Tulips & the Rhine

Welcome to the Netherlands and world-famous Dutch city of Amsterdam. Here, you’ll be met at the airport and then transferred to your contemporary Star-Ship where a warm welcome awaits on board from your friendly captain and crew.  Then set sail for a quintessentially Dutch adventure.

This morning, you’ll visit the iconic Keukenhof Gardens, boasting 32 hectares of spring-flowering bulbs – the largest collection in the world. This beautiful area is infused with delightful aromas and a swathe of vibrant colours. Soak in the sights of tulips, hyacinths, and orchids of every colour, creating an expertly arranged pattern of beauty, extending out to traditional Dutch windmills. You can also admire the variety of statues commissioned by world-renowned artists, each adopting an annual theme.

Enjoy sailing through the picturesque countryside and onwards to the Rhine River. This afternoon, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about traditional Dutch clog painting on board your Star-Ship.

Included Excursion
Visit to Keukenhof Gardens

EmeraldPLUS
Clog painting on board

This morning, explore the vibrant city of Düsseldorf. Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the Japanese Garden, a ‘Garden of Reflection’ and tranquil oasis amidst the bustling urban landscape. After lunch, you’ll continue sailing along the scenic Rhine River, which will bring you to Cologne, one of Germany’s oldest cities. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to join an active walk in town, stopping off at the beautiful Cologne Gardens.

Included Excursion
Walking tour of Düsseldorf with a Japanese Garden visit

EmeraldACTIVE
Active walk to Cologne Gardens

DiscoverMORE
Cologne beer experience (extra expense)

Cologne is a city in western Germany located across the Rhine river. It is the oldest in Germany, dating back 2000 years and is considered the region’s cultural hub. The city is known for its iconic landmark of the twin-spired Cologne Cathedral set against the reconstructed Old Town buildings. When in Old Town, visit the historic Old Town Hall and the Roman Church Great St Martin, or take time out and sit at one of the traditional breweries and enjoy the scenery around you. Historical sites such as the Roman Dionysus mosaic and the medieval Overstolzenhaus are worth a visit too. Another iconic sight in Cologne is at Hohenzollern Bridge. Here, local and tourist couples affix padlocks to the railings of the bridge and swear their loyalty to each other, they then throw the key into the Rhein to ensure everlasting love. Cologne is home to over 30 stages providing cabaret, free ensembles, theatre and dance and also celebrates its openly gay culture.

Once a Roman stronghold revered for its strategic position, Koblenz nowadays is a city that offers a unique blend of historic and contemporary architecture. Today, join your local guide for an insightful walking tour of Koblenz, passing examples of architecture that survived the war years, including the Church of Our Lady. You’ll also have the chance to see the point at which two of Europe’s greatest rivers converge at the German Corner and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, one of Europe’s largest preserved fortresses. Later, you’ll cruise through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge, exemplifying the extraordinary beauty of an area that left philosophers and artists of the German Romanticism movement entranced.

Included Excursion
Orientation walk in Koblenz

DiscoverMORE
A Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)

Schwetzingen Palace is famous foremost for the beauty and harmony of its gardens. Remarkably, the original design in all its diversity survives to this day. Besides the palace interior, you’ll  also take a stroll through the Palace Gardens, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site of European significance with more than 100 sculptures scattered throughout this picture-perfect landscape. Alternatively, you can embark on an active journey to the quaint wellness town of Bad-Dürkheim and a hike through verdant vineyards.

EmeraldPLUS
Visit to Schwetzingen Palace & Gardens

EmeraldACTIVE
Guided vineyard hike in Bad-Dürkheim

DiscoverMORE
Guided tour of Heidelberg (extra expense)

Today, you’ll arrive in Kehl, where you'll then be transferred to Strasbourg, a city that promises much in the way of stunning architecture. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Neustadt District is particularly iconic, perfectly encapsulating the Rhineland region. The Neustadt district is yours to discover during your included tour, as well as the Maison Kammerzell, a prime example of German Renaissance architecture. Paying homage to the region’s artistic past, Petite France is an exceptional historic quarter that looks as though it has been plucked straight from an artist’s easel.

