Arrive: Sun 18 October 2026/Depart: Sun 18 October 2026
Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ capital, known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age. Its Museum District houses the Van Gogh Museum, works by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, and modern art at the Stedelijk. Cycling is key to the city’s character, and there are numerous bike paths
Day 6 - Cologne
Arrive: Mon 19 October 2026/Depart: Mon 19 October 2026
Cologne, a 2,000-year-old city spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, is the region’s cultural hub. A landmark of High Gothic architecture set amid reconstructed old town, the twin-spired Cologne Cathedral is also known for its gilded medieval reliquary and sweeping river views. The adjacent Museum Ludwig showcases 20th-century art, including many masterpieces by Picasso, and the Romano-Germanic Museum houses Roman antiquities.
Day 7 - Rudesheim
Arrive: Tue 20 October 2026/Depart: Tue 20 October 2026
Rüdesheim am Rhein is a town in the Rhine Valley, Germany. It’s known for winemaking, especially of Riesling wines. In the center, Drosselgasse is a lane lined with shops, taverns and restaurants. Nearby, Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet is a museum of automated musical instruments. Medieval Brömserburg Castle is home to the Rheingau Wine Museum, exhibiting wine paraphernalia from ancient times to the present.
Day 8 - Miltenberg
Arrive: Wed 21 October 2026/Depart: Wed 21 October 2026
Miltenberg is a town in the Regierungsbezirk of Lower Franconia in Bavaria, Germany. It is the seat of the like-named district and has a population of over 9,000.
Day 9 - Wurzburg
Arrive: Thu 22 October 2026/Depart: Thu 22 October 2026
Würzburg is a city in Germany's Bavaria region. It's known for lavish baroque and rococo architecture, particularly the 18th-century Residenz palace, with ornate rooms, a huge fresco by Venetian artist Tiepolo and an elaborate staircase. Home to numerous wine bars, cellars and wineries, Würzburg is the center of the Franconian wine country, with its distinctive bocksbeutel (bottles with flattened round shapes).
Day 10 - Bamberg
Arrive: Fri 23 October 2026/Depart: Fri 23 October 2026
Bamberg is a town in northern Bavaria, Germany, laid out over 7 hills where the Regnitz and Main rivers meet. Its old town preserves structures from the 11th to 19th centuries including the muraled Altes Rathaus (town hall), which occupies an island in the Regnitz reached by arched bridges. The Romanesque Bamberg Cathedral, begun in the 11th century, features 4 towers and numerous stone carvings.
Day 11 - Nuremberg
Arrive: Sat 24 October 2026/Depart: Sat 24 October 2026
Nuremberg is the second-largest city of the German state of Bavaria after its capital Munich, and its 518,370 inhabitants make it the 14th-largest city in Germany.
Day 12 - Regensburg
Arrive: Sun 25 October 2026/Depart: Sun 25 October 2026
Regensburg, a Bavarian city on the Danube River in southeast Germany, is known for its well-preserved medieval core. The 12th-century Stone Bridge, a 310m-long icon with 16 arches, crosses the river to the old town. The 13th-century Regensburg Cathedral, a twin-spired Gothic landmark, is home to the Regensburger Domspatzen choir. Walhalla, a Parthenon replica just east of the city, honors illustrious Germans.
Day 13 - Passau (Munich)
Arrive: Mon 26 October 2026/Depart: Mon 26 October 2026
Passau, a German city on the Austrian border, lies at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. Known as the Three Rivers City, it's overlooked by the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century hilltop fortress housing a city museum and observation tower. The old town below is known for its baroque architecture, including St. Stephen's Cathedral, featuring distinctive onion-domed towers and an organ with 17,974 pipes.
Day 14 - Melk
Arrive: Tue 27 October 2026/Depart: Tue 27 October 2026
Melk is an Austrian town on the River Danube, west of Vienna. It’s known for the 11th-century Melk Abbey, a vast monastery built high above the town. Gold statuary adorns its domed Abbey Church, and the huge library houses medieval manuscripts. The Marmorsaal is a baroque hall with a ceiling fresco and red marble walls. South of Melk, gardens surround Renaissance Schallaburg Castle, which hosts cultural exhibitions.
Day 15 - Vienna
Arrive: Wed 28 October 2026/Depart: Wed 28 October 2026
Vienna, Austria’s capital, lies in the country’s east on the Danube River. Its artistic and intellectual legacy was shaped by residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. The city is also known for its Imperial palaces, including Schönbrunn, the Habsburgs’ summer residence. In the MuseumsQuartier district, historic and contemporary buildings display works by Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and other artists.
Day 16 - Bratislava
Arrive: Thu 29 October 2026/Depart: Thu 29 October 2026
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is set along the Danube River by the border with Austria and Hungary. It’s surrounded by vineyards and the Little Carpathian mountains, crisscrossed with forested hiking and cycling trails. The pedestrian-only, 18th-century old town is known for its lively bars and cafes. Perched atop a hill, the reconstructed Bratislava Castle overlooks old town and the Danube
Day 17 - Budapest
Arrive: Fri 30 October 2026
Budapest, Hungary’s capital, is bisected by the River Danube. Its 19th-century Chain Bridge connects the hilly Buda district with flat Pest. A funicular runs up Castle Hill to Buda’s Old Town, where the Budapest History Museum traces city life from Roman times onward. Trinity Square is home to 13th-century Matthias Church and the turrets of the Fishermen’s Bastion, which offer sweeping views.
