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Beautiful Port City
Basel, Switzerland Highlights
Beautiful Port City
The charming port of Basel contains a thriving arts scene with wondrous museums.
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Basel, Switzerland

Basel, Switzerland is one of the more popular river cruise ports. Since it is a much smaller port than some of Europe’s major port cities, only river cruise ships are able to dock there. Basel is perfect for travelers interested in art, history, and culture. Museums are one of the main highlights of Basel, but you can also discover many hidden gems in its Old Town and in the motor-less ferry rides along the Rhine River. The cuisine is also a huge highlight in Basel, as you can indulge in many tasty European dishes, as well as famous Switzerland chocolate and cheese. Getting around Basel is rather simple, as it features an easy-to-use tram system. If you’re taking a cruise that starts in Basel, you may wan to consider staying a few days in Basel before or after your cruise, as you can take advantage of the rail service to explore the areas that are a little further out.

Cruises that start in Basel tend to range in length from 5- to 11-nights, with 7-night itineraries being the most common duration.

American Discount Vacations is proud to offer the best deals possible on all cruises from Basel, Switzerland. Backed by our "Low Price Guarantee," and powered by our team of expert travel agents, we're sure to exceed your expectations when booking your next cruise departing from Basel, Switzerland!

Destinations for Cruises from Basel, Switzerland

The following cruise destinations can be visited on a cruise from Basel, Switzerland. Select a destination to view the upcoming cruises that are available:

Destination Calendar
Make a selection below to view the cruises available during that month in that destination.
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Pricing listed above is per person, based on double occupancy in the least expensive accommodations available, is subject to change, and may not reflect the most recent pricing (as pricing gets updated throughout the day). Prices may not reflect discounts and special promotions that you may qualify for. Go to the Category selection step of the online booking process to view the live pricing and latest offers. Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional (and are displayed on the Search Results step (and the steps that follow it) in the online booking process.

Cruise Lines with Cruises from Basel, Switzerland

The following cruise lines feature cruises leaving from Basel, Switzerland. Select a cruise line to view upcoming cruises that they're offering from Basel, Switzerland:

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River Cruise Lines

Becoming more and more popular, a river cruise is an immerse and destination-focused vacation experience, on a small and luxurious vessel.

River cruises sail through the inland waterways of some of the world's most interesting vacation destinations (i.e. Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America), and provide their guests with a greater opportunity to spend time visiting more unique ports of call than a traditional cruise typically would.

Because the destination is the star of a river cruise, (typically guided) shore excursions are included at no additional charge by many River cruise lines. There are usually many interesting lectures given during the cruise, by experts on the history and culture of the region being visited.

Among the famous rivers that one may take a river cruise on are the Rhine, Mississippi, Seine, Danube, Mekong, Nile, Yangtze, Amazon and Douro.

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Deluxe Cruise Lines

These cruise lines fit (quality and, usually, price-wise) somewhere in between Premium and Luxury cruise lines.

A country club casual atmosphere can be expected on these lines, as can be elegant accommodations and gourmet cuisine. These cruise lines are a great option for adults looking for a upscale, yet laid back, vacation.

Unique itineraries are often available on these cruise lines, as their small-to-mid-sized ships can visit ports of call that large ones can't get to.

The pricing on Azamara Club Cruises includes select beverages and pre-paid gratuities, while the pricing of Viking Ocean Cruises includes shore excursions and select beverages.

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Specialty Cruise Lines

These cruise lines offer a truly unique vacation experience, with a wide range of possible amenities and itineraries. Some are expedition cruise lines, others have sailing yachts or are coastal ships.

On these types of cruise lines, there's usually a focus on a specific destination or theme. Itineraries are usually very destination intensive, aided by the fact that they're able to reach many ports of call that larger ships can't.

Expedition cruise lines are a great fit for adventure-seeking travelers, featuring exciting destinations like the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica, and the Norwegian coast. During the cruise, there will usually be plenty of interesting lectures given by experts on the destination being visited. Often, shore excursions are included in the cost of the cruise. In fact, some of these cruise lines have all-inclusive pricing. There's a definite focus on the ship's surrounding scenery, as well as opportunities to view wildlife in their natural habitat. Small, but comfortable, ships are commonplace here, with anywhere from basic to very luxurious public spaces, cuisine, and accommodations (depending on the cruise line and ship).

Sailing Yachts, sail-assisted motor ships, offer a really unique vacation experience. Accommodations and cuisine on these intimate vessels can be anywhere from good to fantastic, depending on the cruise line. Destinations offered by these cruise lines may include the Caribbean, Europe, Panama Canal, Tahiti, and Costa Rica.

