Christmastime in Alsace & Germany (Northbound)

BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Switzerland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Zürich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Stroll through the city center, enjoy the festive illumination and savor Christmas delicacies like waffles, gingerbread, sweets and Swiss raclette.

EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH

BASEL-FESTIVE-MARKET.jpg

BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest

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, OR:

DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.

In the afternoon you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. Alternatively, spend your afternoon leisurely browsing Breisach’s lovely Christmas market to sample pretzels, mulled wine, and Black Forest cake.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG

BLACK-FOREST-CLOCK.jpg

STRASBOURG, FRANCE Joyeux Noël in Strasbourg

CLASSIC Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city’s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion in a wine country village in beautiful Alsace. Spend free time this afternoon strolling through the glowing winter markets of Strasbourg.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER

STRASBOURG-FESTIVE-CHRISTMAS-MARKET.jpg

SPEYER, GERMANY. HEIDELBERG EXCURSION Winter Wonders Fit for a King

DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent 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 After the tour, visit the local German Christmas Markets in Heidelberg.

Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing sailing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT

HEIDELBERG-FESTIVE-CHRISTMAS-MARKET.jpg

FRANKFURT (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Frankfurt airport before 10 am.

FRANKFURT-FESTIVE-CHRISTMAS-MARKET.jpg

-

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 specialty 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.

-

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.

-

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.

-

Room service is available for Continental breakfast & beverages.

-

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.

-

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.

-

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. 

-

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

-

The Observation Lounge, up on the Royal Deck is a stylishly furnished upscale bar, with large panoramic windows and nightly live entertainment all whilst serving premium spirits.

-

The Club Lounge can be found on the Royal Deck. 

-

The bar can be found on the Royal Deck.

-

Sky Lounge can be found on the Sky Deck.

-

The Reception can be found on the Royal Deck.

-

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.

-

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

-

The Deck Games area is located on the Sky Deck.

-

• 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
• One Queen-Sized Bed or Two Twins
• USB Ports

-

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
• 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
• One Queen-Sized Bed or Two Twins
• USB Ports