Rhine Getaway

  • Europe
  • Operator: Viking Cruise
  • Start: Amsterdam
  • Finish: Basel
  • Destination: Europe
  • Type: River Cruise
  • March 2027 - November 2028
Sail the picturesque Rhine River and explore a region celebrated for its history and charm. The Middle Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is lined with castles, cathedrals and vineyard-laden hills.

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Hightlights

Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Breisach, Germany
Basel, Switzerland

A region shaped by tradition

Sail the picturesque Rhine River and explore a region celebrated for its history and charm. The Middle Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is lined with castles, cathedrals and vineyard-laden hills. In Alsace, French and German traditions intertwine, creating a cultural tapestry renowned for its cuisine and architecture. History and innovation are revealed at Kinderdijk, where the Netherlands’s iconic windmills stand as symbols of Dutch ingenuity.

 

FLIGHT ON US 
Economy airfare or flight credit included of up to $2,800pp* 
Expires 30 November 2026

 

 


 

Viking Inclusive Values

More features, services and excursions included

*One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
*Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
*All onboard meals, featuring regional specialties & always available classics
*Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
*24-hour specialty coffees, teas  & bottled water
*Port taxes & fees
*Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
*Visits to UNESCO Sites
*Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
*Onboard gratuities

 

Our stateroom includes:

*River-view stateroom
*Bottled water replenished daily
*110/220 volt outlets
*Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
*Private bathroom with shower, heated floor & anti-fog mirror
*Premium Freyja® toiletries
*Plush robes & slippers (upon request)
*40″ or 42″ flat-screen Sony® TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX &      more
*Telephone, safe, refrigerator
*Individual climate control

*All amenities on board Viking Longships; amenities vary on other ships.

 

 


Booking Terms & Conditions

River Offers Term & Conditions

Itinerary

Day 1: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. A city of charming canals, elegant gabled houses, splendid museums and abundant bicycles, the Dutch capital of Amsterdam is a delight to explore. Its patchwork of waterways forms about 90 islands connected by 1,500 bridges. The legacy of the Dutch Golden Age lives on in gilded manses and in the lush paintings of Rembrandt and other Dutch masters that adorn the Rijksmuseum, The Netherlands’ grand repository of art and cultural history. Discovering Amsterdam is a pleasure best pursued on foot; visitors line the tranquil canals and linger over Dutch pancakes, or take a stroopwafel to go.

Day 2: Kinderdijk, The Netherlands

Kinderdijk is a village community in the Alblasserwaard province. This corner of South Holland, part of the scenic Waal and Merwede regions, has long been shaped by Rhine Delta waters. Kinderdijk is most known for its 19 remarkably preserved 18th-century windmills. The charming hamlet is located amid low-lying polders, tracts of land reclaimed from the sea by the power of the windmills and enclosed by embankments, or dikes. This legendary place calls to mind the 1865 novel Hans Brinker, in which a heroic boy plugs his finger into a ruptured dike.

Shore Excursion (Included)

The Largest Concentration of Windmills in The Netherlands

See the picturesque Dutch countryside and the original technological marvels of historic Kinderdijk. You will walk with your guide into the serene polder lands of South Holland. As you cross the dike to the windmills, you will notice that they in fact are at a lower elevation than your ship, as much of this part of The Netherlands is below sea level. Built in the mid-18th century, these 19 windmills, the largest concentration in The Netherlands, stand like sentinels on a hushed landscape. You will learn why they were built and see firsthand how they work, even stepping into a working windmill to observe its mechanics and living quarters. Families who live in these mills are required to keep them in working order. This excursion provides a revealing look at these marvelous buildings that helped shape the legendary Dutch landscape.


* Moderate – Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.

Day 3: Cologne, Germany

Cologne reveals its Roman heritage in its city layout and the ancient ruins that lie scattered through the town. Cologne’s modern plazas and Hohe Strasse host welcoming shops, enticing restaurants and cologne boutiques. Of note is the city’s 13th-century cathedral, a stunning example of Gothic artistry and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Having survived Allied bombs during World War II, the cathedral’s imposing twin spires are visible for miles and its stained glass windows fill the interior with brilliant colored light. Its steps lead to a platform with astounding views.

