Overview
Itinerary
Straddling the northernmost tip of Lake Zurich, Zurich is one of the most beloved cities in Switzerland. Today, you will be able to explore the city at leisure, perhaps taking in its delightful lakeside setting or frequenting one of its many charming cafés. Included is a restful one-night stay in Zurich.
This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Zurich before you are transferred to Lucerne, an area known for its spectacular natural setting. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore Lucerne, perhaps strolling down cobblestone streets in its colourful Altstadt. (B)
- Included Excursion A guided tour of Zurich
The awe-inspiring natural beauty enveloping Lucerne is a true delight, and yours to discover today during a guided tour of this small city. Lucerne effortlessly reflects what most people imagine when they think of a Swiss city, with a backdrop of snow-capped mountain ranges and tree-lined boulevards cutting through the city centre. Enjoy learning about the history of Lucerne as you visit the well-preserved medieval Altstadt, Chapel Bridge and the octagonal Water Tower. (B)
- Included Excursion A guided tour of Lucerne
- DiscoverMORE Train and cable car to Rigi - Weggis (extra expense)
This morning, journey by coach through idyllic landscapes as you carve a course to the Rhine-side town of Basel. When you arrive, you will be able to board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to welcome you. This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board. (B/D)
Your journey through the heart of Europe will commence with a tour of Colmar. A magical place, Colmar resembles the imagery found within a beloved fairy tale. Your included tour of the town will enable you to traverse its cobblestone lanes, passing medieval half-timbered façades and window boxes full of brightly coloured flowers. If you’re feeling more active, you may instead wish to embark on a guided bike tour from Breisach to Colmar. (B/L/D)
- Included Excursion Guided tour of Colmar
- EmeraldACTIVE Guided bike tour to Colmar
- DiscoverMORE Guided tour of Freiburg with market tasting (extra expense)
This morning, your Star-Ship will dock in Kehl, where you will be transferred across the river to Strasbourg, a city perfectly encapsulating the region’s medieval charm. Strasbourg is a city best explored via its quaint waterways. You’ll explore the historic architecture on a canal tour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre.
Relax on board as you pass through the idyllic surrounds of Petite France and conclude in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Neustadt imperial quarter, where many of Strasbourg’s noteworthy buildings are based. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore at leisure. (B/L/D)
- Included Excursion Canal boat tour in Strasbourg
This morning, you'll be transferred from your Star-Ship docked in Rastatt to the charming spa town of Baden-Baden, frequented by celebrities and royalty for centuries. If you’re feeling active, you can embark on a guided hike to Altes Schloss, a fascinating castle ruin full of hidden dungeons and winding staircases. Enjoy panoramic views of the Black Forest and the Rhine Valley as you trace the footsteps of former residents. Tonight, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, you’re invited to join an exclusive private concert in a historical venue . (B/L/D)
- Included Excursion Guided walking tour of Baden-Baden
- EmeraldPLUS Evening Concert on the Rhine
- DiscoverMORE Baden Baden Spa Experience (extra expense)
- DiscoverMORE Entrance to the Casino (extra expense)
- EmeraldACTIVE Guided hike to Altes Schloss
Strolling down Heidelberg’s cobblestone streets, you may find yourself as entranced as the German Romanticist thinkers before you. Heidelberg is a living representation of the legend-steeped cityscapes depicted by the romanticists, its peaceful surroundings beckoning exploration.
Today, you'll explore Heidelberg Castle or opt to hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg for awe-inspiring panoramas. (B/L/D)
- Included Excursion Guided tour of Heidelberg
- EmeraldACTIVE Hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
- DiscoverMORE Vineyards hike and wine tasting in Bad Durkheim (extra expense)
Koblenz is an ancient city often considered to be the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge. The Romans originally built a city here as a stronghold, but the area is now known for its idyllic beauty, and peaceful parks full of colourful flowers. Today, you will be able to relax during a guided tour of the city, including a cable car ride across the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. (B/L/D)
- Included Excursion Walking tour of Koblenz
- EmeraldACTIVE Bike tour in Koblenz
- DiscoverMORE Eltz Castle visit (extra expense)
This morning enjoy the peaceful and inspiring sailing through the Rhine valley, and discover the fascinating legends of the Rhine during your EmeraldPLUS onboard.
In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Rüdesheim, a captivating city known for its authentic atmosphere and traditional appeal. Here, in the home of cuckoo clocks, oompah bands, and Bavarian beer, the Rhineland's charm is found around every corner.
Your included tour will be a visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum, a half-timbered tower with vaulted ceilings and painted frescoes that houses one of the best collections of music boxes in the world. You will also get the opportunity to ride on the charming minitrain and taste famous Rüdesheimer coffee, made with one of the most famous brandies in Germany. (B/L/D)
- Included Excursion Visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
- EmeraldPLUS Legends on the Rhine
After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of Petite France and fairy tale-like settings 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. (B)
Life Onboard Emerald Astra
Enjoy a magical river cruise aboard Emerald Astra as you explore the Rhine, Main & Danube. Read more
For those after a more active experience, you can explore further on foot or by bike. Read more
Authentic included adventures that immerse you in the local culture of each destination. Read more
Enjoy the finest flavours of Europe prepared by a team of culinary experts aboard your river cruise. Read more
From onboard shows to local performances, there's never a dull moment during an Emerald Cruises river cruise. Read more
A putting green, a walking track and a place to relax and take in the views awaits on the sun deck. Read more
Trip Reviews (2) Most Recent 'Zurich - Lucerne & The Majestic Rhine' Reviews
Cabins were adequate, with a reasonable ensuite and over the top room service (2x daily) - sign said to reuse towels unless on floor, but this was ignored and wet towels changed every day. The bad points far outdated the good. Number one is the noise in the dining room, which was unbearable - we left one night and skipped dinner on two occasions because of the noise. Lounge was too small to hold all guests and was noisy, either from loud music or too many people, so we avoided all entertainment, except the Zittar player, who was very good. Other entertainment was quizzes of various sorts, golf putting, singing, etc -very unsophisticated. Seats in lounge were mostly uncomfortable. Lounge also had cold water on tap (still and sparkling) and basic coffee machine (using UHT milk and OK if you add a double espresso to anything). Drinks were bar prices and packages from about $20 per day per person.
Front deck was poorly furnished with old seats and not very comfortable. Pool was OK, but small (converted to cinema at night, with mostly uninteresting movies). Sun deck was closed for nearly half the cruise due to low bridges/high water levels.
Guided tours were in big groups (30 plus), so like cats being hearded around. They have gentle walking group, but no faster walking group, so saw much more walking around independently. Little time is spent at most locations (full day only in Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest), and a lot of time is spent on the boat. No day tours by bus included, unlike on other cruises. Some day trips available at extra cost, but very expensive. Active program is aimed at those who don’t exercise very often and are slow. Bike tour guides were good, but too slow eg 5 hours to do 35km. Passengers were mainly native English speakers, with most from Australia.
Information about bus returns to boat was hard to obtain unless you went on the guided tour (always told “tour guide will tell you”) and sometimes plainly wrong. People were left in Budapest for two hours on a hot day, when they had expected to be taken back to the boat after the bus tour around town. Best the tour guide could say was “get a taxi” when there was public bus that dropped you opposite the boat and was free for over 65s. No maps provided for towns (allegedly for environmental reasons, but they had paper cups in lounge), but you could get them at information centres (but not told where they were). Would definitely not do another river cruise like this.
USD Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Emerald Cruises. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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