Club Lounge – intimate lounge of the rear of the ship
- Observation lounge – open-air lounge seating forward of Panorama lounge
- Bar
- Panorama Lounge
- Dining Room – main dining venue
- Panorama Bistro – light alternative dining
- Sky Bistro – al fresco grill station lunch venue
- Sky Deck – premium lounge chairs and shade awnings
- Sky Lounge – open-air seating
- Whirlpool – on Sky Deck
- Hair Salon
- Fitness Centre – running equipment, weights, yoga mats etc.
- Elevator
You've always forged your own path...with your own distinct perspective of looking at the world. Avalon Waterways presents a river cruise experience with your unique style in mind-offering expansive views and wider perspectives. With river cruising's only Open-Air BalconySM, these wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows open wider than any other in the industry, blurring the line between outside and in, forming a spacious seating area for six, and creating an open invitation to discover and dream. Even if you're a seasoned traveler, you've never seen Europe like this.
Whether you'd like a romantic mini-break, an extended exploration, or something in between, with Avalon Waterways, you get to choose the river cruise that reveals the very best of Europe, Asia or South America.
What defines luxury? Is it the enjoyment of the good things in life, or is it simply having things just the way you prefer them? At Avalon Waterways, we navigate with both elegance and ease to deliver a "just right" experience - one that transports you at just the right pace, with just the right amenities, and just the right views. Along the legendary waterways of Europe, we balance enriching activities, included excursions, mouthwatering cuisine, and unmatched service to offer the perfect degree of relaxed indulgence. We call this the Avalon difference.
sSuites are approximately 30.6 square metres (300 square feet). Features deluxe beds with memory foam mattress toppers, spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage, complimentary Wi-Fi, an in-room safe, a wall-to-wall panoramic window and an open-air balcony with a full 6-person seating area
Suites are approximately 20 square metres (220 square feet). Located on Royal Deck. Deluxe staterooms feature floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door with French Balcony, full shower with glass door, writing desk, vanity, deluxe bed with memory foam mattress toppers, bedside tables with reading lamps, hair dryer, L'Occitane bath amenities, spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage, flat-screen TV with movie channels. Bathrobes and slippers, well-stocked minibar, complimentary bottled water and in-room safe.
Suites are approximately 20 square metres (220 square feet). Located on Sapphire Deck Forward. Deluxe staterooms feature floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door with French Balcony, full shower with glass door, writing desk, vanity, deluxe bed with memory foam mattress toppers, bedside tables with reading lamps, hair dryer, L'Occitane bath amenities, spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage, flat-screen TV with movie channels. Bathrobes and slippers, well-stocked minibar, complimentary bottled water and in-room safe.
Suites are approximately 20 square metres (220 square feet). Located on Sapphire Deck Aft. Deluxe staterooms feature floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door with French Balcony, full shower with glass door, writing desk, vanity, deluxe bed with memory foam mattress toppers, bedside tables with reading lamps, hair dryer, L'Occitane bath amenities, spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage, flat-screen TV with movie channels. Bathrobes and slippers, well-stocked minibar, complimentary bottled water and in-room safe.
Stateroom is approximately 16 square metres (172 square feet). Located on Indigo Deck. Deluxe staterooms feature two windows, full shower with glass door, writing desk, vanity, deluxe bed with memory foam mattress toppers, bedside tables with reading lamps, hair dryer, L'Occitane bath amenities, spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage, flat-screen TV with movie channels. Bathrobes and slippers, well-stocked minibar, complimentary bottled water and in-room safe.
Stateroom is approximately 16 square metres (172 square feet). Located on Indigo Deck. Deluxe staterooms feature two windows, full shower with glass door, writing desk, vanity, deluxe bed with memory foam mattress toppers, bedside tables with reading lamps, hair dryer, L'Occitane bath amenities, spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage, flat-screen TV with movie channels. Bathrobes and slippers, well-stocked minibar, complimentary bottled water and in-room safe.