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Cruise · AMAWaterways · 7 nights

Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps (Christmas Markets)

  • Included guided tours, bike rides, hikes and choice of excursions at each port
  • Accommodation aboard AmaWaterways river ships AmaVenita and AmaSerena
  • Scenic cruising through UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge and four countries
From
$5,200 pp twin share
7 nights
Enquire
When & how much

Choose your departure

2 departures

  1. Tue 22 Dec 2026 → Tue 29 Dec 2026 7 nights · Amsterdam → Basel · AmaVenita Outside $5,575 Balcony $8,722 Suite $11,571 from $5,575 pp twin share Select
  2. Tue 29 Dec 2026 → Tue 5 Jan 2027 7 nights · Amsterdam → Basel · AmaSerena Outside $5,200 Balcony $7,447 Suite $11,196 from $5,200 pp twin share Enquire
Cruise Snapshot
7 Nights

River cruise through fairytale castles, Christmas markets and Swiss Alps across four countries

  • Canal cruise through Amsterdam's 165 canals and seasonal beauty
  • Wine tasting in Rüdesheim's iconic vineyards and Rhine Gorge scenery
  • Christmas markets in Cologne, Strasbourg and festive onboard holiday feast

Trip Details

Departs
Tue 29 Dec 2026
Returns
Tue 5 Jan 2027
Embarks
Amsterdam
Disembarks
Basel
Ship
AmaSerena
Operator
AMAWaterways

Discover fairytale castles and historic vineyards as part of this spectacular Rhine River holiday fantasy. Explore the canal-laden city of Amsterdam in all its seasonal glory, with its neat rows of buildings and rich history. Wander the stalls of France’s oldest Christmas Market in Strasbourg and explore the restaurants, open-air wine gardens, and Christmas Market of Drosselgasse, the cultural heart of Rüdesheim. Sail aboard an elegantly decorated ship through cities and towns brimming with beautiful decor, glittering Christmas trees and holiday spirit. Plus, enjoy festive onboard traditions and an exquisite holiday feast with all the trimmings on every Christmas Markets departure. Encompassing the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, as well as iconic landmarks and majestic mountain landscapes, this distinctive itinerary is truly a Christmas miracle.

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 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.

Life in transit

AmaSerena

AmaSerena
Details · AmaWaterways

AmaSerena

Deck plans
4
AmaSerena · Deck plans

Piano Deck

AmaSerena — 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

    Amsterdam

    Tue 29 Dec
    AMSTERDAM – EMBARKATION. Embark your ship in Amsterdam for your Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps cruise.
  2. 2

    Amsterdam

    Wed 30 Dec
    AMSTERDAM, 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. 3

    Cologne

    Thu 31 Dec
    COLOGNE, GERMANY. Enjoy cruising to Cologne. Join a guided tour through the Old Town. During your free time, browse through the city’s most impressive Christmas Markets, offering 160 attractively designed wooden pavilions. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.
  4. 4

    Rüdesheim

    Fri 1 Jan
    RHINE GORGE – RÜDESHEIM, GERMANY. Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. In the afternoon, join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards. Afterwards, enjoy free time in the town, perhaps to explore the Drosselgasse, the town’s cultural heart, and the Christmas markets. Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal and with free time visiting the Christmas markets. 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. 5

    Ludwigshafen

    Sat 2 Jan
    LUDWIGSHAFEN, 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. Here you can also enjoy visiting some of the festive Christmas Markets. 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. In your free time, you might choose to visit the Christmas Markets or Technik Museum featuring exhibits of vintage cars, military aircraft and even a submarine!
  6. 6

    Strasbourg

    Sun 3 Jan
    STRASBOURG, 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. During the tour you will receive free time to visit the Christmas markets. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
  7. 7

    Basel

    Mon 4 Jan
    BASEL, 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. Tour the city by foot or on a guided bike tour that takes you through three countries: Switzerland, France and Germany. Alternatively, go on a full-day excursion to Lucerne to walk beneath the city’s towers – nine of which date back to 1386 – and the medieval Chapel Bridge, one of the oldest wooden bridges in Europe. For those guests who have not chosen our full-day Lucerne excursion, your afternoon is full of possibilities. Sample Swiss wines at a local winery, tour Wildegg Castle – a fortress built by the Habsburgs in the early 13th century that features a 3,300 square meter garden, embark on an exhilarating hike to the castle or spend your afternoon strolling through Basel’s Christmas Markets. Not combinable with other tours offered this day.
  8. 8

    Basel

    Tue 5 Jan
    BASEL – DISEMBARKATION. Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Basel as you prepare for your flight home.
What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

  • Canal cruise.
  • Scenic cruising.
  • Cologne walking tour and Christmas Markets.
  • Cologne bike tour.
  • Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising.
  • Wine tasting and Christmas market.
Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaVenita and AmaSerena.

Stateroom categories available

  • Suite
  • Category AA
  • Category AB
  • Category BA
  • Category BB
  • Category C
  • Category D
  • Category E
City Escapes: Grand Rhine & Dutch Canals stateroom
City Escapes: Grand Rhine & Dutch Canals 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 22 Dec 2026 and 05 Jan 2027, 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?

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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