Aboard Avalon Illumination with Avalon Waterways
Cruise Overview
This Christmastime river cruise is a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate the season!
Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Frankfurt, Germany, then sail up the Rhine River to Basel, Switzerland, passing beautiful views and quaint villages festively lit and decorated.
This one-of-a-kind Christmas river cruise through France and Germany takes you on an excursion to Heidelberg, Germany, to visit the fascinating ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city.
At this time of year, an ice rink can be found at the foot of the castle and the Christmas market is spread over five town squares.
Delight in the holiday cheer with Glühwein (hot mulled wine), bratwursts, and other regional delicacies.
You’ll also find an array of crafts, Christmas decorations, and gifts.
Strasbourg, located on the border of France and Germany, perfectly blends the cultures of both countries.
Strasbourg is home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe—dating back to the 16th century.
Take in the aromas of mulled wine, spice cakes, and biscuits.
Bask in the holiday atmosphere as you visit the Strasbourg Cathedral, a gothic masterpiece made of red sandstone, and containing ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock.
Your Christmas river cruise along the Rhine River takes you to Breisach, considered the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.
There is no better setting than this time of year when smoke curls from the chimneys of the traditional Black Forest houses.
Your delightful holiday cruise ends in Basel, Switzerland.
Don’t miss this experience to savor the holiday season in traditional and beautiful Christmas traditions of European winter markets and festivities!
Cruise Itinerary
Aboard Avalon Illumination
Launch Year: 2014 Length: 135 Width: 12 Currency: EUR Capacity: 166 Crew Count: 47 Deck Count: 4 Cabin Count: 83
Shining bright in Avalon's award-winning fleet of Suite Ships, the gorgeous Avalon features two full decks of Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that transform your living space into river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony. With 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, affording you the incomparable opportunity to wake each morning to splendid passing scenery from your window-facing bed. Stretch out on your Comfort Collection bed and cruise with the world at your feet. Onboard amenities include an alternative light dining option in the Panorama Bistro, a Fitness Center, complimentary 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. The Avalon Illumination truly shines on Europe's rivers.
Avalon Illumination Facilities
Avalon Illumination Includes
Cabin Details
Avalon Waterways are pioneering the look of river cruising. Not only are the staterooms and views 30 percent larger than any other small ship in Europe, providing cruisers a renewed feeling of freedom and space, every component of the experience, from bed and bathroom positioning and colour palette∘ to storage space and sound-proof insulation, was wistfully designed for cruisers to ensure they enjoy all that river cruising has to offer.
