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(regional and premium class flights may be available on request)
Welcome to Switzerland and the start of your Christmas cruise journey. You’ll be met at the airport by a member of the Emerald Cruises team and transferred to your contemporary Star-Ship in Basel, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to greet you. This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board.
Today, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Rhine town of Breisach. Entrenched between two countries, it’s also known as the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest region. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive through the Black Forest Highlands on your way to the Hofgut Sternen complex located at the foothill of Ravenna Gorge, a place where history and tradition merge
★Included Excursion: Guided tour of Breisach & Christmas Market Visit
★EmeraldPLUS: Guided visit to Christmas Market at Ravenna Viaduct
This morning, dock in Kehl, where you will be transferred by coach across the river to Strasbourg, the storied capital of France’s Alsace region. Your guided tour of Strasbourg will include the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Grande Île, the historical centre of the city, known for its medieval half-timbered buildings, old tanning houses, Baroque sandstone buildings, and charming canal system. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to visit one of its most charming Christmas markets to enjoy traditional Alsatian Christmas treats and to shop for presents and stocking-fillers
★Included Excursion: Guided tour of Strasbourg with Christmas market visit
Your guided tour of Heidelberg’s rich history includes a visit to the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, which overlooks the Rhine River and a red-roofed skyline. Some of the most successful painters of the Romantic era drew inspiration from Heidelberg Castle, including British artist William Turner, who depicted images of the ruins in several of his paintings. Afterwards, stroll down the cobbled streets of the Old Town, touching on the Church of the Holy Spirit and the oldest university in Germany
★Included Excursion: Guided tour of Heidelberg & Christmas market visit
Today, you'll be taken into the heart of Koblenz, an ancient city pulled from the pages of a German fairy tale. Enjoy the picturesque backdrop of vineyards and snow-topped mountain ranges as your local guide takes you through open cobbled squares and down narrow streets
★Included Excursion: Orientation walk of Koblenz & Christmas market visit
★EmeraldPLUS: Christmas traditions in Europe (lecture on board)
We sail towards Cologne, where you’ll have the opportunity to wander the markets at your leisure, perhaps visiting the ornate stalls beneath the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral, where you can drink traditional glühwein out of beautifully decorated mugs. In the afternoon, you will have the chance to visit Duesseldorf and its many Christmas markets, each having its unique name and personality – such as the Fairytale Market, the Handwerker (hand maker) Market and the Schadowmarket where any present wish could easily be fulfilled and more. All of that with a Christmas scent of roasted almonds and hot mulled wine floating in the air.
★Included Excursion: Walking tour of Duesseldorf with Christmas Market visit & Dusseldorf city tour with Christmas Markets
Board a glass-top canal boat for a tour down the Dutch capital, UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system, passing historic merchant houses that reflect the bygone era of the Dutch Golden Age. Throughout the town, you’ll marvel as you explore the delightful Christmas stalls, each surrounded by people in their finest knitwear, drinking hot mugs of mulled wine and indulging in their favourite festive foods
★Included Excursion: Canal cruise
After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow guests and Star-Ship as you are transferred to the airport, taking memories of quintessential German villages and the magic of Christmas with you.
(regional and premium class flights may be available on request)
2026 Christmas Markets on the Rhine
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Per-Person Pricing
* Prices shown are per person, based on two adults sharing a twin cabin and include all cruise offer discounts and savings.
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D | Riviera Deck | Enquire now |
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E | Riviera Deck | Enquire now |
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ES | Riviera Deck | Enquire now |
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C | Vista Deck | Enquire now | |
B | Vista Deck | Enquire now |
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S | Horizon Deck | Enquire now |
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SA | Horizon Deck | Enquire now |
Navigating the Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle rivers, Emerald Destiny will guide you through some of Europe’s most magical stretches of water and help you to explore many of the continent’s most arresting and enchanting cities.
What’s onboard: Daytime Pool & Bar, Evening Cinema, Fitness Area, Games Area, Golf Putting Green, Hair Salon, Horizon Bar & Lounge, Navigation Bridge, Reception, Reflections Restaurant, Retractable Glass Roof, Sky BBQ, Sun Deck, The Terrace, Walking Track, Wellness Area and much, much more.
A selection of drinks packages are available onboard.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available onboard all Emerald Cruises Star-Ships in the public spaces, cabins and suites.
Smoking is not permitted in cabins or any indoor parts onboard. There are areas on the Star-Ships’ external decks where smoking is permitted.
Emerald Cruises welcomes guests purchasing alcohol for consumption in their rooms. However, they do ask that personal drinks are not consumed in the communal areas of the cruises.
Emerald Cruises endeavours to cater for all dietary requirements and requests. The cruise line asks that you inform them of any requirements or requests at the time of booking.
The onboard currency on all European Emerald voyages is the Euro. In South East Asia, the currency onboard is primarily US Dollars.
Terms and conditions: Booking conditions of Emerald cruise line and Reader Offers Limited Agency Terms of Business apply. Fares are per person based on two adults sharing, except single cabins and may increase or be withdrawn at any time. Offer applies to new bookings only. Ports may require a tender. Savings are based on two adults sharing and apply to the cruise element only. Drinks are served with lunch & dinner. Itineraries are subject to change and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruises may operate altered from that stated. Offers apply to new bookings only. Regional flights may incur supplementary costs and may require an additional overnight stay. Flight credit of $300 included for economy flights, flight supplement may apply if the flight prices are above the flight credit amount. Flights may not be a direct service. If the required air fare exceeds the set credit amount, additional charges will apply. Payment must be made in full to receive the advertised fares. Wi-Fi cannot be guaranteed as is subject to T&Cs. Tours are subject to change and may not be suitable for guests with mobility restrictions. Offers are strictly limited, subject to availability, until sold out or withdrawn. Cruise Miles T&Cs apply. E&OE.
Mark & Spencers Gift Card is based on one per booking, for UK mainland addresses only when booking an Oceanview or above by 8pm 31st August 2025. The amount is tiered on cabin grade booked.
View ROL Cruise Payment Methods HERE