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Choose your departure
Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
28 departures
- Sat 27 Mar 2027 → Sat 3 Apr 2027 Outside $6,653 Balcony $9,817 from $6,653 pp twin share Select
- Sat 10 Apr 2027 → Sat 17 Apr 2027 Balcony $9,386 from $9,386 pp twin share Select
- Tue 11 May 2027 → Tue 18 May 2027 Outside $7,085 from $7,085 pp twin share Enquire
- Tue 18 May 2027 → Tue 25 May 2027 Outside $7,085 Balcony $9,386 from $7,085 pp twin share Select
- Tue 25 May 2027 → Tue 1 Jun 2027 Outside $7,157 from $7,157 pp twin share Select
River cruise through fairytale castles, vineyards and Swiss Alps across four countries
- Cruise through UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge with 40 castles
- Explore Amsterdam, Cologne, Heidelberg, Strasbourg and Basel
- Wine tastings in Rüdesheim and Swiss winery visits included
Trip Details
- Departs
- Tue 11 May 2027
- Returns
- Tue 18 May 2027
- Embarks
- Amsterdam
- Disembarks
- Basel
- Ship
- AmaVenita
- Operator
- AMAWaterways
Discover fairytale castles and historic vineyards as part of this spectacular Rhine River cruise fantasy. Start by exploring the canal-laden city of Amsterdam, with its neat rows of buildings and rich history. Then it’s off to Germany, where you’ll discover not only the grand city of Cologne but charming villages like the winemaking hamlet of Rüdesheim and the university town of Heidelberg. Enjoy cruising through the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, where 40 castles are strung like pearls along the riverbanks. Cross the border into France’s Alsace region in enchanting Strasbourg and take in spectacular panoramas of the Swiss Alps. Encompassing the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, as well as iconic landmarks and majestic mountain landscapes, this distinctive itinerary is truly a dream come true.
This river cruise journeys through Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, calling at Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Cologne, Rüdesheim, Ludwigshafen, Strasbourg, Basel and Basel.
You'll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaSofia, AmaVenita and AmaSerena.
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Your transports AmaVenita
AmaSerena
- Deck plans
- 4
Piano Deck
Source: AmaWaterways, captured 10 October 2026. Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.
AmaVenita
- Deck plans
- 4
Piano Deck
Source: AmaWaterways, captured 10 October 2026. Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.
AmaSofia
- Deck plans
- 4
Piano Deck
Source: AmaWaterways, captured 10 October 2026. Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.
Itinerary
- 1
Amsterdam
Tue 11 MayAMSTERDAM – EMBARKATION. Board the ship for your Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps cruise. - 2
Amsterdam
Wed 12 MayAMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam. - 3
Cologne
Thu 13 MayCOLOGNE, GERMANY. Enjoy cruising to Cologne, then join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town, where you will see sites such as the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall; the Fischmarkt, which dates back to the 12th century and the Great St. Martin Church. End your city tour with a visit to a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. - 4
Rüdesheim
Fri 14 MayRHINE GORGE - RÜDESHEIM. Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards, or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream. - 5
Ludwigshafen
Sat 15 MayLUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY. Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of four 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 enjoy 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 Old Gate, Altpörtel. Or pedal along the river Neckar to the picturesque medieval city center of Ladenburg and enjoy some free time to explore the shops. - 6
Strasbourg
Sun 16 MaySTRASBOURG, FRANCE. Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy walking through the iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie. - 7
Basel
Mon 17 MayBASEL, SWITZERLAND. Enjoy getting to know Basel, Switzerland’s third largest city. Long an important university, banking and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval town hall, richly decorated market square and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. In the afternoon, visit a local winery to sample Swiss wines, or embark on an exhilarating hike to the castle. - 8
Basel
Tue 18 MayBASEL, SWITZERLAND – DISEMBARKATION. Bid farewell to Basel and prepare for your flight home.
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
- Canal cruise.
- Scenic cruising.
- Cologne walking tour and Kölsch beer tasting.
- Cologne bike tour.
- Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising.
- Wine tasting.
Accommodation
Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaSofia, AmaVenita and AmaSerena.
Stateroom categories available
- Suite
- Category AA
- Category AB
- Category BA
- Category BB
- Category C
- Category D
- Category E
Common questions about this voyage
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Book this cruise
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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Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps
- Included guided tours with choice of standard, bike, hike and special interest options
- Accommodation aboard AmaWaterways river ships AmaVenita and AmaSerena
- Cologne walking tour and Kölsch beer tasting included
Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles
- Choice of included excursions: standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours
- Accommodation aboard AmaWaterways river ships with multiple stateroom categories
- Guided visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Cologne Cathedral and Speyer
Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps
- Amsterdam canal cruise and scenic cruising included
- Guided excursions with choice of standard tours, bike tours and hikes
- Accommodation aboard AmaWaterways river ships with multiple stateroom categories