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Christmas on the Rhine - Basel to Amsterdam - 2025

From Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands
Length: 8 Days - Departs: Fri, Dec 19, 2025
Operator
Departure
Dec 19, 2025
Arrival
Dec 26, 2025

Please see below brochure cabin pricing

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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

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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
    Fri, Dec 19, 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
    Sat, Dec 20, 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
    Sun, Dec 21, 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
    Wed, Dec 24, 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
    Fri, Dec 26, 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

France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland

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

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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
4.3
Accommodations
4.3
Itinerary
4.4
Professional Staff
4.6
Repeat with Operator
4.3
Value for Money
4

Ratings based off 43 reviews - currently showing 14 reviews with comments only

Wonderful experience. A dream journey!!

Very well organized,, professional staff, and attentive to needs. Boat internet/tv service sucked. As a longtime boater, know this could have been MUCH better. Food good. Would have loved to have more european foods like chocolate croissants .. surprised they offered NO german pretzels on trip.

Marianne was extremely knowledgeable and very helpful as we planned this trip. She was able to answer all our questions and make airline reservations, assist with hotels, and make suggestions for our itinerary!

The staff on the ship could not have been better. From housekeeping to Cruise Director this was the best experience ever on a cruise.

Our travel consultant Riley is always on top of things. He has been a wonderful person to deal with for all of our 4 travel tours these past 5 years. We would recommend him very highly if you are in need of a personal travel professional.

Great trip. Viking really runs a top notch system and is very service oriented.

The Cologne cathedral was beautiful, especially lit up at night. We very much enjoyed the Windmill tour and the cheese farm tour. The Middle Rhine was beautiful as promised.

This was the best trip I have ever taken!

The Viking river cruise was fantastic. It was everything that I had expected and then more. The only complaint I would have is that Viking schedules the connecting flights too close together, so if there is the slightest delay, most often the connecting flights are missed causing the necessity to rebook and hope your luggage arrives when you do.

The ship is immaculate, the food served is first rate, the tour guides are knowledgeable and personable and the tours are interesting and captivating. We found our room to be rather small (2 people cannot move around at any one time) but designed well and kept spotless. We look forward to our next cruise with Viking.

Trip was excellent. Food was great and service perfect.

Thanks. We had a wonderful Viking Cruise. Staying in Amsterdam for two days before was wonderful. We also stayed one night in Basel, Switzerland and went to Lake Lucern on the train for the day.

We had some unfortunate "Mother Nature" problems causing a change of ships. We missed a couple of cities that we were supposed to see. We had to stop in Rotterdam for supplies, delaying the ship moving forward. I found that strange that perhaps a lack of organization had to be "paid for" by the guests of the ship. There was "nothing" of interest to see in the town, just more wasted time. The ship and everything about it was run very in a most efficient manner, except for the above.

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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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