EMERALD CRUISES — RHINE RIVER

THE MAJESTIC RHINE

Zurich to Frankfurt

"If you want the classic Rhine in just over a week, this is the one. You glide past the castles and the Lorelei in the Rhine Gorge, walk up to Heidelberg Castle, and enjoy a concert in a Baroque palace near Baden-Baden. Then it's on to Alsace — the canals of Strasbourg and the flower boxes of Colmar — with a wine glass never far away. Three countries, no packing and unpacking, and summer sailings that are perfect for a family trip or a first river cruise." — Tracey

Save $1,200-$1,700 per person

Book by December 30, 2026

9

Days

180

Max Guests

3

Countries

20

Included Meals

Route Overview

Frankfurt to Zurich — The Majestic Rhine

Three countries, one legendary river — from the Rhine Gorge to fairytale Alsace

Emerald Star-Ship – Only 180 Guests

Sail from Germany to Switzerland on a 9-day journey along the Rhine. Begin in Rüdesheim, heart of the Rhine wine region, then explore Koblenz where the Rhine and Moselle meet before cruising the World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge past the legendary Lorelei. Tour Heidelberg and its hilltop castle, stroll the elegant spa town of Baden-Baden and enjoy an evening concert at Bruchsal Palace. Wander the canals of Strasbourg's Petite France and the flower-filled lanes of Colmar before finishing in Basel. All aboard an intimate Star-Ship with just 180 guests. Select departures sail in reverse, from Zurich to Frankfurt.

DAY BY DAY

Your complete itinerary — 9 days, with seven nights aboard your Emerald Star-Ship from Frankfurt to Zurich (Basel)

Click the ▾ arrow on any day to see full details, shore excursions, and included meals

1Day

Depart the USA

Overnight flight

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Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

2Day

Frankfurt — Mainz

Germany · Embarkation

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Dinner includedAirport transfer included

Welcome to Frankfurt! You'll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your contemporary Emerald Star-Ship in Mainz. This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board as you cruise toward Rüdesheim, where you'll dock overnight. Please plan your flight to arrive in Frankfurt before 2:00 PM. Meals: D

3Day

Rüdesheim — Koblenz

Germany · Rhine wine region

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerSiegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet

Rüdesheim perfectly captures the spirit of Germany — the home of cuckoo clocks, oompah bands and Bavarian beer, and the heart of the Rhine wine region, renowned for its Riesling and Pinot Noir. Ride the local mini train to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum, set in a 15th-century knight's tower with vaulted ceilings and painted frescoes and home to more than 350 mechanical musical instruments and rare music boxes. Meals: B, L, D

Additional Activities & Experiences

Optional Add-On Rüdesheim walk with specialty coffee (extra expense)

4Day

Koblenz & the Rhine Gorge

Germany · Lorelei Rock

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerGuided walking tour includedRhine Gorge cruising

Wake in the ancient city of Koblenz, gateway to the Rhine Gorge and a Roman stronghold established around 8 BC. A guided walking tour takes in the twin-towered façade of the Church of Our Lady, the German Corner where two of Europe's great rivers meet, and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, one of the largest preserved fortresses in Europe. Later, cruise the World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge that so entranced the German Romantics, and look out for the legendary Lorelei Rock. Meals: B, L, D

Additional Activities & Experiences

Active Option Guided e-bike tour in Koblenz

Optional Add-On Eltz Castle visit (extra expense)

5Day

Mannheim — Heidelberg

Germany · Heidelberg Castle

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerHeidelberg guided tour included

Enjoy a relaxed morning on board as you cruise along the Rhine. After lunch, dock in the bustling port of Mannheim and transfer to nearby Heidelberg, whose Baroque buildings and charming narrow streets inspired the poets and composers of the German Romantic era. Your guided tour begins in the grounds of Heidelberg Castle and takes in many of the town's most famous sights. Meals: B, L, D

