We won’t be beaten on price...
Free Flights
Overseas Transfers
Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour
ABTA protected
Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps
- New Year's Celebration
Scroll to sail
Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps – New Year’s Celebration Cruise
Few rivers pack in as much variety as the Rhine, and this seven-night AmaWaterways cruise makes the most of it, sailing from Amsterdam’s canals down through Cologne’s Old Town, the vineyard-lined Rhine Gorge and Heidelberg’s castle streets, before finishing among the volcanic hills and half-timbered charm of the Franco-Swiss border at Basel.
4.69
from
247 reviews
-
Cruise Line: AmaWaterways -
Ships: AmaVenita + 2 more -
Duration: 6 Nights
-
Departure: December
Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps – New Year’s Celebration Prices
Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps – New Year’s Celebration Gallery
Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps – New Year’s Celebration Itinerary
Here’s how the week unfolds, sailing from Amsterdam to Basel by way of German wine country, a medieval university town and the fairytale streets of Strasbourg.
Day 1
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Board your ship in Amsterdam, with plenty of time to explore before evening briefings, cocktails and dinner on board.
Day 2
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Spend the morning seeing the city from the water on a canal cruise, taking in some of Amsterdam’s 165 canals along with its iconic bridges and gabled houses. Later, enjoy scenic cruising as the journey along the Rhine begins.
Day 3
Cologne, Germany
Cologne’s Old Town takes centre stage today, its winding streets carrying centuries of history. Join a walking tour through the centre, finishing with a taste of Kölsch, the city’s own beer, in a traditional tavern, or swap the walking tour for a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through Cologne’s Stadtgarten park.
Day 4
Rüdesheim, Germany
The morning brings scenic cruising through the castle-lined Rhine Gorge on the way to Rüdesheim, where there is much to do: a wine tasting, a gondola ride over the vineyards, a hike through them instead, or a guided bike tour of the Rheingau. Once you’re back in town, there’s Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet to explore or a classic Rüdesheimer coffee to round off the afternoon.
Day 5
Ludwigshafen, Germany
Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of excursions further afield. Heidelberg is the headline option, its medieval streets, red sandstone castle and the Great Vat well worth the trip, or take a more active route with a hike along the Philosopher’s Path or a bike ride along the Neckar to Ladenburg’s Marktplatz. Prefer something different? Speyer offers its own draw, a UNESCO-listed Romanesque cathedral and the medieval Altpörtel gate.
Day 6
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg’s Petite France district is made for wandering, its fairytale streets leading to the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame and its famous astronomical clock. If you’d rather cover more ground, a bike tour takes in the city’s charming streets along with the Parc de l’Orangerie.
Day 7
Basel, Switzerland
The day ashore centres on Breisach, your access point for the storybook streets of Colmar, where 16th-century architecture and a miniature Statue of Liberty (a nod to the town’s most famous sculptor) make for good wandering. For something more active, a hike through the Kaiserstuhl takes you through volcanic hills of vineyards and rolling countryside, and a wine tasting or a hike to nearby castle ruins are also on offer.
Day 8
Basel, Switzerland
Disembark in Basel.
RHINE CASTLES & SWISS ALPS – NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHTS
Rhine River Cruise Deals
Amsterdam to Basel is one of AmaWaterways’ most popular routes along the Rhine, so it’s worth booking early if a particular date or ship has caught your eye. Take a look at what’s currently on offer, or browse the full range of Rhine river cruises to compare.
FROM
£
2,914 pp
FROM
£
3,089 pp
FROM
£
3,264 pp
Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps – New Year’s Celebration Cruise Review
Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps – New Year’s Celebration FAQs
What's included in the Rhine Gorge scenic cruising on day 4?
It’s a morning on deck rather than an organised excursion, sailing through one of the most photographed stretches of the whole Rhine. Expect a steady procession of hilltop castles, steep vineyards and small wine towns on both banks as the ship makes its way towards Rüdesheim.
What's the difference between the Heidelberg and Speyer excursions on day 5?
Heidelberg is the more famous of the two, known for its red sandstone castle, the Great Vat inside it and a well-preserved medieval old town, and it’s also where the more active options, the Philosopher’s Path hike and the Ladenburg bike ride, depart from. Speyer is quieter and more compact, built around its UNESCO-listed Romanesque cathedral and the medieval Altpörtel gate.
Do I need a visa for France, Germany, the Netherlands or Switzerland?
No, UK travellers don’t need a visa for any of the four countries on this itinerary. France, Germany and the Netherlands are EU members within the Schengen area, and Switzerland, while not an EU member, is also part of the Schengen area, so the same standard 90-day visa-free allowance covers the whole trip.
What currency will I need on this cruise?
The Netherlands, Germany and France all use the euro, so you’ll only need to think about currency once, on the final day in Switzerland. Switzerland uses the Swiss franc rather than the euro, and while some shops in Basel will accept euros, you’ll get a better deal paying in francs or by card.
Is the Kaiserstuhl hike worth doing instead of Colmar on the last day?
It depends what you’re after. Colmar is the gentler option, a storybook town of 16th-century architecture that’s easy to wander at your own pace, while the Kaiserstuhl hike takes you through a volcanic region of vineyards and countryside with plenty of viewpoints along the way. If you’d rather stay closer to town, there’s also a wine tasting and a walk to nearby castle ruins on offer.
Join the Crui.se Club
Points That Pay
Earn 25 points (£25) just for joining — and collect more on bookings, reviews, and referrals.
Exclusive Member Deals
Unlock off-market offers reserved only for Crui.se Club members.
Early Access Perks
Be the first to book with pre-launch notifications and special member-only booking windows.
Cruise With Confidence
Our mission at crui.se is to help you and your loved one’s book and experience the best cruise holiday imaginable. We’re different in that, our customers come first, not our suppliers or profit margins. Get in touch and let us help you set sail.
Over 20 cruise brands to choose from
Low deposits from £500
All Inclusive cruises
Best deals & discounts
Community driven
Brand agnostic
We take care of everything
Custom built cruise holidays
