Experience the Magic of Christmas on a Rhine River Cruise in 2026. I invite you to join me and wife, Cathy as your personal hosts as we cruise with AMA River Cruise
Set sail on a Rhine River adventure that captures the enchantment of the holiday season. Discover fairytale castles, historic vineyards, and charming cities decked out in festive splendor. Begin in Amsterdam, where the canal-laden streets and rich history shine in seasonal glory. Wander through the enchanting stalls of France’s oldest Christmas Market in Strasbourg, and soak in the holiday charm of Rüdesheim's Drosselgasse, a cultural treasure filled with restaurants, open-air wine gardens, and a magical Christmas Market. Aboard an elegantly decorated ship, cruise through towns adorned with glittering lights, festive decor, and the warmth of holiday spirit. Celebrate onboard with cherished traditions and a gourmet holiday feast on every Christmas Markets departure. Spanning the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland, this journey offers breathtaking landmarks, majestic mountain vistas, and an unforgettable dose of Christmas wonder.
Why Group Cruising Makes the Holidays Brighter - Group cruising is the perfect way to enjoy the holiday season without the stress of planning. From the moment you step aboard, everything is thoughtfully arranged—accommodations, meals, excursions, and festive activities—so you can focus on soaking in the magic. Traveling with a group adds a sense of camaraderie as you share heartwarming experiences with fellow travelers. Together, you’ll explore holiday markets, toast to new friendships, and create memories that will last a lifetime. With expert guides and exclusive access to some of the region’s most beloved Christmas traditions, group cruising makes the Rhine River holiday fantasy even more extraordinary.
*Please note that while the physical activity on this tour (walking distances) is not significant, your days will be full touring walking 2-4 miles a day usually. Please be sure you notify us of any physical limitations you might have at booking.
To book this cruise contact your favorite Morris Columbus Travel Advisor or the Group Tour Manager listed below:
Sarah Wangsgard, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6473
Email Sarah
Tour ID #9226L03
Day 1: Wednesday, December 2, 2026
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS - BASEL, SWITZERLAND
Overnight flights from home cities to Basel.
Meals : In-flight
Day 2: Thursday, December 3, 2026
BASEL, SWITZERLAND – EMBARKATION
Board the ship in Basel for your Christmas Markets on the Rhine cruise.
Meals : Dinner
Day 3: Friday, December 4, 2026
BASEL
Enjoy getting to know Basel, Switzerland’s third largest city. Long an important university, banking and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval town hall, richly decorated market square and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. Tour the city by foot or on a guided bike tour that takes you through three countries: Switzerland, France and Germany. Alternatively, you may opt to visit Lucerne with a full-day excursion. In the afternoon, enjoy a tasting of Swiss wines or venture to the powerful Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Saturday, December 5, 2026
STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République before walking through its iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. During the tour you will receive free time to visit the Christmas Markets. In the afternoon, venture to alluring Baden-Baden, located at the border of Germany’s Black Forest. Learn about the area’s natural hot springs and Germany’s oldest casino, which some argue is the most beautiful casino in the world. Following your walking tour, indulge your holiday wanderlust with a stroll through Baden-Baden’s romantic Christmas Market.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Sunday, December 6, 2026
LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY – RÜDESHEIM
Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of four excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine cask. Here you can also enjoy visiting some of the festive Christmas Markets. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher’s Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Old Gate, Altpörtel. In your free time, you might choose to visit the Christmas Markets or Technik Museum featuring exhibits of vintage cars, military aircraft and even a submarine! Or pedal along the river Neckar to the picturesque medieval city center of Ladenburg and enjoy some free time to explore the shops. Later in the day, cruise to the charming village of Rüdesheim and join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards. Or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Monday, December 7, 2026
RÜDESHEIM – RHINE GORGE
Let Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments. Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. Afterwards, enjoy free time in the town, perhaps to explore the Drosselgasse, the town’s cultural heart, and the Christmas Markets. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching Lahnstein, where you will enjoy a unique evening visit at Lahneck Castle.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Tuesday, December 8, 2026
COLOGNE, GERMANY
Enjoy cruising to Cologne. Join a guided tour through the Old Town. During your free time, browse through the city’s most impressive Christmas Markets, offering 160 attractively designed wooden pavilions. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Wednesday, December 9, 2026
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Alternatively, get a taste of local flavor, passing iconic canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats while tasting Dutch specialties at one of Amsterdam’s grand cafes. Please note: tour depends upon docking location and may be replaced with Jordaan District Walking Tour.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Thursday, December 10, 2026
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – DISEMBARKATION
Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Amsterdam as you prepare for your return flight home.
Meals : Breakfast
Highlights of the Tour:
- The Getaway Guru®, Larry Gelwix will be your personal cruise host for the whole trip along with expert local guides
- Licensed, insured, and bonded travel agency with 60+ years of experience!! Yes, IT MATTERS!
- Cruise on the beautiful AMA Lucia River Ship
All This Is Included:
- 8-day cruise with river-view stateroom on the AMA Lucia
- All meals on board and complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Deluxe/Air-Conditioned motor coach transportation for included tours
- Licensed Local guides at each port
- Experienced Tour host, Larry Gelwix
- Room steward & twice-daily housekeeping service
- Hotel-style bed with the optional twin-bed configuration; luxury linens & pillows
- 40" flat-screen LCD TV & complimentary movies on Demand
- Refrigerator, security safe, hair dryer
- 110/220-volt outlets & USB port
- Heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirrors
- Glass-enclosed shower
- Premium Freyja® toiletries, bathrobe & slippers (upon request)
Not Included:
- Government taxes and fees $250.00
- Airfare from your home city
- Any private sightseeing not included on the itinerary
- Cruise gratuities
- Items of a personal nature (e.g. phone calls, room service, internet, etc.)
- Travel insurance
Optional Pricing:
- Standard Cat E $3299.00 per person based on a double cabin
- Standard Cat D $3499.00 per person based on a double cabin
- Standard Cat C $4259.00 per person based on a double cabin
- Standard Cat BB $4729.00 per person based on a double cabin
- Standard Cat BA $4899.00 per person based on a double cabin
- Standard Cat AB $5029.00 per person based on a double cabin
- Suite Cabin $6395.00 per person based on a double cabin
Payment Terms:
- $750 per person deposit at the time of booking, Non Refundable
- Final Payment due on Aug 25, 2026
- Read our Terms & Conditions
Charter Cancellation Policy:
- All payments are non-refundable!!
- If the cancellation comes prior to final payment, if you resell your cabin to a friend and a name change is allowed, we will refund the deposit amount once paid in full
- Or, once the charter is fully booked, if we can resell your cabin for you a refund will be allowed of your deposit
