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Cruise · AMAWaterways · 7 nights

Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps (Christmas Time)

  • Included guided tours, bike rides, hikes and choice of excursions daily
  • Canal cruise, scenic cruising and wine tasting experiences included
  • Accommodation aboard AmaWaterways river ships AmaSerena and AmaVenita
From
$6,548 pp twin share
7 nights
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When & how much

Choose your departure

2 departures

  1. Tue 17 Nov 2026 → Tue 24 Nov 2026 7 nights · Amsterdam → Basel · AmaSerena Outside $6,548 Balcony $8,347 Suite $12,096 from $6,548 pp twin share Enquire
  2. Tue 24 Nov 2026 → Tue 1 Dec 2026 7 nights · Amsterdam → Basel · AmaVenita Outside $6,700 Balcony $10,447 from $6,700 pp twin share Select
Cruise Snapshot
7 Nights

Cruise through fairytale Rhine castles and Swiss Alps during the festive season across four countries

  • Canal cruise through Amsterdam's 165 waterways and historic city
  • UNESCO Rhine Gorge with 40 castles and wine tasting in Rüdesheim
  • Strasbourg's La Petite France and Swiss Alps panoramas from Basel

Trip Details

Departs
Tue 17 Nov 2026
Returns
Tue 24 Nov 2026
Embarks
Amsterdam
Disembarks
Basel
Ship
AmaSerena
Operator
AMAWaterways

Discover fairytale castles underlaid with the winter holiday’s glow on this magical Rhine River cruise. 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 immerse yourself in the seasonal atmosphere of grand city such as Cologne as well as charming villages like the winemaking hamlet of Rüdesheim and the university town of Heidelberg. Glide through the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, where 40 castles are strung like Christmas lights 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 Festive Delights itinerary is truly a holiday wish 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 AmaSerena and AmaVenita.

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 17 Nov
    AMSTERDAM – EMBARKATION. Board the ship for your Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps cruise.
  2. 2

    Amsterdam

    Wed 18 Nov
    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 19 Nov
    COLOGNE, 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. 4

    Rüdesheim

    Fri 20 Nov
    RHINE 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. 5

    Ludwigshafen

    Sat 21 Nov
    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. 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. 6

    Strasbourg

    Sun 22 Nov
    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. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
  7. 7

    Basel

    Mon 23 Nov
    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, you may opt to visit Lucerne with a full-day excursion. In the afternoon, enjoy a tasting of Swiss wines or venture to the powerful Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall. Not combinable with other tours on this day.
  8. 8

    Basel

    Tue 24 Nov
    BASEL, SWITZERLAND – DISEMBARKATION. Bid farewell to Basel and prepare for your flight home.
What you get for the price

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.
Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaSerena and AmaVenita.

Stateroom categories available

  • Suite
  • Category AA
  • Category AB
  • Category BA
  • Category BB
  • Category C
  • Category D
  • Category E
Grand Rhine & Dutch Canals stateroom
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 17 Nov 2026 and 01 Dec 2026, 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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