2026 Theological Adventure Tour: Rhine River Cruise

9 DAYS | 4 COUNTRIES | 1 FANTASTIC THEOLOGICAL ADVENTURE

Dear Friends,

Imagine this: an entire river cruise ship filled with fellow Lutherans, sailing through four breathtaking countries, diving deep into Scripture and Reformation history together. For nine unforgettable days, we’ll journey from Amsterdam to Basel, not just as tourists, but as a community—worshiping, learning, and exploring the very places where the Reformation unfolded. Morning and Evening Prayer, daily Bible studies, rich theological discussions, and joyful fellowship will shape our time aboard the Avalon View, making this much more than a vacation. This is a true Theological Adventure—crafted just for you!

DATES: July 6-14, 2026

Here’s an outline of the tour:

Visit Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture—and see its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns.
Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—offering the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water.

Day 1: July 6, 2026, Amsterdam, Holland
* Welcome to Holland!
* Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm.
* Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.
(DINNER)

Day 2: July 7, 2026 Amsterdam, Holland, Embarkation Day
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
* CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”
* Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
* Choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available or take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE
(BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

Day 3: July 8, 2026 Cologne, Germany
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
* Enjoy a morning sailing to Cologne.
* Cologne a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture—and see its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns.
* CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral, OR:
* DISCOVERY Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR:
* ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host.
* Spend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!
* Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ
(BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

Day 4: July 9, 2026 Mainz, Germany
Printing Halls and Castle Walls
* En route to Mainz, 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.
* CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk of Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.
* Enjoy live entertainment on board this evening.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WORMS
(BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

Day 5: July 10, 2026, Worms-Speyer, Germany
Worms: Here We Sail!
* CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Worms featuring the city’s key Luther-related attractions.
* Visit the location of the Diet of Worms where Luther stood and refused to recant his writing.
* Tour the cathedral and consider the political and theological ramifications of the Lutheran Reformation.

AFTERNOON CRUISE TO SPEYER.

Speyer: Over 2000 Years of History, and the 500th Anniversary of the First Diet of Speyer
* CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Speyer featuring the city’s key Luther-related attractions.
* Walking tour of the Speyer Cathedral, peak into the crypt and see the graves of emperors.
* Consider the 500th anniversary of the first Diet of Speyer (1526) and what this event meant for the history of the Reformation.
* Visit the fantastically decorated Lutheran Church with paintings of scenes from the Bible.
* Free time to explore the city, climb the clock tower, and find an ice cream shop.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN SPEYER
(BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

Day 6: July 11, 2026 Worms – Speyer, excursion to Heidelberg
Castle Walls and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel
* 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.”
* Spend today visiting beautiful Heidelberg. Explore the ruins of the Heidelberg Castle, discuss Luther’s Heidelberg Theses in Trinity Church (and climb the church tower), visit Heidelberg University, find the marker where Luther first delivered the famed Theses in 1518, see the bronze monkey by the bridge, and if you are feeling energetic, climb the Philosopher’s Path for a beautiful view of the city.
* This afternoon, return to Speyer and take some free time to explore the historic streets—featuring its beautiful gothic cathedral with soaring steeples.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KEHL
(BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

Day 7: July 12, 2026 Kehl, Germany, Excursion to Strasbourg, France
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
* In Strasbourg, France, marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style 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.
* 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, OR:
* ACTIVE Explore Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host.
* 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.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
(BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

Day 8: July 13, 2026 Breisach, Germany. Excursion to Black Forrest
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
* DISCOVERY 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, with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL
(BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

Day 9: July 14, 2026, Basel, Switzerland, Disembarkation
* Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
* Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.
(BREAKFAST)

**NOTE** This itinerary is subject to change and adjustments.

COST

There are two cabin categories available:

  • Panorama Suite: $6,833 *per person, double occupancy
  • Deluxe Stateroom: $5,608 *per person, double occupancy SOLD-OUT

Very limited single cabins are available:

  • Panorama Suite Single: $10,250
  • Deluxe Suite Single: $8,412 SOLD OUT

A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your place.

Click here to explore the ship and read about the features of each cabin category.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY TO BE ON THIS TOUR
(Space is not guaranteed)

INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR

TEACHING

  • Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller will be the preacher and teacher on this cruise.
  • Morning and Evening Prayer Service with Biblical Meditation.
  • Daily Bible Study and Reformation History and Theology (especially connected with the places we will visit).
  • A custom tour book with liturgies, hymns, Scripture, Historical notes, and ample room for journaling.

