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2026

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2027

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2028

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Feb
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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

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AdultsAges 18 or above

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2026

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2027

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2028

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Who is travelling?

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From
US $5,625 per person

Zurich - Lucerne & Christmas Markets on the Rhine 2026

11 days
•
From Zurich to Amsterdam
4.1
31 traveler reviews
  • Outdoor Christmas market stalls set up in the snow.
  • Map showing a route through Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland.
  • Person in a hat looking at a large Christmas tree in a festive area.
  • Night scene of a vibrant Christmas market with a cathedral.
  • Brightly lit medieval tower on a waterfront at night.
    View all
  • Winter market with crowds and festive lights.
  • Evening view of a canal with boats and illuminated buildings.
    View all
From
US $5,625 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Save and compare this adventure

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:
Operator
Emerald Cruises
River Cruise
Scenic waterways and effortless exploration
Group Tour
Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity
Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 30 - 182
Ages 12+
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Zurich

    Included Activities

    • Accommodation in Zurich

    Optional Activities

    • Explore lakeside setting
    • Browse Christmas stalls and markets
    Landmarks
    Lake Zurich
  2. Day 2

    Zurich to Lucerne

    Included Activities

    • Guided walking tour of Zurich
    • Transfer to Lucerne

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Christmas markets
    • Sample mulled wine and Christmas treats
    Landmarks
    Zurich Old Town
    Itinerary Image 1
  3. Day 3

    Lucerne

    Included Activities

    • Guided tour of Lucerne
    • Visit Chapel Bridge
    • Visit Water Tower
    • Explore medieval Altstadt

    Optional Activities

    • Train and cable car ride to Rigi-Weggis (extra expense)
    Landmarks
    Chapel Bridge
    Water Tower
    Lucerne Altstadt
    Rigi
  4. Day 4

    Lucerne to Basel

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner on board)

    Included Activities

    • Coach journey to Basel
    • Board Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
    • Dinner on board
    Itinerary Image 1
  5. Day 5

    Black Forest

    Included Activities

    • Guided tour of Breisach
    • Scenic drive through Black Forest Highlands
    • Visit Hofgut Sternen complex
    • Guided visit to Christmas Market at Ravenna Viaduct

    Optional Activities

    • Guided tour of Colmar (extra expense)
    Landmarks
    Breisach
    Black Forest
    Ravenna Viaduct
    Hofgut Sternen
  6. Day 6

    Strasbourg

    Included Activities

    • Transfer to Strasbourg
    • Guided tour of Strasbourg
    • Visit to Christmas Markets
    • Explore Grande Île

    Optional Activities

    • Baden-Baden Spa Experience (extra expense)
    Landmarks
    Grande Île
    Strasbourg Cathedral
    Itinerary Image 1
  7. Day 7

    Heidelberg

    Included Activities

    • Guided tour of Heidelberg
    • Visit Heidelberg Castle ruins
    • Visit Church of the Holy Spirit
    • Explore Old Town
    Landmarks
    Heidelberg Castle
    Church of the Holy Spirit
    Heidelberg University
    Heidelberg Old Town
  8. Day 8

    Koblenz

    Included Activities

    • Orientation walk of Koblenz
    • Christmas traditions in Europe lecture

    Optional Activities

    • Moselle Valley and Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
    Landmarks
    Koblenz
    Cochem Castle
  9. Day 9

    Düsseldorf

    Included Activities

    • Düsseldorf city tour with Christmas Markets
    • Walking tour of Düsseldorf with Christmas Market visit
    • Explore Cologne Christmas markets

    Optional Activities

    • German Beer Experience (extra expense)
    Landmarks
    Cologne Cathedral
    Cologne
    Düsseldorf
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  10. Day 10

    Amsterdam

    Included Activities

    • Canal cruise on glass-top boat
    • Explore Christmas stalls and markets

    Optional Activities

    • Private hidden Gems tour of Amsterdam (extra expense)
    • Dutch Delights (extra expense)
    Landmarks
    Amsterdam Canal System
    Itinerary Image 1
  11. Day 11

    Departure

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Transfer to airport
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Operated by

Emerald Cruises

4.1
(31 reviews)

Number of tours

667

Age Range

12 to 90 years old

Response time

within 2 days

Response rate

92%

There’s nothing quite like an Emerald Waterways river cruise. From Europe to...

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Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Emerald Cruises Ship

Reviews from other tours by Emerald Cruises

  • Lynn
    July 23rd, 2025
    5
    This is the best river cruise we have had. The itinerary, staff, and organisation was excellent. The atmosphere was...
    Show more
  • Mark
    April 25th, 2023
    4
    It was not excellent but good…entertainment lacked they had a girl singing that was one of the bartenders and some...
    Show more

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Upcoming departures
  • From Sunday
    29 Nov, 2026
    To Wednesday
    9 Dec, 2026
    English
    Emerald Star
    From:
    US $6,155 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • From Saturday
    5 Dec, 2026
    To Tuesday
    15 Dec, 2026
    English
    Emerald Destiny
    From:
    US $7,920 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • From Saturday
    12 Dec, 2026
    To Tuesday
    22 Dec, 2026
    English
    From:
    US $7,720 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • From Sunday
    13 Dec, 2026
    To Wednesday
    23 Dec, 2026
    English
    Emerald Star
    From:
    US $5,625 per person
    Multiple Room Types
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From
US $5,625 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Save and compare this adventure

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 300763

  • Currencies
    €
    Euro
    France, Germany and Netherlands
    Fr.
    Swiss Franc
    Switzerland
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type J.

    Type J
    Switzerland
  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Germany.Switzerland. Ideally 6 months before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before June 20th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after June 20th, 2026, a minimum payment of 100% is required to confirm your booking with Emerald Cruises. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 95 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Emerald Cruises" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
  • People also viewed

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Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec