Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Christmas Cruise – Save $3,000 per couple*

PP From

$4,938

Duration

7 nights

Deal Type

River Cruise

Add Business Class flights to unlock an Exclusive Package discount

Summer Triple Savings on this Christmas cruise with AMA Waterways!

Save $3,000 per cabin + receive a complimentary upgrade + US$100 onboard credit*

⏰ Hurry – Book by 31 March 2025!

Discover fairytale castles underlaid with the winter holiday’s glow on this magical Rhine River cruise. Embark your ship in Basel before crossing the border into France’s Alsace region in enchanting Strasbourg.

Glide through the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, where 40 castles are strung like Christmas lights along the riverbanks. Conclude your cruise by exploring the canal-laden city of Amsterdam, with its neat rows of buildings and rich history.

Encompassing the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, as well as iconic landmarks and majestic mountain landscapes, this Taste of Christmas Markets itinerary is truly a holiday wish come true.

AMA Waterways Grand Danube River Cruise
AMA Waterways River Cruise

Included Items

  • 7 nights on a luxury river ship
  • Up to 160 guests onboard
  • All onboard dining with regionally inspired menus
  • Unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast
  • Sip & Sail Daily Cocktail Hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks
  • Immersive tours in every destination
  • Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options (bike tours & hikes included)
  • Knowledgeable guides
  • Wellness program with a dedicated welness host
  • Internet & Wi-Fi acess
  • Sun deck pool with swim-up bar and walking track
  • Daily entertainment including cultural performances

Tour Company

AMAWaterways

Tour Location

Europe

Deal Type

River Cruise

Map

Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles
Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles

More Information

Itinerary +

DAY 1 – BASEL, SWITZERLAND

Embark your ship in Basel for your Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps cruise.

Meals Included: Dinner

DAY 2 – BASEL – LAKE LUCERNE, 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, or opt for one of the morning excursions and visit Lucerne in the afternoon. With either Lucerne excursion, you’ll have the opportunity to see its Lion Monument – the figure of a dying lion carved into a hillside in memory of the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution in 1792 – which Mark Twain described as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.” You’ll also see Lucerne’s spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 – STRASBOURG, FRANCE

Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République before walking through its 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.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Strasbourg
Strasbourg

DAY 4 – LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY – RÜDESHEIM

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. Later in the day, cruise to the charming village of Rüdesheim and 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.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5 – RÜDESHEIM – RHINE GORGE

Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards and 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, cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching Lahnstein, where you will enjoy an exclusive evening visit at Burg Lahneck Castle.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cologne
Cologne

DAY 6 – 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 Fishmarkt, 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. As an alternative, examine the historic architectural styles on display throughout the Cologne Cathedral during a guided tour. This 13th-century Gothic marvel and UNESCO World Heritage Site was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion, and the church withstood 14 hits from aerial bombs during World War II.

Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 – AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Alternatively, get a taste of local flavor, passing iconic canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats while tasting Dutch specialties at one of Amsterdam’s grand cafes.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8 – AMSTERDAM – DISEMBARKATION

Bid farewell to Amsterdam as you prepare for your return flight home.

Ship Information - AmaSerena +

AmaSerena is a regal river ship accommodating both guests who wish to socialize with kindred cruisers and those seeking private rejuvenation. Twin-balcony staterooms maximize scenic views with amenities that include Entertainment-On-Demand, unlimited Wi-Fi, movies, music and more. Vivid brush strokes on the duvets give local color new life, while sophisticated white marbled bathrooms offer a clean canvas.

When it’s time to step out, guests can choose a quiet respite in the inviting library or head to the Main Lounge for cocktails and conversation. Both venues are designed with fabrics in rich reds that call to mind full-bodied Merlots. For a bit of whimsy, the Sun Deck boasts a giant chess set, or you can take a dip in the refreshing pool. As a member of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, the exclusive international culinary society, AmaSerena also offers exquisite, locally-sourced cuisine in the Main Restaurant or at The Chef’s Table.

Ama Serena dining room
Ama Serena dining room

RESTAURANTS / BARS

AmaWaterways’ expert chefs craft menus that feature exquisite, locally-inspired cuisine as well as traditional, Western offerings. At breakfast, sip sparkling wine as you partake fresh pastries, or opt for something made-to-order from the menu.

Stop by the Main Lounge for a light lunch, or head to the restaurant for full menu service and high-quality regional wine or beer.

Dinner is a delectable, multi-course affair with wine recommendations that accompany visually stunning, delicious dishes. Aboard our ships, you’ll have plenty of choices when it comes to personalizing your dining experience. Head to the Main Restaurant or The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant to savor award-winning cuisine. Stop by the Main Lounge for tapas between meals. You’ll also find a light lunch and snacks throughout the day here.

You will enjoy complimentary, unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks during lunch and dinner, as well as sparkling wine and fresh-squeezed juices during breakfast. They hand pick only the highest quality wines and pair them with our cuisine. You’ll have the chance to savor different wines on each day of your cruise.

The reds and whites are of the highest quality, and come from local wineries and vineyards. It is a fantastic way to savor the flavor of each region you are visiting. Rieslings from the Wachau Valley, Sauternes in Bordeaux and Calvados from Normandy are just a few examples of how you can indulge.

 

SUITES

French Balcony & Outside Balcony (Suite) – 300 sq. ft.

  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Desk and chair

French Balcony & Outside Balcony (Cat. AA/AB) – 235 sq. ft.

  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Desk and chair
Cat AA – AB

French Balcony & Outside Balcony (Cat. BA/BB) – 210 sq. ft.

  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Desk and chair
Cat BA - BB
Cat BA – BB

French Balcony (Cat. C) – 170 sq. ft.

  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Desk and chair
Cat C
Cat C

Fixed Windows (Cat. D) – 170 sq. ft.

  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Desk and chair
Cat D
Cat D

Booking Terms & Conditions

Advertised price based on 22 December 2025 departure in Cat E cabin, price is per person twin share and reflects the $3,000 per couple savings*. Pricing is correct as of 30 December 2024, subject to availability at the time of booking. Offers may be withdrawn or prices updated by the supplier at any time, so please enquire with our expert consultants for the latest pricing, terms and conditions. Single supplement may also apply. *Summer Triple Savings – AU$3,000 savings per stateroom included in pricing, complimentary stateroom upgrade subject to availability, US$100 onboard credit per stateroom.

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