Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and board the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. After settling in, the afternoon is yours to wander the cobbled streets and check out the gabled houses at your own pace. This evening, join other guests for dinner on board.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Dinner on board
Optional Activities
- Explore Amsterdam's cobbled streets and gabled houses at leisure
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canal System 
- Day 2
Amsterdam to Rhine River
Pick between a glass-top canal boat tour through the UNESCO canal system or a guided bike ride to Waterland. Both show off Amsterdam's Golden Age architecture and heritage. After you return, the ship sails through the Dutch countryside toward the Rhine River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Glass-top canal boat cruise through UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system
- Guided bike tour to Waterland
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canal System Waterland - Day 3
Cologne
The ship arrives in Cologne, one of Germany's oldest cities with Roman roots. You'll join a local guide for an active treasure hunt through the city, moving from Roman ruins to medieval structures and learning about what makes Cologne's architecture and history significant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Quest for Cologne's treasures with local guide
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral 
- Day 4
Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
You'll cruise through the UNESCO Rhine Gorge, seeing hilltop castles and the legendary Lorelai Rock along the way. Arriving in Rüdesheim, a wine-growing town, you can either ride the Winzerexpress to visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum or take an active hike to Niederwalddenkmal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
Optional Activities
- Winzerexpress train ride
- Active hike to Niederwalddenkmal
Landmarks/POIs Lorelai Rock Pfalzgrafenstein Castle Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum Niederwalddenkmal 
- Day 5
Miltenberg
Miltenberg offers a medieval Bavarian village with 15th-century half-timbered buildings and cobblestone streets. You can walk around and see the Gothic Merchant Hall, or optionally hike through the forest to Mildenburg Castle or visit Bronnbach Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery in the Tauber Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Miltenberg
- Visit to Bronnbach Abbey
Optional Activities
- Guided active walk to Mildenburg Castle
Landmarks/POIs Mildenburg Castle Gothic Merchant Hall Bronnbach Abbey 
- Day 6
Würzburg
You'll visit Würzburg, called the 'Pearl of the Romantic Road' and known for grape-growing in Franconia. A guided tour takes you through the UNESCO Würzburg Residence, a Baroque masterpiece restored after WWII damage. Arranging an excursion to Rothenburg is an optional choice.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Würzburg and visit to the Bishops Residence
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Rothenburg (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Würzburg Residence 
- Day 7
Bamberg
The ship reaches Bamberg, a UNESCO site with one of Europe's largest medieval centers and roughly 2,400 listed buildings. Walking with a local guide, you'll check out the New Residence with its old German and Baroque paintings, then take a quiet stroll around the Rose Garden.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg
Landmarks/POIs Bamberg New Residence Bamberg Rose Garden - Day 8
Nuremberg
A guided sightseeing tour takes you through Nuremberg's architectural highlights and the city's wartime history. You'll see half-timbered houses that were rebuilt after WWII. Later, free time lets you explore the historic city on your own, with an optional World War II tour available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg
Optional Activities
- World War II tour (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Nuremberg Castle - Day 9
Regensburg
You'll sail the final stretch of the Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities with two thousand years of history. Exploring the UNESCO Old Town with your guide includes the 12th-century Stone Bridge. After free time to explore further, you'll return for a traditional Bavarian band performance on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg
- Traditional Bavarian band performance on board
Optional Activities
- Sausage-making workshop (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Stone Bridge Old Town Hall - Day 10
Passau
Passau welcomes you where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers meet. You'll walk cobblestone streets lined with 17th-century Baroque buildings, see the Gothic Town Hall, Bishop's Residence, and St. Stephen's Cathedral with Europe's largest church organ. After lunch on board, relax with afternoon Danube cruising.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Passau
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Salzburg (extra expense)
- Excursion to Český Krumlov (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs St. Stephen's Cathedral Gothic Town Hall 
- Day 11
Melk to Dürnstein
You'll explore the 900-year-old Melk Abbey, a UNESCO site, seeing opulent rooms with Italian Baroque architecture and the ancient monastic library. Later, sailing through the UNESCO Wachau Valley to Dürnstein, choose between hiking to Dürnstein Castle or taking a guided bike ride along the Danube through vineyards.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Melk Abbey
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour along the Danube from Melk to Dürnstein
- Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
Landmarks/POIs Melk Abbey Dürnstein Castle 
- Day 12
Vienna
Vienna, Austria's cultural capital and former home of Mozart and Beethoven, is yours to discover. Take a guided tour or bike tour exploring the Ringstrasse and city center, seeing the Renaissance Opera House, Baroque Burgtheater, and Gothic Parliament. Free time lets you explore imperial palaces and museums, with Schönbrunn Palace or a Viennese evening concert as optional choices.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vienna
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour of Vienna
- Visit to Schönbrunn Palace (extra expense)
- Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Vienna State Opera House Burgtheater Austrian Parliament Schönbrunn Palace 
- Day 13
Bratislava
Bratislava, Slovakia's capital, has Baroque palaces and cafés on cobblestone streets. A sightseeing tour covers the Old City with the Old Town Hall, Renaissance courtyard, and Slovak National Theatre. This afternoon, a local family welcomes you for traditional sweet treats and coffee. Hiking to Bratislava Castle or touring post-Communist sites are optional.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava
- Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
- Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
- Carpathian wine route (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Bratislava Castle Old Town Hall Slovak National Theatre 
- Day 14
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest, Eastern Europe's vibrant capital split by the Danube River. A guided coach tour or optional hike to Gellert Hill explores both Buda and Pest. This evening, you'll watch a traditional Hungarian folklore show on board before your farewell dinner, with optional excursions to Szentendre or a Jewish heritage tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
Optional Activities
- Hike to Gellert Hill
- Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
- Jewish heritage tour (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Chain Bridge Gellert Hill 
- Day 15
Budapest to Airport
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to fellow guests and leave the Star-Ship for transfer to the airport, taking memories of your Danube River cruise with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
