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Christmas on the Rhine - Basel to Amsterdam - 2025

From Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands
Length: 8 Days - Departs: Tue, Dec 16, 2025
Operator
Departure
Dec 16, 2025
Arrival
Dec 23, 2025

Please see below brochure cabin pricing

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Special Offers

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We have the best value and service on Viking River Cruises

Exclusive, $400 Off + up to $1000 Onboard Credit

Mention Promo Code: PT3013
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Exclusive, $400 Off + up to $1000 Onboard Credit

Exclusive, $400 Off + up to $1000 Onboard Credit

Promotion Details
Only at AffordableTours.com will you save an additional $400 per couple ($200 per person) and up to $1000 onboard credit on any Viking cruise.
Must Book By Tue, Dec 31, 2024
View Promotion Terms & Conditions ›

Offer applies to new bookings deposited from April 9, 2024 and is capacity controlled which may be removed at any moment without notice. Promotion is not combinable with Viking vouchers. Offer is combinable with all Viking offers Additional restrictions apply. Onboard credit amount varies by length of cruise and has no monetary value and is non-refundable and non-transferable, may not be used toward service charges, cannot be redeemed for cash, and unused portions will become void after sailing is complete.

Save 3.3% On Your River Cruise!

Mention Promo Code: PT2191
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Save 3.3% On Your River Cruise!

Save 3.3% On Your River Cruise!

Promotion Details
Enjoy the convenience of paying for your trip by echeck and save 3.3%. (Speak with your Travel Consultant for full details.)
Combinable with all current offers
Must Book By Mon, Dec 31, 2029
View Promotion Terms & Conditions ›

You may use echeck to pay for your Viking cruise or cruisetour, and for airfare. Every dollar paid for cruise, air, taxes, fees or surcharges can be paid by echeck, including regular-priced itineraries and airfare, any special offers or Viking Air Plus services to receive a 3.3% discount. Additional restrictions may apply.


River Cruise Itinerary

  1. Day 1
    Basel
    Tue, Dec 16, 2025

    A delightful blend of old and new, Basel is Switzerland’s best-kept secret. During the holiday season, the medieval Old Town is transformed into a magical yuletide affair. Cobblestone streets are lined with wooden chalet-style huts selling all manner of festive treats and gifts. Visitors to the Christmas market can enjoy a warming cup of aromatic glühwein in a decorated boot-shaped mug. Hand-carved tree decorations, cheerfully painted ceramics and delicious food are sold from stalls throughout the city.

  2. Day 2
    Breisach
    Wed, Dec 17, 2025

    In the heart of Breisach's old town with a backdrop of the Romanesque-Gothic St. Stephen's cathedral, the Weinachtsmarkt is a highlight of the season. Steaming aromatic glühwein served in decorated mugs, alongside tasty yuletide treats, is sold from festive wooden huts and taverns, keeping visitors warm as they browse market stalls for gifts and handicrafts. The nearby Black Forest provides a fairy-tale atmosphere; its towering, snow-covered spruce trees resemble a winter wonderland.

  3. Day 3
    Strasbourg
    Thu, Dec 18, 2025

    Strasbourg is said to be the capital of Christmas in France, with the city’s cathedral square taking center stage as it is transformed into a winter wonderland. The city’s Christkindelsmärik is the oldest in France, dating back to 1570. Hundreds of stalls are brimming with colorful wares, fine food and mulled wine, bringing festive cheer in abundance. Alsatian specialties feature an array of hearty classics, from bretzels (soft, bread-like pretzels) to bredele (star-shaped spiced cookies), and knacks (sausages) to pain d’epices (gingerbread).

  4. Day 6
    Cologne
    Sun, Dec 21, 2025

    Themed winter markets feature across Cologne during the holiday season, inviting visitors to browse colorful market stalls for handmade gifts, beautiful artwork and colorful crafts. The towering Gothic Cologne Cathedral provides a stunning backdrop to the city’s festivities and array of offerings from its red wooden stalls. Beneath the pointed roofs of Cologne harbor’s tented market, unique crafted goods are displayed amid the twinkling lights of boats bobbing in the marina.

  5. Day 8
    Amsterdam
    Tue, Dec 23, 2025

    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.

Countries Visited

Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Germany

Rivers Visited

Rhine

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Inclusions

8 Days 8 Guided Tours / 4 Countries

Daily Shore Excursions: 8 included guided tours
Port Charges: Included on all itineraires

OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-342-0019

Ship Information

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Cabins

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Life on Board

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Questions & Answers

Question: Will the day-by-day itinerary change?

Yes, the river cruise itineraries may change due to reasons such as inclement weather or unforeseen events. Your safety is the number one concern aboard and all precautions necessary will be taken in order to ensure passenger safety, including changing itineraries. Please note that when itineraries do change, the ship staff will do their best to substitute any missed port with an alternative destination.

Question: In what language is the river cruise conducted?

The river cruise will be conducted in English only.

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
4.4
Accommodations
4
Itinerary
4.5
Professional Staff
4.7
Repeat with Operator
4.3
Value for Money
4.3

Ratings based off 34 reviews - currently showing 13 reviews with comments only

Very happy with services, itinerary and tours provided by Viking. Staff is friendly and aim to please.

The Viking employees were very helpful and professional.

Travel with Viking met and exceeded all of our travel expectations...including the transit plans, accommodations and the daily service. We will travel with Viking again...and Affordable Tours made it all happen efficiently.

Everything went exactly as planned. Thanks, Tahlon for your help!

Trip was well paced but active. The extension tour seemed expensive but was well worth the money. Due to fewer people, we were able to deviate from the planned tour for a better option recommended by our tour guide. Bought several gift certificates for future trips with Viking. highly recommend Viking!!!

Rick was easy to work with, he kept me informed and was able to upgrade my flight seats. Thank you.

Allyson was so helpful with the arrangements for this trip to France. All questions and requests were taken care of in a very timely manner, often within the same day, and never more than one or two days. The trip more than met our expectations. It is not often you get the chance to say that the experience far exceeded the expectations, given how affordable the cost. Thank you Allyson.

We did an extension at the end of the journey for the first time and it was exceptional. Way above our expectations.

Marianne is the best travel agent ever in our opinion. She made this trip, like our earlier trips, a wonderful experience. Everything turned out great. Thanks so much and we will talk to you in the future when we travel again.

We always enjoy working with Donna. She does an outstanding job for us. Viking is our favorite. We always receive a great trip itinerary. Thank you.

Love Shannon's helpfulness and expert knowledge when booking trips. This is my 4th trip with Affordable Tours and all 4 have exceeded my expections

Our second cruise with Viking, and again, it was a wonderful experience. Very, very friendly staff. They were always smiling and made us feel welcome. Great food. Great itinerary.

I was very pleased how our travel consultant handled the booking with Viking Riverboat cruises. She saved me a lot of money with the discounts she gave me. I have been telling everyone to book through Affordable Tours instead of direct! I will use her for future tours.

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AffordableTours.com is a travel agent for Viking. Brochure Price is based on the itinerary's highest brochure price. Our price reflects our base price for the same departure as Brochure Price. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time. All prices are USD per person and based on double occupancy. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. All prices change frequently and our website prices are not guaranteed until a deposit has been received by us. The prices on our website are intended to serve as a guide only and may not accurately reflect current prices. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in these prices until a booking has been confirmed by one of our agents. Please call us toll free at 1-800-342-0019 to confirm current prices and availability. Prices listed are per person, cruise only, and based on double occupancy.

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