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Strasbourg

EmeraldACTIVE
Active walk to Orangerie Park

DiscoverMORE
Baden Baden Spa Experience (extra expense)

Strasbourg is a picturesque city in northeastern France, notable for its unique blend of French and German influences. Thanks to well-preserved, awe-inspiring medieval architecture such as the stunning Strasbourg Cathedral and the historic La Petite France district, Strasbourg has earned its spot on the map as a famous, must-visit European destination.

Today, discover the enchanting city of Freiburg, nestled amidst the Black Forest. Explore the city’s historic centre, resplendent with its colourful half-timbered houses and vibrant market square. Wander through the picturesque Botanical Garden, showcasing a diverse array of flora. For a more active experience, choose an exhilarating bike tour around Breisach, a charming medieval town that reveals stunning views of the Rhine River. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty and cultural richness of this captivating region.

Included Excursion
Freiburg visit, including the Botanical Garden

EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour in Breisach

DiscoverMORE
Guided tour of Colmar (extra expense)

Welcome to Switzerland and Basel, a charming city that graces the banks of the Rhine River. This Swiss city is especially renowned for its high concentration of museums, exhibiting everything from contemporary art to scientific achievements.

This morning after breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your fellow guests and disembark your Star-Ship. You’ll then  transfer to the airport, leaving with treasured memories of vibrant tulip gardens, the magical Rhine Gorge and many other unique European delights.

Please book your flight to depart out of Basel after 10:00 AM.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.

Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change.

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Reflections Restaurant is the centre-point of our dining experience on-board the Emerald Sun and Emerald Dawn, where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in relaxing, contemporary surroundings. All the dishes served in Reflections Restaurant are chef-prepared and inspired by the local region, so you can look forward to some excellent cuisine during your time on-board, as well as some much-loved favourites from home.

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The Terrace is our indoor and outdoor casual dining area, where you can enjoy a selection of light breakfasts and lunches. Perfect for those sunny days on the river.

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The Sky Barbecue can be found on the Sun Deck.

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From our elegant Star-Ships to our inclusive EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE events, every aspect of an Emerald Cruises river cruise is designed to bring you closer to the heart of local life, discovering hidden gems and rare insights that go beyond ordinary travel encounters. And now, to help you immerse further in local history and culture, we’re proud to introduce DiscoverMORE – a collection of special events that invite you to delve deep into the wonders of Europe.

For those who want to experience more of the continent’s rich cultural tapestry, DiscoverMORE provides in-depth excursions which complement those provided by EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE. These optional events can either be booked before you go or while you’re on-board. Look out for details of the DiscoverMORE options available on each of our detailed river cruise itineraries.

Here we pick a few DiscoverMORE excursions available with Emerald Cruises. Please note, our DiscoverMORE optional tours are available at an additional cost.

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During your time with Emerald Cruises, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy our EmeraldACTIVE programme of excursions, encouraging you to stretch your legs, find your centre and keep active, whether you’re on board or onshore. This may consist of guided hikes to centuries-old castles, cycle rides from one spectacular town to the next, and a canoeing excursion, inviting you to get even closer to the river.

Introducing our on-board Activity Manager to all seven of our Star-Ships sailing the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, Rhône and Douro rivers in Europe. These dedicated members of the team perform a varied role, from coordinating on board fitness classes and active onshore excursions, to organising the evening’s entertainment.

With at least one EmeraldACTIVE* activity included in all our cruise itineraries, you can look forward to yoga and Pilates sessions, aqua aerobics in our heated pool and our ‘walk-a-mile’ classes on the Sun Deck. And, on selected evenings, we’ll have karaoke nights, cards tournaments and gameshow-style quizzes.

As we continue to receive excellent feedback for our current programme, we’ll continue introducing new and exciting activities and adventurous excursions, with the guidance of our experts, both on land and on the water. We also provide unguided experiences, if you’d prefer to explore independently, allowing you to savour a destination’s highlights on a route of your making.

To get you started, we’ve picked our favourite EmeraldACTIVE excursions on each of the European rivers we navigate.

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Immerse yourself further with EmeraldPLUS

EmeraldPLUS are our collection of extra-special excursions and events designed for you to see the destinations we visit in a different light, giving you memorable experiences that go beyond that of the ordinary traveller.

