

Terms and conditions: For new bookings 2021 European river cruises. Air offers are only applicable to bookings made 61 or more days before departure, otherwise an air credit will apply. A non-refundable initial deposit of $250 per person is required at the time of booking, with full payment required 90 days prior to departure. A secondary non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is due 6 months prior to departure for economy flights; $800 for premium economy. Maximum value of air ticket is $1200 per person inclusive of all taxes & fees. Economy Air only on Emerald Waterways’ choice of airlines and routes. Travelers who purchase their own air receive $1000 per person savings on 8-14 day itineraries, $1000 per person on 15+ day itineraries and $500 per person on 5-day itineraries. Savings based on cruise days and excludes land portions.
Deposit Protection Plan: Value of Deposit Protection Plan is $125 per person and is applicable if guest needs to cancel or change a cruise for whatever reason the plan allows them to reallocate their non-refundable deposit for use towards an alternative future sailing. Deposit Protection is non-refundable and non-transferable, and only covers the cruise. Air deposits are not included in the plan, and any third-party supplier fees such as hotels will be subtracted from your deposit amount.
These offers are not combinable with any other offer except for Travel Show vouchers, agent training vouchers, EmeraldEXPLORER vouchers, referral vouchers and early payment offer. Taxes and port charges are included in the price. Offer available to residents of the 50 United States and Washington DC only. Offers and fares are capacity controlled and may be extended, cancelled or withdrawn at any time without notice.
Welcome to Frankfurt, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your award-winning Emerald Waterways Star-Ship in Bernkastel. This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board.
Dating back to 3000 BC, Bernkastel is situated along the banks of the Moselle River and home to well-preserved buildings dating back to 1416. Enjoy a guided walking tour, where you will have the opportunity to stroll through the medieval marketplace with its gabled timber-framed houses, castle ruins and town gate. Or, take part in a guided bike tour of the area.
Included Excursion
A walking tour of Bernkastel
EmeraldPLUS
A wine tasting in Bernkastel
EmeraldACTIVE
Bike tour near Bernkastel
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Wine tasting at Dr Thanisch winery (extra expense)
In southwest Germany, near the Luxemburg border, the city of Trier is a hidden treasure often called the “Rome of the North”. During your guided tour, explore the ruins of the old city baths, once a hive of activity during ancient times, and the Porta Nigra, the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps.
Included Excursion
A guided tour of Trier
Today, you will enjoy the enchanting town of Cochem during a guided walk through the numerous well-preserved sites of this quaint town, including the remains of the historic town wall with its old fortifications, the Town Hall and its many other gems. In the evening, enjoy a visit to the Imperial Castle in Cochem which stands majestically over the Mosel River valley, are an invitation for every history and culture enthusiast to enjoy a beautiful afternoon in one the highest hill castles on the Mosel River. Soaring over Cochem, this medieval castle was heavily damaged while in the possession of the electoral princes of Trier. However, it was restored in the neo-gothic style associated with German castle romanticism in the 19th century.
Included Excursion
A guided tour of Cochem
EmeraldPLUS
Cochem Castle visit with entertainment
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour in Cochem
Wonderfully maintained inside and out, Marksburg Castle boasts a selection of typical interiors including the castle kitchen, knight’s hall, armoury, and even an inviting wine cellar. The attractive light-stoned walls of the castle are protected by an outer fortress. With a single tower peering over the turrets and castle walls, Marksburg Castle takes on the appearance of a fairy-tale monument, not unlike something found in a story from Brothers Grimm.
Included Excursion
A visit to Marksburg castle
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike in Koblenz
Start your day with a visit to the Eberbach Abbey, offering you the opportunity to experience a journey with all of your senses. You’ll be amazed by the beauty of one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries which lie in the Rheingau Region. Founded in 1136 by St. Bernard of Clairvaux (Burgundy) the monastery was one of the most active in Germany, and also boasted the largest vineyards in medieval Germany. As a major filming location of 1986 film 'In the Name of the Rose', adapted from Umberto Eco's thrilling novel with same name, Eberbach deserves a visit. Today the abbey continues to make exquisite wines and offers guided tours, enabling everyone to enjoy its history and architectural splendour. It also serves as a set for film and TV: the Season 5 trailers of Game of Thrones were filmed here. Alternatively, enjoy a hike up the Niederwalddenkmal - a monument located in the Niederwald, near Rüdesheim am Rhein in Hesse, Germany. It overlooks the valley of the Rhine and was built in the 1870/80s to commemorate the Unification of Germany.
Included Excursion
A visit to Eberbach Abbey
EmeraldACTIVE
A guided hike to Niederwalddenkmal
DiscoverMORE
Wine tasting at Schloss Johannisberg (extra expense)
Famous for its mineral springs dating since Roman times, Wiesbaden resembles a 19th century resort. This morning our guided tour will pass by the Russian Chapel (Russian Orthodox) and you can enjoy the magnificent view over the city and Rhine valley. We will see some fine examples of Wilhemine Architecture (UNESCO Heritage) on the way to the Kochbrunnen where you can take a sip of hot water. The walking tour will take us to the Old Town, the Castle and the Kurhaus where we will board the coaches for the ride back to Wiesbaden.
