Explore modern and quintessential Holland on a glass-top canal boat cruise through Amsterdam, before sailing through the countryside and witnessing traditional windmills. Enjoy a guided walking tour of magnificent Cologne and the juxtaposition of ancient Koblenz, continuing upstream to Heidelberg. Soak up Strasbourg’s beautiful architecture and visit Freiburg a Black Forest destination.
Inclusions
- 7 nights river cruise from Zurich to Amsterdam (or in reverse) aboard Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
- 20 superb meals including 7 Breakfasts (B), 6 Lunches (L), 7 Dinners (D)
- Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- The services of an Emerald Cruises Cruise Director
- Excursions and guided tours
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- Complimentary Bicycles on board (when available)
- All tipping and gratuities
- Airport transfers to and from the ship
- Port taxes and charges
- Exclusive Offer – Book by Dec 21: Second Guest Sails FREE! (pays taxes only)
March 22 – August 9, 2025* | Guest 1 | Guest 2 (pays taxes only) |
Riverview | from $4549 | FREE |
Balcony | from $5589 | FREE |
Taxes & Fees | $476 | $476 |
No Single Supplement |
*Sailing dates included in the promo: March 22, 29, May 13, 24, 27, 31, June 7, 21, 28, July 12, 19, 26, August 2, 4 or 9 (subject to change without notice)
Final payment is due at booking
Looking for other 2 for 1 River Cruises, click here
New bookings only. Space and price are limited and subject to availability when booking. The prices listed are per person based on double occupancy. It is for lead-in categories, but upgrades are available. Promotional offers may be withdrawn at any time. Depending on the promotion, the deposit may be non-refundable Ready to set sail? Call us now to inquire for more information or other sailing dates. We're here to help you plan your dream cruise. |
Dining Highlights
- 20 superb meals including 7 Breakfasts (B), 6 Lunches (L), 7 Dinners (D)
- Including a Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner
- Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board
Included Excursions
- Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting
- Guided tour of Cologne’s Old Town
- Active hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
- Guided bike tour in Breisach
- Canal cruise in Amsterdam
- Guided bike tour to Waterland
- Private Evening Concert on the Rhine
- Walking tour of Koblenz
- Guided tour of Heidelberg
- Guided tour of Strasbourg
March 22 – April 19, 2025: Zurich to Amsterdam (or in reverse)
Day 1 Zurich – Basel (D)
Welcome to Switzerland. You’ll be greeted at the airport by an Emerald Cruises representative and transferred to your Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to greet you. This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board.
Please book your flight to arrive into Zurich prior to 01:00 PM.
Day 2 Breisach (B,L,D)
Today, you will experience the tale of two cities divided by the Rhine, Breisach (Germany), and Neuf-Brisach (France). During your guided visit to these two gems of the Rhine River, you’ll pass by the main sights and attractions, one of which is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed fortress overlooking Neuf-Brisach.
EmeraldPLUS
A tale of two cities divided by the Rhine
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour in Breisach
Day 3 Kehl – Strasbourg (B,L,D)
Today, you’ll dock in Kehl, to be transferred by coach to the medieval city of Strasbourg. A local guide will teach you about the city’s history during an insightful guided tour, passing through cobbled squares adorned with quaint boutiques and charming cafés. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, including Petite France. An area of unmatched beauty, the picturesque canal system cascades past half-timbered houses once home to fishermen, tanners and millers during the Middle Ages. The narrow lanes and footbridges that pepper the area all add to its undeniable charm. This afternoon, Strasbourg is yours to explore at leisure.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Strasbourg
Day 4 Ludwigshafen – Schwetzingen (B,L,D)
Schwetzingen Palace is famous for the beauty and harmony of its gardens. Remarkably, the original design survives to this day. Besides the palace interior, you will also visit the Palace Gardens, a cultural heritage site of European significance boasting more than 100 sculptures. Alternatively, you can embark on a hike through the beautiful vineyards of the quaint wellness town of Bad-Dürkheim.
EmeraldPLUS
Visit to Schwetzingen Palace & Gardens
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike through a vineyard in Bad-Dürkheim
Day 5 Koblenz (B,L,D)
Today, we’ll take you into the heart of Koblenz, an ancient city pulled from the pages of a German fairy tale. Enjoy the picturesque backdrop of vineyards and snow-topped mountain ranges as your local guide takes you through open cobbled squares and down narrow streets, passing façades adorned with boxes of spring-blooming flowers. You’ll also have the chance to see the point at which two of Europe’s great rivers meet at the German Corner.
Included Excursion
Walking tour of Koblenz
DiscoverMORE
A Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Day 6 Cologne (B,L,D)
The largest city on the Rhine awaits your arrival. Once a major trade route linking both sides of Europe, today, the city offers the perfect platform to explore Roman history, including the ornate Roman mosaics that have stood the test of time.
Your insightful guided tour of Cologne will detail how the air raids of WWII turned its streets into a blank canvas, resulting in the loss of ancient monuments and cultural treasures. Many of the city’s historic buildings have undergone restoration and now sit alongside modern architecture. Your tour will conclude at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral, constructed over six centuries, using medieval techniques to retain its authenticity. You’ll also explore the Botanical Gardens, established in the 19th century and visited by more than a million people yearly.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Cologne’s Old Town & a visit to the Botanical Gardens
Day 7 Amsterdam (B,L,D)
A visit to the iconic Keukenhof Gardens is sure to leave an impression. More than 800 varieties of spring-flowering tulips and regular flower shows showcase spring in a quintessentially Dutch fashion. Each year, the gardens adopt a theme, and you’ll have every opportunity to learn about different planting techniques and the work completed behind the scenes by the landscape architects.