Day 18 - Budapest
Depart: Sat 31 October 2026
Budapest, Hungary’s capital, is bisected by the River Danube. Its 19th-century Chain Bridge connects the hilly Buda district with flat Pest. A funicular runs up Castle Hill to Buda’s Old Town, where the Budapest History Museum traces city life from Roman times onward. Trinity Square is home to 13th-century Matthias Church and the turrets of the Fishermen’s Bastion, which offer sweeping views.
Emerald Dawn From Emerald Cruises
Guiding you past some of Europe’s most beautiful stretches of countryside and through some of the continent’s most vibrant and enchanting cities; Emerald Sky ensures every minute of your holiday is exceptionally comfortable and enjoyable. From the spacious suites and staterooms to the contemporary, sophisticated public spaces, every inch of Emerald Sky has been considered.
Navigating the rivers Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle; the Emerald Star, Sky, Sun, Dawn and Destiny can guide you through some of Europe’s most magical stretches of water and help you explore many of the continent’s most arresting and enchanting cities. The five sister vessels, boasting a modest capacity of 182 guests apiece, are all blessed with a selection of wonderful amenities and features.
Our brand new Emerald ‘Star Ships’, the Emerald Dawn and the Emerald Sun, have made their debut voyages and have received high marks from our guests. You’ll enjoy all the same great features, including our open air system in the balcony suites and the indoor/ outdoor pool area, that make the “Star Ships” the 2014 Cruise Critic Editors’ Pick award winners for best new river ships.
No matter which river cruise you choose, all your meals on-board the ship; beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; on-shore excursions and touring; a special selection of EmeraldPLUS experiences; all travel and transfers from selected airports; and all tipping are included in the price. It’s what we like to call ‘Exceptional Emerald Value’.
Step on to an award-winning ship where the spacious Sun Deck offers panoramic views of the stunning scenery. Relax in the fresh air while enjoying a light lunch and a glass of wine al-fresco on The Terrace. Enjoy insightful excursions in every port at no extra cost and we take care of tipping so you don’t have to think about it. You wouldn’t expect all this from a river cruise, but on an Emerald Waterways river cruise, you can look forward to it.
Ship Cabins
Emerald Stateroom
Marrying exceptional comfort with refined and practical design, the staterooms are spacious and luxurious retreats that provide ample room to accommodate two guests. A picture window welcomes in the natural light, beautifully framing the surrounding landscape.
Suite: 162ft² (15m²)
Picture window
Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds
En-suite bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries, hair dryer, on-board complimentary bathrobes and slippers
Mini-bar available at own expense
Complimentary water, restocked daily
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Flat screen TV and infotainment system
Individual climate control
Personal safe
Umbrella
Telephone
Walking sticks
Emerald Grand Balcony Suite
These generously appointed suites offer an inviting vantage point for watching the sunset. Floor-to-ceiling windows on your private balcony, complete with an open-air system and sleek glass partition, let you soak up the ever-changing landscape. Thoughtful touches include an in-suite Nespresso™ machine, mini-fridge and the option of continental breakfast served on your balcony. In the evening, savour predinner canapés and sweet treats delivered directly to your suite.
Suite: 210ft² (19.5m²)
Outdoor private balcony with open-air system
Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds
Pillow menu
En-suite bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries, hair dryer, on-board complimentary bathrobes and slippers
Mini-bar available at own expense
Complimentary Nespresso machine
Continental breakfast, pre-dinner canapés and after-dinner sweet treats served in your suite
Two items of laundry per day
Complimentary water, restocked daily
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Flat screen TV and infotainment system
Individual climate control
Personal safe
Umbrella
Telephone
Walking sticks
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite
Panorama Balcony Suite (B)
These spectacular suites showcase our revolutionary indoor balcony design. With the touch of a button, the upper part of the suite’s floor-to-ceiling window drops down to unveil uninterrupted views of the stunning scenery. You’ll also find a mini-fridge, complimentary Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and infotainment system, a safe for your valuables and plenty of storage.
Suite: 180ft² (16.7m²)
Indoor balcony with open-air system
Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds
En-suite bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries, hair dryer, on-board complimentary bathrobes and slippers
Mini-bar available at own expense
Complimentary water, restocked daily
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Flat screen TV and infotainment system
Individual climate control
Personal safe
Umbrella
Telephone
Walking sticks
Owner's One-bedroom Suite
Our Owner’s One-Bedroom Suites boast their very own bedroom which closes off from the rest of the suite. A separate lounge area and outdoor balcony, complete with open-air system, allows you to enjoy the views of your surroundings whatever the weather. These suites also include a selection of special features including a spacious bathroom, walk-in wardrobe and Nespresso™ machine. Your complimentary mini-bar is restocked daily and, so you can keep up-to-date with the latest news, you’ll have an iPad to use throughout your cruise. In order to offer you a more intimate dining experience, you can also order a continental breakfast, pre-dinner canapés and after-dinner sweet treats to enjoy in the privacy of your suite.
Suite: 315ft² (29.3m²)
Outdoor private balcony with open-air system
Separate bedroom and lounge area
Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds
Pillow menu
En-suite bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries, hair dryer, on-board complimentary bathrobes and slippers
Walk-in wardrobe
Complimentary in-suite mini- bar, restocked daily with wine, beer and soft drinks
Complimentary Nespresso machine
Continental breakfast, pre-dinner canapés and after-dinner sweet treats served in your suite
Four items of laundry per day
Complimentary water, restocked daily
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Use of an iPad
Flat screen TV and infotainment system
Individual climate control
Personal safe
Umbrella
Telephone
Walking sticks
