ROMANTIC RHINE

9 days incl. travel, 8 days from Zürich to Amsterdam (WZA)

Cruise Overview


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Cruise Overview


One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits on this fascinating Rhine river cruise journey. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Strasbourg, Koblenz, and Cologne, as well as an excursion to majestic Heidelberg and a canal cruise in picturesque Amsterdam. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, take pictures of the famous Lorelei rock, and visit Siegfried’s fascinating Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim.

Oberammergau 2010
Add the Oberammergau Passion Play to Your River Cruise

Cruise:
Deluxe 7-night cruise from Basel to Amsterdam in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds

Strasbourg:
Guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral

Heidelberg:
Guided visit of the castle including the Giant Vat

Rüdesheim:
Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum

Rhine Gorge:
Cruise through the gorge

Koblenz:
Guided sightseeing

Cologne:
Guided sightseeing

Amsterdam:
Canal cruise

Notes:
  • In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.
  • Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.

Meals - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner

Superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain's reception, and farewell dinner; quality wines from Europe's most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements; Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with all onboard dinners; Complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day

Please note that some amenities, features and enhancements are only available on 2011 river and small-ship cruise departures.

Map

WZA

Itinerary


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Day-by-Day Itinerary


Day 1

Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2Zürich, Switzerland. Transfer to Basel (Embarkation)

Flights into Zürich must arrive before 3 pm. Your river cruise vessel is docked on the Rhine River in Basel, where France, Germany, and Switzerland meet. Before dinner, meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (Dinner)

Day 3Strasbourg, France

Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. A Local Guide shows you the noteworthy sights: the GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, the lovely LA PETITE FRANCE district, Place Kléber, and Place Gutenberg with the statue of the inventor of the printing press. Strasbourg is also home to the Kronenbourg Brewery. An optional excursion into the Alsace wine region is available. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4Excursion to Heidelberg, Germany–Mainz

Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest university town of Student Prince fame, a world-famous love musical. The ruins of the imposing HEIDELBERG CASTLE, built of red sandstone, tower above the city. Of particular interest is the GIANT VAT, an 18th-century wine cask holding 49,000 gallons! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5Mainz–Rüdesheim

Situated on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the mouth of the Main River, Mainz is Germany’s largest and most important wine market. The Old Town has many interesting shops, tea rooms, and restaurants, and a fountain on the Schillerplatz is decorated with scenes of the famous carnival held here every year. Gutenberg, the father of modern printing, was born here and you’ll visit the GUTENBERG MUSEUM. The pretty little town of Rüdesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town. SIEGFRIED’S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM is a real surprise! Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT, then there’s free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6Koblenz

Downstream from Rüdesheim is the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of river dotted every mile with castles. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblenz is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7Cologne

Cologne is the capital of the Rhineland and one of Germany’s largest cities. The soaring twin steeples of Cologne’s magnificent gothic cathedral—which took more than 600 years to build—dominate the river skyline. The Germano-Roman Museum next to the cathedral is a must for history buffs! The Old Town abounds with taverns, cafés, and shops. The favorite local beer here is Kölsch. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8Amsterdam, Holland

Holland’s capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. This delightful 700-year-old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafés and restaurants, and lively marketplace has a distinct ambience. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9Amsterdam (Disembarkation)

Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (Breakfast)

BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS WITH US

Learn more about booking an air-inclusive vacation - the reasons why include, you'll receive free airport transfer on published dates and your air will be coordinated with your vacation.

AIRPORT TRANSFER TIMES

Details about airport transfer times, prices and what's included with your vacation.


Please note that some amenities, features and enhancements are only available on 2011 river and small-ship cruise departures.

Cruise Highlights

MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner

SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class

TRANSPORTATION

NOTE


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Optional Excursions


Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.

Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency; you can use our online currency converter for exchange rate information.

