Top Main River Budget River Cruise River Cruises &amp; Packages 2025/2026

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Basel, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Strasbourg, Zurich

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of visit to Freiburg or excursion to Black Forest; Christmas market
Guided tour, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral; Christmas market
Guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat; free time for Christmas market
This Christmas river cruise begins in Switzerland and takes you down the Rhine River to France and Germany, with beautiful passing views and quaint villages festively lit and decorated—a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate the season! Board your ship in Basel, Switzerland, then stop in Breisach, considered the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

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$4,049

5 days From$2,499

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Christmastime from Nuremberg to Basel

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Visits

Bamberg, Basel, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Nuremberg, Prague, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of Nuremberg guided tour or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas market
Guided tour, see the Old Town Hall; onboard Christmas Traditions lecture
Guided tour, visit the Bishop's Residence; Christmas market
Cookie-baking demonstration on board; guided tour

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

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$6,556

10 days From$5,298

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Christmastime from Budapest to Basel

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Bamberg, Basel, Budapest, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Munich, Nuremberg, Passau, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Vienna

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Scenic sailing, pass through Bratislava; Austrian cookies tasting on board; free time in Vienna in the evening
City sightseeing; Christmas market
Guided city walk in Krems; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley; guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk
Guided walk; Christmas market

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

$12,348

17 days From$9,197

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Design custom trip

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Festive Season in the Heart of Germany with 2 Nights in Prague

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Visits

Bamberg, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Prague

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Guided tour
Guided tour, visit the Bishop's Residence; Christmas market
Onboard Christmas Traditions lecture; guided tour, see the Old Town Hall; Christmas market
Choice of guided tour or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas market

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

$4,092

8 days From$3,428

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Magnificent Rivers of Europe

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bamberg, Bratislava, Budapest, Nuremberg, Passau, Rudesheim, Salzburg, Vienna

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of guided tour, see Heroes' Square or hike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided tour, visit St. Martin's Cathedral or up hike to Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided tour or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided tour or hike up to the castle ruins in Dürnstein; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley; choice of guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard wine tasting

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

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$9,893

15 days From$7,299

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Enchanted Europe (Eastbound)

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Trip pace

Flexible schedule

Visits

Bamberg, Basel, Boppard, Budapest, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Linz, Munich, Nuremberg, Passau, Rudesheim, Salzburg, Strasbourg, Vienna, Zurich

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of excursion to Black Forest or visit to Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host
Guided tour, visit to La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, cable-car ride to the Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim, or a hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge; time at leisure in Boppard
Choice of guided tour in Frankfurt, or guided tour in Seligenstadt

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

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$10,190

16 days From$8,598

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German Grandeur with 2 Nights in Munich (Westbound)

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Visits

Bamberg, Basel, Boppard, Frankfurt, Munich, Nuremberg, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

Welcome to Munich!
Full day excursion to Neuschwanstein Castle
Guided tour in Nuremberg; onboard welcome reception
Choice of guided tour, see the Old Town Hall or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided tour, visit to the Bishop’s Residenz or bike with your Adventure Host

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

$6,651

11 days From$5,148

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Christmastime from Budapest to Basel with 2 Nights in Budapest

none

4.7/5 Excellent

River Cruise

Why we love them

They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Very Easy

Visits

Bamberg, Basel, Budapest, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Munich, Nuremberg, Passau, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Vienna

Highlights

Welcome to Budapest!
Guided tour, see Heroes' Square; Christmas market
Onboard welcome reception
Scenic sailing, pass through Bratislava; Austrian cookies tasting on board; free time in Vienna in the evening
City sightseeing; Christmas market

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."