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Discover charming Heidelberg

Jewels of the Rhine

Amsterdam-Basel - Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Emerald Sky
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Join an enchanting cruise along the beautiful and storied Rhine river. Begin your journey in Amsterdam, and stop at UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral. Explore the town of Koblenz and visit the twin-towered façade of the Church of Our Lady and the German Corner.  A wine tasting is offered in Heidelberg and you can also choose to hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg. Explore beautiful Strasbourg, with its distinctive half-timbered houses and winding canals. Visit a Black Forest village and experience the traditional culture of the region's people. Cruise to Breisach, which is known for its cuckoo clocks and the live oompah bands. Before disembarking in Switzerland, you can explore Basel's cultural hub before boarding your ship.
Explore quaint towns along the RhineRomantic evening light over BaselExplore CologneStroll through charming StrasbourgKoblenz at nightRiver through Koblenz GermanyDiscover charming Heidelberg
Highlights
  • Discover the fairytale-like region surrounding Koblenz
  • Visit a Black Forest village and learn how people lived for centuries
  • Discover the ornate beauty of Strasbourg architectures and structures
  • Tour Heidelberg Castle, one of the most impressive Renaissance ruins
Activities
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Amsterdam| Embark

Upon arrival in Amsterdam, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your innovative Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting for your arrival.

Day 2: Amsterdam

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Every narrow street and gabled façade in Amsterdam tells tales of the Dutch Golden Age, a prosperous time when Dutch art was among the most acclaimed in the world.
Today, relax during a glass top canal boat tour through Amsterdam’s elaborate UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system, sailing through the medieval centre of the city and past Roman patrician houses. Alternatively, embark on a guided bike tour to Waterland, passing quintessential villages, traditional windmills and flower fields.
Enjoy sailing through the countryside and on towards the Rhine River this afternoon, perhaps enjoying a drink on the Sun Deck and watching the passing scenery before joining your captain for a gala dinner.

Day 3: Cologne

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Cologne is one of the oldest cities in Germany. Step back in time today, as a guided walking tour takes you through the ancient heart of the city, passing iconic landmarks such as Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. After your tour, you will be taken to a one-of-a-kind farm estate just outside of Cologne, which provides the locals with sustainable products. As part of your EmeraldPLUS program, enjoy a fantastic cooking demo and have a glimpse behind the scenes of this incredible place. 

Day 4: Koblenz

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Immerse yourself in fairytale-like surroundings today as we cruise to Koblenz, a town with a postcard-worthy backdrop of vineyards and mountain ranges. Your included walking tour of the town will unveil the twin-towered façade of the Church of Our Lady, the point at which two of Europe’s great rivers meet at the German Corner and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, one of the largest preserved fortresses in Europe.
Enjoy sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge this afternoon, where romantic castles sit atop tree-covered canyons and half-timbered medieval villages appear as though they have been suspended in time.

Day 5: Ludwigshafen | Heidelberg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning you will discover Heidelberg. The idyllic UNESCO City of Literature has inspired the likes of Mark Twain and famed British artist William Turner.
A guided tour of the town will unveil its rich history, starting at the Renaissance ruins of Heidelberg Castle, where the carefully curated gardens host serene water features, sculptures, and colorful flowerbeds.

Day 6: Kehl | Strasbourg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning, you'll dock in Kehl and be transferred by coach to the picturesque town of Strasbourg, where a medieval past is yours to discover among cobbled squares surrounded by half-timbered houses.
Your included walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town will touch on many of Strasbourg’s highlights, including the astrological signs that adorn the façade of the Maison Kammerzell and the idyllic historic scenery around Petite France. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Strasbourg at leisure.

Day 7: Breisach | Freiburg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today as part of your incredible EmeraldPLUS program, you will visit the city of Freiburg. Considered the 'capital of the Black Forest', Freiburg has lovely sights that will leave you amazed. As part of your visit, you will also have the opportunity to sample true Black Forest delicacies from the lively market in the city center near the main cathedral. If you are feeling more active, why not join a guided bike tour in Breisach?  

Day 8: Basel | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast, it's time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembarks the ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of traditional cuckoo clocks and the Black Forest with you. 
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.

Ship/Hotel

Emerald Sky

Outdoor Terrace
Horizon bar
Sundeck

Dates & Prices

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Deals

Explore More Sale!
Set sail with Emerald Cruises during the exclusive Explore More Sale on select 2024 and 2025 sailings! Enjoy unparalleled river cruise experiences with 2-for-1 Fares in Europe and Southeast Asia and spectacular bonus savings of up to $3,750 per suite on some of their most popular river cruises. Additional restrictions may apply. Contact a Trip Planner for more details.
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Group Savings
Book a new group and enjoy Mega Group Savings of $350 per person when you book your 2025 Emerald River cruise. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
Applicable on all 2025 departures

Per person starting at
$7,390

Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
Emerald Single Stateroom
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Single Stateroom (ES)
Single Occupancy Only. 117 sq ft. 2 single cabins located on the Riviera Deck with a deluxe single bed, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV and infotainment system
Emerald Stateroom
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Stateroom (E)
162 sq ft. 9 cabins located on the Riviera Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV and infotainment system
Emerald Stateroom
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Stateroom (D)
162 sq ft. 8 cabins located on the Riviera Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV and infotainment system
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite
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Panorama Balcony Suite (C)
180 sq ft. 19 cabins located on the Vista Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, indoor balcony with open-air system, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV and infotainment system
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite
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Panorama Balcony Suite (B)
180 sq ft. 18 cabins located on the Vista Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, indoor balcony with open-air system, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV and infotainment system
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite
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Panorama Balcony Suite (A)
180 sq ft. 23 cabins located on the Horizon Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, indoor balcony with open-air system, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV and infotainment system
Grand Balcony Suite
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Grand Balcony Suite (S)
210 sq ft. 8 cabins located on the Horizon Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, outdoor private balcony with the open-air system, in-suite mini-bar available at own expense, a complimentary Nespresso machine and bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries, hairdryer, on-board complimentary bathrobes, and slippers
Owners One-Bedroom Suite
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Owner's Suite (SA)
315 sq ft. 4 cabins located on the Horizon Deck with a Queen-size or twin beds, an outdoor private balcony with the open-air system, a separate bathroom and lounge area, a walk-in wardrobe, an in-suite mini-bar, restocked daily with wine, beer, and soft drinks

Notes

Single accommodations are available on some tours for an additional single supplement rate. Contact us for details of pricing and availability.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Choice between Emerald Plus and Emerald Active Excursions
  • Wifi
  • Complimentary Wine, Beer and Soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board
  • The services of an Emerald Cruises Tour Manager
  • Airport transfers to and from the ship
  • Port taxes and charges
  • All tipping and gratuities
  • Including a Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner
  • Guided tour of Strasbourg, Heidelberg and Cologne's Old Town
  • Walking tour of Koblenz & a visit to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
  • Canal cruise in Amsterdam
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Travelers are urged to arrange comprehensive travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances that may occur during the tour

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
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