Amsterdam to Switzerland Rhine River All-Lesbian Cruise 2026
April 11 – 18, 2026
Avalon Waterways Avalon Vista
Cruise the Rhine River with the women of Olivia, starting in the extremely LGBTQ-friendly city of Amsterdam and ending in delightful Basel. How better to visit Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland all within a week’s time? Stroll along the canals learning about Amsterdam’s amazing history, view fields of vividly colored tulips in bloom, experience castles on the Rhine, and enjoy the fabled Black Forest, where Cuckoo clocks are made. Included walking or city tours in most ports ensure you see the best of the best as you immerse yourself in the rich local cultures. Pastries, cheese, and chocolate will be treats for the taste buds along the way!
This magnificent river cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, Holland. There is much to do with the renowned museums and abundance of restaurants amongst the elegant squares and charming canals. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.”
Cologne, Germany—a 2,000 year-old city known for its gothic architecture—will be an exciting stop with its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns. While you’re there, why not try a locally-brewed Kölsch beer? Pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. And nearby, in the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum to see the impressive collection of historical self-playing instruments.
Continue your Rhine river cruise to Mainz for a guided walk and visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. An excursion takes you to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle towering magnificently over the city. In Strasbourg, France, you’ll be amazed by the red-sandstone gothic cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade.
Before the end of your European river cruise vacation, stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivaled natural beauty—best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.
Your Ship - Avalon Vista
You’ll find elegant, contemporary design and panoramic windows throughout the beautifully designed 166-passenger Avalon Vista. The spaces to relax and unwind include the library, a beautiful bar, a lounge serving premium spirits (extra charge), a fitness center, and the fabulous sundeck with a whirlpool and area for deck games. The ship’s staterooms and suites are well appointed and among the largest available on any riverboat; almost every stateroom features sliding glass doors.
Fine dining on the Avalon Vista features European cuisine. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style, and dinner is offered as sit-down menu service with open seating. The daily full buffet breakfast offers early- and late-riser options and includes sparkling wine, complimentary juices, and a made-to-order egg station.
Lunch and dinner come with complimentary regional wines, beer, and soft drinks. Enjoy al fresco lunches in the Sky Bistro on the sun deck and the four-course chef-inspired dinners featuring regional cuisine. Premium coffees, cappuccinos, and lattes are always on offer, and you can make use of the self-serve coffee station as well. Top off the evening with a late-night snack, served at 10:30 pm.
Some of the features and amenities you'll enjoy onboard:
• Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows
• Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, shade awnings, & outdoor deck game area
• State-of-the-art fitness center
• Non-smoking staterooms & ship interior
• Convenient Elevator Service
• Elegant, contemporary design
• Outside viewing deck
• Headsets for guided shore excursions
• English-speaking friendly crew, staff & professional Cruise Director
• Sightseeing with Expert Local Guides
• Onboard lectures, activities & entertainment
• Complimentary room service for Continental breakfast
• Sky Deck whirlpool
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access
• Biking excursions available in Amsterdam
• Onboard Adventure Center with active gear, bikes, Nordic walking sticks, watercraft & maps
• Casual dinner in the Panorama Bistro
• Behind-the-scenes galley tour
• Choice of Classic, Active or Discovery excursions so that you can experience your cruise your way
• Nordic walking sticks available onboard for complimentary check-out
• Onshore & Onboard experiences with regional customs, cultures & tastings with local artisans, experts & entertainers
• Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
• Onboard assistance is available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
• Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere
• Specialty coffees, espresso drinks and beWell Essence flavored and infused water available throughout each day
• Well-stocked library with books, cards, and board games
• Complimentary bottled water, fresh fruit, and cookies available throughout the day
• Full-size closet mirror
Dining:
• Avalon Fresh healthy cuisine options at every meal
• Specialty coffees, espresso drinks and beWell Essence flavored and infused water available throughout each day
• Welcome & farewell cocktails with sparkling wine & canapés
• Spacious, open-seating Panorama Dining Room
• Daily early-riser breakfast
• Daily late-riser breakfast
• Daily a la carte breakfast with full range of classic breakfast items, healthy Avalon Fresh® options and daily specials
• Daily a la carte lunch including regional specialties, healthy Avalon Fresh® options and classic dishes
• Al fresco lunch in the Sky Grill
• Cocktails with a view on the Sky Deck
