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Christmastime from Basel to Nuremberg

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River View
$8,332
Balcony
$10,861
Suite
$13,003
* Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
10 Days
 Cruise Starts
Basel
 Cruise Finishes
Nuremberg
10 Day Christmastime from Basel to Nuremberg Itinerary (Avalon)
Countries Explored: Switzerland, France, Germany
Cruise Line
Avalon
Ship
Departures
Passengers
166
Crew
47
Launched
2011
Cruise Code
WMN

Overview

Experience the holiday season like never before with a European Christmas cruise through Germany and France. From the beauty of the Black Forest to the glistening lights of Strasbourg’s Christmas markets, you’ll discover traditions and tastes that warm the heart. With views like no other, the shining stalls with crafts, cuisine, and curios come alive with music and merriment.

Visit glowing German Christkindlesmarktsas you cruise on the Rhine and Main Rivers through Heidelberg, a traditional Main river village, Wurzburg, Bamberg, and Nuremberg. Enjoy magical experiences on a festive cruise...read more highlighting holiday traditions of France and Germany amid the beauty of the winter season. Christmas traditions, culinary tastes, and charming sights and sounds uplift the holiday spirit on this European holiday cruise to remember.

Itinerary

Welcome to Switzerland! Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Zurich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

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

EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)

History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest

  • Discovery: Visit to Badischer Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Discover Germany's southernmost wine country in Baden - ideally situated between the hills of the Black Forest and the Rhine River. Learn about the vintners' process in the vineyards here, and enjoy a wine tasting, OR:
  • Discovery: Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.

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, and enjoy the warmth and glow of the Christmas season. Alternatively, spend your afternoon leisurely browsing Breisach's lovely Christmas market to sample bretzels, mulled wine, and Black Forest cake.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B/L/D)

Joyeux Noel 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 to beautiful Alsace, for an afternoon in a French wine - country village. Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time this afternoon wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER (B/L/D)

Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King

  • Classic: Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat - the world's largest wine barrel. After the tour, visit the local German Christmas markets in Heidelberg.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT (B/L/D)

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

  • Discovery: Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rudesheim, enjoy a special treat. Don't miss the tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in the city.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE (B/L/D)

Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights in Beautiful Bavaria

  • Classic: Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque village along the Main River.
  • Discovery: Join a Cookie - Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WURZBURG (B/L/D)

Old Saint Nick and Nutcrackers Sweet

  • Classic: Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the "Pearl of the Romantic Road" with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residence.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. Visit the Kathe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum - the world's most extensive collection of traditional German Christmas decorations. Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Wurzburg's Christmas markets.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B/L/D)

Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes

  • Discovery: Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.
  • Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg - medieval home of Germany's Roman Empire dynasties. Stroll through dozens of Bamberg's nativity scenes - from miniature to life-size.

Take free time to enjoy the quaint Christmas markets, and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and a glass of hearty Bavarian ale. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG (B/L/D)

Legends and History Lessons

  • Classic: Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
  • Classic: Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds - used by the Third Reich.

Spend free time browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare - bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other Christkindlmarkt culinary delights.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B/L/D)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Life Onboard Avalon Panorama

Avalon Panorama
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Our Vision. Your View.

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Active & Discovery
Active & Discovery

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From View to Table
From View to Table

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Availability Click on prices below to view cabin upgrades and details

Exclusive Savings
Saturday 29 Nov 2025
Monday 08 Dec 2025
Ship Avalon Panorama
River View
$8,468
View Cabins
Balcony
$10,861
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Suite
$13,003
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Exclusive Savings
Monday 01 Dec 2025
Wednesday 10 Dec 2025
Ship Avalon Imagery II
River View
$8,468
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Balcony
$10,861
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Suite
$13,003
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Exclusive Savings
Sunday 29 Nov 2026
Tuesday 08 Dec 2026
Ship Avalon Panorama
River View
$8,819
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Balcony
$11,339
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Suite
$13,480
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Exclusive Deal
Thursday 10 Dec 2026
Saturday 19 Dec 2026
Ship Avalon Imagery II
River View
Save $652
$8,332
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Balcony
Save $677
$10,878
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Suite
Save $699
$13,041
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Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Avalon. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Avalon. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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