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Luxury Cruise Lines

When the finest cruise vacation is your top priority, this is the place to start.

On a luxury cruise line, guests experience highly personalized service, a more intimate (and usually formal) onboard experience, gourmet cuisine, well-appointed accommodations, and fantastic amenities. Many of these brands have smaller ships, allowing them to reach ports of call that the larger ships can't, which results in unique itineraries.

All of these brands feature a version of all-inclusive pricing, and some of them have ships with all-suite accommodations. Although these cruise lines are usually more expensive than the rest, they also provide their guests with so much more, resulting in a fantastic value when considering all that's included.

AmaWaterways
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  • River Cruise Line
  • Ships: 29 (28 - 196 Guests)
  • Intimate Environment, Inclusive Value
  • Excursions Included in Cruise Fare
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Avalon Waterways
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  • River Cruise Line
  • Ships: 19 (16 - 166 Guests)
  • Shore Excursions Included
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
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CroisiEurope
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  • River Cruise Line
  • Ships: 46 (16 - 226 Guests)
  • All-Inclusive Pricing
  • Authentic French Cuisine
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Emerald Cruises
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  • Deluxe / River / Specialty Cruise Line
  • Ships: 12 (84 - 204 Guests)
  • Offers River and Yacht Cruises
  • Valuable Inclusions
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Emerald Cruises Emerald Cruises from Basel, Switzerland Cash Back or Onboard Credit!
Riviera River Cruises
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  • River Cruise Line
  • Ships: 13 (126 - 169 Guests)
  • British-owned Cruise Line
  • Spacious Accommodations
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Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
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  • Luxury / River Cruise Line
  • Ships: 15 (68 - 228 Guests)
  • All-Inclusive
  • Offers River and Yacht Cruises
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Tauck Cruises
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  • River Cruise Line
  • Ships: 25 (40 - 310 Guests)
  • All inclusive pricing
  • Family owned cruise line
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Uniworld River Cruises
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  • River Cruise Line
  • Ships: 17 (32 - 159 Guests)
  • All-Inclusive Product
  • Every Stateroom Has River View
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Viking River Cruises
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  • River Cruise Line
  • Ships: 66 (52 - 386 Guests)
  • Shore Excursions & Wi-Fi Included
  • Wine & Beer Included at Lunch &
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Things to do near Basel, Switzerland

These are just a few of the more popular tourist attractions in Basel, along with a brief description:

♦ Museums

If you love to learn, then you will love spending time in Basel, as this city features nearly 40 museums! Art lovers will particularly enjoy the Fine arts Museum Basel, Museum Tinguely, Kunsthalle Basel, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the very unique Caricature & Cartoon Museum Basel. History buffs are likely to enjoy the Basel Paper Mill, Basel Historical Museum – Barfuesserkirche, the Natural History Museum of Basel, and the Swiss Architecture Museum. Other noteworthy museums that you won’t find elsewhere include the Anatomical Museum of the University of Basel, Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel, Museum of Cultures, and Toy Worlds Museum Basel. It is important to note that many of Basel’s museums are closed on Mondays, so if you’re looking to visit any museums, you should confirm which days of the week you will be in town.

♦ Landmarks

Basel is home to many beautiful and scenic landmarks! Whether you’re looking for some great photo opportunities or just looking to enjoy them in the moment, there are some places in this town that you shouldn’t miss! You spend your days admiring the architecture of Basel Minster, a gothic cathedral with two twin spires that stretch into the sky, or admire the historic artwork at Basel Town Hall. Carnival Fountain is a fun landmark, featuring sculptures that spray water. There’s also the Middle Bridge (featuring scenic views), the Gate of Spalen (a 15th century gateway that’s still intact), Kannenfeld Park (featuring a playground and wading pool, perfect for families on a nice day), and St. Alban-Tor (another remaining structure from ancient times).

♦ Zoo Basel

When spending time in Basel, you will have the opportunity to visit the oldest and largest zoo in Switzerland. The Aquarium houses many species of animals, including penguins, turtles, and fish. You can also view African wildlife (hippos, zebras, etc.), Australian kangaroos, birds, monkeys, cheetahs, and many other types of exotic animals. This is a wonderful activity for families, friends, and solo travelers alike, especially on a warm summer day when the weather is beautiful!

Average Monthly Weather for Basel, Switzerland


Temperature

Average monthly high and low temperatures. Values are in Fahrenheit (switch to Celsius):

Precipitation

Total per month. Values are in inches (switch to millimeters):

Days of precipitation per month:

The information above is provided for informational purposes only. Monthly statistics are based on the most recent instance of that month. Weather is subject to change and cannot be guaranteed. The data is provided by a third-party and we accept no liability regarding its accuracy.