CITY: Strasbourg

Excursion To The Alsace Countryside
Although modest in size, Alsace's geography is such that it offers an incredible variety of landscapes and climates. With the Vosges mountains and the rest of France to the west, and the Rhine and then Germany to the east, Alsace really is a mini-kingdom to itself, which has absorbed aspects from both French and German cultures. This is not surprising, as the region has changed hands four times in the past few hundred years. Since the Great War, however, Alsace has remained French. The famous Riesling, the Pinot Noir, the Tokay-Pinot Gris, the Gewurztraminer, a Muscat or a Pinot Blanc are the varieties of wine that you find here. But you can discover more. Follow our local expert on a tour of the Alsace with its charming half-timbered houses, the quite villages and the vineyards. Taste some of the wines of the region, as we will visit one of its wine farms...
Approximate value: EUR €36 per person

CITY: Zurich

Excursion To Lucerne's Mount Pilatus
The giant mountain looming above Lucerne to the southwest is Mount Pilatus (2132m / 7000 ft). There are two means of transport to the top, making it easy to do a half- or full-day round trip from Lucerne - simpler than in 1868, when Queen Victoria made the excursion riding on the back of a mule. We start at Kriens; from here a cable-car rises to Frakmuntegg, itself connected to the summit by gondola. The walk to the highest point of the mountain, the Tomlishorn, takes less than thirty minutes from the top station, with breathtakingly expansive views out over the lake the whole way along the clifftop path. We will make our way down with the steepest rack railway in the world running at a gradient touching 48 percent directly to the bottom of the valley The descent takes a careful forty minutes, but time flies when watching the breathtaking scenery.
Approximate value: EUR €49 per person

Please note that some amenities, features and enhancements are only available on 2011 river and small-ship cruise departures.

Dates and Prices


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View the following dates and prices to find just the right date for your cruise. From the chart you will find the date you depart and the day your vacation will start and end to help you with your planning. From the chart, you will see the departure number and ship for your cruise.

Once you've selected your date, you'll move to the next step to get an airfare quote and to begin booking your vacation, including selecting your room. When you book your flights with us, you'll find we offer competitive and hassle-free airfares, flights coordinated with vacation dates and you'll avoid strict Internet terms and conditions.

The price listed does not include your airfare. Once you click "Check Availability", you will be able to receive an air quote.