Included Excursion
Walking tour of Wiesbaden
After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport.
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.
The world may have changed, however, our commitment to our guests and crew, the guest experience and their health, safety and wellbeing remains our key priority. We are working closely with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), local and international Government Health agencies, to ensure our protocols exceed the latest regulatory requirements. Our Health & Safety Steering Committee oversees all health and safety policies and training with Emerald Cruises, ensuring you can travel with complete confidence that your wellbeing and safety are taken care of to the highest standard. In addition, we are implementing the most recent insights and technologies, with our Emerald Cruises team dedicated to exceeding the levels of cleanliness required in today’s travel climate.
We are continuously updating our protocols to safeguard both the health, safety and the experience of our valued guests. You will be informed about these important procedures, well in advance of your journey departure, which may include the following information and guidelines:
Medical Evaluation & Test
To ensure all of our guests are safe and well before your journey with us begins, we will require you to complete a pre-departure medical health evaluation. During the phased embarkation process you, and your fellow passengers, will be tested for COVID-19 by a medical specialist. This will allow you to relax with complete peace-of-mind when you board our Star-Ships, in the company of other like-minded travelers.
Our Dedicated Team
Our Captains, Hotel Managers and Cruise Directors, alongside their exceptional teams, will deliver a first-class level of service during your time traveling with us. You can enjoy the same exciting program of on board and on shore experiences, tailored to smaller groups to allow for safe social distancing. The team are readily available to ensure every detail of your journey with us is memorable, for all the right reasons. They will ensure health and safety protocols are followed on a daily basis.
Healthy Crew
Having the best crew to look after you is at the heart of our core values at Emerald Cruises, and we will go the extra mile to ensure our crew is healthy in doing so. All crew will be regularly tested for COVID-19 and will have daily temperature and health checks. They will also be trained and regularly briefed on all aspects in preventing COVID-19 amongst themselves as well as our guests. They will go beyond the ordinary to make your cruise a truly exceptional experience.
Contact-Free Check In & Check Out
We have adjusted the various touchpoints of your journey, allowing you to check in and check out in a completely contact-free way. Through a phased embarkation you will be able to arrive and depart from your Star-Ship smoothly and with safe social proximity in mind. And, of course, every time you return to your Star-Ship, our crew will be there to greet you with a warm smile.
Briefings & Screenings
Our medical expert will host mandatory briefings and screenings. These events are designed to ensure every member of our guests and crew are healthy, and also offer an opportunity to allay any concerns or ask any questions you may have about our safety protocols.
Enhanced Cleaning Commitment
Our on board crew will be increasing and enhancing our already frequent and high standard cleaning protocols in public areas and suites, leaving surfaces and spaces spotless. Additional care and attention will be paid to high contact zones, such as communal restrooms and dining facilities.
Socially Aware Dining
You can expect the same delightful dining experiences when you travel with us, savoring a choice of dishes inspired by regional cuisine and local produce. We are adapting and redesigning our on board food and beverage service to ensure extra care is taken in order to minimize social contact. We will serve our delicious food a la carte or via served buffets.
Contact-Free Movement
The spacious surrounds of our ships in combination with the guest numbers provide ample room for you to relax, allowing for an abundance of personal space. We are introducing contact-free movement across our Star-Ships to further reduce risks. Contact-free hand sanitizer dispensers will be readily available in all public spaces and guest corridors on board, whilst automated doors and contact-free guest servicing will minimize the number of touchpoints.
Air Circulation
Our Star-Ships are equipped with air circulation systems. These systems ensure there is no re-circulation of inside air on board the ship. When you are relaxing in your suite you will be breathing air from outside the ship that is channeled directly to your suite. The air will also be released from your suite directly to the outside.
Smaller Groups & Social Proximity
Discovering the local culture of your destination is the highlight of every river cruise. Create memories to cherish during our choice of on shore excursions. You will travel in smaller groups, allowing for a more intimate travel experience, whilst respecting social proximity and destination specific regulations. To enhance your sightseeing, you can utilize our digital headsets, which will act as your personal tour guide and travel map.
Carefully Selected Local Partners
As well as enhancing our health and safety protocols on board and with our crew, we’re working closely with our local partners. We have forged long-standing relationships with our local partners, all of whom have been carefully selected for their expertise and high levels of service, and are committed to ensuring your safety. They will receive extensive training to adhere with our enhanced protocols. We will also introduce strict control and screening procedures for anyone boarding our Star-Ships.
Wellness Throughout Your Journey
Your wellbeing is our number one priority, both during your time on board and on shore. Journey to and from your destination with complete peace-of-mind. All transport vehicles will be equipped with hand sanitizer and will undergo deep cleaning after every journey, surpassing the high industry standards required. You can also rest assured that we will monitor social proximity, allowing you to travel safely, with plenty of personal space.
We are committed to continually reviewing and updating our protocols and guidelines as new information becomes available, to ensure that our guests can travel safely in the many destinations we operate in.
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Great river cruise, the operator Emerald Waterways did not disappoint. On board service was exceptional and the tours were very good. Only thought would be that having a little more free time during site visits would have made the excursions good to great.