4-night Christmastime In Alsace & Germany (Southbound) Cruise

December 19, 2024

Avalon Waterways: Avalon Illumination®

Frankfurt/Basel

Vacation Offer ID 1507591

Reference this number when contacting our travel specialist.

From $2,094

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Cruise Theme: Festive Season Cruise

Sail into the season of European Christmas markets, aglow with the warmth of a simpler time. From wooden stalls with handmade ornaments and hot-mulled wine to glistening lights and grand cathedral heights, celebrate the festive season on a European river cruise in timeless tradition. Hear German musical instruments come alive; taste Austrian Christmas cookies; see Melk’s Benedictine Abbey; and feel the spirit of the season.

Cruise Inclusions

Choice of complimentary sightseeing excursions in every port – choose between Classic, Active or Discovery options
Whisper headsets for all excursions
Digital Signage ship-wide with daily agenda, menus, key details
Unlimited free Wi-Fi
Visits to UNESCO Sites
Enrichment lectures & local entertainment, dance floor and nightly song lists
Meals with regional specialties, including local wine
Sky Deck grill for lunch – weather permitting
Welcome Dinner & Farewell Dinner
Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner – sparkling wine with breakfast
24-hour specialty coffees, teas & water filling station, including flavored waters
24-hour Club Lounge (includes coffee machine), games, books, TVs, great views!
Walking track & sky deck
Fitness room with machines and free weights
Adventure Host and Adventure center (maps, binoculars, walking sticks, etc)
Afternoon tea (coffee, tea, sandwiches and cookies)
16 bikes on board
Movie Night
Elevator between stateroom decks
24-hour guest services
All port taxes & fees
Airport transfers on embarkation/disembarkation day with Avalon Air purchase
No single use plastics

YOUR STATEROOM INCLUDES:

River-view stateroom Hotel-style bed with optional twin-bed configuration; Comfort Collection bedding, including choice of pillow and firmness (Panorama Suites 200 sq feet)
Desk area with chair
Spacious closets and under bed storage
Panorama Suites include Wall-to-wall window with Open-Air Balcony
Panorama Suites include loveseat and table with chair seating area
Panorama Suites include extra large bathroom and spacious glass enclosed shower
Flat-screen LCD TV with complimentary Movies On Demand
110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
Mini Bar; security safe; hair dryer
L’Occitane® toiletries; plush robes & slippers in every stateroom
Stateroom steward & multiple times daily housekeeping

4-night Christmastime In Alsace & Germany (Southbound) Cruise

Destination Guide
Suggested Shore Excursions

Destination	Arrival	Departure
Frankfurt Frankfurt 12/19/2024 FRANKFURT, GERMANY (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.Flights into Frankfurt must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER (D)	12/19/2024	12/19/2024
Speyer Speyer 12/20/2024 SPEYER. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King DISCOVERY 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.Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing sailing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)	12/20/2024	12/20/2024
Strasbourg Strasbourg 12/21/2024 STRASBOURG, FRANCE A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven’s Time, and Joyeux NoëlCLASSIC 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 CRUISE TO BREISACH(B,L,D)	12/21/2024	12/21/2024
Breisach Breisach 12/22/2024 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestDISCOVERY 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.After your visit to Badischer Winzerkeller, 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. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL (B,L,D)	12/22/2024	12/22/2024
Basel Basel 12/23/2024 BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.Flights shouldn't leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am. (B)	12/23/2024	12/23/2024

The Avalon Illumination truly shines on Europe's rivers. Onboard amenities include an alternative light dining option in the Panorama Bistro, a Fitness Center, complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi access, and a spacious Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, and light al fresco lunches at the Sky Bistro on the Sky Deck.