Reservation Process



Depart
Date

Vacation
Start
Date

Vacation
End
Date

Departure
Number

Calendar

Ship		 Photo represents the
type of room & price is
the "starting at" price.
09/11/10 09/12/10 09/19/10 00912 Felicity $2,489.00 $2,988.00 $3,688.00 NOT AVAILABLE
09/18/10 09/19/10 09/26/10 00919 Luminary $2,489.00 $2,988.00 $3,688.00
09/25/10 09/26/10 10/03/10 00926 Felicity $2,489.00 $2,988.00 $3,688.00 NOT AVAILABLE
10/02/10 10/03/10 10/10/10 01003 Luminary $2,339.00 $2,838.00 $3,538.00 NOT AVAILABLE
10/09/10 10/10/10 10/17/10 01010 Felicity $2,339.00 $2,838.00 $3,538.00 Please Call
10/16/10 10/17/10 10/24/10 01017 Luminary $2,289.00 $2,788.00 $3,488.00 Please Call
03/26/11 03/27/11 04/03/11 10327 Felicity $1,699.00 $2,198.00 $2,898.00 Please Call
04/01/11 04/02/11 04/09/11 10402 Affinity $1,799.00 $2,298.00 $2,998.00
04/09/11 04/10/11 04/17/11 10410 Felicity $2,079.00 $2,578.00 $3,278.00
04/15/11 04/16/11 04/23/11 10416 Affinity $2,249.00 $2,748.00 $3,448.00
04/23/11 04/24/11 05/01/11 10424 Felicity $2,489.00 $2,988.00 $3,688.00
05/07/11 05/08/11 05/15/11 10508 Felicity $2,589.00 $3,088.00 $3,788.00
05/21/11 05/22/11 05/29/11 10522 Felicity $2,699.00 $3,198.00 $3,898.00
06/03/11 06/04/11 06/11/11 10604 Affinity $2,749.00 $3,248.00 $3,948.00
06/04/11 06/05/11 06/12/11 10605 Felicity $2,749.00 $3,248.00 $3,948.00
06/18/11 06/19/11 06/26/11 10619 Felicity $2,749.00 $3,248.00 $3,948.00
07/02/11 07/03/11 07/10/11 10703 Felicity $2,539.00 $3,038.00 $3,738.00
07/16/11 07/17/11 07/24/11 10717 Felicity $2,539.00 $3,038.00 $3,738.00
07/22/11 07/23/11 07/30/11 10723 Affinity $2,539.00 $3,038.00 $3,738.00
07/30/11 07/31/11 08/07/11 10731 Felicity $2,539.00 $3,038.00 $3,738.00
08/05/11 08/06/11 08/13/11 10806 Affinity $2,539.00 $3,038.00 $3,738.00
08/13/11 08/14/11 08/21/11 10814 Felicity $2,539.00 $3,038.00 $3,738.00
08/19/11 08/20/11 08/27/11 10820 Affinity $2,539.00 $3,038.00 $3,738.00
08/27/11 08/28/11 09/04/11 10828 Felicity $2,639.00 $3,138.00 $3,838.00
09/02/11 09/03/11 09/10/11 10903 Affinity $2,749.00 $3,248.00 $3,948.00
09/10/11 09/11/11 09/18/11 10911 Felicity $2,749.00 $3,248.00 $3,948.00
09/24/11 09/25/11 10/02/11 10925 Felicity $2,749.00 $3,248.00 $3,948.00
10/08/11 10/09/11 10/16/11 11009 Felicity $2,589.00 $3,088.00 $3,788.00
10/21/11 10/22/11 10/29/11 11022 Affinity $2,439.00 $2,938.00 $3,638.00
10/22/11 10/23/11 10/30/11 11023 Felicity $2,339.00 $2,838.00 $3,538.00
Prices shown are "starting at" prices and do not include airfare.
Gateway for arrival is Zürich, Switzerland.

Cruise taxes, fees, fares and port charges:
$98

Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.

Extra nights per person in Zürich:
in single room $193, in twin room $127

Extra nights per person in Amsterdam:
in single room $539, in twin room $308

Prices shown above include cruise in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom on Indigo Deck.
To upgrade to a higher category (all staterooms Twin/Double), add per person:

Category / Decks / Price
B / Sapphire Deck / $499
A / Sapphire Deck / $549
P / Royal Deck / $649
Jr. Suite / Royal Deck / $1,199

2011 Vacation Information Available - View Details

US$ Price Details

Our Volume Buying Power Saves You Money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your vacation may be available at our low prices.

Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.

Guaranteed air-inclusive prices:
Air is only available to passengers traveling from the United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. An additional $250 non-refundable deposit is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation (i.e., air-inclusive vacation.) However, once your airfare is confirmed and Avalon Waterways has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed.

We also accept your reservation on a land-only basis:
While booking your vacation air-inclusive gives you various advantages, you can also choose the land-only option. But remember, airlines’ special fares generally apply to very brief periods. (Our low air-inclusive fares apply throughout the year.) Plus, to get these “deals” you often are required to pay full fare at the time of booking.

Taxes & fees
Taxes and fees are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full land and air deposit are received.

Applicable Taxes and Fees (Airfare & Charges Not Included in the Price)

Air-Inclusive Vacations
Air-inclusive prices provided online include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees between $200-$375 depending on your itinerary. The total airfare price, the base airfare price, and the applicable government taxes and fees are broken-out line-by-line and shown while booking online and on the invoice after your travel is booked.

Not Included In Your Vacation Price (Air-Inclusive, Land-Only or Cruise-Only)
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: port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships’ crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); additional excursions and activities not listed as 'included' in the itinerary; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; excess baggage fees; and all other items of a personal nature.

Please note that some amenities, features and enhancements are only available on 2011 river and small-ship cruise departures.
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