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Celebration of Beer!

A Clarkson University Alumni River Cruise with AmaWaterways

When most people imagine a European river cruise, some images flash through their head:

  • Castles sitting high above the river.
  • Medieval towns with half-timbered buildings.
  • Vineyards rolling down hillsides.
  • Church spires rising above tiny villages.
  • Ships gliding quietly through the heart of Europe while you sip something local on the Sun Deck.

Those people are picturing the Rhine, which to me is the quintessential river cruise experience.

That’s why The Enchanting Rhine itinerary with AmaWaterways has been selected for the first ever Clarkson University river cruise. I know what you’re thinking . . . if we’re doing this with Clarkson, then shouldn’t it be educational in nature. I couldn’t agree more and that’s why we’re going to sail the same route as most do on the Rhine, AND we are also going to put some extra focus on the rich beer heritage that infuses the region. This is a special CELEBRATION OF BEER!

If you have to spend your vacation learning about something with fellow Clarkson grads, it might as well be a subject like beer.

We will sail straight through beer country. From Alsatian taverns to German beer halls to brewery tastings hosted by a guest brewmaster, this itinerary layers beer culture into one of the most scenic river cruises in Europe.

Given what I know from my own experience and from listening to other Clarkson grads talk about Beer Blasts, I think this itinerary with the special focus on beer is the perfect fit for a Clarkson Alumni Cruise.

Below you’ll learn about all of the cruise stops and the key features for each region. Ready to sign up for the cruise, click any of the images here to go to the trip landing page or just contact me (Ryan Joy ’06) by email or phone.

What’s not to love about a small ship, great conversations, incredible scenery, and a fair amount of storytelling! We’ll have it all on this amazing itinerary.

Some Basic Details

The cruise takes us along the Enchanting Rhine from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Holland.

Dates: 11/13/27 – 11/20/27

Ship: The Brand New AmaFiora

Basel, Switzerland 🇨🇭

Basel, Switzerland 🇨🇭

Where the Journey Begins

Our cruise starts in Basel, Switzerland, right at the intersection of Switzerland, France, and Germany. Make a right turn, and you’re in France. Make a left turn, and you’re in Germany. It’s the perfect starting point for a Rhine journey because you immediately feel how interconnected this region of Europe really is.

Highlights

  • Walkable historic old town
  • Swiss architecture and Rhine River views
  • Gateway to France and Germany
  • Beautiful starting point for the cruise

Breisach & The Black Forest 🇩🇪

Breisach & The Black Forest 🇩🇪

Fairytale Germany

This stop is your gateway to the Black Forest and the Alsace region. The Alsace is sort of a melting pot between France and Germany where the border has always been a little fuzzy. As a result, the people of this specific region refer to themselves not as German or as French. They’re uniquely Alsatian.

Think dense forests, rolling vineyards, medieval villages, and storybook scenery that looks like it belongs inside a Christmas ornament.

You’ll also have opportunities for wine tastings, hiking, biking, and exploring preserved Alsatian towns like Colmar.

Highlights

  • Black Forest excursions
  • Visit the charming town of Colmar
  • Alsatian wine culture
  • Vineyard biking opportunities
  • One of the most scenic regions in Europe

Strasbourg, France 🇫🇷

Strasbourg, France 🇫🇷

French and German Culture Collide in the Gem of the Alsace.

Strasbourg is one of the most fascinating stops on the Rhine because it feels both French and German at the same time.

That’s because this region changed hands repeatedly over centuries, creating a culture that feels uniquely Alsatian instead of fully one or the other.

The result is incredible architecture, amazing food, cozy beer halls, and one of the prettiest old towns in Europe.

Highlights

  • Half-timbered houses and canals
  • The famous La Petite France district
  • Alsatian beer and food culture
  • Strasbourg Cathedral
  • French-German blend you can feel everywhere

Heidelberg, Germany 🇩🇪

Heidelberg, Germany 🇩🇪

Castle Views & University Town Energy

Heidelberg feels romantic in the best possible way.