Shore Excursion (Included)

A Historic City Crowned by Northern Europe’s Largest Cathedral

Learn about Cologne’s heritage and view its iconic cathedral, towering over the city in all its Gothic splendor. Step into a rich past, following the city’s preserved historic street patterns and hearing about its Roman and medieval history along the way. As you stroll, your guide will regale you with tales of local folklore figures, Tünnes and Schääl, and the city’s flourishing Jewish community. In Old Cologne, pass the elegant silhouette of St. Martin’s church and stop to view Cologne’s magnificent Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Construction of this towering structure began in 1248 and continued in stages over the next seven centuries. The largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, this magnificent church boasts two soaring spires and beautiful stained-glass windows, and survived the Allied bombings that ravaged the city and the rest of Germany during World War II.


* Moderate – Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.

Day : 4 Koblenz, Germany

Koblenz, Germany

Koblenz is a traditional German city, founded more than 2,000 years ago. This former trading settlement rests on a massif of the Middle Rhine Highlands. Its cobblestone streets, wood-beamed houses adorned with flowers, ancient market square and medieval churches recall the fairy-tale Germany of old. At the German Corner, a massive equestrian statue of Prince William I observes the lovely riverside scene. The famed Teutonic Knights set up their first base here in 1216. The Romanesque Basilica of St. Castor, Koblenz’s oldest building, dates to 836.

Scenic Sailing: Middle Rhine

The Rhine River flows through one of Germany’s most scenic regions. As you sail its most picturesque stretch, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Middle Rhine, you will pass vineyard-blanketed hills whose steep slopes require vintners to pick grapes by hand, keeping a centuries-old tradition alive. Splendid castles line the banks, all of which have stories to share, and the Lorelei Rock presides at a dramatic curve in the river. This infamous river maiden mesmerized sailors with her song and lured them to their demise at her feet.

Rüdesheim, Germany

Located in the heart of Germany’s Rheingau region, Rüdesheim is the area’s center of winemaking. The famed Drosselgasse, a cobblestone street lined with taverns that pour local vintages and spill music into alleyways, attracts locals and visitors alike. Half-timbered houses, narrow warrens and old inns lend the town a medieval flavor. Castles once provided security for the region, including the 9th-century Brömserburg Castle, the oldest on the Rhine. The Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet museum also houses an impressive collection of self-playing instruments.

Shore Excursion (Included)

Highlights of Romantic German Town

Take a leisurely stroll around Koblenz and explore its historic past. You will meet your guide and begin your tour at Deutsches Eck, the city’s famed German Corner. Jutting into the waters like the prow of a ship where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet, this public park is home to a popular equestrian statue of Emperor Wilhelm I. After time to admire the sculpture, continue your walk among the narrow streets. Visit Jesuitsenplatz, or Jesuit Square, in the heart of the Old Town and named after the religious order of the same name. Admire the beautiful old school that sits on the eastern side of the square, and has been used as Koblenz City Hall since 1895. As you explore, your guide will point out influences from ancient Rome, the Middle Ages and the Napoleonic era.


* Moderate – Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.

Day 5: Speyer, Germany

The quiet German town of Speyer lies on the west bank of the Rhine. The city features a Romanesque imperial cathedral, burial place of eight emperors including some of the most famous Holy Roman Emperors. Speyer was once a major Celtic center that traded hands several times between the Romans and the Huns. The term Protestant originated here at the Diet of Speyer in 1529, when 14 free cities of Germany and six Lutheran princes protested the Edict of Worms that had banned the writings of Martin Luther and labeled him a heretic and enemy of the state.

Shore Excursion (Included)

Explore Speyer’s Profound History and Magnificent Architecture

Enjoy a fascinating stroll through Speyer, home to the largest of the three Romanesque imperial cathedrals. It is believed that the Protestants earned their name here in 1529 after citizens and royalty drafted the “Protestation at Speyer,” proclaiming their right to practice Christianity as they please. In 1689, Louis XIV’s troops plundered Speyer and left it in ruins; over many decades, it was artfully rebuilt. During your walk, you will marvel at the exterior of the red sandstone cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Eight emperors are entombed here, including some of the most notable Holy Roman Emperors. Reconstructed after Louis XIV’s invasion, its six towers dominate the skyline. Pass the Jewish courtyard, once home to one of the most important medieval synagogues, and Speyer’s Altpörtel, or Old Gate, the last remains of the town’s fortifications. There will also be time to stroll the city’s charming, shop-lined main thoroughfare.


