Zurich or Lucerne ?

Agree that Lucerne would be a better choice to see some of Switzerland than Zurich. Unless you're totally loaded down with luggage the two train trips should't be a problem. If you can handle the luggage yourself you'll be ok - there are no porters to lift your luggage for you. The train rides are short and there are no train changes to deal with.

Yes its true. With a train station right at Zurich airport, there's no need to stay on Zurich.

How much luggage are you bringing? You have to carry and handle all that you have yourself, while getting on and off without hurting or delaying anyone else. Imagine getting on and off city buses wherever you live. Thats what it will be like.

without hurting anyone else - yes. without delaying anyone else - not quite true. People will give you time to get off the train with your luggage. People travel with luggage on the train all the time and the more luggage the slower the entrance/exit of travelers to/from the train (we all know and understand that). Of course you can't take 15 minutes to unload your luggage and block the doors.

Luzern is certainly more scenic. As of luggage it depends how heavy it is and how many pieces. You can best assess how easy you can handle it.

Month of the year is very important. Do you care about the art in Zurich, or about the chance to go up a mountain across the lake from Lucerne? Basel also has some important art, and is near the Vitra
Design Museum campus in Weil am Rhein.

It is not true that Zurich is too vanilla. Others will tell you that Lucerne is a poor excuse for the cow-milking homestay experience they had in, say, Murren! It all depends on what you want. And on the mountaintop WEATHER.

Think about driving a car. Very easy access to airport car rental garage in Zurich. Drive from Zurich to Lucerne and from Lucerne to Basel is pure pleasure and you don't need to load unload completely. Find hotel in Lucerne with parking option. I drove 750 miles in Switzerland two weeks ago and really enjoyed it. To make it easier rent a car navigation.

Thanks - That is a great suggestion! Lots of good ones by everyone! Very helpful and appreciated

Kevin, driving IS NOT the best way to do this trip. If you have a car you will not be able to stay at an hotel in the centre of Luzern, and definately not in Mürren (no cars can get up the mountain). Plus, you need to drop your car i Basel and then find your way to the boat.

There is nothing wrong with Zürich, it is a nice pretty city on a lake with old buildings and museums. The problem is the competition, it is only an hour away from TOTALLY STUPENDOUS MOUNTAINS. It would be a shame to spend time time in Zürich when the mountains are so near.
This all hinges on how many nights you have for this detour.
Plan A) Zürich airport - stay in Luzern - Basel. Each leg is about 1 hour, easy on the train. Excursions are boat trips on he lake, or trips up mountains (Titlis, Pliatus, Rigi).
Plan B) Zürich airport - stay in Berner Oberland (Mürren/Wengen/Grindelwald etc.). Each leg is about 3 hours by train. This, unlike Luzern, is actually up close and personal in the mountains.

Luggage will not be a problem if you have cases you can carry up and down stairs. If you cannot carry them up stairs, you will have problems in hotels and other places as well.
And also, if you have time, lay asside ½ day to look round Basel. I know some of the cruise companies offer a guided tour of Basel, because I keep running into groups in the city centre.

Switzerland is public transportation heaven. Trains, buses, boats, gondolas, funiculars - they're all integrated into one fabulous transportation system that is clean, efficient and punctual. If you've ever wanted to try a vacation with the headache of a rental car let Switzerland be the place.

I have to laugh when people recommend rental cars in Europe (and especially in Switzerland). Yes, there are some reasons to have a rental car...but Zurich to Lucerne is NOT a valid reason. The two cities are 50 minutes apart via the train which takes you from city center Zurich (including airport) to city center Lucerne. Grab some great snacks and a bottle of wine to munch on while the train whisks you to your destination - it doesn't get any better than that.

Definitely pick Lucerne over Zürich. There are direct trains from Zürich Airport to Lucerne ever hour in addition to another set of hourly connections with a transfer in Zürich Main Station offset by 30 minutes. So even if you were to take the connection with a transfer and would somehow not make it, you'd only have to wait half an hour for the other train to arrive. Lucerne-Basel also has direct connections.

Another option would be to spend time in Basel (unless your cruise includes some time there anyway). My memories of the city are limited but it's supposedly a pretty interersting place too. I recall there being quite a lot of art museeums.