EmeraldPLUS is about seeking out rare insights, giving you the chance to uncover hidden gems you may not have discovered without the guidance of a local expert, as well as beloved tourist hotspots that cannot be missed. We believe it’s these special touches that make a holiday with Emerald Cruises truly unforgettable, offering moments of joy, wonder and discovery that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

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With a different port call almost every day of your cruise; Emerald Cruises have organised a series of inspiring days ashore – taking you to the very heart of the beautiful towns and cities we visit. Exploring authentic local cultures, Emerald Cruises excursions are led by experienced, knowledgeable guides – introducing you to a wealth of knowledge.

Featuring as many as 16 destinations across up to five different countries, an Emerald Cruises cruise provides the perfect platform to absorb a huge array of cultures and traditions in one fell swoop. Every Emerald Cruises cruise itinerary is carefully planned to ensure the ship visits only the most fascinating, rewarding port towns and cities – affording you the opportunity to derive maximum reward and pleasure.

Whether exploring a new town on foot or navigating the streets of an ancient city by coach, English-speaking guides will be on hand to bring your destination to life through educational and enlightening commentary. And to ensure you don’t miss a second of the tour, we will provide all of our guests with a personal headset.

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If you want to purchase a drinks package, enquire about a DiscoverMORE excursion or simply catch-up with our friendly crew, you’ll always receive a warm welcome in our on-board reception area.

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One of the greatest innovations on-board Emerald Luna, Sun or Dawn is our daytime pool and bar, which transforms into an evening cinema on selected nights during your river cruise.    

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Welcome to the Horizon Bar, the main lounge area on-board Emerald Luna, Sun or Dawn. Here, in contemporary surrounds, you can relax, unwind and make new friends while enjoying a tipple or two from our comprehensive bar menu. You’ll also be able to enjoy unlimited access to our complimentary coffee machine.

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The Sun Deck is your panoramic outdoor space on-board Emerald Sun and Emerald Dawn, a place to relax, unwind and take in inspiring views of the river. Complete with deck chairs, walking track and games area, you’ll find the Sun Deck at the very top of your Emerald Star-Ship.

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During downtime on-board Emerald Sun and Emerald Dawn, feel free to enjoy our games area and golf putting green. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the scenery while you challenge new-found friends.

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One of the greatest innovations on-board Emerald Luna, Sun or Dawn is our daytime pool and bar, which transforms into an evening cinema on selected nights during your river cruise.    

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Don’t let your holiday stand in the way of your fitness routine. Whatever time of day you like to work out, you can get your heart pumping in our purpose-built fitness area.

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Stretch your legs and take in the sights as you enjoy a stroll on our purpose-built walking track. Taking you around the outside of the Sun Deck, it’s a great addition for those who like to stay active on their travels.

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Enjoy a massage, nail treatment or facial in our custom-built wellness area, found on both the Emerald Sun, Emerald Dawn and Emerald Luna. Our on-board beauty therapist will be happy to help you choose a service to suit your needs, whenever you feel like it.

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In need of a quick trim during your travels? On-board the Emerald Sun, Emerald Luna and Emerald Dawn, you can treat yourself at any point during your cruise with our dedicated hairdressers – perfect if you’re looking to get spruced up for a special evening.

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An Emerald Stateroom is home to all the amenities you need to settle into your home-away-from-home. A great size picture window lets in the perfect amount of light, welcoming in the golden summer sunshine, or the winter sun during cooler months.

Comfort is of the highest importance, so each room features individual climate control, allowing you to personalise your room’s temperature to suit your preferences and the time of year you’re cruising.

We’ve designed our bathrooms as a relaxing retreat to retire to after an exciting day exploring. Enjoy a sumptuous shower complete with indulgent toiletries, as well as a hairdryer, all before settling into your queen or twin hotel-style bed, complete with luscious linens, as you enjoy a movie on your flat screen TV and infotainment system with, perhaps, a nightcap from your mini-bar.

If you wish to stay in contact with loved ones throughout your trip, you can do so using your in-suite telephone or our free Wi-Fi available throughout the ship. 

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We make solo travel easy and comfortable as all of our Star-Ships, except Emerald Radiance, boast two Emerald Single Staterooms. Home to a deluxe single bed, a bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, you’ll have all the comforts you need at your fingertips. Your picture window welcomes in a lovely amount of light and individual climate control ensures you can keep at a comfortable temperature regardless of which season you’re travelling in.

