8 Days Castles Along the Rhine | Basel to Amsterdam - S.S. Victoria

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.

DAY 1  BASEL (EMBARK)

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.

DAY 2  BREISACH

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.

DAY 3  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.

DAY 4  MANNHEIM (SPEYER)

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

DAY 5  RÜDESHEIM, BOPPARD

Experience Germany’s fabled Rhine River in the towns of Rüdesheim and Boppard. Enjoy a private tasting of estate-grown Rieslings at Castle Vollrads, take a stroll through beautiful Boppard, 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.

DAY 6  BOPPARD, KOBLENZ

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

DAY 7  COLOGNE

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.

DAY 8  AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARK)

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.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION  LAKE LUCERNE PRE-CRUISE EXTENSION  (ADD-ON)

Your Castles along the Rhine cruise will give you a brief and charming sample of Swiss culture with a stop in Basel—extend your time in Switzerland before or after your cruise with 2 nights in the pretty lake town of Lucerne to immerse yourself in the center of Swiss life.

• 2 nights at the Mandarin Oriental Palace, Lucerne (or similar)
• Breakfast daily and all service charges, taxes, and porterage
• Lucerne City Walk with Boat Ride
• English-speaking expert
• All transfers

OPTIONAL EXTENSION  AMSTERDAM POST-CRUISE EXTENSION  (ADD-ON)

End your trip with a three-day adventure in the Netherlands’ beloved capital city. Explore amazing Amsterdam and discover its legacy of history, art and architecture.

• 2 nights at the Hilton Amsterdam Hotel (or similar)
• Breakfast daily and all service charges, taxes, and porterage
• Amsterdam canals and famous Rijksmuseum
• English-speaking expert
• All transfers