Top Switzerland Small Ship Cruise River Cruises &amp; Packages In 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

Amsterdam, Basel, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Koblenz, Lake Como, Lucerne, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Zurich

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of canal cruise or off-the-beaten path walking tour
Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
Cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim or hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided walk in Mainz with a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, or a guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or walk the Philosophers’ Way 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."

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$6,207

12 days From$4,926

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Spectacular Switzerland with Romantic Rhine

none

4.7/5 Excellent

Group Tour

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, Basel, Geneva, Grindelwald, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Innsbruck, Koblenz, Lake Como, Lucerne, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Vienna, Zermatt, Zurich

Highlights

Welcome to Switzerland
Zürich orientation tour; stop in Biel/Bienne, explore the historical center; Stop in lakeside Neuchâtel
Guided sightseeing, visit the Reformation Park
See the Rhône vineyards in Évian-Les-Bains; visit the castle in Gruyères; visit the famous Maison Cailler chocolate factory in Broc
Orientation tour in Gstaad; free time in Interlaken; travel to Grindelwald

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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$9,636

16 days From$7,928

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Timeless Rivers of Europe: the Rhine and Seine with 2 Nights in Lucerne

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

Amsterdam, Basel, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lucerne, Normandy, Paris, Rouen, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

Welcome to Switzerland
Guided walking tour with the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge
Excursion to Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead); onboard welcome reception
Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or sightseeing of Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral 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

17 days From$8,918

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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The Rhine & Moselle (Southbound)

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

Amsterdam, Basel, Boppard, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Luxembourg, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Trier, Zurich

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of canal cruise or off-the-beaten path walking tour
Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided walk, visit Reichsburg Castle or visit to Bundesbank bunker or bike tour with your Adventure Host
Guided tour in Trier; guided tour in Luxembourg

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

$6,730

11 days From$5,299

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The Rhine & Moselle with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound)

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

Amsterdam, Basel, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lucerne, Luxembourg, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Trier

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of canal cruise or off-the-beaten path walking tour
Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided walk, visit Reichsburg Castle or visit to Bundesbank bunker or bike tour with your Adventure Host
Guided tour in Trier; guided tour in Luxembourg

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

$7,984

13 days From$6,311

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The Rhine & Moselle (Northbound)

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

Amsterdam, Basel, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Luxembourg, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Trier, Zurich

Highlights

Onboard welcome reception
Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or bike with your Adventure Host or guided tour of Freiburg
Choice of guided tour, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or visit Schwetzingen Castle or walk Philosophers’ Way with your Adventure Host; free time in Rüdesheim in the evening
Cruise through the Rhine Gorge; in Koblenz choice of guided tour or visit to Sayn Manor House or bike tour 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

$6,595

11 days From$5,099

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Vineyards, Chateaux & Bordeaux with 2 Nights in Lucerne

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

Amsterdam, Basel, Bordeaux, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lucerne, Normandy, Paris, Rouen, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

Welcome to Switzerland
Guided walking tour with the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge
Excursion to Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead); onboard welcome reception
Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or sightseeing of Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host
Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral 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

24 days From$13,566

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Enchanted Europe with 2 Nights in Budapest (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, Budapest, Frankfurt, Munich, Nuremberg, Passau, Salzburg, Strasbourg, Vienna, Zurich

Highlights

Welcome to Budapest!
Guided tour, see Heroes' Square
Onboard welcome reception
Scenic sailing, pass through Bratislava; free time in Vienna in the evening
Choice of guided sightseeing, or Künsthistorisches Museum visit, 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."