Ship Highlights

Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, shade awnings, & outdoor deck game area
English-speaking friendly crew, staff & professional Cruise Director
Onboard Adventure Center with active gear, bikes, Nordic walking sticks, watercraft & maps
Onshore & Onboard experiences with regional customs, cultures & tastings with local artisans, experts & entertainers
Well-stocked library with books, cards, and board games

Ship Statistics

Built Year: 2014
Ship Length: 443
Number of Crew: 47
Dining / Restaurants: 2
Pool: Yes

Bars / Lounges: 6
Fitness Center: Yes
Number of Staterooms: 83
Number of Suites: 67
Kids Friendly: No

Oceanview

Deluxe Stateroom (E) $2,094

Category: E
Indigo Deck

Size: 172 sq. ft. Stateroom Amenities: Two windows • Comfort Collection by Avalon • Deluxe beds with premium mattress covers • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens • European-style duvets • Choice of soft or firm pillows • Extra blankets • Choice of bed configuration • Nightly turn-down service • Bedside tables with reading lamps • Hairdryer • L'Occitane bath amenities • Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage • Easy under-bed luggage storage • Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels • Alarm clock • Direct-dial telephone • Bathrobes & slippers • Well-stocked minibar • Complimentary bottled water • In-room safe • Individual climate control • Modern Finishings • Large mirror in bathroom

Deluxe Stateroom (D) $2,208

Category: D
Indigo Deck

Suite

Panorama Suite (B) $2,922

Category: B
Sapphire Deck

Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door with French Balcony, Full shower with glass door, Writing desk, Vanity, Bed, Sink, Toilet. Size: 172 sq. ft. Stateroom Amenities: • Comfort Collection by Avalon • Deluxe beds with premium mattress covers • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens • European-style duvets • Choice of soft or firm pillows • Extra blankets • Choice of bed configuration • Nightly turn-down service • Bedside tables with reading lamps • Hairdryer • L'Occitane bath amenities • Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage • Easy under-bed luggage storage • Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels • Alarm clock • Direct-dial telephone • Bathrobes & slippers • Well-stocked minibar • Complimentary bottled water • In-room safe • Individual climate control • Modern Finishings • Large mirror in bathroom

Panorama Suite (A) $2,980

Category: A
Sapphire Deck

Panorama Suite (P) $3,008

Category: P
Royal Deck

Royal Suite (S) $3,637

Category: S
Royal Deck

Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door with French Balcony, Full shower with glass door, Writing desk, Vanity, Bed, Sink, Toilet, Sofa, Coffee table. Size: 258 sq.ft. Stateroom Amenities: • Comfort Collection by Avalon • Deluxe beds with premium mattress covers • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens • European-style duvets • Choice of soft or firm pillows • Extra blankets • Choice of bed configuration • Nightly turn-down service • Bedside tables with reading lamps • Hairdryer • L'Occitane bath amenities • Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage • Easy under-bed luggage storage • Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels • Alarm clock • Direct-dial telephone • Bathrobes & slippers • Well-stocked minibar • Complimentary bottled water • In-room safe • Individual climate control • Modern Finishings • Large mirror in bathroom • Marble countertops in bathroom

Price is per person (double occupancy) and includes cruise taxes and port charges.

"Starting at" or "From" price is per person (double occupancy) and includes cruise taxes and port charges but does not include airfare to or from your vacation. Some cruise/tour packages require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Avalon Waterways) in which case intra-vacation air and taxes are included in the price shown.

Important Notes

Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required for Avalon Waterways to reserve space for you.
The hotels and accommodations listed are provisional and subject to change and may be substituted with properties of similar standard. Hotels are confirmed approximately 30 days prior to departure and can be found in your travel documents, but are not guaranteed until check-in.
The following charges are not included in the land/cruise vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; intra-vacation air, unless specified in the itinerary; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee up to $11.20 per person, passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $4.10 per segment, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Avalon menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature.
Additional airline-imposed fees for seat assignments may apply and are not included in your total package cost. Please refer to carrier websites for seat assignment policies and applicable pricing.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

Sky Deck