• Healthy Corner options including low calorie, low fat, high fiber, low cholesterol, and high energy choices
• Vegetarian options at every meal, as well as vegan and allergy-free selections
• Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, and sweet treats
• Happy Hour every evening including featured drink specials
• Seasonal cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients
• Chef-prepared onboard meals with regional cuisine and familiar favorites
• Four-course dinners with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts or cheese
• Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Complimentary room service for Continental breakfast
• Panorama Lounge & Bar with premium spirits, cozy seating, panoramic windows & dance floor
• Healthy meal options
• Casual dinner in the Panorama Bistro
• Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere
• Tastings - sample the destination's famous delicacies
• Coffee or tea after dinner
• Light lunch in the Panorama Lounge
• FlexDining flexible dining times with menu & venue options
Deluxe Staterooms & Suites Amenities:
• Comfort Collection Beds
• Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
• Soft & firm pillows
• Choice of bed configuration
• Bedside tables with reading lamps
• L'Occitane bath products
• Easy under-bed luggage storage
• Alarm clock
• Bathrobes & slippers
• Complimentary water
• Individual climate control
• Large mirror in bathroom
• USB Ports
• Full shower with glass door
• Vanity and lighted makeup mirror
• Luxurious mattress toppers
• European-style duvets
• Extra blankets
• Nightly turn-down service
• Hairdryer
• Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
• Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
• Direct-dial telephone
• Well-stocked minibar
• In-room safe
• Elegant, contemporary design
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Two windows
• Writing desk and chair
Amsterdam to Switzerland Rhine River Lesbian Cruise 2026 Itinerary
Date
Port
Meals
11 April
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
D
12 April
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
B, L, D
13 April
Cologne, Germany
B, L, D
14 April
Rhine Gorge / Rüdesheim, Germany
B, L, D
15 April
Mainz / Heidelberg, Germany
B, L, D
16 April
Strasbourg, France
B, L, D
17 April
Breisach, Germany
B, L, D
18 April
Basel, Switzerland
B
Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation) Saturday, April 11, 2026
Welcome to Amsterdam! The capital of The Netherlands is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. Your Suite Ship is ready for boarding. Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure. You may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year.
Amsterdam, Holland Sunday, April 12, 2026
Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a guided canal cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age”. In the afternoon, choose among the guided optional excursions or take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets, canal houses, galleries, and shops.
Cologne, Germany Monday, April 13, 2026
Choose from Active, Discovery, or Classic tours. With Active, bike ride like the locals in Cologne. With Discovery, take a guided walking tour of Cologne’s important Jewish Heritage sites. Or choose Classic, and enjoy a guided walking tour of Cologne, with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Spend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager, locally brewed for over 100 years. In the evening, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.
Rhine Gorge / Rüdesheim, Germany Tuesday, April 14, 2026
En route to Rüdesheim, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water, and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei, where the mythological siren’s songs lured ill-fated sailors. Choose Active and hike through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim. With a Discovery tour, you’ll take a guided tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum, a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience. Enjoy a special Rüdesheim coffee or wine tasting, then explore Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs.
Overnight in Rüdesheim.
Mainz / Heidelberg, Germany Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Today choose from Active or Classic tours. If you’re up for an adventure, choose Active and hike up Philosopher’s Way for an inspiring view of the city below. Or choose one of two Classic offerings—a guided city walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing or a guided tour to Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel”.
Strasbourg, France Thursday, April 16, 2026
Get Active and discover Strasbourg by bike. Or choose Classic and join a city sightseeing tour, including Strasbourg’s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District. You can also choose a guided optional excursion to the historic Maginot Line—the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace’s wine country today. Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center.
Breisach, Germany Friday, April 17, 2026
Today choose from Discovery or Classic tours. With Discovery, join a full-day guided tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air museum. You’ll also enjoy a visit to an authentic water mill and see a traditional butter-making demonstration. Or choose Classic, and enjoy a guided tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley. You may also choose to join a guided optional excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.
