Destinations

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Welcome to Amsterdam, a fascinating 700-year-old city of picturesque canals, world-class museums, theaters and cafés. You will be met and transferred from the airport to your luxurious Emerald Cruises Star Ship. Become acquainted with the amenities of your ship, or begin exploring the city. This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner onboard. 

• Included Meals: Dinner

Amsterdam

Experience the city on a cruise aboard a glass-topped boat. Traverse the UNESCO World Heritage network of canals, passing Roman patrician and ornate merchant houses from the Dutch Golden Age. Alternatively, join a guided bike tour to Waterland, passing through quintessential Dutch landscapes of quaint villages and windmills. Tonight, enjoy a welcome reception and gala dinner. 

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour to Waterland

Cologne, Germany

Cruise along the Rhine River to Cologne. The city is one of Germany’s oldest and famous for its magnificent gothic cathedral – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join your local guide for an included walking tour of the city, traversing quaint alleyways, seeing historic monuments, and touching on the historical charms of the Old Town. After the tour, journey to a one-of-a-kind farm estate that provides locals with sustainable products. Experience a cooking demonstration and get a glimpse of behind the scenes sustainable farming. 

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DiscoverMORE: Farina Eau de Cologne Museum (additional expense)

EmeraldPLUS: Local farm estate visit with cooking demonstration

Koblenz

Cruise to the 2000-year-old town of Koblenz, situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Enjoy a walking tour of Koblenz seeing the German Corner where the two rivers meet, the Church of Our Lady, and visit the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress by cable car on the opposite side of the river. This fortress was part of the Prussian defense against the French in the 19th century and later used as a headquarters for the American military during WWII. This afternoon, sail through the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge. Pass countless medieval castles and vineyards lining the shores of this section of the river, with photo opportunities around every bend. See the infamous Lorelei statue and Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, built on an island in the middle of the river as a medieval toll station. 

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DiscoverMORE: Moselle & Cochem (Reichsburg) Castle Visit (additional expense)

NOTE: You can choose either the included tour of Koblenz OR the DiscoverMORE option, as both tours operate at the same time

Ludwigshafen / Heidelberg

Continue sailing to the town of Ludwigshafen, docking site for Heidelberg. Travel by coach to Heidelberg for a guided visit of the castle ruins and a walk along the cobblestone lanes of the old town.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

EmeraldACTIVE: Hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg

DiscoverMORE: Evening concert at Bruchsal Palace (additional expense)

Kehl / Strasbourg, France

Once docked in Kehl, travel by coach across the river to Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region in France. Your guided walking tour includes the Grande Île – the historical city center and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its medieval black and white timber-framed buildings, old tanning houses, baroque sandstone buildings, canals and river locks, the city’s star attraction is the cathedral, dominating the main square. 

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DiscoverMORE: Tour of Riquewihr (additional expense)

Breisach / Freiburg, Germany

On today’s adventure, visit the city of Freiburg, considered the ‘capital of the Black Forest’. Aside from seeing the lovely sights, sample true Black Forest delicacies from the lively market in the city center near the main cathedral. Alternatively, join a guided bike tour in Breisach. 

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

EmeraldPLUS: Guided tour of Freiburg with market tasting

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour in Breisach

Basel, Switzerland – Zermatt

After breakfast, disembark the ship in Basel and begin your Swiss adventure. Depart by coach to the mountain resort village of Zermatt for a 2-night stay. 

• Included Meals: Breakfast

Zermatt

The charming village is situated at the base of the Matterhorn, which is described as one of the world’s most famous mountains. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the car-free zone of this picturesque village and discover its well-preserved original character. This afternoon is at leisure or join the DiscoverMORE cog rail journey to the summit of Gornergrat Mountain at approximately 10,000 feet.

• Included Meals: Breakfast

DiscoverMORE: Gornergrat Matterhorn (additional expense)

Zermatt – Chur – Zurich

The highlight of this program awaits as you venture out on a rail journey through the Swiss Alps aboard the Glacier Express. As you travel aboard the train from Zermatt to the town of Chur, sit back and relax as you traverse the magnificent scenery of the Alps. Disembark the train in Chur and travel by coach to Zurich for an overnight stay. 

• Included Meals: Breakfast

Zurich / USA

After breakfast, bid ‘auf wiedersehen’ to Europe and depart on the transfer to the Zurich airport, taking with you warm memories of your cruise along the Rhine River and journey on the Glacier Express. 

• Included Meals: Breakfast