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Avalon Waterways Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound) (WAZ2)

10 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Lucerne 
Your 10-day river cruise vacation includes stays in Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland—all beginning with your Avalon Rhine River cruise embarking from Amsterdam. Before sailing down the Rhine River, you’ll enjoy a guided canal cruise through the colorful capital of Holland.

Next, you’ll cruise to Cologne, Germany—a 2,000 year-old city known for its Gothic architecture—an exciting stop with its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns. On your way to Rüdesheim, relax on the Sky Deck of your ship as you pass through the spectacular Rhine Gorge —the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. You’ll take a guided tour of Rüdesheim’s outstanding Mechanical Music Museum.

Sail into Mainz for city sightseeing, including a visit to the impressive Gutenberg Museum, or choose an excursion to nearby Heidelberg—and cruise to Strasbourg, France. Then, stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivaled natural beauty—best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.

Cruise to Basel, Switzerland, to disembark from your Avalon Suite Ship® and continue your vacation with a visit to Mt. Pilatus and a walking tour in Lucerne. Your Rhine River cruise and vacation in Switzerland are the perfect combination to unlock a guided European vacation of a lifetime.

Ships: Expression - Illumination - View - Tranquility II - Vista

Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing

Day 1 Amsterdam (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception

Day 2 Amsterdam: Canal cruise

Day 3 Cologne: Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 4 Rhine Gorge-Rüdesheim: Cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim or hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host

Day 5 Mainz. Excursion to Heidelberg: Choice of guided walk in Mainz with a visit to the Gutenberg Museum-or a guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or a hike up Philosophers' Way

Day 6 Strasbourg: Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 7 Breisach: Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or visit to a local winery in Breisach

Day 8 Basel (Disembarkation)-Mount Pilatus-Lucerne: Excursion to Mount Pilatus (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead); guided walking tour in Lucerne with the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge

Day 9 Lucerne: Full day at leisure

Day 10 Lucerne: Your vacation ends this morning

Special Interest Departures

10/14/2025 - Romantic Rhine for Wine Lovers with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound)
10/28/2025 - Romantic Rhine for Wine Lovers with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound)
11/11/2025 - Romantic Rhine for Wine Lovers with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound)
11/25/2025 - Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound)
12/09/2025 - Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound)

Related Avalon Tours

WAZ - Romantic Rhine (Southbound)
WAZ1 - With Mount Pilatus, 1 Night in Lucerne & 3 Nights in Lake Como
WAZ2 - With 2 Nights in Lucerne
WAZ3 - With Mount Pilatus, 1 Night in Lucerne, 3 Nights in Lake Como & 2 Nights in Milan
WAZ4 - With 1 Night in Amsterdam, Mount Pilatus, 1 Night in Lucerne & 3 Nights in Lake Como
WAZ5 - With 1 Night in Amsterdam & 2 Nights in Lucerne
WAZ6 - With 1 Night in Amsterdam, Mount Pilatus, 1 Night in Lucerne, 3 Nights in Lake Como & 2 Nights in Milan
WAZQ - With 1 Night in Amsterdam
WZA - Romantic Rhine (Northbound)

Itinerary (2024)

Day 1AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
 Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.

During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year.

Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM


(D)
Day 2AMSTERDAM
 Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age."


This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available or take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE

(B,L,D)
Day 3COLOGNE, GERMANY
 Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:

DISCOVERY Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.

Spend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!

Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM

(B,L,D)
Day 4RÜDESHEIM
 Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

En route to Rüdesheim, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water, and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei—where the mythological siren’s songs lured ill-fated sailors.

ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:

DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat.

Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM


(B,L,D)
Day 5MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
 Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel

ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below, OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing, OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel.”

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG

(B,L,D)
Day 6STRASBOURG, FRANCE
 A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

ACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.

Choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line—the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace’s wine country today.

Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH


(B,L,D)
Day 7BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
 German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest

DISCOVERY Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR:

DISCOVERY Visit to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL

(B,L,D)
Day 8BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–MOUNT PILATUS
 Spectacular views in Switzerland

This morning disembark your Avalon ship and transfer by motorcoach to Mount Pilatus.

CLASSIC Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus. Journey almost 7,000 ft. (2,132 m) up for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead).

LUCERNE

A Historic Bridge and Heart of a Lion

CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne which includes Thorwaldsen’s poignant Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge.

(B)
Day 9LUCERNE
 Swiss Serenity

Today, enjoy a day at leisure in Lucerne. Discover the many squares and churches and how tradition and modernity stand side-by-side or spend free time shopping in the city center.

(B)
Day 10LUCERNE
 Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Avalon Pricing Details

Gateway city for departures is Zürich.

Port charges:
$210

Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included on Avalon portion only.

Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).

Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not available.

Avalon Notes

  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

Avalon Waterways Fleet

Click Quote for an Avalon Waterways Tour Date for our low price tour quote


Avalon Tour Dates

Tour Land StartAvalon RetailRequest Quote
*05/14/2024 $4,848.00
*05/21/2024 $4,948.00
*06/04/2024 $4,948.00
*06/11/2024 $4,948.00
*06/18/2024 $4,948.00
*06/25/2024 $4,948.00
*07/20/2024 $4,848.00
*08/17/2024 $4,848.00
*08/31/2024 $5,148.00
*09/17/2024 $5,248.00
*10/01/2024 $5,248.00
*10/15/2024 $5,048.00
*10/18/2024 $4,948.00
*10/29/2024 $4,528.00
*03/30/2025 $4,148.00
*04/05/2025 $4,248.00
*04/19/2025 $4,448.00
*04/29/2025 $4,648.00
*05/03/2025 $4,748.00
*05/27/2025 $4,948.00
*05/31/2025 $4,948.00
*06/10/2025 $4,948.00
*06/24/2025 $4,948.00
*06/28/2025 $4,948.00
*07/12/2025 $4,848.00
*07/22/2025 $4,848.00
*08/05/2025 $4,848.00
*08/09/2025 $4,848.00
*08/19/2025 $4,848.00
*09/02/2025 $5,148.00
*09/16/2025 $5,248.00
*09/30/2025 $5,248.00
*10/14/2025 $5,048.00
*10/18/2025 $4,948.00
*10/28/2025 $4,748.00
*11/01/2025 $4,648.00
*11/11/2025 $4,548.00
*11/25/2025 $4,548.00
*12/09/2025 $4,648.00
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