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Jewels of the Rhine & Lucerne - Zurich on Emerald Destiny

From Amsterdam, Netherlands to Zurich, Switzerland
Length: 11 Days - Departs: Sat, May 17, 2025
Operator
Departure
May 17, 2025
Arrival
May 27, 2025

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$300 Military Savings

Mention Promo Code: PT3378
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$300 Military Savings

$300 Military Savings

Promotion Details
We are honored to recognize the selfless service of those who have served our nation. As a token of our appreciation, enjoy this exclusive savings of $300 per suite to all US military personnel, veterans, and their families.
Must Book By Wed, Dec 31, 2025
View Promotion Terms & Conditions ›

US military personnel, veterans, and their families take an additional $300 off per cabin on Emerald Cruises River with proof of current or past military status. This offer is combinable with 2-for-1 savings, pay-in-full offers, key account exclusives, Flash sales, Scenic Select, and Emerald Cruises. Combinable with groups. Not combinable with any other offers. Taxes & port charges are included in the price. Offer available to residents of the 50 United States only. Offer ends December 31, 2025. Offers may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Visit scenicusa.com for complete terms and conditions.


River Cruise Itinerary

  1. Day 1
    Amsterdam
    Sat, May 17, 2025

    Upon arrival in Amsterdam, you'll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your innovative Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will welcome your arrival.


    Meals: Dinner
  2. Day 2
    Amsterdam
    Sun, May 18, 2025

    Every narrow street and gabled façade in Amsterdam tells a tale of the Dutch Golden Age, a prosperous time when Dutch art was among the most acclaimed in the world. Today, relax during a glass-top canal boat tour through Amsterdam's elaborate UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system, sailing through the city's medieval centre and past Roman patrician houses. Alternatively, embark on a guided bike tour to Waterland, passing quintessential villages, traditional windmills and flower fields.  

    Enjoy sailing through the countryside and towards the Rhine River this afternoon, perhaps enjoying a drink on the Sun Deck and watching the passing scenery before joining your captain for a gala dinner. 

    Included Excursion
    Canal cruise

    EmeraldACTIVE
    Guided bike tour to Waterland


    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3
    Cologne 
    Mon, May 19, 2025

    Cologne is one of the oldest cities in Germany, effortlessly steeped in history and tales of the past, encapsulating a timeline that spans more than two millennia. Your included city tour will take you to the heart of its Old Town.  

    Included Excursion
    Guided tour of Cologne's Old Town 


    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4
    Koblenz
    Tue, May 20, 2025

    Immerse yourself in fairy tale-like surroundings today as we cruise to Koblenz, a town with a postcard-worthy backdrop of vineyards and mountain ranges. Your included walking tour of this Roman town will unveil the twin-towered façade of the Church of Our Lady, the point at which two of Europe’s great rivers meet at the German Corner and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, one of the largest preserved fortresses in Europe.  

    Enjoy sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge this afternoon. Here, romantic castles sit atop tree-covered canyons and half-timbered medieval villages appear suspended in time. 

    Included Excursion
    Walking tour of Koblenz

    DiscoverMORE
    Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)


    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5
    Heidelberg (Mannheim)
    Wed, May 21, 2025

    This morning, you will discover Heidelberg. The idyllic UNESCO City of Literature has inspired the likes of Mark Twain and famed British artist William Turner. A guided tour of the town will unveil its rich history, starting at the Renaissance ruins of Heidelberg Castle, where the carefully curated gardens host serene water features, sculptures and colourful flowerbeds. And tonight, our EmeraldPLUS invites you to join a magical private evening concert.

    Included Excursion
    Guided tour of Heidelberg 

    EmeraldACTIVE
    Active hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg

    EmeraldPLUS
    Evening concert at Bruchsal Palace


    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6
    Kehl – Strasbourg
    Thu, May 22, 2025

    This morning, you'll dock in Kehl to be transferred by coach to the picturesque town of Strasbourg, where a medieval past is yours to discover among cobbled squares surrounded by half-timbered houses. 

    Your included walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town will touch on many of Strasbourg’s highlights, including the astrological signs that adorn the façade of the Maison Kammerzell and the idyllic historic scenery around Petite France. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Strasbourg at your leisure. 

