What are the payment options available for the tour?

You can make monthly payments towards your tour until the end of January.

What is included in the price regarding meals?

Meals during the cruise are generally included in the package price.

What airport do we fly into for this cruise?

The main airport for this cruise is Basel, Switzerland.

Is wifi access available onboard?

Wifi may be available; please check if it is included or if there are additional costs.

What is the cancellation policy for the tour?

The cancellation policy will be provided upon booking, and it is important to review this before confirming.

What services are included in the base price for the cruise?

The base price will include meals, the room, taxes, and one excursion per port.

Can I personalize my cruise experience?

Customization options may be available depending on the cruise and your preferences.

How can we find out about available excursions on the cruise?

You can refer to the cruise itinerary for details about excursions at each port.

What discounts are available for group bookings?

Discounts may be offered for larger groups; details can be provided upon inquiry.

How can I check the availability for specific dates?

Check our website or contact us for the most current availability on specific dates.

Romantic Rhine (Northbound)

8 days

•

From Basel to Amsterdam

4.6 (63 reviews)

View all
Everything was fantastic! The excursions were fun and all except one of our guides went the extra mile to make the tours spectacular.
Torie Brilhart•traveled in October5.0
View all

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Plan your adventure:

Gold Operator: Avalon Waterways
River Cruise: Cruise scenic waterways for effortless exploration
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 30 - 160
Ages 8+

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Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Intro
Introduction
Day 1
Basel
Basel
Meals
Dinner
Day 2
Breisach - Black Forest
Breisach - Black Forest
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided E-bike Tour - Black Forest
- Guided Tour - Colmar and Little Venice
- Full-day Guided Tour - Black Forest with Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum, authentic water mill, and traditional butter-making demonstration
Landmarks
Black Forest
Colmar
Little Venice (Petite Venise)
Vogtsbauernhof
Day 3
Kehl - Strasbourg
Kehl - Strasbourg
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Bike Tour - Strasbourg
- City Sightseeing Tour - Strasbourg Cathedral and La Petite France
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion - Maginot Line
- Alsace wine country visit
- Free time for museum visits or city exploration
Landmarks
Strasbourg Cathedral
La Petite France
Maginot Line
Day 4
Ludwigshafen - Heidelberg
Ludwigshafen - Heidelberg
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walk - Philosophers' Way, Heidelberg
- Guided Tour - Heidelberg Castle with Great Tun
- Guided Visit - Schwetzingen Palace and gardens
Landmarks
Heidelberg Castle
Philosophers' Way
Schwetzingen Palace
Day 5
Rüdesheim - Rhine Gorge - Koblenz
Rüdesheim - Rhine Gorge - Koblenz
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Hike - Rüdesheim vineyards with Rüdesheimer coffee tasting
- Guided Tour - Mechanical Music Museum with Rüdesheimer coffee tasting
- Guided Visit - Johannisberg Castle 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar with wine tasting
- Sailing through Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage site
Optional Activities
- Free time in Koblenz
Landmarks
Rhine Gorge
Rock of the Lorelei
Johannisberg Castle
Mechanical Music Museum
Day 6
Cologne
Cologne
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Bike Ride - Cologne
- Guided Walking Tour - Cologne's Jewish heritage sites
- Guided City Walk - Cologne Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Free time to enjoy Kölsch pale lager at local establishments
Landmarks
Cologne Cathedral
Day 7
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning guided walk - Amsterdam
- Off-the-beaten-path guided walking tour - Amsterdam
- Guided canal cruise - Amsterdam waterways and Golden Age homes
Optional Activities
- Guided optional excursion - Keukenhof gardens (seasonal, during tulip season)
- Optional biking tour - countryside
- Free time for exploring galleries, shops, and canal houses
Landmarks
Keukenhof
Amsterdam Canals
Day 8
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Meals
Breakfast

Landmarks
Black Forest
Colmar
Little Venice (Petite Venise)
Vogtsbauernhof

Landmarks
Strasbourg Cathedral
La Petite France
Maginot Line

Landmarks
Heidelberg Castle
Philosophers' Way
Schwetzingen Palace

Landmarks
Rhine Gorge
Rock of the Lorelei
Johannisberg Castle
Mechanical Music Museum

Landmarks
Cologne Cathedral

Landmarks
Keukenhof
Amsterdam Canals

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Optional
Additional Services

Operated by

Avalon Waterways

Gold Operator

Rating: 4.6 (236 reviews)
Response time: within 1 day
Response rate: 73%
Cancellation policy: Learn more

