Discover the Rhine & Rhone Rivers

15 days from
$9580
per person share twin in a Emerald StateroomFlights are additional Departs 10 Aug 24

Amsterdam to Arles

These two cruises that link seamlessly for fourteen nights of cruising. Beginning in Amsterdam, cruise along the Rhine river to Basel, then travel through Switzerland, into France to Lyon to join the Emerald Liberté for another seven night cruise along the Rhône and into Arles.

Deal includes

✔40 superb meals including 14 Breakfasts (B), 12 Lunches (L), 14 Dinners (D)
✔ Including a Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner
✔ Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board
✔ Complimentary bottled water in your suite or stateroom, restocked daily
✔ A variety of on board evening entertainment
✔ Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
✔ Complimentary bicycles on board
✔ First-class service from English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides
✔ Earn EmeraldEXPLORER loyalty points
✔ Complimentary River Cruise Cover
✔ Airport transfers to and from the ship
✔ The services of an Emerald Cruises Cruise Director
✔ Port taxes and charges
✔ All tipping and gratuities

Included Excursions

• A canal cruise in Amsterdam
• Guided tour of Cologne's old town Walking tour of Koblenz & visit to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
• A guided tour of Heidelberg with wine tasting
• A guided tour of Strasbourg
• A visit to a Black Forest destination
• Visit to the Hospices de Beaune
• Guided tour of Lyon
• Guided tour of Tournon
• Guided tour of Viviers
• Guided tour of Avignon
• Guided tour of Arles with arena visit

Cruise itinerary

Upon arrival in Amsterdam, you'll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your innovative Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will welcome your arrival.

Day 2 - Amsterdam 
Every narrow street and gabled façade in Amsterdam tells a tale of the Dutch Golden Age, a prosperous time when Dutch art was among the most acclaimed in the world. Today, relax during a glass-top canal boat tour through Amsterdam's elaborate UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system, sailing through the city's medieval centre and past Roman patrician houses. Alternatively, embark on a guided bike tour to Waterland, passing quintessential villages, traditional windmills and flower fields.

Enjoy sailing through the countryside and towards the Rhine River this afternoon, perhaps enjoying a drink on the Sun Deck and watching the passing scenery before joining your captain for a gala dinner.

Guided bike tour to Waterland
Included Excursion
Canal cruise

Day 3 - Cologne
Cologne is one of the oldest cities in Germany, effortlessly steeped in history and tales of the past, encapsulating a timeline that spans more than two millennia. Your included city tour will take you to the heart of its Old Town.

As part of your EmeraldPLUS programme, explore rustic German life off the beaten track and experience what the locals do. Visit a farmers’ market with sustainable products and sample local produce. Sit outside and breathe in the German country air watching local families enjoy their free time together or wander around the farmers market before heading back to the ship.

Guided tour of Cologne's Old Town

Visit to a local farmers’ market estate with tasting

Day 4 - Koblenz
Immerse yourself in fairy tale-like surroundings today as we cruise to Koblenz, a town with a postcard-worthy backdrop of vineyards and mountain ranges. Your included walking tour of this Roman town will unveil the twin-towered façade of the Church of Our Lady, the point at which two of Europe’s great rivers meet at the German Corner and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, one of the largest preserved fortresses in Europe.

Enjoy sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge this afternoon. Here, romantic castles sit atop tree-covered canyons and half-timbered medieval villages appear suspended in time

Orientation walk of Koblenz & a visit to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)

Day 5 - Ludwigshafen - Heidelberg
This morning, you will discover Heidelberg. The idyllic UNESCO City of Literature has inspired the likes of Mark Twain and famed British artist William Turner. A guided tour of the town will unveil its rich history, starting at the Renaissance ruins of Heidelberg Castle, where the carefully curated gardens host serene water features, sculptures and colorful flowerbeds.

Hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg

Guided tour of Heidelberg

Evening concert at Bruchsal Palace (extra expense)

Day 6 - Kehl - Strasbourg
This morning, you'll dock in Kehl to be transferred by coach to the picturesque town of Strasbourg, where a medieval past is yours to discover among cobbled squares surrounded by half-timbered houses.

