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Cruise · AMAWaterways · 7 nights

Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles (Taste of Christmas)

  • Accommodation aboard AmaWaterways river ship AmaSerena
  • Extensive included tours with choice of activities each day
  • Visits to Heidelberg castle, Wildegg Castle and Lahneck Castle
From
$5,031 pp twin share
7 nights
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When & how much

Choose your departure

2 departures

  1. Tue 21 Nov 2028 → Tue 28 Nov 2028 7 nights · Basel → Amsterdam · AmaSerena Outside $5,031 Balcony $7,332 Suite $11,073 from $5,031 pp twin share Enquire
  2. Tue 19 Dec 2028 → Tue 26 Dec 2028 7 nights · Basel → Amsterdam · AmaSerena Outside $4,888 Balcony $7,188 Suite $10,929 from $4,888 pp twin share Select
Cruise Snapshot
7 Nights

River cruise through Swiss Alps and Rhine castles during the festive season with guided tours included

  • Cruise through UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge with 40 castles
  • Guided tours in Basel, Strasbourg, Cologne and Amsterdam
  • Choice of bike tours, hikes and special interest excursions daily

Trip Details

Departs
Tue 21 Nov 2028
Returns
Tue 28 Nov 2028
Embarks
Basel
Disembarks
Amsterdam
Ship
AmaSerena
Operator
AMAWaterways

Discover fairytale castles, historic vineyards and the joy of the holiday season as part of this all-encompassing Rhine River cruise and land fantasy. Start by spending time in Italy’s vibrant Milan and beautiful Lake Como. Continue on to Basel to board your elegantly decorated ship before crossing the border into France’s Alsace region in enchanting Strasbourg. 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. You’ll also enjoy cruising through the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, where 40 castles are strung like pearls along the riverbanks. Conclude your cruise by exploring the canal-laden city of Amsterdam, with its neat rows of buildings and rich

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 ship 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 21 Nov
    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 22 Nov
    BASEL – LAKE LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND. Discover Basel, Switzerland’s vibrant cultural hub where history and modernity meet. Explore the city’s medieval town hall, colorful market square, and elegant 18th-century homes on a guided walking or bike tour that spans three countries—Switzerland, France, and Germany. Alternatively, spend the day in Lucerne exploring its medieval towers, or stay local to visit a Swiss winery, tour the historic Wildegg Castle, or enjoy a scenic hike to its hilltop grounds.
  3. 3

    Strasbourg

    Thu 23 Nov
    STRASBOURG, FRANCE. Experience the unique blend of French and German charm in Strasbourg, a city where cultures meet. Explore the storybook district of La Petite France with its half-timbered houses and cobbled streets, and admire the magnificent Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame and its famous astronomical clock. For a more active adventure, join a guided bike ride through the city and the scenic Parc de l’Orangerie.
  4. 4

    Ludwigshafen

    Fri 24 Nov
    LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY – RÜDESHEIM. Start your day in Ludwigshafen, your gateway to discovery. Explore Heidelberg’s iconic castle and charming Old Town, visit historic Speyer and its grand cathedral, or cycle to medieval Ladenburg. Later, sail to Rüdesheim to visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet or enjoy the town’s famous Rüdesheimer coffee.
  5. 5

    Rüdesheim

    Sat 25 Nov
    RÜDESHEIM – RHINE GORGE. Enjoy the beauty of Rüdesheim with a wine tasting or a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal for sweeping vineyard views. Active travelers can hike or bike along the Rhine before cruising through the breathtaking UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge to Lahnstein for an exclusive evening visit to Lahneck Castle.
  6. 6

    Cologne

    Sun 26 Nov
    COLOGNE, GERMANY. Cruise to Cologne and explore its enchanting Old Town on a guided tour, visiting landmarks like the Cologne Rathaus, the 12th-century Fischmarkt, and the Great St. Martin Church. Conclude with a taste of the city’s signature Kölsch beer, or opt for an active bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.
  7. 7

    Amsterdam

    Mon 27 Nov
    AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS. Cruise along Amsterdam’s iconic canals, or savor local flavors on a guided tour that winds past gabled houses, narrow bridges, and houseboats, with a tasting of Dutch specialties at a grand café.
  8. 8

    Amsterdam

    Tue 28 Nov
    Begin your journey home. Bid farewell to Amsterdam as you prepare for your return flight 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.
  • "The Gem of the Alsace" Tour.
  • Strasbourg Bike Tour.
Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ship AmaSerena.

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 21 Nov 2028 and 26 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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