Itinerary
- Day 1
Zurich
You'll arrive in Zurich and meet your group at the airport for a transfer to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. Get settled into your cabin this evening, then head to dinner on board where you'll meet the other guests.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Reception & Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Dinner on board
- Day 2
Freiburg
The ship stops in Freiburg, known as the Capital of the Black Forest. You can join a guided tour that includes tastings of local Black Forest specialties, or if you're looking for something more active, there's a guided bike tour in Breisach. A guided tour of Colmar is also available for an additional fee.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour in Breisach (EmeraldACTIVE)
- Guided tour of Colmar (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Freiburg 
- Day 3
Kehl to Strasbourg
After disembarking in Kehl, you'll travel by coach to Strasbourg for an included excursion through medieval squares and half-timbered houses where you'll learn about Alsatian flavors and culture. In the evening, enjoy a private concert in a historic venue as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, or choose to visit a Baden Baden Spa instead for an extra cost.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flavours of Alsace excursion
- Private Evening Concert on the Rhine
Optional Activities
- Baden Baden Spa experience (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Strasbourg 
- Day 4
Mannheim to Heidelberg
Start your morning cruising along the Rhine River, taking in the scenery as you pass where the Rhine and Neckar rivers meet. Later, you'll head to Heidelberg by coach to see what drew writers like Mark Twain and William Turner to this UNESCO City of Literature. Your guided tour covers the historic parts of town, including Heidelberg Castle, which is one of the major Renaissance structures from that period.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg
- Active hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
Optional Activities
- Rüdesheim with specialty coffee (extra expense)
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Mount Königstuhl 
- Day 5
Rhine Gorge to Koblenz
You'll sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge, passing romantic castles and medieval villages along the way. Once in Koblenz, a local guide leads you through cobbled squares and narrow streets to the German Corner where two major European rivers meet, plus you'll see Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, one of Europe's largest preserved fortresses. An optional excursion to Moselle Valley and Cochem Castle is available for additional cost.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Orientation Walk of Koblenz
Optional Activities
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks German Corner (Deutsches Eck) Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Rhine Gorge 
- Day 6
Cologne to Düsseldorf
The ship arrives in Cologne, one of Germany's oldest cities, where you can explore the famous Cathedral. After lunch, head to Düsseldorf for a walking tour that shows you the contrast between its ancient and modern sides. You'll stroll along the Rhine and see the city's diverse architecture. There's an optional Cologne Beer Experience available if you'd like to add that for extra cost.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cologne Old Town
- Walking tour of Düsseldorf
Optional Activities
- Cologne Beer Experience (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral 
- Day 7
Alkmaar
You'll discover Alkmaar, a Dutch town with historic canals and medieval buildings. The main attraction is its centuries-old cheese market where traditional cheesemakers display their work. You can choose between an included Alkmaar excursion, a guided bike tour through the Dutch countryside, or optional private tours of Amsterdam's hidden areas or a Dutch Delights experience for additional fees.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Excursion to Alkmaar
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour to Waterland (EmeraldACTIVE)
- Private hidden Gems tour of Amsterdam (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Dutch Delights (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Alkmaar 
- Day 8
Departure
After breakfast, you'll disembark from the Star-Ship and transfer to the airport for your departure, taking with you memories from the Black Forest and the charming towns you've visited along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