Your included walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town will touch on many of Strasbourg’s highlights, including the astrological signs that adorn the façade of the Maison Kammerzell and the idyllic historic scenery around Petite France. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Strasbourg at your leisure.

Guided tour of Strasbourg

Alsace wine route with tasting (extra expense, only available on select dates)

Day 7 - Breisach - Freiburg 
Today, as part of your incredible EmeraldPLUS programme, you will visit the city of Freiburg. Considered the 'Capital of the Black Forest', Freiburg has lovely sights that will amaze you. As part of your visit, you will also have the opportunity to sample authentic Black Forest delicacies. If you're feeling more active, you can choose to join a guided bike tour of Breisach.

Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting

Guided bike tour in Breisach

Day 8 - Basel - Lyon 
After breakfast, you will disembark your Star-Ship and be transferred by coach to Lyon, where your river cruising journey will continue.

Day 9 - Chalon-sur-Saone - Beaune 
Chalon-sur-Saône is known for its art and history. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to observe the area’s architectural heritage and peaceful surrounds as you travel to the quaint village of Beaune and visit the Hospices de Beaune. Originally a hospital for the poor, the Hospices de Beaune is now home to one of Burgundy’s most popular wine auctions.

Cheese and olive tasting on board

Visit to the Hospices de Beaune

Day 10 - Lyon 
France’s third-largest city, Lyon is a former Roman capital, steeped in history and considered to be the gastronomic heartbeat of the country. Home to traditional Lyonnaise cuisine, you'll enjoy an array of exemplary culinary delights.

Today, a guided city tour awaits you, including a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière, part of the inscribed historic site of Lyon. Wander through the city and soak in its vividly illustrated history, as buildings from all time periods can be seen adorning narrow cobblestone streets. Alternatively, explore the highlights of the city on two wheels as part of a guided bike tour of Lyon.

Guided bike tour of Lyon

Guided tour of Lyon

Excursion to Pérouges (extra expense)

Day 11- Tournon 
The picturesque village of Tournon borders the gently meandering Rhône, dominated by a 16th century castle that overlooks the village and a number of iconic landmarks, including a set of ancient watchtowers.

Your guided tour of the village will showcase its intangible cultural heritage, granting every opportunity for you to immerse yourself in your surroundings. Alternatively, embark on an

EmeraldACTIVE hike through the local vineyards and marvel at the rows upon rows of grapes used to make some of the finest wines in Europe.

Later, a guided bike tour to Glun will showcase rural life in the French countryside.

Regional wine tasting on board

Guided bike tour to Glun

Guided hike through the vineyards

Guided tour of Tournon

Day 12 - Viviers 
Arrive in Viviers, a town with much Middle Age flair and home to one of France’s oldest cathedrals. Your included walking tour will highlight many of the city’s numerous spectacular monuments, along with their ornate windows and lavish façades.

Guided tour of Viviers

Avignon has a rich history, from Celtic beginnings to being the residence of seven successive Popes between 1309 and 1377. The city also played a major part central to the French Revolution.

Your included walking tour will take you past the ornate beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Palais des Papes, as well as Pont d’Avignon, an ancient stone bridge crossing the Rhône. In the afternoon, the beauty of Avignon is yours to leisurely explore. This evening, you’ll enjoy a delightful Provençal dining experience on board, expertly prepared by France's Top Chef finalist, Fabien Morreale.

The past is yours to uncover in Arles, a once-important Phoenician trading port that was captured by the Romans, who peppered the city with iconic monuments. Today, your included tour of the city will showcase some of its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman and Romanesque monuments, illustrating how the city has evolved over the centuries.

Visit the 2,000-year-old Arles Amphitheatre and follow in the footsteps of world-renowned artist, Vincent van Gogh. The rest of the day is yours to explore at leisure, where a stop at a local and quintessential café is a must before returning to relax on board your Star-Ship.

After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your fellow guests and disembark your Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of the idyllic French countryside and delightful cuisine with you.

Please book your flight to depart out of Marseille after 11:00 AM.

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.