Basel, Switzerland Saturday, April 18, 2026
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Departure flights should not leave Zürich Airport before 11 am. Transfer to Zürich airport included, or continue with us on our 2- or 3-night post trip to Zurich!
What's Included?
• Accommodations for 8 days/7 nights on the Avalon Vista, one of the finest riverboats on the Rhine
• All meals while on board
• Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; coffee, tea, and juices with all meals; beer, wine, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Daily Happy Hour with included drinks (top shelf drinks additional cost)
• Standard wifi in all cabins and public areas
• Olivia entertainment and programming, as well as local entertainment
• Included sightseeing tours in each port
• Gratuities to ship crew and Avalon cruise director
• Group transfer the ship in Basel to the Zürich Airport on April 18, 2026 for flights after 11 am
Amsterdam to Switzerland Rhine River Lesbian Cruise 2026 Rates
Category
Description
Reg. Rate US $
Early Bird US $
Availability
R - Royal Suite
Located on the Royal deck, the Royal Suite features floor-to-ceiling windows, sliding glass doors, Comfort collection bed can convert to 2 singles, soft & firm pillows, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, flat-screen satellite TV with movie channels, telephone, mini-bar, bathroom with marble counter and two sinks, robes, slippers, writing desk and chair, sofa, coffee table and full-length closets. (300 sq. ft.)
$ 8,399
$ 6,599
P - Panorama Suite
Royal Deck. Panorama Suite features floor-to-ceiling windows, sliding glass doors, Comfort collection bed can convert to 2 singles, soft & firm pillows, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, flat-screen satellite TV with movie channels, telephone, mini-bar, full-sized bathroom with marble counter, full shower with glass door, robes, slippers, writing desk, chair, sofa, coffee table and full-length closets. (200 sq. ft.)
$ 6,899
$ 5,599
A - Panorama Suite
Sapphire Deck. Panorama Suite features floor-to-ceiling windows, sliding glass doors, Comfort collection bed can convert to 2 singles, soft & firm pillows, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, flat-screen satellite TV with movie channels, telephone, mini-bar, full-sized bathroom with marble counter, full shower with glass door, robes, slippers, writing desk, chair, sofa, coffee table and full-length closets. (200 sq. ft.)
$ 6,799
$ 5,499
B - Panorama Suite
Sapphire Deck. Located on the Sapphire deck aft — features floor to ceiling windows, Comfort collection bed (can convert to 2 twins), soft & firm pillows, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, flat-screen satellite TV with movie channels, telephone, mini-bar, bathroom with marble counter, robes, slippers, writing desk and chair, sofa, and full-length closets. (200 sq. ft.)
$ 6,699
$ 5,399
D - Deluxe Stateroom
Indigo Deck. Located on the Indigo deck — features small windows above the water-line, Comfort collection bed (can convert to 2 twins, soft & firm pillows, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, flat-screen satellite TV with movie channels, telephone, mini-bar, full shower with glass doors, robes, slippers, writing desk and chair, and full-length closets. (172 sq. ft.)
$ 5,199
$ 4,399
E - Deluxe Stateroom
Indigo Deck. Located on the Indigo deck — features small windows above the water-line, Comfort collection bed (can convert to 2 twins, soft & firm pillows, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, flat-screen satellite TV with movie channels, telephone, mini-bar, full shower with glass doors, robes, slippers, writing desk and chair, and full-length closets. (172 sq. ft.)
We always recommend coming in at least one day early to avoid the stress of unexpected delays. We will be offering optional post-trip Vacation Stretchers in Zürich. Information on these 2- and 3-night Vacation Stretchers will be available 11-months prior to the trip.
Special Airfares
Rates: Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Pricing does not include airfare, insurance, fuel surcharge or NDA of $499 per person (subject to change).
Early bird prices valid until October 15, 2025.
We accept Visa, Mastercard or Discover card.
• Pay in full
• 6-month interest free payment plan (20% deposit and 5 installments)
All vacations on payment plan must be paid in full six months or 180 days before your trip. If reservation is made at the six-month mark or less, payment in full will be required.
Availability updated weekly and is provided for informational purposes only.It is advised for guests to check information provided on this site with our Travel Consultant.
