In response to strong demand from vacationers looking to explore the European rivers, Emerald Cruises added additional 2023 sailing dates to 3 of its most popular river itineraries.
2 new dates were added to Emerald Cruises’ Christmas season, which takes passengers to the Christmas markets of European cities like Budapest Hungary, Cologne/Koln Germany, and Vienna/Wien Austria. The Douro River season was also extended, with 2 new dates inviting passengers to enjoy the sights of Portugal into the autumn and holiday season.
2 additional Christmas market sailings were added to the 2023 calendar: the 8-day Christmas Markets on the Rhine setting sail on December 16th, 2023, and the 8-day Christmas Markets on the Danube setting sail on November 24th, 2023.
The 8-day Christmas Markets on the Rhine between Basel/Zurich Switzerland and Amsterdam Netherlands calls on some of Germany’s markets. Fares for the December 16th, 2023 sailing start from $4,045 CAD pp with reduced airfare of $295 pp based on double occupancy when booked by Dec 31st, 2022.
The 8-day Christmas Markets on the Danube offers an alternative to Emerald's classic itinerary. Visits to the Christmas markets in Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, and Regensburg, offer passengers the opportunity to experience the holidays across 4 different countries. Fares for the November 24th, 2023 sailing start from $3,995 CAD pp with reduced airfare of $295 pp based on double occupancy when booked by December 31st, 2022.
Sailing roundtrip from Oporto Portugal, the 8-day "Secrets of the Douro" itinerary is a less-traveled option for river cruise fans. The enchanting Douro valley lined with vineyards is explored via included excursions like a visit to an 18th-century vineyard estate in Quinta do Tedo, dinner at Quinta da Pacheca wine estate, a canoeing trip in Regua, and a guided tour of Salamanca.
A couple of new sailings were added, extending the season further into autumn. Setting sail on November 18th and 25th, 2023, fares start at $4,895 CAD per person (reduced airfare of $395 pp) based on double occupancy when booked by December 31st, 2022.