The city of Zurich, a global center for banking and finance, lies at the north end of Lake Zurich in northern Switzerland. The picturesque lanes of the central Altstadt (Old Town), on either side of the Limmat River, reflect its pre-medieval history. Waterfront promenades like the Limmatquai follow the river toward the 17th-century Rathaus (town hall).
Day 2 - Luzern
Arrive: Thu 18 June 2026
Lucerne, a compact city in Switzerland known for its preserved medieval architecture, sits amid snowcapped mountains on Lake Lucerne. Its colorful Altstadt (Old Town) is bordered on the north by 870m Museggmauer (Musegg Wall), a 14-century rampart. The covered Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), built in 1333, links the Aldstadt to the Reuss River's right bank
Day 3 - Luzern
Depart: Fri 19 June 2026
Lucerne, a compact city in Switzerland known for its preserved medieval architecture, sits amid snowcapped mountains on Lake Lucerne. Its colorful Altstadt (Old Town) is bordered on the north by 870m Museggmauer (Musegg Wall), a 14-century rampart. The covered Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), built in 1333, links the Aldstadt to the Reuss River's right bank
Day 4 - Basel
Arrive: Sat 20 June 2026/Depart: Sat 20 June 2026
Basel is a city on the Rhine River in northwest Switzerland, close to the country’s borders with France and Germany. Its medieval old town centers around Marktplatz, dominated by the 16th-century, red-sandstone Town Hall. Its 12th-century Gothic cathedral has city views, and contains the tomb of the 16th-century Dutch scholar, Erasmus. The city’s university houses some of Erasmus’ works.
Day 5 - Breisach
Arrive: Sun 21 June 2026/Depart: Sun 21 June 2026
Breisach is a town with approximately 16,500 inhabitants, situated along the Rhine in the Rhine Valley, in the district Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, about halfway between Freiburg and Colmar — 20 kilometres away from each — and about 60 kilometres north of Basel near the Kaiserstuhl.
Day 6 - Kehl
Arrive: Mon 22 June 2026/Depart: Mon 22 June 2026
Kehl is a town in southwestern Germany in the Ortenaukreis, Baden-Württemberg. It is located on the river Rhine, directly opposite the French city of Strasbourg
Day 7 - Rastatt
Arrive: Tue 23 June 2026/Depart: Tue 23 June 2026
Rastatt is a town with a baroque core, District of Rastatt, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located in the Upper Rhine Plain on the Murg river, 6 km above its junction with the Rhine and has a population of around 50,000.
Day 7 - Baden
Arrive: Tue 23 June 2026/Depart: Tue 23 June 2026
Baden-Baden is a spa town in southwestern Germany’s Black Forest, near the border with France. Its thermal baths led to fame as a fashionable 19th-century resort. Alongside the Oos River, park-lined Lichtentaler Allee is the town’s central promenade. The Kurhaus complex (1824) houses the elegant, Versailles-inspired Spielbank (casino). Its Trinkhalle has a loggia decorated with frescoes and a mineral-water fountain.
Day 8 - Ludwigshafen
Day 9 - Koblenz
Arrive: Thu 25 June 2026/Depart: Thu 25 June 2026
Koblenz, spelled Coblenz before 1926, is a German city on the banks of the Rhine and of the Moselle, a multi-nation tributary. Koblenz was established as a Roman military post by Drusus around 8 B.C. Its name originates from the Latin c?nfluent?s, meaning " confluence"
Day 10 - Rudesheim
Arrive: Fri 26 June 2026/Depart: Fri 26 June 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 11 - Mayence
Arrive: Sat 27 June 2026/Depart: Sat 27 June 2026
Mainz is a German city on the Rhine River. It’s known for its old town, with half-timbered houses and medieval market squares. In the center, the Marktbrunnen is a Renaissance fountain with red columns. Nearby, a distinctive octagonal tower tops the Romanesque Mainz Cathedral, built of deep red sandstone. The Gutenberg Museum honors the inventor of the printing press with exhibits, including 2 of his original bibles.
Day 11 - Frankfurt
Arrive: Sat 27 June 2026/Depart: Sat 27 June 2026
Frankfurt, a central German city on the river Main, is a major financial hub that's home to the European Central Bank. It's the birthplace of famed writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, whose former home is now the Goethe House Museum. Like much of the city, it was damaged during World War II and later rebuilt. The reconstructed Altstadt (Old Town) is the site of Römerberg, a square that hosts an annual Christmas market
Emerald Sun 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
All Emerald Staterooms feature picture windows and the same high quality facilities as all other cabins. Plus, they're bigger than other standard staterooms, providing excellent value for money.
Included in your stateroom: Picture window (approximately 1500mm L X 340mm H) | Bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hair dryer | Complimentary bathrobes and slippers | Complimentary bottled water, restocked daily | Complimentary WiFi | Queen-size hotel-style bed | Safe for your valuables | Individual climate control | Flat screen TV and infotainment system | Mini-fridge
Emerald Stateroom
Each ship also offers two Emerald Single Staterooms featuring picture windows and the same high quality facilities as all other cabins. With their deluxe oversize single beds, they provide excellent value for money for single guests.
Included in your stateroom: Picture window (approximately 1500mm L X 340mm H) | Bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hair dryer | Complimentary bathrobes and slippers | Complimentary bottled water, restocked daily | Complimentary WiFi | Oversize single bed | Telephone | Safe for your valuables | Individual climate control | Flat screen TV and infotainment system | Mini-fridge