Architecture, history and natural beauty are ever-present on this wonderful journey down the Rhine, beginning in the Dutch capital and sweeping up Cologne, Koblenz and the Black Forest on its route. 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 aboard Emerald 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
- Book by Jun 30: Second Guest Sails FREE (pays taxes only)
| 2023 | Guest 1 | Guest 2 (pays taxes only) |
| July 9, 17, 24, 31 | from $4199 | FREE |
| August 7, 12, 19, 26 | from $4199 | FREE |
| September 11, 16, 18, 25 | from $4499 | FREE |
| October 2, 8, 9, 15, 22, 29 | from $4499 | FREE |
| Taxes & Fees | $380 | $380 |
| Solo Travelers – No Single Supplement Fee | ||
New Bookings Only – Full payment is due upon booking
Promotion is subject to change without notice.
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
- Canal cruise in Amsterdam
- Guided tour of Cologne’s Old Town
- Walking tour of Koblenz & a visit to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
- Guided tour of Heidelberg
- Guided tour of Strasbourg
- Emerald Plus: Visit to a local farm estate with cooking demo
- Emerald Plus: Guided tour of Freiburg with market tasting
- Emerald Active: Guided bike tour to Waterland
- Emerald Active: Guided hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
- Emerald Active: Guided bike tour in Breisach
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 to Waterland
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
DiscoverMORE
Alsace wine route with tasting (extra expense)
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 farm estate with cooking demo
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.