Additional Activities & Experiences

Active Option Hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg

Active Option Vineyards hike & wine tasting in Bad Dürkheim (extra expense)

6Day

Rastatt — Baden-Baden

Germany · Black Forest

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerBaden-Baden walking tourBruchsal Palace concert

Arrive early in Rastatt, a small town on the edge of the Black Forest known for one of Germany's most beautiful Baroque palaces. Transfer to whimsical Baden-Baden, the spa town where celebrities and royalty have come for centuries to take the healing waters, and enjoy a guided walking tour of its elegant boutiques, grand bath houses and timeless gardens. Meals: B, L, D

Additional Activities & Experiences

EmeraldPLUS Evening concert at Bruchsal Palace

Active Option Guided hike to Altes Schloss

Optional Add-On Entrance to the Baden-Baden Casino (extra expense)

Optional Add-On Baden-Baden spa experience (extra expense)

Optional Add-On Visit to Rastatt Palace & Gardens (extra expense)

7Day

Strasbourg, France

France · Alsace

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerGuided walking tour included

Wake in Strasbourg, the medieval capital of Alsace, where French and German cultures blend in its architecture, language and food. Its World Heritage-listed center is threaded with canals and crowned by Strasbourg Cathedral, the tallest building in the world for more than 220 years. A walking tour through Petite France reveals storybook canals, half-timbered houses and covered bridges, along with the Vauban Dam and the Neustadt quarter. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore at your own pace. Meals: B, L, D

8Day

Breisach — Colmar

Germany · France

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Breakfast · Lunch · DinnerColmar visit included

Perched high above the Rhine and its vineyards, Breisach is where Germany's Black Forest spills into the lush Alsace region. Spend a magical morning in nearby Colmar, strolling cobblestone lanes past half-timbered façades and window boxes overflowing with colorful blooms — it's easy to imagine characters from Grimm's Fairy Tales around every corner. Meals: B, L, D

Additional Activities & Experiences

Active Option Guided e-bike tour to Colmar

Optional Add-On Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting (extra expense)

9Day

Basel (Huningue) to Home

Switzerland · Disembarkation

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Breakfast includedAirport transfer included

After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow guests and disembark your Emerald Star-Ship for your airport transfer, taking memories of the picturesque Rhine Gorge home with you. Meals: B

Please note: The July 7 and July 24, 2028 departures operate in reverse order, sailing from Zurich (Basel) to Frankfurt. The same ports and experiences are included in either direction.

Have a Question or Ready to Reserve Your Cabin?

Rick and Tracey answer every inquiry personally — usually within a few hours

Email Rick & Tracey to Book

— or —

Prefer to talk? Call us at 224-285-7476

We're cruise specialists, not a call center — you'll always speak with Rick or Tracey directly

Special Group Pricing From:

$4,245

9-Day Majestic Rhine · 2027

Per person · Before discounts

2028 from $4,395 per person
Inclusive luxury journey with a wealth of amenities
All prices before savings shown above

Contact Rick & Tracey to book

2027 DEPARTURES

Jul 10 Aug 15

2028 DEPARTURES

Jul 7* Jul 24* Jul 28 Aug 7

* Reverse route — sails from Zurich (Basel) to Frankfurt. All other dates sail from Frankfurt to Zurich (Basel).

Click to enlarge

WHAT'S INCLUDED

✔ Seven nights aboard your Emerald Star-Ship

✔ 20 meals, including all meals onboard

✔ Wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner

✔ Shore excursions with English-speaking guides

✔ EmeraldACTIVE hikes & guided e-bike tours

✔ Evening concert at Bruchsal Palace

✔ Personal listening device on excursions

✔ Complimentary bicycles for use ashore

✔ All gratuities & port charges

✔ Complimentary Wi-Fi & bottled water

WHY BOOK WITH RICK & TRACEY?

