

Available for new bookings only made between May 1 - June 30 2023 on 2023 & 2024 Emerald Cruises Europe River cruise departures. 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 unless otherwise specified.
2-for-1 Fares: 2-for-1 fares are displayed as a per-person rate in a double occupancy cabin. Fares are based on full fare pricing and may not have resulted in a sale. Offer applies to cruise pricing only; does not apply on land extensions, international air or any other add-ons.
Emerald Exclusive Savings: Bonus savings of $500 per suite are available on select departures. Savings are combinable with 2-for-1
fares and pay-in-full offers, and are capacity controlled.
^Pay in full: Free premium economy air available on the S, RA and SA categories with a max value $2500pp. Free economy air is available on other cabin categories with a max value $1500pp; July and August 2023 departures have a max value of $2000pp economy air. If guests book their own airfare, they can receive $1500pp savings in lieu of premium economy airfare, or $1000pp savings in lieu of economy airfare. Air offers are available when you pay in full within 30 days of booking, or 90 days prior to departure; whichever is soonest. Departures outside of 11 months can pay in full at 10 months prior to departure to receive these benefits. Air offers are only valid 61 or more days prior to departure. All flights will be booked on Emerald Cruises' choice of airline and routing, and are subject to availability.
Single Supplement: 45% single supplement offer is available. Single supplement is applied to the 2-for-1 fare; single guest pays one guest fare plus 45% of the 2nd guest fare. 45% single supplement is combinable with pay in full roundtrip air offer. If guest chooses to waive free air, the single supplement can be reduced to 25% when paid in full within 30 days of booking, or 90 days prior to departure; whichever is sooner. Not combinable with any other offers. Offer is capacity controlled.
All offers are inventory controlled and may be extended, cancelled or withdrawn at any time without notice.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. Port charges are included in the price shown. For the most up-to-date pricing, availability and offers, please visit emeraldcruises.com or contact your Professional Travel Advisor. Offers applicable for residents of the 50 United States of America & Washington D.C.
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. After passing through three castle courtyards, you will visit St. Vitus Cathedral, then we walk down the Castle steps with a wonderful view over the city of Prague and we continue to Charles Bridge which we cross to reach the Old Town of Prague. We finish the city sightseeing tour in front of the famous Astronomical Clock at Old Town Square.
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 Cruises Star-Ship.
Today, you will gain a fascinating insight into the life of local Bavarian farmers during a visit to a farm, where you’ll also be able to try their homemade specialties. Alternatively, you can set off on a hike, catching sights such as the Mariahilf and St. Severin. an ancient church dating back to the Ottonian dynasty.
EmeraldACTIVE
Hike to Veste Oberhaus
EmeraldPLUS
Bavarian brunch
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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 Gothic façades, each taking you back to the Middle Ages.
EmeraldPLUS
Guided tour of Ceský Krumlov
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Linzer torte making workshop (extra expense, not available on all departures)
Relax as we cruise down the Danube River early this morning, passing some of the world’s best wine-producing vineyards, before arriving in Melk.
On your included tour today, walk the gold-leaf halls of Melk Abbey. Afterwards, enjoy sailing through the idyllic Wachau Valley to Dürnstein. You can stay in Melk and cycle to Dürnstein, traversing a route that offers a different perspective on the region’s viticulture.
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour along the Danube
Included Excursion
Tour of Melk Abbey
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Visit to Schallaburg castle (extra expense)
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Vineyard 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. A drive around the Ringstrasse will introduce you to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre. Alternatively, enjoy a bike tour along the serene trails on the Danube Island.
EmeraldACTIVE
Bike tour in Vienna
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Vienna
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Art tour of Vienna including Kunsthistorisches Museum (extra expense)
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Exclusive Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
Enjoy a short but tranquil sailing between Vienna and Bratislava, marvelling at the everchanging scenery of the Danube. This afternoon, enjoy a guided hike to Bratislava Castle. Its silhouette looks as though it has been pulled from the pages of a fairytale. Alternatively, explore the city’s historic architecture on 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
Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Bratislava
Welcome to Budapest, where an amazing end to a fantastic trip awaits. Explore the city’s cobbled medieval quarter today, as you embark on a coach tour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre. Your guide will teach you about the Hungarian capital’s culinary scene and the tour will finish at the neo-Gothic Grand Market, Budapest's largest and most expansive indoor market, where you’ll have time to explore on your own.
If you are feeling more active, you can instead choose to hike to Buda Hill. The surrounding area has been rebuilt several times, most recently following the air raids of WWII. Some 18th-century Baroque houses still stand, best explored from the medieval paths and alleyways in the area around Buda Castle. This evening, enjoy a traditional Hungarian folklore show on board.
EmeraldPLUS
Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
EmeraldACTIVE
Hike to Buda Hill
Included Excursion
Culinary tour of Budapest with Grand Market visit
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Tour to Szentendre (extra expense)
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Jewish heritage tour (extra expense, not available on Friday and Saturday)
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Hungarian Bath Experience (extra expense)
After breakfast, it’s 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.
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Great river cruise, the operator Emerald Waterways did not disappoint. On board service was exceptional and the tours were very good. Only thought would be that having a little more free time during site visits would have made the excursions good to great.