UC DAVIS CHANCELLOR’S WINE CRUISE
JULY 30 TO AUGUST 8, 2027
10 DAYS • AMSTERDAM TO BASEL • SS ELISABETH
Prices in Stateroom Guide have been extended to October 31, 2026. Book today.
Chancellor Gary S. May and LeShelle May invite you to unwind on the Rhine with them for a luxury river cruise with select friends. Join them on this exclusive 10-day journey from Amsterdam to Basel, visiting the Netherlands, France, Germany and Switzerland en route. With the Mays, you’ll explore the region’s ancient winemaking heritage, tour fairytale villages and visit hilltop castles. Every day will offer ample time to enjoy river views, fabulous food, and excellent company. Gary and LeShelle can’t wait to explore this legendary region and get away from it all–with you.
Wine Cruise Experience
- Welcome and farewell receptions
- Fireside chat with Chancellor May
- UC Davis alumni winemaker guided tastings
- Local wines with dinner each evening
- Vineyard and winery tours and tastings
- Activities designed exclusively for UC Davis
Prices good until October 31, 2026. Book Today
Review the Stateroom Guide for amenities, sizes and prices. For faster service, call during business hours and speak with a wine cruise reservation specialist.
Call (877) 651-7447
9am-6pm Mon-Fri
9am-5pm Saturday
or email [email protected]
Map and Route
Discover the romance and timeless beauty of the legendary Rhine River on a journey designed to inspire. Cruise along the Rhine—Germany on one side, France on the other.
Day
Port of Call
July 30, Sunday
Amsterdam
July 31, Monday
Amsterdam
August 1, Tuesday
Arnhem- embark
August 2, Wednesday
Zons / Cologne
August 3, Thursday
Koblenz / Boppard
August 4, Friday
Boppard / Rudesheim
August 5, Saturday
Germersheim
August 6, Sunday
Strasbourg
August 7, Monday
Breisach / Freiburg
August 8, Tuesday
Basel - disembark
Daily Itinerary
Your starting point includes two nights in Amsterdam, complete with immersive tours led by local guides.
Discover Alsace, whose dual French and German heritage has given it fabulous food and a winemaking tradition that goes back to the Romans. Marvel at castles that were once mighty fortresses, visit historic cities, including ancient Cologne and picturesque Strasbourg; stroll through the fairytale town of Rüdesheim; and taste delightful white wines in the villages where the grapes are grown.
View a complete list of activities at the bottom of this page. Additional activities will be added.
Alumni Wine Host
David Pearson graduated from UC Davis in 1984 with a degree in Enology and Fermentation Science and earned an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1994. He had served on the UC Davis Foundation Board, and hosted a previous Aggie Adventures trip to France in 2017.
David brings over two decades of leadership and expertise in luxury wine and is the current Maison President of Joseph Phelps Vineyards in Napa Valley. Prior to Joseph Phelps, David was the CEO of Opus One for 16 years, a world class joint venture between Robert Mondavi Winery of Napa Valley and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux.
Wine Events
Cruising in Comfort and Style
All the suites offer abundant space ultra-comfortable, water-facing beds dressed in Uniworld’s fine custom linens. The rest of the ship is equally stunning, featuring a relaxing pool, gym, and massage room. Guests can dine at their choice of three venues: a main dining room, a private venue for smaller groups, and even a sundeck bar.
Travel Operators
This trip is a collaboration between three organizations, starting with UC Davis’s Aggie Adventures Alumni Travel program, which has been bringing alumni together through global travel for over 40 years.
Aggie Adventures worked with alumni-owned Expedia Wine Club Cruises to develop the format and select the right cruise partner.
We choose Uniworld’s boutique river cruise for the Chancellor trip for their 50 year history of discovery with a fleet of world class boats, service, and itineraries.
Amenities
Each one of Uniworld’s 17 one-of-a-kind ships is a floating boutique hotel, designed to fully immerse you in your destination.
- Destination Inspired Ships
- The most all inclusive amenities
- Impeccable Service
- Fitness center and spa
- Exceptional Cuisine
Food and Drink
Uniworld is proud of its culinary excellence, where fine dining of global and local cuisines is part of every meal. Guests will enjoy an impressive array of food and beverages across the on-board restaurant, lounge, bar, and room service.
- Gourmet continental breakfast
- Guided wine tastings from special guest and UC Davis alum
- Vineyard and winery tours along the Rhine
- Sommelier and wine room on board
- Premium non-alcoholic beverages
What’s Included
Exclusive Experiences for UC Davis
- Welcome aboard reception
- UC Davis winemaker-led tastings
- Local wines with dinner each evening
- Fireside chat with Chancellor May
- Onboard and onshore activities unique to this cruise
- Farewell reception
Luxurious All-Inclusive Amenities
- Daily shore excursions
- Pre-paid gratuities
- Unlimited beverages (including premium spirits)
- Ship-wide wi-fi access
- 24-hour room service
- Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks
Rooms and Pricing
The SS Elisabeth offers several stateroom options depending on your travel preferences, starting at $7,639/person based on double occupancy.
Review the Stateroom Guide for more details on features, sizing and price.
Book today to ensure you get the room you want, and at the lowest price. Prices listed are good through October 31, 2026.
Book Your Trip
Due to the limited number of rooms on a riverboat, we recommend booking or making your reservation right away.
