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Cruise · AMAWaterways · 7 nights

Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles (Christmas Markets)

  • Included choice of excursions: bike tours, hikes, castle visits and wine tastings
  • Seven nights aboard AmaWaterways river ships with onboard holiday feast
  • Guided tours of Basel, Strasbourg, Cologne and Amsterdam included
From
$6,551 pp twin share
7 nights
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When & how much

Choose your departure

3 departures

  1. Tue 28 Nov 2028 → Tue 5 Dec 2028 7 nights · Basel → Amsterdam · AmaVenita Outside $6,551 Balcony $8,852 Suite $12,593 from $6,551 pp twin share Select
  2. Tue 5 Dec 2028 → Tue 12 Dec 2028 7 nights · Basel → Amsterdam · AmaSerena Outside $6,551 Balcony $8,852 Suite $12,593 from $6,551 pp twin share Enquire
  3. Tue 12 Dec 2028 → Tue 19 Dec 2028 7 nights · Basel → Amsterdam · AmaVenita Outside $6,263 Balcony $8,564 Suite $12,305 from $6,263 pp twin share Select
Cruise Snapshot
7 Nights

River cruise through Swiss Alps and Rhine castles visiting Christmas markets across four countries

  • Sail through Rhine Gorge with fairytale castles and historic vineyards
  • Explore France's oldest Christmas Market in Strasbourg and Cologne's 160-stall markets
  • Visit Amsterdam's canal-laden city and Swiss landmarks including Chapel Bridge

Trip Details

Departs
Tue 5 Dec 2028
Returns
Tue 12 Dec 2028
Embarks
Basel
Disembarks
Amsterdam
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 Switzerland, France, Germany and Netherlands, calling at Basel, Basel, Strasbourg, Ludwigshafen, Rüdesheim, Cologne, Amsterdam and Amsterdam.

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

    Basel

    Tue 5 Dec
    EMBARKATION – BASEL, SWITZERLAND. Arrive in Basel and settle into your cabin, docked where the city’s charm and riverside beauty will welcome you.
  2. 2

    Basel

    Wed 6 Dec
    BASEL. Celebrate the season in Basel, visiting its medieval town hall, festive market square, and elegant 18th-century homes. Explore the city on foot or by bike through three countries, or take a full-day excursion to Lucerne to admire its historic towers and the iconic Chapel Bridge. For a cozy afternoon, sample Swiss wines, tour Wildegg Castle and its gardens, or soak in the holiday cheer at Basel’s Christmas Markets.
  3. 3

    Strasbourg

    Thu 7 Dec
    STRASBOURG, FRANCE. Celebrate the holidays with a stroll through Strasbourg’s fairytale “La Petite France,” as you admire the cathedral’s astronomical clock, and explore the sparkling Christmas Markets. In the afternoon, visit Baden-Baden’s historic casino, hot springs, and charming Christmas Market.
  4. 4

    Ludwigshafen

    Fri 8 Dec
    LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY – RÜDESHEIM. In Ludwigshafen, wander medieval Heidelberg and its towering castle, hike the scenic Philosopher’s Path, explore historic Speyer, or pedal along the Neckar to charming Ladenburg. Stroll through twinkling Christmas Markets, then cruise to Rüdesheim for a tasting of the town’s iconic vineyards or savor a warming Rüdesheimer coffee, made with brandy, coffee, and whipped cream.
  5. 5

    Rüdesheim

    Sat 9 Dec
    RÜDESHEIM – RHINE GORGE. Delight in festive Rüdesheim with your choice of whimsical musical marvels at Siegfried’s Cabinet, a gondola ride above wintery vineyards, or active hikes and bike rides. Cruise through the Rhine Gorge to Lahnstein for a special evening visit at Lahneck Castle.
  6. 6

    Cologne

    Sun 10 Dec
    COLOGNE, GERMANY. Sail into Cologne and step into a city alive with holiday spirit as you explore its charming Old Town on a guided tour. Then follow the scent of mulled spices and roasted treats to the city’s dazzling Christmas Markets, with more than 160 stalls and vendors to choose from. Adventurous passengers can choose to pedal along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.
  7. 7

    Amsterdam

    Mon 11 Dec
    AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS. Celebrate the season in Amsterdam as you glide along its iconic canals, soaking in storybook scenery draped in holiday charm. Or, choose to savor Dutch seasonal treats in a grand café while wandering past gabled houses, narrow bridges, and twinkling waterways.
  8. 8

    Amsterdam

    Tue 12 Dec
    AMSTERDAM – DISEMBARKATION. Begin your journey home
What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

  • Basel City Tour.
  • Three Countries Bike Tour.
  • Lucerne Excursion.
  • Klus 177 Wine Tasting.
  • Swiss castle excursion.
  • Castle Ruins Hike.
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 28 Nov 2028 and 19 Dec 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?

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.

Enquire about this cruise
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