    Included Excursion
    Guided tour of Strasbourg


    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  7. Day 7
    Breisach - Freiburg
    Fri, May 23, 2025

    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 amaze you. As part of your visit, you will also have the opportunity to sample authentic Black Forest delicacies. If you're feeling more active, you can choose to go for a guided bike tour in Breisach

    EmeraldPLUS
    Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting 

    EmeraldACTIVE
    Guided bike tour in Breisach 


    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8
    Huningue/Basel – Lucerne
    Sat, May 24, 2025

    After breakfast, you will be transferred by coach to Lucerne, including a two-night stay. 


    Meals: Breakfast
  9. Day 9
    Lucerne
    Sun, May 25, 2025

    Lucerne is known around the world for its spectacular setting, perfectly encapsulating a traditional Swiss city with a backdrop of snow-topped mountain ranges. Your morning will start with a guided tour of the city, touching on its well-preserved medieval Altstadt, delightful waterfront promenades and colourful buildings.

    Included Excursion
    A guided tour of Lucerne

    DiscoverMORE
    Train & cable car ride to Rigi – Weggis (extra expense)


    Meals: Breakfast
  10. Day 10
    Lucerne – Zurich
    Mon, May 26, 2025

    This morning, transfer by coach from Lucerne to the cosmopolitan city of Zurich, known for its towering church steeples, winding cobbled lanes and contemporary centre.

    When you arrive, enjoy a guided tour of Zurich, followed by free time to explore its delightful lakeside setting, perhaps discovering its famous old town.

    Included Excursion
    Guided tour of Zurich


    Meals: Breakfast
  11. Day 11
    Zurich
    Tue, May 27, 2025

    After breakfast, it is time to bid farewell to your fellow guests and transfer to the airport, passing a backdrop of mountains and forests on your way.

    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.


    Meals: Breakfast

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Ship Information

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Cabins

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Life on Board

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Questions & Answers
  Ask A Question

Question: Will the day-by-day itinerary change?

Yes, the river cruise itineraries may change due to reasons such as inclement weather or unforeseen events. Your safety is the number one concern aboard and all precautions necessary will be taken in order to ensure passenger safety, including changing itineraries. Please note that when itineraries do change, the ship staff will do their best to substitute any missed port with an alternative destination.

Question: In what language is the river cruise conducted?

The river cruise will be conducted in English only.

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
4.5
Accommodations
4.5
Itinerary
4.3
Professional Staff
5
Repeat with Operator
4.5
Value for Money
4.1

Ratings based off 11 reviews - currently showing 5 reviews with comments only

We had a great cruise with no issues whatsoever.

We had an outstanding trip down the Danube on Emerald Waterways. The food was amazing, the service was absolutely top-notch, the places we stopped (Passau, Linz and Cesky Krumlov, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest) were all wonderful in their own way. The options provided by Emerald (active vs. included, and the add-on activities) were just right. Our Cruise Director and the Activity Manager were very knowledgeable and attentive throughout our trip. As alway, Affordable Tours helped us book, and provided great follow-up care when we needed it. 

This trip was wonderful, with only 160 passengers we were treated royally. Everyone on board the ship worked with only one thing in mind to please the customers.

Derek was very thorough and easy to work with. Our trip was what we expected.

We were fortunate the trip went as planned. A lock was damaged and the ship we were scheduled for was unavailable. Emerald provided a different ship and we completed our full itinerary. Great job Emerald. The trip wonderful. Great staff, tours and food. Our Affordable agent Allyson fulfilled all our needs efficiently providing excellent customer care.

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AffordableTours.com is a travel agent for Emerald. Brochure Price is based on the itinerary's highest brochure price. Our price reflects our base price for the same departure as Brochure Price. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time. All prices are USD per person and based on double occupancy. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. All prices change frequently and our website prices are not guaranteed until a deposit has been received by us. The prices on our website are intended to serve as a guide only and may not accurately reflect current prices. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in these prices until a booking has been confirmed by one of our agents. Please call us toll free at 1-800-342-0019 to confirm current prices and availability. Prices listed are per person, cruise only, and based on double occupancy.

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