Your Itinerary
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 (D)
Canals of Colorful AmsterdamJoin 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(B,L,D)
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 marketsLater, enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM(B,L,D)
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryEn 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(B,L,D)
MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine BarrelDISCOVERY 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 KEHL (B,L,D)
KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Joyeux Noël in StrasbourgCLASSIC 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(B,L,D)
BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
The Beautiful Black ForestDISCOVERY 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(B,L,D)
BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)*–MOUNT PILATUS
Spectacular Views in SwitzerlandThis morning disembark your Avalon ship and take a motorcoach transfer to Mount PilatusCLASSIC Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus. Journey almost 7,000 ft. (2,132 m) up for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead). A Historic Bridge and Heart of a LionCLASSIC Join a Guided Walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne, which includes Thorvaldsen’s poignant Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge. (B)* Some departures may disembark in Hüningen (France), just across the river or in Breisach (Germany).
Lake and MountainsToday, enjoy a day at leisure in Lucerne. Discover the many squares and churches and how tradition and modernity stand side-by-side or spend your free time to enjoy some shopping in the city center.(B)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)