7 Nights Captivating Rhine: Amsterdam to Basel

Type of Vessel

Inspired by classic ocean yachts, the AmaSerena introduced in 2015, provides a distinctive river cruise experience. Spacious, elegantly appointed staterooms range in size from 160-290 sq. ft. or indulge even more in one of the suites at 300 sq. ft. Most accommodations have twin balconies, both a French and outside balcony, so you can enjoy the ever-changing scenery however you wish.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Amsterdam, Netherlands – Embarkation: Arrive in Amsterdam and board your luxurious river cruise ship.

Day 2 | Amsterdam, Netherlands: Get acquainted with Amsterdam on a scenic canal cruise, where you will see the beautiful wooden Skinny Bridge and Anne Frank's House. Continue on with a walk to the Begijnhof and be charmed by its Middle Age buildings followed by a city tour that includes the Royal Palace and Westerkerk. Later in the day, enjoy scenic cruising.

Day 3 | Cologne, Germany: Enjoy cruising to Cologne, home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral. Join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral, where the remains of the fabled Three Kings—the Magi—are believed to rest. Continue on and discover the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, the Overstolzenhaus and the Festival Hall. Alternatively, ride a bike along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. Or visit a local tavern to taste Cologne’s traditional Kölsch beer and Reibekuchen—potato pancakes served with apple sauce.

Day 4 | Rudesheim, Germany: Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Wine connoisseurs will want to go on a walking tour through the vineyards where you’ll stop to sample wines at three different tasting stations. Or choose to drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue. For a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer Coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.

Day 5 | Ludwigshafen, Germany: You'll have a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century 49,000-gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher's Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and be rewarded with panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Altpörtel, Old Gate.

Day 6 | Strasbourg, France: Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, has flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location, which you'll get to discover. Enjoy a panoramic bus tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République followed by a walking tour through its iconic “La Petite France” district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. You'll also see the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. The active adventurer can join a guided bike tour, which also takes you through the Parc de l’Orangerie.

Day 7 | Breisach, Germany: Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr. Having survived WWII without being badly damaged, this charming medieval hamlet looks much like it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and surrounding vineyards as well as famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate. Alternatively, you may wish to visit Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside.

Day 8 | Basel, Switzerland: Disembark after breakfast.

Guest Services

Amenities include personalized service from Cruise Manager during cruise and land programs and complimentary Wi Fi access.

Food and Dining

AmaWaterways was invited to be a member of La Chaine des Rotisseurs – a prestigious international culinary society – and with good reason. The expert chefs craft menus that feature exquisite, locally-inspired cuisine as well as traditional Western offerings. This is the only river cruise line that has The Chef’s Table, an intimate specialty restaurant where you can watch the chef prepare a lavish dinner right in front of you. Each meal is specially paired with premium local reds and whites from Europe’s renowned wine regions, with new selections each night. There’s also sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast, menu service during lunch, as well as delicious tapas and snacks in the Main Lounge between meals.

Onboard Activities/Events

Soak up some rays or take a dip in the refreshing pool with a swim-up bar as you pass by centuries-old castles, charming villages and other breathtaking scenery.
Whether you’d like to dress up for the captain’s special dinner or a night out on the town, you can complete your look by getting your hair styled in the salon.
Whether it’s traditional Bavarian music, a local quartet or contemporary piano favorites, you will enjoy an eclectic schedule of onboard entertainment every night.

Shore Excursions

Every year, the staff seek out new opportunities for guests to experience local culture in a unique way. These tours are specially designed to give small groups the chance to be even more immersed in a destination.
The beauty of Europe doesn’t just lie in its architecture and landmarks – there are also breathtaking things to be seen when you venture out into nature. That’s why we’ve designed special hikes that will take you a bit off the beaten path in some very beautiful destinations. Here are some examples of hiking opportunities.
This is the first river cruise line to carry an entire fleet of complimentary bicycles on board, so you can experience biking alongside enchanting riverside pathways and in city centers. Whether you feel like joining one of the exclusive guided bike tours, or want to go discover on your own, there are many ways for you to explore on two wheels during your cruise.

Staterooms or Cabins

Most of the staterooms on this fleet feature not just one, but two private balconies — a French balcony and a full outside balcony. Together, they provide a unique panoramic view of the beautiful sights along the river and maximize the natural light coming in. With twin balconies, you can enjoy the river however you like.
All staterooms feature in-room temperature control, a deluxe hotel-style bedding, spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads, large wardrobe with a full-length mirror, hairdryer, safety deposit box, telephone, flat screen TV, On Demand system that provides complimentary TV as well as movies and music, mini fridge, complimentary bottled water replenished daily, and a desk and chair.
Suites feature added enhancements, including a larger sitting area and an expansive bathroom complete with a bathtub and separate shower.

Spa

After a marvelous day of immersive shore excursions, return to the ship and treat yourself to a bit of pampering with a soothing massage.

Fitness

Are you looking for a way to stay fit on vacation? Hit the treadmill or lift some weights while cruising from one destination to the next.