To book your stateroom, please call or email Expedia Wine Cruises directly and mention the UC Davis Chancellor Cruise 2027
(877) 651-7447
Expand for Daily Itinerary Options
Days 1 & 2 - Amsterdam
- 2 nights at the Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits at the Park (or similar)
- Breakfast daily
- All service charges, taxes, and porterage
- Amsterdam canals and the famous Rijksmuseum
- English-speaking expert
Day 3 - Arnhem (embark)
Arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. If you have arranged a Uniworld arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.
Day 4 - Zons, Cologne
History buffs will enjoy an expertly led tour through Cologne’s Old Town, where three medieval gates remain standing, as does the old city hall with its Renaissance façade. Wander through the city’s historical center and take in its charming atmosphere, narrow alleyways flanked by old houses, and countless breweries. No matter how you choose to explore Old Town, you’ll also have ample free time to explore on your own.
A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
Included excursions designed to enhance your journey
- Cologne Walking Tour
- Cologne Goes Green
- Gargoyles and Chocolate
Day 5 - Koblenz, Boppard
Get to know Koblenz, a historic town with a colorful past and eclectic architecture.
Included excursions designed to enhance your journey
- Boppard Village Stroll
- Nights Out: Rheinstein Castle Visit
Boppard Stroll with Ice Cream Stop
Select your choice of these carefully curated excursions, which operate at the same time.
- Koblenz Walking Tour
- Let’s Go: Bike Koblenz along the Rhine
- Koblenz Climbing Forest
Day 6 - Boppard, Rudësheim
Experience Germany’s fabled Rhine River in beautiful Rüdesheim. Enjoy a private tasting of estate-grown Rieslings at Castle Vollrads or explore Rüdesheim and the impressive Niederwald monument.
Select your choice of these carefully curated excursions, which operate at the same time.
- Castle Vollrads Wine Tasting
- Let’s Go: Vineyard Hike
- Cable Car Climb to Niederwald Heights
Day 7 - Germersheim
The Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany is known for its idyllic natural environment, rural charm, and expansive vineyards. Forge an authentic connection to this beloved area on one of two unique experiences, led by locals with unique passions. For your first option: meet an estate turning Palatinate winegrowing tradition on its head—where the vineyards don’t produce grapes for wine, but for specialty vinegar aperitifs. At the other, visit a mill-turned-collector's-museum, where you’ll find a fascinating collection of items from around the world and a gorgeous garden.
Select your choice of these carefully curated excursions, which operate at the same time.
- Secret Garden & Collections
- Private Doktorenhof Vinegar Estate Visit and Tasting
- Submarines & Space Shuttles
- Formula 1
Day 8 - Strasbourg
See Strasbourg on foot with an insightful local expert, where this historic town with its cobbled lanes, half-timbered homes, giant stork nests, and impossible-to-resist pastry shops will win your heart. Kehl, directly across the river from Strasbourg, will be your ship’s base while you explore the Alsatian capital. If you’re feeling adventurous, take advantage of Uniworld’s bicycles or Nordic walking sticks and explore the banks of the river.
You have the entire afternoon to see more of Strasbourg on your own
Included excursions designed to enhance your journey
- Strasbourg Panoramic Tour with Cathedral and Old Town Walk
- Canals, Cobblestones, and Cathedrals
Day 9 - Breisach (Freiburg)
Breisach is your gateway to the Alsatian wine road and your launching point for an excursion along the celebrated Route des Vins, which hugs the foothills of the Vosges mountain range.
A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
Included excursions designed to enhance your journey
- Alsatian Villages
- All About Alsace
Day 10 - Basel (Disembark)
Disembark the ship. If you have arranged a Uniworld departure transfer, you will be transferred to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg for your flight home (unless, of course, you’ve decided to extend your trip with the post-cruise extension to lovely Lake Lucerne).
Day 11 - Optional
Lake Lucerne Post Cruise Extension
Your Castles along the Rhine cruise will give you a brief and charming sample of Swiss culture with a stop in Basel—extend your time in Switzerland before or after your cruise with 2 nights in the pretty lake town of Lucerne to immerse yourself in the center of Swiss life.
- 2 nights at the Mandarin Oriental Palace, Lucerne (or similar)
- Breakfast daily
- All service charges, taxes, and porterage
- Lucerne City Walk with Boat Ride
- Mt. Stanserhorn
- English-speaking expert
Expand for Terms & Conditions
“Terms & Conditions: All rates are per person in USD, 7-night cruise PLUS 2 nights Amsterdam, inclusive of port charges, based on double occupancy. Offer is not combinable with any other promotions/ discounts, is limited to availability and subject to termination without notice. By placing a deposit, you agree to the special terms of the wine cruise. Your fare includes an exclusive wine program operated independently from the cruise line. Penalties up to 100% apply. We recommend travel insurance to protect your vacation. Other restrictions may apply. Expedia Wine Club Cruises reserves the right to revise any errors on the flyer; itinerary subject to change. For full terms and conditions contact Expedia Cruises – Wine Club Cruises. CST#2101270-40; Fla. Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST42527.
Cancellations and Insurance
Final Payment due date is March 1, 2027.
We recommend guests purchase third party travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect clients for cancellation for covered reasons (not "I decided not to go"), like medical, death in family, etc. Travel insurance also acts as primary medical while the guest is traveling. Travel insurance also includes medical evacuation if they have to be returned to their home for treatment.
Cancellation Penalties