✔ Personal service from first call to final travel documents

✔ Expert advice on the right cruise, ship and cabin for you

✔ Rick & Tracey have personally cruised 10+ river voyages across Europe, the Amazon and beyond

✔ Rivers sailed include the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Rhône, Saône, Moselle, Nile and Amazon

✔ Rick & Tracey have visited all seven continents — at least twice

✔ Access to exclusive offers and added value not available to the public

✔ We're available before, during and after your trip — always a real person

Rick & Tracey
Your Travel Experts

✔ Special exclusive group pricing · No fees, no markups!

Cat D / E

IDEAL FOR SOLO TRAVELERS

Emerald Stateroom

Riviera Deck

2027TAKE $1,200 PP OFF

Jul 10 · Aug 15$4,245

2028TAKE $1,700 PP OFF

Jul 7*, 24*, 28 · Aug 7$4,395

2028 Solo Stateroom (Cat ES)$5,305

Prices shown before savings

Cabin Features

Approx. 162 sq ft with picture window

Solo Cat ES stateroom (117 sq ft) in 2028

Stylish en-suite bathroom with upscale amenities

Complimentary Wi-Fi & bottled water

Wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner

Gratuities & port charges included

Cat B / C

Panorama Balcony Suite

Vista Deck · Middle Deck

2027TAKE $1,200 PP OFF

Jul 10 · Aug 15$5,500

2028TAKE $1,700 PP OFF

Jul 7*, 24*, 28 · Aug 7$5,655

Prices shown before savings

Cabin Features

Approx. 180 sq ft

Floor-to-ceiling panorama balcony window

Stylish en-suite bathroom with upscale amenities

Complimentary Wi-Fi & bottled water

Wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner

Gratuities & port charges included

Cat A

Emerald Luxury Star-Ship

Award-winning river cruising · Maximum 180 guests · Built for discovery and comfort

Only 180 Guests Indoor Heated Pool Sky DeckCinema Wellness Spa & Gym Active Excursions Available Terrace Alfresco Bar

Emerald Star-Ship · Deck Plan Click to enlarge ↗

What's on board

Dining & Drinks

Reflections Restaurant · inspired regional cuisine

Sheltered alfresco dining at the front of the ship

Horizon Bar · cocktails & river views

All meals, wines & soft drinks included with lunch and dinner

Wellness & Leisure

Indoor heated swimming pool

Wellness spa, fitness centre & library

Open Sky Deck for scenic cruising

Cinema & extra-special included excursions and events

Activities & Service

Active touring options such as biking & hiking

Personal listening devices while touring

Onboard cultural talks & lectures

All gratuities & port charges included (a $400 pp value)

Delectable Cuisine & Beverages · Click to enlarge ↗

Indoor Heated Pool · River View · Click to enlarge ↗

Horizon Bar & Lounge · Click to enlarge ↗

Ship & Deck Plan

Emerald Luxury Star-Ship

Award-winning river cruising · Maximum 182 guests · Built for discovery and comfort

Only 182 Guests Indoor Heated Pool Sky DeckCinema Wellness Spa & Gym Active Excursions Available Terrace Alfresco Bar

Emerald Star-Ship · Deck Plan Click to enlarge ↗

What's on board

Dining & Drinks

Reflections Restaurant · inspired regional cuisine

Sheltered alfresco dining at the front of the ship

Horizon Bar · cocktails & river views

All meals, wines & soft drinks included with lunch and dinner

Wellness & Leisure

Indoor heated swimming pool

Wellness spa, fitness centre & library

Open Sky Deck for scenic cruising

Cinema & extra-special included excursions and events

Activities & Service

Active touring options such as biking & hiking

Personal listening devices while touring

Onboard cultural talks & lectures

All gratuities & port charges included (a $400 pp value)

Delectable Cuisine & Beverages · Click to enlarge ↗

Indoor Heated Pool · River View · Click to enlarge ↗

Horizon Bar & Lounge · Click to enlarge ↗

Videos