* Moderate – Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.

Day 6: Strasbourg, France

The largest port on the Upper Rhine, Strasbourg is the cultural center of France’s Alsace region. Thanks to its location at the border of France and Germany, it boasts a convivial mix of cultural influences. The well-preserved old town is enclosed on all sides by the little Ill River, with sites so compact that it is easy to explore the “island” on foot. And there is plenty to explore: cobblestone streets lined with wooden houses and intersected by picturesque canals. Indulging in Alsatian café culture is central to any visit here; enjoy coffee and cake amid lovely half-timbered houses.

Shore Excursion (Included)

Where Germany Meets France to Great Effect

Get to know this delightful city steeped in equal parts French and German culture. Join your guide for a drive through the German Imperial District and the European Quarter, home to institutions such as the European Union and the Council of Europe. Pass remarkable Renaissance architecture en route to the city center for a walk through picturesque Petite France, the former Tanners’ District surrounded by the Ill River and crisscrossed by charming canals. Here, you will see the Old Customs House and the bridges with their defensive towers. In Cathedral Square, view the magnificently restored Strasbourg Cathedral. One of Europe’s finest Gothic cathedrals, it was the world’s tallest building from 1647 to 1874. Enjoy free time to admire the great Gothic rosette window, beautiful red sandstone portal and remarkable astronomical clock.


* Moderate – Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.

Day 7: Breisach, Germany

Breisach is a gateway to the fabled Black Forest region, built on a basalt rock outcropping in the Rhine plain. It is located in one of the warmest parts of Germany, across the river from French Alsace, famous for its wine growing. But Breisach, too, can boast about its wine: it is home to Europe’s largest cellars, with a storage capacity of more than 160 million liters. The most prominent landmark of Breisach is the Romanesque-Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, built between the 12th and 13th centuries. Its two towers are visible from throughout the city and from the Rhine.

Shore Excursion (Included)

The Rich Beauty and Culture of Picture-Book Woodlands

Admire the dense, lofty fir forests of Germany’s Schwarzwald, the fabled Black Forest. Embark with your guide on a scenic drive through a mythical land of cuckoo clocks, glassblowing and timeless fairy tales. Your panoramic route will take you through wine-producing villages, each of them cradled among the soft, undulating hills, bucolic woodlands and prolific vineyards of southwestern Germany. Your journey culminates in a winding ascent up to the beautiful Hofgut Sternen hotel, a loyal keeper of Black Forest traditions. During your visit, you may choose your immersion into Black Forest culture: take an invigorating forest stroll, attend a cuckoo clock demonstration, watch a glassblower at work, or learn to make the decadent Black Forest Cake for which this region is known. After, return to your ship via Freiburg, a major university and ecclesiastical center.


* Easy – Walking portions are generally over easy surfaces with few steps or inclines. Total time walking or standing is normally not longer than 1.5 hours.

 

Day 8: Basel, Switzerland

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.

Dates and prices

From AUD $4,995 per person, twin share

All departures
Deals (22)
March 2027 7 sailings
April 2027 6 sailings
May 2027 4 sailings
June 2027 4 sailings
July 2027 5 sailings
August 2027 3 sailings
September 2027 4 sailings
October 2027 5 sailings
November 2027 8 sailings
March 2028 4 sailings
April 2028 3 sailings
May 2028 4 sailings
June 2028 4 sailings
July 2028 4 sailings
August 2028 4 sailings
September 2028 4 sailings
October 2028 4 sailings
November 2028 6 sailings

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FAQ's
  • Cancellation and change policies vary by cruise line and fare type. Refundable fares offer more flexibility, while non-refundable fares may incur penalties.

  • Yes, you can request an upgrade, and some cruise lines offer upgrade bidding programs. Availability depends on demand.

  • Booking early (12–18 months in advance) or during wave season (January to March) often provides the best deals and perks.

  • Cabin choices depend on your preferences: Interior: No windows, budget-friendly. Oceanview: Window or porthole for natural light. Balcony: Private outdoor space. Suite: Luxurious amenities and more space.

  • Yes, it’s recommended to book popular shore excursions early to secure a spot. Many cruise lines and third-party operators offer online bookings.

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