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Visit castle ruins in the German countryside

The Majestic Rhine

Frankfurt - Basel - Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Emerald Sun
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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.
View castle ruins near RudesheimExplore beautiful RudesheimRiver through Koblenz GermanyHistoric old town StrasbourgVisit castle ruins in the German countryside
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
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: Frankfurt | Mainz | Embark

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.

Day 2: Rüdesheim

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.

Day 3: Koblenz

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.

Day 4: Mannheim | Heidelberg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.

Day 5: Rastatt | Baden-Baden

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.

Day 6: Kehl | Strasbourg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.

Day 7: Breisach | Colmar

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.

Ship/Hotel

Emerald Sun

Pool
Restaurant
Sundeck

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
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
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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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
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