Rhine Castles River Cruise with AmaWaterways
8 days · AmaMora · from $3,450
Starts in Amsterdam · Ends in Basel
Amsterdam to Basel on a boutique river ship — vineyard villages, the Rhine Gorge and wine pairings at every dinner.
AmaWaterways' captivating Rhine itinerary, sailing from Amsterdam's canals to the foot of the Swiss Alps. The river does the travelling while you settle into a single elegant stateroom for the week — mornings in half-timbered villages, afternoons cycling the riverbank with the ship's own bikes, and evenings of regional wine pairings as castles drift past.
- The Rhine Gorge's forty castles in a single afternoon
- Included excursions in every port, gentle to active
- Unlimited wine and beer with lunch and dinner
- Maximum 156 guests — a residential, unhurried pace
Day by day
- 1
Embarkation in AmsterdamAmsterdam
Board in the afternoon; evening canal cruise beneath the gabled houses of the Golden Bend.
- 2
CologneCologne
Guided walk from the twin-spired cathedral through the old town, or a Kölsch brewery visit.
- 3
The castled RhineRhine Gorge
The week's centrepiece: a slow afternoon sail past the Lorelei and forty hilltop castles.
- 4
Rüdesheim & the vineyardsRüdesheim
Gondola over the Riesling terraces to the Niederwald monument; evening in the wine taverns.
- 5
Heidelberg or SpeyerLudwigshafen
Choose the philosopher's walk and castle of Heidelberg, or medieval Speyer's cathedral.
- 6
Strasbourg, FranceStrasbourg
La Petite France's canals and the astronomical clock — Alsatian and utterly distinct.
- 7
The Black ForestBreisach
Cuckoo-clock workshops and cake, or a vineyard hike above the Rhine plain.
- 8
Disembark in BaselBasel
Morning arrival in Switzerland with onward connections to Zurich airport.
The route
AmaWaterways
Your ship:
AmaMora
A boutique river ship carrying just 156 guests: twin-balcony staterooms, a sun deck the length of the ship, a small heated pool with swim-up bar and the fleet of bicycles that makes AmaWaterways feel like a floating boutique hotel.
Cabin categories
Per person, twin sharing — we confirm current availability by category.
Fixed Window Stateroom
from $3,450
Deck 1, river at eye level — cosy, quiet and the gentlest fare on board.
French Balcony Stateroom
from $3,980
Floor-to-ceiling glass that slides fully open; castles drift past the foot of the bed.
We recommend
Twin Balcony Stateroom
from $4,420
Both a French balcony and a step-out balcony — AmaWaterways' signature category.
Suite
from $5,350
A third more space, a proper sitting area and priority for the Chef's Table.
About AmaWaterways
Intimate ships of around 150 guests sailing the Rhine, Danube, Douro and Mekong. Included excursions in every port, wine at every dinner, and the unhurried rhythm that makes river cruising Europe's most civilised way to travel.
All AmaWaterways sailings →What’s included
- Stateroom. 7 nights in your chosen category
- Dining. All meals; wine & beer with lunch and dinner
- Excursions. Included guided excursions in every port
- Bicycles. Ship's fleet of bikes for towpath rides
- Schengen visa assistance. Documentation support provided
Not included
- Flights. International air quoted separately
Anything unlisted can usually be added — mention it in your inquiry.
Good to know
- River ships are intimate — early booking is essential for balcony staterooms.
- December departures visit the Christmas markets of Cologne and Strasbourg.
- Excursions are tiered gentle / regular / active; all are included.
Make this trip yours
Send your details and our team will confirm availability, cabin categories and walk you through visas and payment options — in person, by phone or by email.
- Tell us your plans — two minutes, no account needed
- Our team contacts you within one business day
- Pay however suits you, only when everything's agreed
