Cancellation By GuestCharges in the event of a cancellation:Days Prior to DepartureCancellation FeeFinal Payment Date – 30 days50%29 – 1 days80%Day of departure or later100%Last updated: March 9, 2026.

Gratuities for your Cruise Director, Local Hosts, Local Guides, driver, and ship’s crew are not included in the vacation price (unless otherwise noted in the specific pricing details) and are discretionary.

Avalon does not have specialized facilities and/or treatments required for childbirth, prenatal, or early infant care on board its cruise ships, nor may those facilities be available at ports of call or on land stays.

MinorAccompany policy

Passengers who are under 18 years old on the departure date must be accompanied by an adult throughout the vacation, and are requested to share an adult’s accommodation. There are no connecting staterooms on Avalon Waterways.

Smoking is not allowed on transportation that is exclusively provided by Avalon. On cruise ships, smoking is restricted to certain areas of the vessel. Smoking includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, e-cigars or any other smoking device.

Avalon Illumination

4-Night Christmastime In Alsace & Germany (Southbound) Cruise from Frankfurt

On Avalon Illumination

Frankfurt, Germany (Embarkation), Speyer Excursion To Heidelberg, and Strasbourg, France

Sails Fri, Dec 18, 20264 nightsCruiseOnly

One-wayFrankfurt, Germany (Embarkation)Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation) · 5 ports

More Avalon Waterways cruises

From

$3,624pp

$906 / night avg · taxes & fees included

Prices tracked daily on this sailing
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Prices tracked daily

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What you see is the operator fare — we don't add checkout surcharges.

Tax-inclusive pricing

Lead prices include taxes and port fees where available.

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Price intelligence

Live

We've tracked this sailing for 14 days in our daily crawl. Here's how today's fare compares to its own history.

Today: $3,624Lowest tracked: $3,492

This sailing's fareLowest recorded

vs. recent high

In line with recent highs

14-day low

$3,492

14-day high

$3,681

14-day avg

$3,617

Our read: track it

Building signal

We're still building history on this sailing. Save it or check back after the next daily price crawl.

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Day by day

Your 4-night itinerary

5 ports on this sailing.

Itinerary map — Frankfurt, Germany (Embarkation) → Speyer Excursion To Heidelberg → Strasbourg, France → Breisach, Germany Excursion To Black Forest → Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation)

Day 11
Frankfurt, Germany (Embarkation)Embark
Sailings from Frankfurt
Day 22
Speyer Excursion To Heidelberg
SPEYER. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat—the world’s largest wine barrel. After the tour, visit the local German Christmas markets in Heidelberg.Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing sailing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)
Cruises visiting Speyer Excursion To Heidelberg
Day 33
Strasbourg, France
Cruises visiting Strasbourg
Day 44
Breisach, Germany Excursion To Black Forest
BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestCLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.In the afternoon you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, or to spend your free time to enjoy the Breisach’s Christmas Markets.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL (B,L,D)
Cruises visiting Breisach
Day 55
Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation)Disembark
Sailings from Basel

Cabins & suites

Compare categories — selection updates in the booking panel

Best value
Suite
$3,624$906 / night

Ship experience

Onboard dining, entertainment, and venues

About this ship

The Avalon Illumination truly shines on Europe's rivers. Onboard amenities include an alternative light dining option in the Panorama Bistro, a Fitness Center, complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi access, and a spacious Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, and light al fresco lunches at the Sky Bistro on the Sky Deck. 

Ports of call

Where you stop and how long you stay

Frankfurt, Germany (Embarkation)
Day 1
Sailings from Frankfurt
Frankfurt, Germany (Embarkation)
Speyer Excursion To Heidelberg
Day 2
Cruises visiting Speyer Excursion To Heidelberg
Speyer Excursion To Heidelberg
Strasbourg, France
Day 3
Cruises visiting Strasbourg
Strasbourg, France
Breisach, Germany Excursion To Black Forest
Day 4
Cruises visiting Breisach
Breisach, Germany Excursion To Black Forest
Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation)
Day 5
Sailings from Basel
Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation)

What's included & extra

Know what's covered before you book add-ons

Included

Main dining rooms — Traditional complimentary dining
Pools & fitness — Ship amenities vary by vessel

Extra cost

Specialty dining — Reservations and cover charges may apply
Spa & salon — Treatments at additional cost

Policies & FAQ

Summaries only — read full policies on our policy pages

Ship specifications

Bars / Lounges: 6
Dining / Restaurants: 2
Fitness Center: Yes
Kids Friendly: No
Number of Crew: 47
Number of Staterooms: 83
Number of Suites: 67
Registry: Switzerland
Ship Length: 443
Year Built: 2014

Prices shown are per person, based on double occupancy, and include taxes and port fees where available. Gratuities and optional extras are not included. All fares are subject to availability and may change. Final pricing will be confirmed at time of booking.