Massive castle ruins overlook the city while students and locals fill cafés, taverns, and beer gardens below. It’s one of Germany’s most beloved cities for good reason.

Highlights

  • Heidelberg Castle
  • Historic university atmosphere
  • Charming old town streets
  • Traditional German beer gardens
  • Beautiful riverside scenery

Rhine Gorge

Rhine Gorge Scenic Cruising 🏰

The Rhine Everyone Dreams About

This is the moment.

The UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge is the stretch of river most people imagine when they think about river cruising in Europe.

Castles line the hillsides. Vineyards climb impossibly steep slopes. Tiny villages appear around every bend in the river.

This is the section where camera rolls fill up very quickly.

Highlights

  • UNESCO World Heritage scenery
  • Castle-dotted hillsides
  • Storybook villages
  • Some of the most scenic cruising in Europe
  • Perfect Sun Deck day

Rüdesheim, Germany 🇩🇪

Rüdesheim, Germany 🇩🇪

Classic Rhine Charm

Rüdesheim is lively, fun, and exactly what many people hope Germany feels like.

Music spills out of taverns. Locals gather in wine bars and beer halls. Narrow alleyways fill with energy at night.

Interestingly, Rudesheim is also known for Riesling wine and coffee.

Highlights

  • Take a Gondola Tour over the vineyards
  • Traditional German taverns
  • Drosselgasse entertainment district
  • Local beer and wine culture
  • Charming half-timbered buildings
  • Fantastic atmosphere at night

Cologne, Germany 🇩🇪

Cologne, Germany 🇩🇪

Big Cathedral. Serious Beer Culture.

Cologne is home to one of Europe’s most famous cathedrals and one of Germany’s most beloved beer traditions: Kölsch.

Here’s a fun fact regarding the cathedral. During WWII, Cologne was very much a targeted area, but the Allied pilots specifically avoided hitting the cathedral because the spires served as navigational aides.

The city has an incredible energy to it. Historic, but vibrant. Grand, but approachable.

And yes… this is absolutely beer country.

Highlights

  • Cologne Cathedral
  • Traditional Kölsch beer halls
  • Walkable historic center
  • Rhine River promenades
  • One of Germany’s most iconic cities

Düsseldorf, Germany 🇩🇪

Düsseldorf, Germany 🇩🇪

Altbier Territory

The rivalry between Cologne and Düsseldorf beer culture is legendary.

Cologne is proud of Kölsch. Düsseldorf is fiercely loyal to Altbier.

And honestly, experiencing those regional differences is part of what makes this itinerary so much fun.

Highlights

  • Authentic Altbier taverns
  • Historic old town
  • Rhine waterfront promenades
  • Deep-rooted local beer traditions
  • Great food and nightlife atmosphere

Amsterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱

Amsterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱

A Bucket List Ending

Our journey finishes in one of Europe’s great cities.

Amsterdam is canals, bicycles, historic architecture, cozy cafés, and incredible energy packed into an unbelievably walkable city.

It’s also the perfect ending to a Rhine River Cruise because by the time you arrive, you’ll truly understand how connected these river cultures are.

Highlights

  • Scenic canals
  • Historic canal houses
  • Great snacks!
  • Dutch beer culture
  • Incredible museums and cafés
  • Perfect city for extra post-cruise nights

Why I Chose AmaWaterways

People often ask how I decide which cruise lines I work with for my group trips.

The answer is simple: My reputation is on the line.

I choose partners that I trust to take care of my clients, and AmaWaterways is one of my absolute favorites.

Their ships are beautiful, and the service is top notch. River cruising is intimate by nature, and Ama does an incredible job creating an atmosphere that feels warm, welcoming, and personal instead of corporate or crowded.

By the end of the week, you won’t just know the Clarkson group. You’ll probably know half the people on the AmaFiora (they’ll certainly know us).

I hope to CU on the Rhine River for this super special first ever Clarkson River Cruise.

Ready to sign up for the cruise, click any of the images here to go to the trip landing page or just contact me (Ryan Joy ’06) by email or phone.

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