Castles Along The Rhine

8 Days

Basel to Amsterdam

River Cruise

  • Countries

    Netherlands

    Germany

    France

    Switzerland

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A man with a beard wearing a hooded jacket

Overview

Find inspiration in the romantic, soul-stirring beauty of the fabled Rhine.

 

Cruise along the Rhine—Germany on one side, France on the other. Discover Alsace, whose dual French and German heritage has given it fabulous food and a winemaking tradition that goes back to the Romans. Marvel at castles that were once mighty fortresses and get an insider’s look at the impressive Rheinstein Castle. Visit historic cities, including ancient Cologne and picturesque Strasbourg; stroll through the fairytale town of Rüdesheim; and taste delightful white wines in the villages where the grapes are grown. Generations Family Program (select sailings): Share the enchantment of this region with the special young people in your life. These cruises not only feature unique, fun-filled adventures for families to enjoy together, they’re also packed with culturally and historically significant experiences designed to spark creativity and lifelong learning.

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Itinerary

Basel, Switzerland

Arrive at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.


Important Note: Uniworld's airport services and transfers to the ship will take place on the Switzerland side of the Basel-Mulhouse Airport. Be sure to enter Customs on the Switzerland side, as guests cannot return to the Switzerland side after they have exited the airport from the France side.

Breisach, Germany

Breisach is your gateway to the Alsatian wine road and your launching point for an excursion along the celebrated Route des Vins, which hugs the foothills of the Vosges mountain range.


This morning, enjoy leisure time as you sail the scenic Upper Rhine to Breisach. 


A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.


Featured Excursions:

  • Alsatian Villages 
  • All About Alsace

Kehl (Strasbourg)

See Strasbourg on foot with an insightful local expert, where this historic town with its cobbled lanes, half-timbered homes, giant stork nests, and impossible-to-resist pastry shops will win your heart. Kehl, directly across the river from Strasbourg, will be your ship’s base while you explore the Alsatian capital. If you’re feeling adventurous, take advantage of Uniworld’s bicycles or Nordic walking sticks and explore the banks of the river.


You have the entire afternoon to see more of Strasbourg on your own.


Featured Excursions:

  • Strasbourg Walking Tour 
  • Canals, Cobblestones, and Cathedrals

Mannheim (Speyer)

Speyer—“spire” in English—is well named, since the four red towers of the Romanesque cathedral dominate the Old Town.


Choose between...

  • Private Doktorenhof Vinegar Estate Visit and Tasting
  • Secret Garden & Collections
  • Submarines & Space Shuttles

Rüdesheim & Braubach

Experience Germany’s fabled Rhine River in the towns of Rüdesheim and Braubach. Enjoy a private tasting of estate-grown Rieslings at Castle Vollrads, take a stroll through beautiful Braubach, or hike through some of the most beautiful landscapes that line the Rhine.


This morning, you’ll cruise out of Rüdesheim and into the sublimely beautiful and romantic Upper Middle Rhine Valley.


Choose between...

  • Castle Vollrads Wine Tasting
  • Let’s Go: Vineyard Hike

Featured Excursions:

  • Braubach Village Stroll
  • Nights Out: Marksburg Castle Visit
  • Cable Car Climb to Niederwald Heights
  • Braubach Stroll with Ice Cream Stop

Braubach & Koblenz

Get to know Koblenz, a historic town with a colorful past and eclectic architecture. As you come upon picture-perfect Koblenz, you’ll sail past Deutsches Eck (German Corner) with its historic monument to Kaiser Wilhelm I.


Choose between...

  • Koblenz Walking Tour
  • Let’s Go: Bike Koblenz along the Rhine
  • Koblenz Climbing Forest

Cologne, Germany

History buffs will enjoy an expertly led tour through Cologne’s Old Town, where three medieval gates remain standing, as does the old city hall with its Renaissance façade. Wander through the city’s historical center and take in its charming atmosphere, narrow alleyways flanked by old houses, and countless breweries. No matter how you choose to explore Old Town, you’ll also have ample free time to explore on your own.


In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.


Choose between...

