Rhine Cruise to Switzerland - Cologne to Basel

The Rhine Cruise to Switzerland - Cologne to Basel is a 7-night Europe cruise aboard MS George Eliot, operated by Riviera Travel. Departing Cologne on October 17, 2026, the voyage visits 9 ports. Fares start from $2,899 per person.

Length: 7 nights
Departs: Oct 17, 2026
Returns: Oct 24, 2026
Ports of call: 9
Days at sea: 1

Itinerary

Day 1 Oct 17, 2026 Cologne It’s not just the locals who consider Cologne to be among the best cities in the world. The typical friendliness that you find at every turn makes visitors feel at home right away. It’s not unusual to quickly get chatting to strangers and even go for a couple glasses of Kölsch with them. The main landmark – Cologne Cathedral – watches over the whole city. It is the third-tallest church building in the world, at 157.38 metres. It might be a bit of a trek up to the top of the tower, but it’s worth it. You’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable view of the city and the Rhine spread out before you. Cologne port guide Search cruises visiting Cologne

Cologne photo — Day 1 Oct 17, 2026 Cologne It’s not just the locals who consider Cologne to be among the best cities in the world. The typical friendliness that you find at every turn makes visitors feel at home right away. It’s not unusual to quickly get chatting to strangers and even go for a couple glasses of Kölsch with them. The main landmark – Cologne Cathedral – watches over the whole city. It is the third-tallest church building in the world, at 157.38 metres. It might be a bit of a trek up to the top of the tower, but it’s worth it. You’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable view of the city and the Rhine spread out before you. Cologne port guide Search cruises visiting Cologne

Day 3 Oct 19, 2026 Rudesheim In the Upper Middle Rhine Valley – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the town of Rüdesheim marks the end of several old merchants’ routes. This strategically important point used to be protected by four castles. Picturesque Rüdesheim is known all around the world for its outstanding wines. Make sure you take a walk through the charming little streets of the old town. Drosselgasse, an alleyway with half-timbered facades, is known as ‘The World’s Longest Wine Bar‘ and is reputed to be the most-visited tourist attraction in Germany after Cologne Cathedral. Wine cultivation was already in full swing here in Roman times – learn more about the winegrowers of antiquity and their successors at the Rheingauer Weinmuseum in the Brömserburg, an old castle. And if you want to sample the wines that are being produced today, head to the rustic wine taverns in the old town. Rudesheim port guide Search cruises visiting Rudesheim

Rudesheim photo — Day 3 Oct 19, 2026 Rudesheim In the Upper Middle Rhine Valley – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the town of Rüdesheim marks the end of several old merchants’ routes. This strategically important point used to be protected by four castles. Picturesque Rüdesheim is known all around the world for its outstanding wines. Make sure you take a walk through the charming little streets of the old town. Drosselgasse, an alleyway with half-timbered facades, is known as ‘The World’s Longest Wine Bar‘ and is reputed to be the most-visited tourist attraction in Germany after Cologne Cathedral. Wine cultivation was already in full swing here in Roman times – learn more about the winegrowers of antiquity and their successors at the Rheingauer Weinmuseum in the Brömserburg, an old castle. And if you want to sample the wines that are being produced today, head to the rustic wine taverns in the old town. Rudesheim port guide Search cruises visiting Rudesheim

Day 4 Oct 20, 2026 Speyer The 2000 year old Speyer is like a single open-air museum: Salic history at every turn. The cathedral city on the Rhine is proud of its convenient location in the heart of Europe. The towering silhouette of the mighty red sandstone cathedral towers over the city. Anyone visiting the cathedral should also go down the steps to the Imperial Crypt. For at least two hours, visitors are kept in suspense by the most important sights of the old imperial city - they are almost all in the city center. Those who are tired of hiking: The city delights with countless restaurants and cafés. Speyer port guide Search cruises visiting Speyer

Speyer photo — Day 4 Oct 20, 2026 Speyer The 2000 year old Speyer is like a single open-air museum: Salic history at every turn. The cathedral city on the Rhine is proud of its convenient location in the heart of Europe. The towering silhouette of the mighty red sandstone cathedral towers over the city. Anyone visiting the cathedral should also go down the steps to the Imperial Crypt. For at least two hours, visitors are kept in suspense by the most important sights of the old imperial city - they are almost all in the city center. Those who are tired of hiking: The city delights with countless restaurants and cafés. Speyer port guide Search cruises visiting Speyer

Day 5 Oct 21, 2026 Strasbourg Strasbourg is a major city in France and is also the capital of the Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine region. The Rhine forms a natural border with Germany. The Maas and Aar also flow through the city. The district "La Petite France" is very popular with tourists and shows old half-timbered houses on the canal. With a typical boat with a glass roof, a so-called bateau-mouche, tourists can cruise the canal and learn interesting facts about the city. The Strasbourg cathedral is the city's landmark. Strasbourg port guide Search cruises visiting Strasbourg

Strasbourg photo — Day 5 Oct 21, 2026 Strasbourg Strasbourg is a major city in France and is also the capital of the Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine region. The Rhine forms a natural border with Germany. The Maas and Aar also flow through the city. The district "La Petite France" is very popular with tourists and shows old half-timbered houses on the canal. With a typical boat with a glass roof, a so-called bateau-mouche, tourists can cruise the canal and learn interesting facts about the city. The Strasbourg cathedral is the city's landmark. Strasbourg port guide Search cruises visiting Strasbourg

