The Majestic Rhine

Welcome to Frankfurt, where you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your contemporary Emerald Cruises Star-Ship in Mainz. This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board.

Please book your flight to arrive into Frankfurt prior to 02:00 PM.

Meals Included: Dinner

Rüdesheim is a charming town that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Germany. Here, in the home of cuckoo clocks, oompah bands, and Bavarian beer, the Rhineland's charm is found around every corner.

Today, ride the Winzerexpress to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum. Located in a 15th-century knight’s tower, the vaulted ceilings and painted frescoes are home to exhibits of rare music boxes.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The ancient city of Koblenz is the gateway to the Rhine Gorge. Once a Roman stronghold, today, the area is full of postcard-worthy parks and flowers. Explore the picturesque surroundings during a guided tour of the city, including the German Corner, where the Moselle meets the Rhine. Absorb the panoramic views of the confluence 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 the breathtaking vistas along the way.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

German Romanticism often depicts idealistic cityscapes and fairy tale-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 themselves to the beauty of Heidelberg.

Your guided tour of the historic university town will start in the grounds of Heidelberg Castle, once a royal residence. Visit some of the town’s main highlights or, alternatively, hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg for awe-inspiring panoramas.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, you'll be transferred from your Star-Ship docked in Rastatt to the charming spa town of Baden-Baden, frequented by celebrities and royalty for centuries. If you’re feeling active, you can embark on a guided hike to Altes Schloss, a fascinating castle ruin full of hidden dungeons and winding staircases. Enjoy panoramic views of the Black Forest and the Rhine Valley as you trace the footsteps of former residents. Alternatively, enjoy a guided walking tour of Baden-Baden, soaking in the elegant boutiques and timeless gardens before entering The Baden-Baden Casino, a favourite of silent film star Marlene Dietrich.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we’ll dock in Kehl and take a coach transfer to the medieval capital of France’s Alsace Region, Strasbourg. Strasbourg is a city best explored via its quaint waterways, so today we’ll embark on an EmeraldPLUS traditional canal boat tour.

Relax as you 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, where many of the city's administrative buildings are based. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore at leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Commence your magical morning with a tour of Colmar. As you walk 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 colourful blooms. Alternatively, embark on a guided bike tour from Breisach to Colmar.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark your Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of the picturesque Rhine Gorge 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.