11 nights Rhine & Moselle Fairytales | Amsterdam - Basel

Type of Vessel

This 156-passenger vessel boasts spacious staterooms with exclusive twin balconies, a choice of dining venues, a heated pool with swim-up bar, invigorating wellness activities, complimentary Wi-Fi on board and more.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrive in Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Embarkation : Board the ship for your Rhine & Moselle Fairytales cruise.
Day 2 | Amsterdam: There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you'll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam.
Day 3 | Cologne, Germany : Enjoy cruising to Cologne, home to one of Germany's most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral. Join a guided trip through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO designated cathedral. Continue to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany's oldest town hall, the Overstolzenhaus and the Festival Hall. For a different view of the city, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kolsch beer, only made in Cologne, and reibekuchen, potato pancakes typically served with applesauce. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine.
Day 4 | Lahnstein : You have a choice to visit Burg Lahneck, a medieval 13th-century castle, located in the city of Lahnstein; or you can go to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress to take the aerial cable car over the Rhine to Koblenz, which boasts a rich history spanning more than 2,000 years. For those seeking a more active adventure, explore the area on the "Two Rivers Bike Trip," which takes you along both the Rhine and Moselle rivers; or go on a hike around Lahnstein to Lahneck Castle.
Day 5 | Cochem: Spend the morning taking in the beauty of the Moselle on this scenic stretch of the river before reaching Cochem with its half-timbered houses and Reichsburg Castle. Join a guided expedition through the castle and then walk through its Old Town. For those wishing to have a more active exploration of the area, you can go on a guided hike to the castle or a bike journey through Cochem. Or for a different adventure, explore the Bundesbank Bunker to get a closer look at this mysterious Cold War-era bank vault.
Day 6 | Trier: Set sail for Trier, Germany's oldest city, where you can discover on a city trip why it has been called the "Rome of the North" as it has impressive Roman relics and nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alternatively, go in search of the secrets of the Porta Nigra Gate on a voyage that takes you back to a time when Rome ruled the world from the Emperor's seat in Trier. You also have the choice of a bike journey through the historic city center and along the Moselle River; or hike high above Trier to Petrisberg.
Day 7 | Bernkastel : Enjoy a scenic cruise to Bernkastel that will enchant you. Walk through its colorful Old Town center and past many medieval and Renaissance buildings on a guided excursion that also includes a winery visit and tasting. Cycling enthusiasts can choose to join a bike journey and hikers can opt to trek up to the ruins of Landshut Castle, which dates all the way back to the 9th century.
Day 8 | Rhine Gorge - Rudesheim : Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river, before reaching Rudesheim. Drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, and afterwards, be treated to a wine tasting. For a more active adventure, hike through the town's beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike voyage along the scenic Rhine River to Schloss Johannisberg. Later in the day, let Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum charm you or taste one of the town's special delights, Rudesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.
Day 9 | Ludwigshafen: You have a choice of several excursions, depending on your interest. Visit Heidelberg, a perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany's Castle Road. Alternatively, relive a bygone era on an excursion to the glorious Schwetzingen Baroque Palace. Explore this splendid palace furnished with over 800 exhibits. Or, you may decide to visit Schwetzingen Palace Gardens with more than 100 sculptures and admire an assortment of whimsical buildings. The Apollotempel houses a statue of the ancient Greek god of light and the arts, playing the lyre; and the most spectacular, the Turkischer Garten with a mosque, are a few of the many highlights you will see. You can also hike the historic Philosopher's Path along the Neckar River or bike to the charming town of Ladenburg and glide past its half-timbered architecture.
Day 10 | Strasbourg, France: Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic voyage past the stunning Parc de l'Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la Republique before walking through its iconic "La Petite France" district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through these charming streets and past the Cathedrale de Notre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, the active adventurer can take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l'Orangerie.
Day 11 | Breisach, Germany : Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions, depending on your interests. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking excursion, admire historic architecture as well as famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate. Alternatively, you may wish to go to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg's Munster, a Gothic cathedral said to have "the most beautiful spire on earth." Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the scenic countryside, or go on a hike in the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions.
Day 12 | Basel, Switzerland -- Disembarkation : Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Switzerland as you prepare for your return flight home.

Guest Services

Amenities include personalized service from a Cruise Manager during cruise and land programs and complimentary Wi Fi access.

Food and Dining

AmaWaterways was invited to be a member of La Chaine des Rotisseurs - a prestigious international culinary society and with good reason. The expert chefs craft menus that feature exquisite, locally-inspired cuisine as well as traditional Western offerings. This is the only river cruise line that has The Chef's Table, an intimate specialty restaurant where you can watch the chef prepare a lavish dinner right in front of you. Each meal is specially paired with premium local reds and whites from Europe's renowned wine regions, with new selections each night. There's also sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast, menu service during lunch, as well as delicious tapas and snacks in the Main Lounge between meals.

Onboard Activities/Events

Soak up some rays or take a dip in the refreshing pool with a swim-up bar as you pass by centuries-old castles, charming villages and other breathtaking scenery.
Whether you'd like to dress up for the captain's special dinner or a night out on the town, you can complete your look by getting your hair styled in the salon.
Whether it's traditional Bavarian music, a local quartet or contemporary piano favorites, you will enjoy an eclectic schedule of onboard entertainment every night.

Shore Excursions

Every year, the staff seek out new opportunities for guests to experience local culture in a unique way. These excursions are specially designed to give small groups the chance to be even more immersed in a destination.
In many destinations, you'll be free to choose from one of several options. There's always a city journey designed to show you all the renowned highlights and landmarks in grand capitals and charming villages alike. Opt for an unforgettable exploration of the major sights led by a local, English-speaking guide that is well-versed in history and culture. Have you already been to Nuremberg? Instead of taking the city excursion, indulge in a bratwurst and beer tasting on one of our Special Interest Tours, which are specially designed to place you in the midst of local life.
This is the first river cruise line to carry an entire fleet of complimentary bicycles on board, so you can experience biking alongside enchanting riverside pathways and in city centers. Whether you feel like joining one of the exclusive guided bike voyage, or want to go discover on your own, there are many ways for you to explore on two wheels during your cruise.

Staterooms or Cabins

Most of the staterooms on this fleet feature not just one, but two private balconies - a French balcony and a full outside balcony. Together, they provide a unique panoramic view of the beautiful sights along the river and maximize the natural light coming in. With twin balconies, you can enjoy the river however you like.
All staterooms feature in-room temperature control, a deluxe hotel-style bedding, spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads, large wardrobe with a full-length mirror, hairdryer, safety deposit box, telephone, flat screen TV, On Demand system that provides complimentary TV as well as movies and music, mini fridge, complimentary bottled water replenished daily, and a desk and chair.
Suites feature added enhancements, including a larger sitting area and an expansive bathroom complete with a bathtub and separate shower.

Spa

After a marvelous day of immersive shore excursions, return to the ship and treat yourself to a bit of pampering with a soothing massage.

Fitness

Are you looking for a way to stay fit on vacation? Hit the treadmill or lift some weights while cruising from one destination to the next.