Board the Emerald Sun for an exciting 8-day cruise. Upon arrival to the airport in Frankfurt, transfer and join the ship in Mainz. Enjoy the luxurious facilities and the accommodating crew while on board. Rudesheim city is famous for its cuckoo clocks and live oompah bands playing every summer. On the third day, tour around Koblenz and to the German Corner where the two rivers meet. Then, enjoy the views while sailing through the Rhine Gorge. Next destination is Heidelberg, where a hike from Mount Königstuhl will show off a panoramic view of town. Once the ship docks in Rastatt, transfer by a coach and join a walking tour at Baden-Baden. Enjoy a visit Strasbourg and experience a canal boat tour and walk down the cobblestone lanes in Colmar before disembarking.
Highlights
Walk down the lanes in Colmar and appreciate the half-timbered façades
Join a traditional canal tour in Strasbourg
Walk around the spa town of Baden-Baden
Enjoy panoramic views during a hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
Welcome to Frankfurt! Upon arrival at the airport, transfer to the luxurious Emerald Waterways Star-Ship in Mainz. This evening, join fellow guests for dinner on board.
Rüdesheim is a charming town that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Germany; where stalls adorned with cuckoo clocks captivate and live oompah bands playing in beer gardens during the summer months entertaining.
Today, ride the Winzerexpress to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum. Upon arrival, peruse exhibits full of rare music boxes inside of a 15th-century knight’s tower with vaulted ceilings and painted frescoes.
The ancient city of Koblenz is the gateway to the Rhine Gorge. Once a Roman stronghold, the area is now full of postcard-worthy parks and flowers. Discover this area during a guided tour of the city, including the German Corner, where the Moselle meets the Rhine. This confluence is best viewed during a cable car ride across the water to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Valley.
Later, sail through the Rhine Gorge and soak in breathtaking vistas along the way. This fascinating area has a storyline that has crossed the centuries, moving from people fighting and leaving ruins behind to the Romantics of the 19th century immortalizing its beauty.
German Romanticism often depicts idealistic cityscapes and fairytale-like scenes, full of Baroque buildings and charming narrow streets. It’s easy to see why so many of the most notable poets and composers of the era lost their imaginations to the beauty of Heidelberg.
Today, enjoy a guided tour of the historic university town starting on the grounds of Heidelberg Castle, once a royal residence. Visit some of the town’s main highlights, including the oldest university in Germany, before enjoying a wine tasting session.
Alternatively, hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg for awe-inspiring panoramas.
This morning, take a coach from our port town of Rastatt to whimsical Baden-Baden, a spa town that has been frequented by celebrities and royalty for centuries.
For those feeling more active, choose to embark on a guided hike to Altes Schloss, the Old Castle, a fascinating ruin full of hidden dungeons and winding staircases. Enjoy panoramic views of the Black Forest and the Rhine Valley as we follow the footsteps of former residents.
Alternatively, enjoy a guided walking tour of Baden-Baden, soaking in the nostalgic elegant boutiques and timeless gardens before entering The Baden-Baden Casino, a favorite of silent film star Marlene Dietrich.
This morning, dock in Kehl and transfer by coach to the medieval capital of France’s Alsace Region, Strasbourg. The best way to discover Strasbourg’s charm is from its quaint waterways, which is why today’s activity involves embarking on a traditional canal tour.
Pass through petite France, full of storybook canals, half-timbered houses, and narrow lanes. Witness the Covered Bridges and the Vauban Dam before reaching the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Neustadt imperial quarter, a place where many of Strasbourg’s administrative buildings are based. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore at leisure.
A magical morning begins with a tour to Colmar. While walking down the cobblestone lanes, it’s easy to imagine the characters from the Grimm’s Fairy Tales here, where half-timbered façades are adorned with window boxes full of colorful blooms. Alternatively, embark on a guided bike tour from Breisach to Colmar.
Day 8: Basel | Disembark
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the airport.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,595
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Tour inclusions:
7 nights onboard an Emerald Waterways Star-Ship
Airport transfers to and from the ship
The services of an Emerald Waterways Cruise Director
Port taxes and charges
All tipping and gratuities
INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Visit the Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum with Rüdesheimer coffee tasting
Tour of Koblenz and visit to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
Guided tour of Heidelberg with wine tasting
Guided walking tour of Baden-Baden
Guided tour of Colmar
EmeraldPLUS
Entrance to Baden-Baden Casino
Canal boat tour of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Strasbourg
Initial deposit is $700, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
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!