Seine & Rhine revealed WWII Remembrance & History Cruise

FAQs

13 17 17

Help & Support

Back to RACV home

RACV Resorts

Victoria

Cape Schanck - Mornington Peninsula

Healesville - Yarra Valley

Cobram - Murray River

Goldfields - Creswick

Inverloch - Gippsland

Torquay - Great Ocean Road

Queensland

Noosa - Sunshine Coast

Royal Pines - Gold Coast

Tasmania

Hobart - Tasmania

Holidays

Hotels

Find accommodation at our partner properties, many with discounts and inclusions for members.

Holiday packages

Maximise your stay with holiday deals and member inclusions.

Tours

Explore close to home or father afield with tailor made and group tours.

Cruises

Explore large, small or private group cruises - near and far away.

Offers and deals

Get the latest travel deals on a range of experiences, accommodation and holidays. Plus, RACV Members get more.

Things to do

Attraction tickets

From the east coast to the west, save on experiences across Australia & New Zealand as an RACV Member.

Restaurants and bars

Discover dining options at our nine RACV Resorts across Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania.

Golf

Enjoy stunning views while you work on your backswing at one of our five golf courses.

One Spa

Take some time for yourself at our wellness and spa retreats across Victoria and Queensland.

Getting around

Car hire

Members save when you hire a car from over 200 locations in Australia and New Zealand.

Campervan hire

Explore Australia with year-round savings on campervan hire as an RACV member.

Airport parking & transfers

Get special discounts for RACV members on airport parking and transfers.

International Driving Permit

If you're planning on driving overseas, you can apply for your permit online.

Spirit of Tasmania

Heading south of the mainland? Members save on select passenger fares on the Spirit of Tasmania.

Holiday planning

Travel loans

Take your dream holiday a little bit earlier with an RACV travel loan.

Pet boarding

Pet boarding, dog day care and dog training with our partner, Hanrob Hotel.

Travel store

Visit our store or make an appointment with our expert team to plan your next holiday.

Conference & events

Event & meeting spaces

Unique venues for your conference or event

Wedding venues

Tie the knot at one of our picturesque resort locations.

Travel insurance

Members save more on over 100,000 hotels worldwide

Unlock savings

Find my booking

My wishlist

Use another membership

Unlock member discounts

Unlock exclusive discounts and inclusions

Members only pricing

Bonus hand-picked inclusions

Find my member number

Continue as guest

Your member number is located on your membership card, membership renewal notice, club account statement or payment advice.

Seine & Rhine revealed WWII Remembrance & History Cruise

Operated by Avalon Waterways

Tripcode: WPA-T8

Overview

Itinerary

Dates

Overview

Destination:

France,

Netherlands,

Duration:17 days

Type:Group tour (max 90)

Style:

River/Small ship/Barge,

Travel Period

May 2027 - May 2027

17 Day River Cruise Paris to Amsterdam
Calling all history lovers—this is the trip you’ve been waiting for. Cruise the Seine and immerse yourself in the stories that shaped World War II, brought to life through captivating storytelling by our onboard history expert while cruising the Seine. You’ll travel from Paris to Normandy, where you can walk in the footsteps of heroes at the iconic landing beaches and visit the powerful Allied monuments. Along the way, you'll stop at Monet’s gardens, explore the medieval streets of Rouen, and take in the local flavors of the region. Back in Paris, you can join a specialized WWII tour or spend time seeing the city’s most famous landmarks. Spend two days in Paris exploring world-renowned cuisine, iconic landmarks and the artistic charm that capture the true spirit of this enchanting city.

The adventure doesn't end on the Seine. Continue to Basel, Switzerland, and step aboard your Suite Ship® for seven nights on the legendary Rhine. You’ll get a taste of the Black Forest in Breisach, see the cathedral in Strasbourg, and wander the storied halls of Heidelberg Castle. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge before ending with a canal tour in vibrant Amsterdam. Enjoy free time exploring the city’s renowned museums, local delicacies, and scenic canals—an unforgettable finale to your travels.

Notes:

In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

Highlights:

Itinerary

Expand all Collapse all

Day 1 - PARIS, FRANCE (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding

Flights into Paris must arrive by 2:30 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Your day is free to explore the world’s most romantic city before starting your cruise on the Seine. Explore the City of Light today with some shopping, strolling, or with a croissant and café au lait to watch the world go by amid the Parisian cityscape.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON

(D)

Day 2 - VERNON

Monet’s Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour through the picturesque Normandy countryside from Vernon to Giverny, ending with a visit to Monet’s enchanting gardens and home, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet’s charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Bizy Castle—called “Normandy’s Versailles” for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.

DISCOVERY While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration.