  • Cologne Goes Green
  • Gargoyles and Chocolate

Featured Excursion:

  • Cologne Walking Tour

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for your flight home. Alternatively, you may continue your adventure with our optional post-cruise Amsterdam extension.

Pre & Post Cruise Extensions

A bicycle is parked on a bridge over a canal in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam

Pre-Cruise

3 Days

A boat is floating on a canal in amsterdam.

Amsterdam

Post-Cruise

3 Days

A bridge over Lake Lucerne with flowers in the foreground and buildings in the background.

Lake Lucerne

Pre-Cruise

3 Days

A wooden dock overlooking Lake Lucerne with mountains in the background.

Lake Lucerne

Post-Cruise

3 Days

Amsterdam

Pre-Cruise

3 Days

Amsterdam

Post-Cruise

3 Days

Lake Lucerne

Pre-Cruise

3 Days

  • Dining
    • All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
    • 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
    • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
    • Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
    • Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks, and mineral water
  • Excursions
    • 6 days of excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
    • Guided “Let's Go” program
    • State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
    • Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks
  • Accommodations
    • 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the exquisite S.S. Antoinette, the regal S.S. Elisabeth, or the elegant S.S. Victoria
    • Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, high thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
    • Free Wi-Fi
  • Experiences
    • 4 countries: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland
    • 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites
    • Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
    • Cultural enrichment, including captivating onboard local entertainment
    • Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour
  • Ships

    S.S. Elisabeth

    Joining our fleet in 2025, the S.S. Elisabeth, sister ship to the S.S. Victoria, exudes contemporary style with luxe velvet and marble accents, while original artwork adds a touch of Uniworld’s signature boutique style. The S.S. Elisabeth has the largest suites on the rivers of Europe, boasting two Royal Suites that offer an incredible 506 square feet each. Guests can even reserve the adjoining standard Suite next door to create a 759 square foot suite with two bedrooms connected by a separate living room. All the Suites and Signature French Balconies offer abundant space—much higher than standard—with ultra-comfortable, water-facing beds dressed in Uniworld’s fine custom linens. The rest of the ship is equally stunning, featuring a relaxing pool, gym, and massage room. Guests can dine at their choice of three venues: a main dining room, a private venue for smaller groups, and even a sundeck bar.


    S.S. Antoinette

    The luxurious décor of the 443-foot, 152-passenger S.S. Antoinette—Uniworld’s first Super ShipTM vessel—features fine Brazilian marble on the walls and floors, a 19th-century Venetian glass mirror, a stylish Bar du Leopard with full-service bar, and an onboard cinema. The two-story foyer boasts a 10-foot blue Strauss Baccarat chandelier with huge sapphires—a stunning piece that once hung in New York's famous Tavern on the Green—and a collection of original artwork is displayed throughout the ship.


    S.S. Victoria

    The S.S. Victoria, sister ship to the S.S. Elisabeth, joins our European fleet in 2024 with an ambiance of contemporary luxury and features the largest suites on the rivers of Europe. Two Royal Suites onboard offer an incredible 506 square feet each. Reserve the adjoining standard Suite next door, and that turns into 759 square feet total, with two bedrooms connected by a separate living room. All the Suites and Signature French Balconies offer abundant space—much higher than standard—with ultra-comfortable, water-facing beds dressed in Uniworld’s fine custom linens. Relax amongst the soothing tones of the lounge and enjoy regionally inspired bites in one of three dining venues: a main dining room, a private venue for smaller groups, or our rooftop bar. Elsewhere on the ship, you’ll find a relaxing spa area with a pool, gym, and massage room. Tiny Noticeable Touches, such as the original artwork lining the walls and fresh flowers, add Uniworld’s boutique flair throughout the ship.

Why Uniworld?

"Because you deserve the best."

"Surrounded by the ambiance of an elegant, destination-inspired ship and embraced by our passionate staff, you’ll notice the Uniworld difference immediately. This is what the absolute best in luxury river cruising feels like. Where every expectation is exceeded, every destination is uniquely experienced, and every instance of delight is quickly followed by another inspiring moment. Our mantra is simple: adore every guest, and strive for excellence down to the smallest detail. At Uniworld, we only deliver the best, because you deserve the best."

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