Day 6 Oct 22, 2026 Breisach Breisach is a town with approximately 16,500 inhabitants, situated along the Rhine in the Rhine Valley, in the district Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, about halfway between Freiburg and Colmar — 20 kilometres away from each — and about 60 kilometres north of Basel near the Kaiserstuhl. Breisach port guide Search cruises visiting Breisach

Breisach photo — Day 6 Oct 22, 2026 Breisach Breisach is a town with approximately 16,500 inhabitants, situated along the Rhine in the Rhine Valley, in the district Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, about halfway between Freiburg and Colmar — 20 kilometres away from each — and about 60 kilometres north of Basel near the Kaiserstuhl. Breisach port guide Search cruises visiting Breisach

Day 8 Oct 24, 2026 Basel Founded right on the spot where Switzerland, Germany and France meet, Basel soon became an important European hub and centre of trade due to its special location. A popular attraction in the city is Switzerland’s oldest zoo – which the locals affectionately call the ‘Zolli’. It is one of the most important zoos in Switzerland and has gained global recognition for its breeding programmes. Basel also has eight churches with historical organs that still fill the naves with excellent music today. Basel port guide Search cruises visiting Basel

Basel photo — Day 8 Oct 24, 2026 Basel Founded right on the spot where Switzerland, Germany and France meet, Basel soon became an important European hub and centre of trade due to its special location. A popular attraction in the city is Switzerland’s oldest zoo – which the locals affectionately call the ‘Zolli’. It is one of the most important zoos in Switzerland and has gained global recognition for its breeding programmes. Basel also has eight churches with historical organs that still fill the naves with excellent music today. Basel port guide Search cruises visiting Basel

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 85-day span: $1,999 · range $1,999–$3,699

Lower than 83% of peers This week-long sailing's from-price per night is lower than 83% of comparable sailings.

same cruise line, destination, duration, and departure window · from-price per night · as of Jun 22, 2026

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

Not available

Oceanview

Not available

Balcony

Not available

Suite

from $2,899

$414 / night

Fare rows

Superior Suite - Diamond Deck

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,899

$414 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony Suite - Diamond Deck

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,199

$457 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Superior Suite - Ruby Deck

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,499

$499 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Standard Cabin - Ruby Deck

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,899

$557 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Superior Suite - Emerald Deck

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,399

$628 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 21, 2026

Prices come from third-party data feeds via Riviera Travel and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works

Price history

30 days

Cabin grades

Suite

Lowest Suite $2,899 1 Deluxe Balcony Suite - Diamond Deck $3,199 2 Superior Suite - Diamond Deck $2,899 3 Standard Cabin - Diamond Deck 4 Superior Suite - Ruby Deck $3,499 5 Standard Cabin - Ruby Deck $3,899 6 Superior Suite - Emerald Deck $4,399

Lines step between recorded price changes. Plot up to 6 grades at once.

Show all 22 cabin grades

Name	Supplier code	Type
Not listed
Standard cabin - Middle Deck	SMD	Balcony
Standard Cabin - Upper Deck	SUD	Balcony
Upper Deck - Standard Sole Occupancy	10	Oceanview
Emerald Deck - Sole Occupancy (Lower)	12	Oceanview
Emerald Deck - Sole Occupancy (With Suppl) (Lower)	13	Oceanview
Ruby Deck - Sole Occupancy (Middle)	15	Oceanview
Standard Cabin - Diamond Deck	3	Oceanview
Standard Cabin - Ruby Deck	5	Oceanview
Standard Cabin - Emerald Deck	7	Oceanview
Emerald Deck Standard Cabin	8	Oceanview
Emerald Deck Forward Cabin	9	Oceanview
Category A Cabin - Main deck	A	Oceanview
Category A+ (Upper Deck)	A+	Oceanview
Category B (double) - Lower Deck	B	Oceanview
Deluxe Balcony Suite - Diamond Deck	1	Suite
Upper Deck - Superior Balcony Suite Sole Occupancy	11	Suite
Emerald Deck - Superior Suite (Lower) Sole Occ	14	Suite
Superior Suite - Diamond Deck	2	Suite
Superior Suite - Ruby Deck	4	Suite
Superior Suite - Emerald Deck	6	Suite
Suite - Middle Deck	SU	Suite

Ship

Your ship MS George Eliot 5★ **442** GT **132** guests Built **2025** The five-star MS George Eliot – named after one of the leading English novelists of the 19th century – is 110 metres of fine Swiss engineering and craftsmanship. As with all Riviera Travel cruise ships, MS George Eliot was built to the highest specifications and strict safety regulations by Scylla AG, world-renowned builders of the most modern cruisers in Europe. Guests are welcomed in the elegant lobby with its gleaming marble floor, well-lit by sophisticated lighting. Thoughtful design is on tasteful display throughout the ship – sustainable hardwood furniture, intricate wrought-iron work, and polished copper and brass are beautifully complemented by soft leather and sumptuous Italian fabrics. MS George Eliot offers the convivial ambience and personal service of a luxury boutique hotel. With 36 staff serving just 132 guests, the experience is far more intimate and enjoyable. There are 70 luxuriously appointed suites and cabins, which all feature an en-suite bathroom with shower, individually controlled air-conditioning, flat-screen TV, hairdryer, safe, minibar, telephone and facilities for making tea and coffee. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship. MS George Eliot ship guide Search cruises on MS George Eliot

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