This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys.

Serenity on the Seine

ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France’s most picturesque spots on the Seine.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC

(B,L,D)

Day 3 - CAUDEBEC

Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine

ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR:

DISCOVERY Join a guided excursion to a V-1 flying bomb launch site, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route—where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine.

This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.

DISCOVERY Onboard lecture about WWII hosted by your history expert.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC

(B,L,D)

Day 4 - CAUDEBEC. EXCURSION TO NORMANDY

Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Normandy’s WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR:

CLASSIC Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial (until the end of May replaced with a visit to the D-Day Museum), the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to get a taste of authentic tradition in the beautiful region of Normandy. Toast the day with a brandy tasting in Calvados.

EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN

(B,L,D)

Day 5 - ROUEN

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame and a Heroine for France

ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR:

DISCOVERY Join a Guide Tour to visit Dieppe, where Operation Jubilee (Dieppe Raid) took place during WWII, OR:

DISCOVERY Join a Guide Tour to visit Vimy Memorial and the Battle of the Somme battlefield, the largest battle on the Western Front. Continue Beaumont-Hamel and visit the memorial to the Newfoundland Regiment, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen—site of Saint Joan of Arc’s martyrdom—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

DISCOVERY Onboard history lecture hosted by your history expert.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS

(B,L,D)

Day 6 - CONFLANS

The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV

ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison*—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.

Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS

(B,L,D)

* Château de Malmaison is closed the 1st Sunday of each month. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Château de Chantilly

Day 7 - PARIS

Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the City of Light

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

ACTIVE Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:

DISCOVERY Take a WWII tour of Paris which will include a visit to the museum of Les Invalides, dedicated to the Ordre de la Libération which was created in 1940 by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces, OR:

CLASSIC Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Tour featuring the iconic sites of Paris, which make the City of Light the most romantic and remarkable city in the world.

Stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS

(B,L,D)

Day 8 - PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)

The City of Light

Disembark your ship and transfer to your hotel in Paris.

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore on your own. Consider browsing Paris’ classic shopping avenues and literary cafés for a true Parisian experience, or have your portrait sketched by a Parisian artist in the square at Place du Tertre.

(B)

Day 9 - PARIS

Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Tour featuring the iconic sites of Paris, which make the City of Light the most romantic and remarkable city in the world.

Spend your free time strolling through the Champs-Élysées for café au lait and croissants, see the exhibits at the Louvre, or visit Montmartre’s Basilica of the Sacré Cœur.

(B)

Day 10 - PARIS–BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Switzerland.

Board the TGV train to Basel where your Suite Ship® is ready for boarding.

EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH

(B,D)

Day 11 - BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

ACTIVE Take a Guided E-bike Tour to experience the magical Black Forest from a unique point of view, OR:

CLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR:

CLASSIC 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.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KEHL

(B,L,D)

Day 12 - KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE

A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

ACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC 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 may also choose to join 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.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN

(B,L,D)

Day 13 - LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel

ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy 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,” OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Schwetzingen Palace—the heart of a stunning site consisting of the palace, palace gardens, and historic palace square.

This afternoon through the evening, enjoy leisurely sailing to Rüdesheim.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM

(B,L,D)

Day 14 - RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:

DISCOVERY Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting.

En route to Koblenz, 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.

Travel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History

Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE

(B,L,D)

Day 15 - COLOGNE

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk 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!

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM

(B,L,D)

Day 16 - AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

ACTIVE Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:

CLASSIC Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:

CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”

During tulip season, 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. You may also choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside.

Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

(B,L,D)

Day 17 - AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Dates

Select a date or submit general enquiry

Operator

Avalon Waterways

Designed from the bottom up for comfort, space, and room to dream, each Avalon Suite Ship consists of 80% Panorama Suites—offering the widest view in river cruising. Larger suites result in fewer passengers, so you’ll never feel crowded anywhere on board. From reclining on the open-air Sky Deck, relaxing in the spacious Panorama Lounge, or feeling the wind over the bough In the Observation Lounge, there’s never a shortage of comfortable spots to stretch out, day dream, or just watch the world go by. From our inception, Avalon Waterways has cast a light on the world’s most fascinating places and people – inviting wayfarers and wanderers like you to bask in their glory, intrigue and wonder. Along the way, we’ve helped travellers uncover ancient traditions while meeting the locals dedicated to preserving them; to meander historic hallways while giving back to the societies that safeguard them; and to put down the guidebooks and pick up a greater understanding of the world and its people.

Important Information

expand all

*Terms and conditions

Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. For more information, please see Terms of Use

Book now

Need help?

Price from

$16,529 $15,765 *

Member price from

$15,765*

per person twin share

16 nights