Soak in the sights of expertly arranged tulips, hyacinths, and orchids of every colour, creating a swathe of natural beauty. You’ll also have the chance to see statues commissioned by world-renown artists.
Included Excursion
Visit to Keukenhof Gardens
DiscoverMORE
Private hidden Gems tour of Amsterdam (extra expense)
Day 8 Amsterdam (B)
After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests as you disembark for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of spring-blooming flowers and delightful cobblestone squares with you.
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.
May 13 – August 9: Zurich to Amsterdam (or in reverse)
Day 1 Zurich – Basel (D)
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your luxurious Emerald Cruises Star-Ship in Basel, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to welcome you.
This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board.
Please book your flight to arrive into Zurich prior to 01:00 PM.
Day 2 Breisach (B,L,D)
Today as part of your incredible EmeraldPLUS programme, 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 centre near the main cathedral. If you are feeling more active, why not join a guided bike tour in Breisach.
EmeraldPLUS
Guided tour of Freiburg with market tasting
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour in Breisach
Day 3 Kehl – Strasbourg (B,L,D)
This morning, your Star-Ship will be docking in Kehl and you will be transferred across the river to the medieval town of Strasbourg, the capital of France’s Alsace Region. Cobbled squares surrounded by half-timbered houses make Strasbourg appear as if it has been effortlessly suspended in time, and you will get the opportunity to explore the past during your included walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town. Witness the ornate beauty of many of Strasbourg’s highlights, including the Maison Kammerzell and the canal network that weaves through Petite France, before enjoying free time to explore at leisure.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Strasbourg
Day 4 Ludwigshafen – Heidelberg (B,L,D)
Relax on board this morning as you sail towards Ludwigshafen, following the meandering Rhine River and passing the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar. Travel by coach to Heidelberg, where you will have the opportunity to learn about how it became a UNESCO City of Literature, having inspired the likes of Mark Twain and William Turner with its historical setting.
Your guided tour of the town will allow you to find your own inspiration among its delightful landmarks, including Heidelberg Castle, one of the most impressive Renaissance ruins in Europe. Alternatively, hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Heidelberg
EmeraldACTIVE
Hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
Day 5 Koblenz (B,L,D)
Cruise to the 2000-year-old town of Koblenz today and discover its fairytale-like surrounds nestled on the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Your local guide will take you on a tour through the town, touching on the twin-towered façade of the Church of Our Lady and the German Corner, where the two inspirational waterways meet. Journey by cable car to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, offering exceptional views of the surrounding area from its hilltop position.
Included Excursion
Walking tour of Koblenz & a visit to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
DiscoverMORE
Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Day 6 Cologne (B,L,D)
Effortlessly steeped in history and tales of the past, Cologne is one of the oldest cities in Germany, encapsulating a timeline that spans more than two millennia. Your included city tour will take you to the heart of its Old Town. 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 programme, enjoy a fantastic cooking demo and have a glimpse behind the scenes of this fantastic place.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Cologne’s Old Town
EmeraldPLUS
Visit to a local farmers’ market estate with tasting
Day 7 Amsterdam (B,L,D)
This morning, you can choose to embark on a guided bike tour to Waterland, learning about how the water is reclaiming Holland as you pass through quintessential Dutch surrounds and witness traditional villages and windmills. Alternatively, take to Amsterdam’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal network during a glass top canal cruise, passing Roman patrician houses and ornate merchant houses that tell tales of the prosperous Dutch Golden Age.
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour to Waterland
Included Excursion
Canal cruise
Day 8 Amsterdam (B)
After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of the Black Forest and charming Strasbourg with you.
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.
Flexible Booking Plan
River Cruising | Yacht Cruising |
$125 | $200 |
- Should you choose to defer or cancel your booking, the total monies paid to us (less third-party fees) will be applied as a Future Travel Credit which is valid for 24 months for you to use on an alternate tour/cruise.
- If you do not re-book within 24 months, your FTC it will be forfeited.
- Non-refundable. Non commissionable.
- Excludes Russia cruising.
- Not available to guests using COVID Future Travel Credits
Platinum Protection Plan
The Platinum Protection Plan (“PPP”) is available for new river and ocean cruising bookings for travel after 1 January 2022 for Scenic and Emerald Cruises (“Eligible Booking”). By adding this plan, you are covered if you unable to travel due to health reasons, or your travel plans are impacted by COVID-19, up to 31 days prior to departure with a 100% refund (less airline cancellation fees and PPP cost), or a 70% refund between 15 and 30 days prior to departure (less PPP cost). The PPP must be purchased together with the Eligible Booking at time such booking is made and may not be added at a later date. The PPP is provided at a cost of $395 per person per river cruise, $495 per person per cruise on Emerald Cruises yacht cruising and $595 per person per cruise on Scenic Eclipse voyages (“PPP Fee”).
Visa Requirements
Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders may require an ETIAS visa waiver from late 2023 when traveling to the E.U.
United Kingdom passport holders do not require visas (excluding tours that feature Russia and Turkey, where guests are required to obtain a Visa).
Visa regulations are subject to change at short notice, Scenic recommends that you contact the relevant Consulates for the latest information regarding visa requirements.
Clients must make their own enquiries regarding safety warnings and government warnings in relation to the destinations they are travelling to. These change quite regularly and can be found through your local government travel advisory.
Scenic can accept no responsibility for the actions of terrorism, etc. in certain locations.
Please refer to our terms and conditions for further advice.