DINING:

  • Captain’s welcome & farewell receptions with sparkling wine & canapés
  • Daily choices of regional recipes, familiar favorites, and Avalon Fresh® vegetarian and healthy cuisine including fresh, local ingredients at every meal
  • Buffet breakfast with full range of classic breakfast items, healthy Avalon Fresh options and daily specials.
  • Daily lunch buffet with pasta & carving stations and complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks
  • Choice of alternative fare at the Sky Grill on the Sky Deck (weather permitting) or light lunch in the Panorama Lounge
  • Enjoy our Panorama Bistro for a casual dinner option with a buffet of select dishes and beverages
  • Daily Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, sweet treats & sandwiches
  • Daily four-course à la carte dinners in the main dining room with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées, desserts or cheese, after-dinner premium coffees or tea, and complimentary wine
    (including from the region), beer, and soft drinks
  • Complimentary room service available for Continental breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • FlexDiningSM with flexible seating-times to better accommodate your schedule, and more options for menu items and venues, including our Main Dining Room, Panorama Bistro for a casual select buffet, Sky Grill for al fresco favorites, complimentary continental breakfast, lunch and dinner via room service, and made-to-order picnic lunch boxes for independent on-shore excursions
  • Included Happy Hour every evening featuring house beer, wine, cocktails, and a drink of the day

AVALON SHIP AMENITIES

  • Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship
  • Interactive kiosks in the lobby. Your source for details on daily ports of call, dining, weather, and more!
  • Sky Deck shade system & premium lounge chairs
  • Sky Deck whirlpool & game area
  • Panorama Lounge with cozy seating, panoramic windows, and dance floor
  • Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station offering complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, hot chocolate, and a selection of teas; snacks available throughout the day
  • Panorama Dining Room with large panoramic windows
  • Observation Lounge
  • Upscale bar serving premium spirits; fresh fruit available throughout the day
  • The Adventure Center is your source for active gear, including bicycles, maps and more for active pursuits on ship and off
  • Fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment
  • Club Lounge library with books, cards & board games
  • Elevator
  • Non-smoking interior
  • With the AvalonGo App find schedules, transfer details, daily itineraries, GPS, and dining and entertainment options. Share photos with social media friends
  • Water dispensers offer still and sparkling water and beWellTM Essences formulas

MISC

  • Price also includes port charges and tips for cruise staff.

NOT INCLUDED

PAYMENT & CANCELATION DETAILS

  • $1,000 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your place.
  • Additional $1,000 payment due December 1, 2025
  • Balance due March 31, 2026

Rhine River Cruise Cancellation Policy

We understand that sometimes plans change. Our cancellation policy is designed to be as fair as possible while ensuring the successful operation of the cruise.

Cancellation Deadlines & Refunds

  • Before March 31, 2026 (Final Payment Due Date) – Full refund minus $1,000 deposit.
  • April 1 – May 5, 2026 – 50% refund of total trip cost.
  • May 6 – July 6 – 25% refund of total trip cost.
  • After July 6, 2026 (embarkation day) – No refunds.

Important Notes:

  • Refunds apply to the base cruise cost; additional travel expenses (flights, pre/post extensions, etc.) are subject to the policies of individual providers.
  • Travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover unforeseen circumstances.

OUR SHIP: THE AVALON VIEW

Click here to take a 3D virtual tour of the ship.

Download the Deck Plan and list of amenities here: Avalon_ViewDownload

CLICK HERE TO APPLY TO BE ON THIS TOUR

About Around the Word Travel

One spiritually-enriching, life-changing tour every year.

Around the Word Travel provides the absolute best travel experience for Lutheran Christians by crafting one unique theological adventure tour each year.

Each tour is curated and hosted by Pastor Bryan and Keri Wolfmueller and is designed to:

  • Celebrate the joy and adventure of travel: Experience unique and immersive itineraries that highlight the beauty and wonder of God’s creation and the richness of diverse cultures.
  • Foster education: Deepen understanding of Scripture, theology, and church history through expertly guided tours and engaging discussions at historically significant sites.
  • Incorporate worship: Gather daily with the group for devotions and worship, and join local congregations or missionaries for Sunday services, building connections across the global body of Christ.
  • Promote connection: Form lifelong friendships with fellow travelers and meet fellow Christians in the places we visit, strengthening faith and community.
  • Provide comfort: Enjoy superior accommodations, seamless travel arrangements, and exceptional dining experiences, ensuring a journey that’s as relaxing as it is inspiring.
  • Deliver value: Offer competitively priced tours that make this enriching experience accessible while maintaining high standards of quality.

At Around the Word Travel, we’re committed to creating journeys that inspire faith, deepen knowledge, and build lasting memories, all while reflecting the joy of the Gospel in every step.