A flat screen TV and infotainment system shows films and television programmes, so you can spend mornings and evenings relaxing in comfort before an exciting day ahead. Catch up with loved ones, using the suite’s telephone or the free Wi-Fi, and enjoy a drink from your minibar.  

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Your Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite offers everything you could possibly need throughout your cruise, and more. You’ll be surrounded by elegant décor and opulent, comfortable furnishings, as you unwind in your home-away-from-home. Relax on your balcony as the stunning landscapes pass by, and transform it from an indoor to an outdoor space with ease, as the floor-to-ceiling window lowers to a halfway point at the touch of a button. Enjoy the river breeze from your comfortable chair, enjoying a good book or the unfolding vistas. Treat yourself to a drink from your suite’s minibar, or use it to keep your complimentary bottle of water chilled, or for any souvenirs that require it.

When it’s time to retire to bed, you can look forward to the exceptional comfort of your queen-size or twin hotel-style bed, complete with luxurious linens. Treat yourself to an indulgent shower with luxury toiletries, to really prepare yourself for an excellent night’s sleep.

Of course, keeping in touch with your loved ones is really easy. Every suite has its own telephone, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi being available throughout the Star-Ship.

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Some of the most sumptuous suites on European waterways, our Owners One-Bedroom Suite has it all. A separate lounge and bedroom area allows the luxury of space, from which to enjoy your complimentary continental breakfast in the morning, a drink from your fully stocked minibar or after-dinner sweet treats before bed.

Your queen-size or twin hotel-style bed will be draped in high quality linens, for the perfect night’s sleep, plus you’ll have the pleasure of selecting your preferred pillow from our extensive menu. Get comfortable for the night after a busy day exploring, and prepare for the next as you unwind with a film on your flat screen TV and infotainment system in true comfort.

A walk-in wardrobe makes unpacking even more of a dream. A great space to keep all your belongings and outfits for special occasions, such as your exclusive dinner at the Captain’s Table. You’ll even have the option to have four items laundered a day to ensure that favourite dress or suit is in the best possible condition for your event.

In the morning, enjoy the perfect wake-up call with a fresh coffee from your in-suite Nespresso™ machine. Sip it on the balcony, wrapped in the comfort of your Emerald Cruises bathrobe and slippers after a refreshing shower in your stylish in-suite bathroom, enhanced by luxurious toiletries.

You’ll have so much to tell your loved ones back home, so we’ve made keeping in contact really easy. Not only will you have an in-suite telephone, but complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the Star-Ship and an iPad means you can choose your favourite method of communication, whenever the moment suits.

Four suites available on-board Emerald Sky, Emerald Star, Emerald Destiny, Emerald Sun, Emerald Dawn and Emerald Luna sailing the Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle rivers. Two available on Emerald Liberté sailing through France and Emerald Radiance sailing in Portugal. 

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Staying in the Emerald Grand Balcony Suite makes waking up and going to sleep a dream. Open your balcony, with the simple press of a button, to let in the river breeze on a lazy morning, as the unrivalled comfort of your queen-size or twin hotel-style bed, dressed with luxurious linens, encourages you to lie in that little bit longer.

Wake up to the luxurious surrounds of your stylish bathroom, enjoying a revitalising shower, complete with sumptuous toiletries. Then, what could be better than having a continental breakfast brought to your door to enjoy on your own private balcony? Complimentary bathrobes and slippers make lounging comfortable, and your own in-suite Nespresso™ machine means you can sip a fresh coffee as you ponder your itinerary and what the day has to offer.

Select your preferred pillow from our extensive menu and enjoy an exceptionally comfortable night’s sleep, or simply relax as you watch a film on your suite’s flat screen TV and infotainment system, during some down time. Individual climate control enables your room to stay at the right temperature to suit you, whether you’re sailing in the warmer summer months, or the cooler winter.

And, stay in touch with family and friends using your in-suite telephone or make the most of complimentary Wi-Fi for contacting them by your preferred method.

Eight suites available on board Emerald Sky, Emerald Star, Emerald Destiny, Emerald Sun, Emerald Dawn and Emerald Luna sailing the Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle rivers. Four available on Emerald Liberté sailing through France.