Avalon Waterways Ship

Avalon Panorama
A unique Suite Ship®, the Avalon Panorama features unmatched cabin views as the first of its kind in the industry with two full decks… Read more
Built
2011
Guests
84 - 166
Crew
47
Length
135 m / 443 ft
Suites
66
Staterooms
17
Gross Tonnage
2775 gt
Beam
12 m / 39 ft
Cruising Speed
12 kn / 22 kph / 14 mph
Staterooms / Suites Deck Plans Dining

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

4.6

Overall rating based on 63 Reviews

Itinerary
4.6
Transport
4.7
Guide
4.6
Accommodation
4.7
Food
4.7
Tour Operator
4.6

Klaus5.0•July 2024
Led by Nour
ship was excellent, food and drinks were great, adventures perfectly organized,all crew members were extremely...
Show more
Traveled in July 2024
Lindsay4.0•April 2024
Great service, good guides, excellent food
Traveled in April 2024
Yungchen2.0•April 2023
1. The WIFI solution is really poor. Most of time on ship has no connection. 2. It seemed to be lack of staff. The...
1. The WIFI solution is really poor. Most of time on ship has no connection. 2. It seemed to be lack of staff. The food was delivered slowly. We are waiting "way much longer" in between appetizer/soup and main courses. 3. Many dishes were not cleaned properly. "Cleaned" mugs have coffee print and "cleaned" soup bowls were oily, Overall, this ship didn't have the same quality I took for Danube River cruise before pandemic.Show more
Traveled in April 2023
Roxana4.0•April 2023
The Wi-Fi didn’t work as expected and it caused quite an inconvenience. The excursion plan is not as clear either....
Show more
Traveled in April 2023
Julie5.0•October 2022
Wonderful cruise, very comfortable, food was great and staff very friendly.
Traveled in October 2022
George5.0•September 2022
Wonderful!! Food and staff were above average par none!!!
Traveled in August 2022
Walter4.0•August 2022
The crew was incredible. I felt a bit duped by the lack of transparency re the Rhine’s low levels. The cruise...
Show more
Traveled in July 2022
Larry5.0•August 2022
Overall, our trip was excellent. There was a disruption during the river cruise because water levels were too low...
Overall, our trip was excellent. There was a disruption during the river cruise because water levels were too low for our ship to continue. The Avalon Vista crew did a great job of overcoming this obstacle by providing transportation, meals, and a hotel room until we could be accommodated on the Avalon Panorama. The ships were clean. Food and service was great on both ships was great. Many of the tour guides on our excursions were knowledgeable and brought life to the history we viewed, especially in Amsterdam and London. It was also comforting to know there was always someone there who spoke the local language and could help us do transfers onto trains and other transportation. Not a complaint, but just as suggestion, I would have preferred to have one less night in Lake Como and and an additional night in Lucerne. We were told that Avalon was going to credit our account for the inconvenience experienced due to the cruise disruption. I checked my credit card statement and there has been no credit received. I will consider traveling again on Avalon and/or using Tour Radar.Show more
Traveled in August 2022
Tom3.0•July 2022
A few of the cruise ports were in heavy industrial areas - therefore walking to city centers was not an easy option....
Show more
Traveled in July 2022
Max4.0•July 2022
We had an excellent experience, the ship was great, service was great, personnel were so attentive, professional,...
Show more
Traveled in June 2022

Dates & Prices

Select departure month

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

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Ends in1d1h1m18s

From Tuesday
17 Nov, 2026
To Tuesday
24 Nov, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
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From:
US$3,799 per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
Taxes
$231
2026, Wine Lovers (Northbound) Version
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From Tuesday
26 Oct, 2027
To Tuesday
2 Nov, 2027
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
Avalon View
From:
US$6,798 per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
Taxes
$252
2027, Wine Lovers (Northbound) Version
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From Tuesday
9 Nov, 2027
To Tuesday
16 Nov, 2027
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
Avalon View
From:
US$4,599 per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
Taxes
$252
2027, Wine Lovers (Northbound) Version
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From Tuesday
16 Nov, 2027
To Tuesday
23 Nov, 2027
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
Avalon Envision
From:
US$4,299 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Taxes
$252
2027, Wine Lovers (Northbound) Version
View this tour
From Tuesday
24 Oct, 2028
To Tuesday
31 Oct, 2028
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
Avalon Envision
From:
US$4,799 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Taxes
$252
2027, Wine Lovers (Northbound) Version
View this tour
From Tuesday
24 Oct, 2028
To Tuesday
31 Oct, 2028
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
Avalon Envision
From:
US$4,799 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Taxes
$252
Wine Lovers (Northbound) Version
View this tour

