Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and head straight to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. After checking in, you'll meet the captain and crew who'll be with you all week. It's time to settle into your floating home and get comfortable with the ship before anything else kicks off.
- Day 2
Amsterdam
Start your morning with a glass-top boat tour through Amsterdam's UNESCO World Heritage canal system. You'll sail past medieval streets and historic houses from the water, which gives a completely different perspective than walking around. The boat lets you see how the city was built around these waterways. After a couple hours on the water, you'll head toward the Rhine River in the afternoon. Once you're settled on the Star-Ship, there's an exclusive clog painting session where you can paint your own traditional Dutch clogs while cruising. It's a hands-on activity that gives you something to take home and remember the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Canal cruise through Amsterdam's UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system
- Clog painting on board
Optional Activities
- Dutch Delights (extra expense)
- Private Hidden Gems tour of Amsterdam (extra expense)
Landmarks Amsterdam Canal System - Day 3
Cologne
In Düsseldorf, you'll walk through the stylish boutiques and Old Town area, then stroll along the Rhine River to get a feel for the city. After that, you head to Cologne for a guided tour of its Old Town. Back on the ship later, there's a cocktail-making demonstration where you'll learn some techniques from the crew.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Panoramic tour of Düsseldorf
- Guided tour of Cologne's Old Town
- Cocktail-making demonstration on board
Optional Activities
- German Beer Experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Rhine River - Day 4
Koblenz
You'll dock in Koblenz and visit a local winery that focuses on Riesling. The tour covers how they make their wines, and you'll taste several different kinds. Once back on board, there's a cooking demonstration happening while the ship continues sailing along the Rhine, so you can watch and learn about the region's food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to a local winery with wine tasting
- Cooking demonstration on board
Optional Activities
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks Rhine Valley - Day 5
Heidelberg
Heidelberg is next, and a guide will walk you through this UNESCO City of Literature that inspired writers like Mark Twain. You'll start at the Renaissance ruins of Heidelberg Castle and see the gardens with water features, sculptures, and flowers. The castle grounds give you great views and interesting history about the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg including Heidelberg Castle
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle - Day 6
Strasbourg
The ship docks in Kehl and you transfer to Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace. A walking tour takes you through the UNESCO Old Town with its half-timbered houses, Maison Kammerzell, and the canals of Petite France. After the tour wraps up, you'll have free time to wander around on your own and find lunch or explore whatever interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Panoramic walking tour of Strasbourg's Old Town
Optional Activities
- Baden Baden Spa experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Strasbourg Cathedral Maison Kammerzell Petite France - Day 7
Black Forest
Freiburg, known as the Capital of the Black Forest, is on the agenda with a guided tour of the city. You'll sample authentic Black Forest specialties during the experience. If you're up for some activity, there's an optional guided bike tour through Breisach, which gives you a different way to see the landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Freiburg with Black Forest delicacies tasting
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour through Breisach
- Guided tour of Colmar (extra expense)
Landmarks Black Forest - Day 8
Disembark
After breakfast, you'll leave the Star-Ship and transfer to the airport, heading home with memories of the Rhine, the Black Forest, and your week on the water. It's the end of the trip, but you'll have plenty of stories from the different towns and experiences along the route.
- Meals
- Breakfast
