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Cruise · AMAWaterways · 7 nights

Enchanting Rhine (New Year’s Celebration)

  • Guided excursions included at Colmar, Breisach, Strasbourg and Heidelberg
  • Stay aboard beautifully decorated AmaWaterways ships AmaViola or AmaLucia
  • Choose from several active options such as bike tours and vineyard hikes
From
$5,153 pp twin share
7 nights
Enquire
When & how much

Choose your departure

2 departures

  1. Sun 26 Dec 2027 → Sun 2 Jan 2028 7 nights · Basel → Amsterdam · AmaViola Outside $5,153 Balcony $6,878 Suite $11,195 from $5,153 pp twin share Select
  2. Thu 30 Dec 2027 → Thu 6 Jan 2028 7 nights · Basel → Amsterdam · AmaLucia Outside $5,153 Balcony $6,878 from $5,153 pp twin share Enquire
Cruise Snapshot
7 Nights

A seven-night river cruise along the Rhine through Switzerland, Germany, France and the Netherlands, with festive lights and historic towns

  • Sail the Rhine through a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 40 castles
  • Visit Colmar, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Cologne and Amsterdam
  • Experience seasonal festivities on board and ashore during the holidays

Trip Details

Departs
Thu 30 Dec 2027
Returns
Thu 6 Jan 2028
Embarks
Basel
Disembarks
Amsterdam
Ship
AmaLucia
Operator
AMAWaterways

Coming to life with seasonal lights and holiday festivities, the legendary Rhine captivates those who glide along its waters at the start of the holiday season. Fabled towns lost in time present you with the chance to taste seasonal flavors such as glühwein , and to touch history up close with guided walking tours and active excursions. Timeless traditions remain intact—from the brewing of Germany’s legendary beers to the making of Rüdesheimer coffee. Take a front-row seat on an enchanting journey that takes you along the Rhine and through its designated UNESCO World Heritage Site with its 40 castles strung like pearls on its riverbanks and to magnificent cities and charming villages alike. From the majestic Swiss Alps to Amsterdam’s colorful canals, board your beautifully decorated ship and journey into the heart of the destinations you visit, experiencing the holiday spirit that comes alive on board and on shore along the Rhine during this Festive Delights river cruise.

This river cruise journeys through Switzerland, Germany, France and Netherlands, calling at Basel, Breisach, Strasbourg, Ludwigshafen, Rüdesheim, Monheim, Utrecht and Amsterdam.

You'll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaViola and AmaLucia.

Life in transit

AmaLucia

AmaLucia
Details · AmaWaterways

AmaLucia

Deck plans
4
AmaLucia · Deck plans

Piano Deck

AmaLucia — Piano Deck deck plan

Source: AmaWaterways, captured 10 October 2026. Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.

Day by day

Itinerary

  1. 1

    Basel

    Thu 30 Dec
    EMBARKATION – BASEL, SWITZERLAND. Embark the ship. Tonight, gather on board and meet your fellow passengers.
  2. 2

    Breisach

    Fri 31 Dec
    BREISACH, GERMANY. Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Colmar, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and perhaps get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, a small replica of the famous version in New York, to commemorate the sculptor’s Colmar birthplace. Those wishing for a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside, or hike through the heart of the Kaiserstuhl, a volcanic region in the Rhine plain known for its unique landscapes, vineyards, and exceptional biodiversity.
  3. 3

    Strasbourg

    Sat 1 Jan
    STRASBOURG, FRANCE. Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy walking through the iconic UNESCO World Heritage “La Petite France” district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through these charming streets and past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. For the active adventurer, you can take a guided bike ride through this captivating city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
  4. 4

    Ludwigshafen

    Sun 2 Jan
    LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY – RÜDESHEIM. Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century 49,000-gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher's Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and be rewarded with panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Altpörtel, Old Gate. Later in the day, sail to Rüdesheim where you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer Coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy.
  5. 5

    Rüdesheim

    Mon 3 Jan
    RÜDESHEIM – RHINE GORGE. Your exploration of Rüdesheim continues with your choice of three excursions. Take a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the river. Afterwards, indulge your taste buds with a sampling of Riesling wines in the vineyards. If you prefer a more active adventure, you can join a guided bike ride through the town and along the Rhine River to Schloss Johannisberg or hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards. During the afternoon, set sail along the scenic Rhine River Gorge with its fabled legends and many castles to Lahnstein where you’ll enjoy a visit to Lahneck Castle.
  6. 6

    Monheim

    Tue 4 Jan
    MONHEIM - DÜSSELDORF. The quaint town of Monheim is your gateway to both Cologne and Düsseldorf. In the morning, choose either a half-day or full-day tour of Cologne. Home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral, this 2,000-year-old city is also a bustling cosmopolitan hotspot. Join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral, where the remains of the fabled Three Kings—the Magi— are believed to rest. In the afternoon, for those who have not chosen the full-day tour in Cologne, explore historic Düsseldorf on foot with a knowledgeable local tour guide, or cover more ground with an active bike tour of the city.
  7. 7

    Utrecht

    Wed 5 Jan
    UTRECHT – AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS. In the morning, explore charming Utrecht on a walking tour or sip beer during a special tasting tour. Then, enjoy a scenic cruise to Amsterdam before setting out on the city's famous canals. Embark on a picturesque canal cruise throughout the city, giving you a close-up view of these inspiring waterways. If you prefer exploring the world with your taste buds, stroll past traditional canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats to taste Dutch specialties at a grand Amsterdam café. Depending on docking location, Taste of Amsterdam may not operate; therefore, an alternative tour will operate instead.
  8. 8

    Amsterdam

    Thu 6 Jan
    AMSTERDAM – DISEMBARKATION. Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homeward flight.
What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

  • Colmar excursion.
  • Breisach wine country bike tour.
  • Kaiserstuhl Vineyards hike.
  • “The Gem of Alsace” tour.
  • Strasbourg bike tour.
  • “Romantic Heidelberg” excursion.
Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaViola and AmaLucia.

Stateroom categories available

  • Suite
  • Category AA
  • Category AB
  • Category BA
  • Category BB
  • Category CA
  • Category CB
  • Category D
Rhine & Moselle Fairytales stateroom
Rhine & Moselle Fairytales stateroom
From the operator

Common questions about this voyage

How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 8 days and 7 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 26 Dec 2027 and 06 Jan 2028, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
What style of accommodation is used?
Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.
Ready to lock in?

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Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

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