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

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M
Maurice
Asked on March 10th, 2025
What are the payment options available for the tour?
Payments
- Avalon WaterwaysOperator•Written March 2025
  You can make monthly payments towards your tour until the end of January.
M
Martin
Asked on March 6th, 2025
What is included in the price regarding meals?
Meals
- Avalon WaterwaysOperator•Written March 2025
  Meals during the cruise are generally included in the package price.
J
Jenny
Asked on November 4th, 2024
What airport do we fly into for this cruise?
Flights / Transfers
- Avalon WaterwaysOperator•Written November 2024
  The main airport for this cruise is Basel, Switzerland.
L
Laurens
Asked on July 9th, 2024
Is wifi access available onboard?
Transport
- Avalon WaterwaysOperator•Written July 2024
  Wifi may be available; please check if it is included or if there are additional costs.
J
Jennifer
Asked on July 2nd, 2024
What is the cancellation policy for the tour?
Payments
- Avalon WaterwaysOperator•Written July 2024
  The cancellation policy will be provided upon booking, and it is important to review this before confirming.
C
Crystal
Asked on May 22nd, 2024
What services are included in the base price for the cruise?
Meals
Price / Availability
Tour Details
- Avalon WaterwaysOperator•Written May 2024
  The base price will include meals, the room, taxes, and one excursion per port.
L
Lindsay
Asked on May 11th, 2024
Can I personalize my cruise experience?
Other
- Avalon WaterwaysOperator•Written May 2024
  Customization options may be available depending on the cruise and your preferences.
J
Juan
Asked on April 22nd, 2024
How can we find out about available excursions on the cruise?
Tour Details
- Avalon WaterwaysOperator•Written April 2024
  You can refer to the cruise itinerary for details about excursions at each port.
L
Lars
Asked on April 19th, 2024
What discounts are available for group bookings?
Group size
Price / Availability
- Avalon WaterwaysOperator•Written April 2024
  Discounts may be offered for larger groups; details can be provided upon inquiry.
B
Björn
Asked on March 2nd, 2024
How can I check the availability for specific dates?
Price / Availability
- Avalon WaterwaysOperator•Written March 2024
  Check our website or contact us for the most current availability on specific dates.

Good to know

Tour ID: 231157

The practical details for your trip across Switzerland, Germany, France and Netherlands: money, plugs and flexible ways to pay, all in one place.

Have a question? Chat with a travel expert

Pay in installments
Spread the cost in interest-free biweekly installments of $358.
Deposit only
Book now with just a $250 deposit. The remaining balance is due 95 days before departure.
2 local currencies
You’ll encounter Euro in France, Germany and Netherlands, Swiss Franc in Switzerland.
Plug types C, E, F, J
You’ll need an adapter for these sockets in Switzerland, Germany, France and Netherlands.

Currencies
€
Euro
France, Germany and Netherlands
Fr.
Swiss Franc
Switzerland
Plugs & adapters
As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F, J.
- Type C
  Only used in France, Germany and Netherlands
- Type E
  Only used in France
- Type F
  Only used in Germany and Netherlands
- Type J
  Only used in Switzerland
Visa
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and how long you stay. We can’t process visas for you, but here’s a quick indication for this trip.
This is only an indication. Visa rules depend on your passport, trip length and purpose. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate before you travel.
Payment information
Pay now
A $250 deposit
Balance due
95 days before departure
Installments
Interest-free, every two weeks
Currency
USD
Booking fee
None
Book now with just a $250 deposit and pay the rest later. The remaining balance is due 95 days before departure, charged automatically to your card, or you can split it into interest-free biweekly installments of $358 at checkout. Everything is charged in USD, and TourRadar never adds a booking fee. Any trip departing before January 29th, 2027 will need to be paid in full at checkout.
Accepted for Avalon Waterways tours
Visa
Maestro
Mastercard
American Express
PayPal
TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation terms may vary per tour. Please check for the full cancellation policy here.
Checking the cancellation terms for this tour…
Your money is protected. TourRadar is an authorized agent of Avalon Waterways, and we handle payments so you don’t have to. Payment is securely transferred to the operator based on your departure date.
Insurance
Our travel protection from our award-winning partner, XCover, means you and your travel companions can book with peace of mind knowing there’s protection available in case your trip doesn’t go to plan. At checkout you will be able to select between different options in case you or the tour are eligible for insurance. In case no option is available, you are always able to purchase travel insurance outside of TourRadar.
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Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Romantic Rhine (Northbound)

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Explore our featured adventures

Itinerary

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Avalon Waterways Ship

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

Dates & Prices

Want to read it later?

Why book with TourRadar?

What our customers ask about this tour

Pay in installments

Deposit only

2 local currencies

Plug types C, E, F, J

Currencies

Plugs & adapters

Visa

Payment information

Accepted for Avalon Waterways tours

Cancellation Policy

Insurance

Best price guarantee

How it works

Your quote needs

What doesn’t count

Accessibility

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