

Offers are available for new bookings only made between December 16 2021 – June 30, 2022 on 2022 & 2023 European River Cruises. A non-refundable initial deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of booking, with full payment required 90 days prior to departure.
European river cruises: Offer includes up to $1250 savings per person on 15+day itineraries, up to $1000 per person on 8-14 day itineraries; up to $500 per person on 5-day itineraries. For 2022 bookings in Horizon Deck Panorama Balcony suites (Category A), receive up to $1,000 bonus savings per suite. Horizon deck bonus offer not applicable on Douro departures. These offers are not combinable with any other offer except for Super Earlybird savings, Travel Show vouchers, agent training vouchers, EmeraldEXPLORER, referral vouchers, and future travel credits. Taxes and port charges are included in the price.
Early Payment Savings: On 2022 departures, save $150pp when you pay in full at time of booking. On 2023 departures, save up to an additional 10% Savings in Vista and Horizon Deck cabins (and Pool Deck on Emerald Harmony in Southeast Asia) when paying in full 12 months before departure. If full payment is not received by the date specified on this offer, these additional savings will be removed from your booking. Early Payment Savings are applicable on the cruise + upgrade element only, excludes air fares, port charges, hotel stays and other additional items.
All offers are inventory controlled and may be extended, cancelled or withdrawn at any time without notice. Emerald Cruises reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares and promotions at any time. For the most up-to-date pricing, availability and offers, please call your Professional Travel Advisor. Offers applicable for legal residents of the 50 United States of America & Washington D.C. Additional restrictions may apply.
When you arrive in Prague, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel for a three-night stay.
After a relaxing night in your hotel, embark on a guided walking tour of Prague. Your local guide will introduce you to the lavish façade of Mozart’s Theatre and the mechanical spectacle that is the medieval Astronomical Clock. Cross Charles Bridge to see vendors distributing their wares overlooking the Vltava and board a coach to be transferred to the Prague Castle area.
Included Excursion
A guided tour of Prague
EmeraldPLUS
Coffee & Cake at Lobkowicz Palace
Your tour director will be available to help you plan a day of independent exploration today, perhaps strolling past ornate façades in the Baroque quarter or discovering Prague’s Jewish heritage in Josefov.
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Tastes of Czechia (extra expense)
You’ll be collected from your hotel and transferred to Passau this morning, to board your Emerald Crusies Star-Ship.
Today will be a memorable part of your river cruise along the mighty Danube, as Passau’s atmosphere effortlessly reflects the work that was undertaken in the city by Italian architects, who brought a little piece of Venice with them to Germany.
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, including the ornate exterior of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, perfectly mirroring the beautifully restored interior, and the Altes Rathaus, or Town Hall, which comprises of an ensemble of eight historic patrician houses. Alternatively, set off on a hike around Passau, catching sights of the Mariahilf, a place of pilgrimage, and St. Severin, an ancient church that can be dated back to the Ottonian dynasty.
EmeraldACTIVE
A hike to Veste Oberhaus
Included Excursion
A guided tour of Passau
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Bavaria Live (extra expense)
Today, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Ceský Krumlov. This quaint town has one of the best-preserved ancient centres in Europe, with more than three hundred protected medieval buildings and an iconic castle complex. Enjoy a guided tour of the area, including the 15th-century St. Vitus’ Church and a series of delightful High Gothic façades, each taking you back to the heart of the Middle Ages.
EmeraldPLUS
A guided tour of Ceský Krumlov
Relax as we cruise down the Danube River early this morning, passing beautiful terraced vineyards that produce some of the world’s best wine and delightful apricot orchards before arriving in Melk.
On your included tour today, walk the halls of the magnificent Benedictine abbey of Melk, gazing upon ornate gold leaf walls. After your tour, enjoy sailing through the idyllic Wachau Valley. When you arrive in charming Dürnstein, you will have the opportunity to hike to Dürnstein Castle. Alternatively, stay in Melk to cycle from Melk to Dürnstein, traversing a route that offers a different perspective on the region’s viticulture.
EmeraldACTIVE
A guided bike ride along the Danube
EmeraldACTIVE
A guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
Included Excursion
A tour of Melk Abbey
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Visit to Schallaburg castle (extra expense)
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Vineyards hike & tasting in Weissenkirchen (extra expense)
Discover the classical charms of Vienna today, as we take you through the heart of the city, pointing out all of the best cafés and artisan studios as you discover its imperial grandeur. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre was once a fortified Roman frontier city, and a drive around the Ringstrasse will introduce you to architecture from across the last millennia.
Alternatively, enjoy a bike tour along the serene trails on the Danube Island.
EmeraldACTIVE
A bike tour in Vienna
Included Excursion
A guided tour of Vienna
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Tastes of Vienna (extra expense)
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Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
Cobbled streets pave the course for daily life in Bratislava, where winding alleys and gothic architecture blend together to create a truly distinctive Slovakian capital.
Enjoy a guided hike to Bratislava Castle, with a silhouette that looks as though it was pulled from the pages of a fairytale. This striking landmark was most recently rebuilt in a Renaissance style, but it still retains some of its original features.
Alternatively, explore the historic architecture in the compact town centre during an included guided tour, where everything is in walking distance, including the ornate exterior of the Slovak National Theatre.
EmeraldPLUS
Local Slovakian entertainment on board
EmeraldACTIVE
A guided hike to Bratislava Castle
Included Excursion
A walking tour of Bratislava
Welcome to Budapest, where an amazing end to a fantastic trip through the heart of Europe awaits. Once the ancient Roman city of Aquincum, a true historic marvel, with bathhouses and homes with heated floors thanks to the surrounding hot springs. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed centre will enable you to follow the chapters of architecture through the ages as you set off on a coach tour of Budapest, passing Romanesque, Baroque and Classical façades.
This evening, enjoy a traditional Hungarian folklore show on board.
EmeraldPLUS
A traditional Hungarian folklore show
EmeraldACTIVE
A hike to Buda Hill
Included Excursion
A guided coach tour of Budapest
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Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
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Jewish Heritage Tour (extra expense)
After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of apricot orchards and ancient Roman cities with you.
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.
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.
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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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.