Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine (Southbound)

AMSTERDAM, 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.

With a free day to explore before your cruise, take time to enjoy the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition or join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

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AMSTERDAM 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."

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE

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COLOGNE, GERMANY Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

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

Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Cologne’s Christmas markets

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM

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RHINE GORGE–RÜDESHEIM 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.

DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee.

Don’t miss the tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in the city.

Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM

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MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel

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

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

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG

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STRASBOURG, FRANCE Joyeux Noël in Strasbourg

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.

Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season.

Choose a Guided Optional Excursion to Alsace’s wine country today.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH

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BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST The Beautiful Black Forest

DISCOVERY Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.

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

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL

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BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.

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A spacious, open-seating dining room; dinners become the perfect complement to a day of discovery. Avalon craft their recipes using high-quality, prime-cut beef, fresh fish, and an accompaniment of hand-picked local fruits, vegetables, and garden greens.

The perfect complement to your day's journey is a choice of regional fare. Every dinner features a speciality dish from your destination as well as a choice of wine, including a special wine of the region, selected by a professional sommelier and always complimentary.

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On a sunny day, enjoy hand carved meats and expansive buffets including fresh salads and amazing homemade soups- all with view courtesy of the Sky Grill.

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The Panorama Bistro on the Royal Deck, with a casual atmosphere it offers a variety of regional and tapas-style dishes, hand-paired with local wines.

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Room service is available for Continental breakfast & beverages.

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FOR THE MOVER.

Whether you enjoy sightseeing by kayak, on two wheels, or on your own two feet, you’ll relish the energy of Avalon’s Active excursion collection. Biking, hiking, and boating tours pack real get-up-and-go for those who like to do the same.

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FOR THE DOER.

An awakening for the senses, Avalon’s Discovery excursions present heartwarming, brain-tingling, hands-on adventure. Pull up a chair to hear a Viennese waltz, roll up your sleeves to paint like Van Gogh, or grab an apron to whip up a local delicacy.

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FOR THE DREAMER.

Nothing beats the classics! Avalon’s Classic excursions put you in the story with timeless tales on guided tours in iconic cities, capitals, and castles. Skip the lines while your heart skips a beat in the rooms where history happened. 

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Adventure Center with gear and guidance to explore your way. Avalon Adventure Host℠ to direct or accompany you on active pursuits. Also included? Freedom. The freedom to enjoy river cruising your way. You’re not like everyone else.

• Bikes
• Maps for hiking, biking and jogging routes
• Canoe, kayak and jogging excursions
• Maps for hiking, biking and jogging routes
• Fitbits®
• Walking Sticks
• Binoculars
• Daypacks
• Yoga Mats
• Fitness bands

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The Panorama Lounge can be found on the Royal Deck.

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Enjoy a quiet moment in the Club Lounge whilst enjoying a cappuccino.

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The Reception can be found on the Royal Deck.

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Although heart rates are naturally elevated on an Avalon cruise, every Avalon SuiteShip features a state-of-the-art fitness center—complete with the latest cardio and weight-training equipment—for those not looking to give their abs, biceps or triceps a vacation.

Yoga on board

Before you set out to discover the lives of kings, queens and conquerors, you can easily find your inner warrior, cobra or happy baby. Avalon Adventure Hosts kick-start each day with a combination of yoga poses, Pilates exercises and gentle stretches in the fresh morning air on the Sky Deck or with panoramic views in the Panorama Lounge. Downward dogs welcome.

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Situated on the Royal Deck you might like to take advantage of the onboard hairdresser to indulge in a manicure or hair styling.

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The Deck Games area is located on the Sky Deck.

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Room Features

• Comfort Collection Beds

• Luxurious mattress toppers
• Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
• European-style duvets
• Soft & firm pillows
• Extra blankets
• Choice of bed configuration
• Nightly turn-down service
• Bedside tables with reading lamps
• Hairdryer
• L'Occitane bath products
• Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
• Easy under-bed luggage storage
• Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
• Alarm clock
• Direct-dial telephone
• Bathrobes & slippers
• Well-stocked minibar
• Complimentary water
• In-room safe
• Individual climate control
• Elegant, contemporary design
• Large mirror in bathroom
• Two windows
• Full shower with glass door
• Writing desk and chair
• Vanity and lighted makeup mirror
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• One Queen-Sized Bed or Two Twins
• USB Ports

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Room Features

• Comfort Collection Beds

• Luxurious mattress toppers
• Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
• European-style duvets
• Soft & firm pillows
• Extra blankets
• Choice of bed configuration
• Nightly turn-down service
• Bedside tables with reading lamps
• Hairdryer
• L'Occitane bath products
• Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
• Easy under-bed luggage storage
• Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
• Alarm clock
• Make-up mirror
• Direct-dial telephone
• Bathrobes & slippers
• Well-stocked minibar
• Complimentary water
• In-room safe
• Individual climate control
• Elegant, contemporary design
• Large mirror in bathroom
• Marble countertops in bathroom
• Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony
• 6-person sitting area
• Full shower with glass door
• Writing desk and chair
• Vanity and lighted makeup mirror
• Sofa
• Coffee table
• Double sinks
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• USB Ports
• One King-Sized Bed or Two Twins

-

Room Features

• Comfort Collection Beds

• Luxurious mattress toppers
• Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
• European-style duvets
• Soft & firm pillows
• Extra blankets
• Choice of bed configuration
• Nightly turn-down service
• Bedside tables with reading lamps
• Hairdryer
• L'Occitane bath products
• Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
• Easy under-bed luggage storage
• Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
• Alarm clock
• Make-up mirror
• Direct-dial telephone
• Bathrobes & slippers
• Well-stocked minibar
• Complimentary water
• In-room safe
• Individual climate control
• Elegant, contemporary design
• Large mirror in bathroom
• Marble countertops in bathroom
• Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony
• 6-person sitting area
• Full shower with glass door
• Writing desk and chair
• Vanity and lighted makeup mirror
• Sofa
• Coffee table
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• One Queen-Sized Bed or Two Twins
• USB Ports