Welcome to The Netherlands, a postcard-worthy destination of picturesque canals, quintessential cafés and narrow cobblestone streets that sparkle with fairy lights and Christmas cheer during the festive season.

You’ll be met at the airport by a member of the friendly greetings team and transferred to your contemporary Emerald Star-Ship. After boarding, you'll have some free time to explore and soak up the festive atmosphere.

Spend the day exploring the wintery surrounds. If snow dusts the narrow-cobbled streets, you’ll find the Dutch warming up with oliebollen and appelbeignets – traditional deep-fried treats sold from chalet-style stalls that pop up across Amsterdam’s many Christmas markets.

This evening, join your fellow guests for a welcome dinner on board.

Included Excursion
Visit to Festive Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s Christmas markets are a magical blend of festive lights, cosy stalls, and Dutch winter charm, accented with the scent of warm treats like stroopwafels and oliebollen. Popular spots like Museumplein’s Ice Village and the Funky Xmas Market in Westergas offer everything from handmade gifts to mulled wine and live music. Set against the backdrop of Amsterdam’s iconic canals, the markets create a warm, joyful atmosphere perfect for holiday shopping and seasonal cheer.

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Dutch Delights (extra expense)
Rug up and explore the Dutch capital on foot. Admire the highlights of this ancient city while savouring delicious Dutch treats, such as pickled herring – a favourite street food – tasty cheeses and mouth-watering poffertjes, bite-sized fluffy pancakes.
Activity level: Easy, Duration: 3 hours

Cross the German border and arrive in the vibrant city of Düsseldorf this morning. With its innovative architecture, high-end art scene and passion for fashion, it’s one of the country’s most intoxicating cities. It also has a proud tradition of elaborate Christmas decorations, festive celebrations and various themed Christmas markets.

Later, cruise to the 2,000-year-old city of Cologne, where the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland can be found during the holiday season. The city is home to many Christmas markets, and the most spectacular one sits in front of the twin spires of the Neo-Gothic Cologne Cathedral. Look for stalls selling traditional lebkuchen, a beloved round or heart-shaped type of gingerbread that usually includes honey, cardamom or candied fruit.

Included Excursion
Walking tour of Düsseldorf
Join your local guide on a walking tour of Düsseldorf and discover the Old Town filled with Christmas cheer. Learn about the customs and traditions of the festive season before free time to explore the wonderful Christmas markets scattered throughout the city.

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Cologne’s Old Town with Christmas market visit
History and architecture intertwine in Cologne, where ancient Roman fortifications and medieval structures sit beside buildings that rose following World War II. Your guided tour of Cologne will unveil its illustrious history. Later, enjoy a mug of traditional glühwein in the Roncalliplatz Christmas market in front of the cathedral, the largest in the city

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Cologne Christmas market & beer experience (extra expense)
Spend some time exploring the Christmas markets before setting out to discover the spirited beer culture of Cologne. This lively and flavourful guided tour will take you through the city's legendary brewhouses where you can savour its signature Kölsch, a crisp, golden beer brewed only in this region.
Activity level: Easy, Duration: 2 hours

Today, arrive in the heart of Koblenz, an ancient city that seems pulled from the pages of a German fairytale. Once a Roman stronghold, Koblenz was established around 8 BC for its strategic value. It’s now a modern park- and flower-filled city with a unique blend of historic and contemporary architecture.

Later, cruise through the World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge, exemplifying the extraordinary beauty of an area that left the philosophers and artists of the German Romanticism movement entranced. Look out for the iconic Lorelei Rock, where a beautiful siren is said to have lured sailors to their death with her song.

Included Excursion
Orientation walk of Koblenz & Christmas market visit
Join your local guide for an insightful walking tour of Koblenz, passing 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. Afterwards, explore the town’s beautiful Christmas markets.

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Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Perched on a spectacular hill 91 metres (300 ft) above the Moselle Valley is the medieval town of Cochem. Take a walking tour, including a guided visit to the magnificent Cochem Castle, boasting impressive views of the Moselle Valley. The original 12th-century Romanesque style was replaced by King Louis XIV, who ordered his troops to destroy it in 1689. Rebuilt in 1868, he chose the neo-Gothic architecture that we know today, as the family's summer residence.
Activity level: Difficult/Active, Duration: 5 hours

Take in the beauty of the heart of the Rhineland, where red-roofed villages line the river and historic castles dot the hills.

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Heidelberg & Christmas market visit
Travel to nearby 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. Afterwards, explore the city’s romantic Christmas markets that are spread throughout its historic squares.

Arrive in Strasbourg, a city that promises much in the way of beautiful architecture. The World Heritage-listed Neustadt district is an iconic example of 19th-century German Imperial architecture. Strasbourg is also at the heart of the Alsace wine region.

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Strasbourg with Christmas market visit Your guided walking tour will include the Grand Île, Strasbourg's UNESCO World Heritage-listed historical city centre, known for its medieval timber-framed buildings. See the Maison Kammerzell, one of the most famous buildings in Strasbourg, and Petite France, the postcard-worthy historic district with a charming canal system and half-timbered houses. Afterwards, visit one of its most charming Christmas markets to enjoy traditional Alsatian treats and shop for presents.

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Baden Baden Spa Experience (extra expense)
Escape to the heart of Germany’s Black Forest for a rejuvenating day at the world-renowned Baden-Baden spa town. Famous for its healing thermal waters and elegant ambience, Baden-Baden offers the perfect blend of wellness, history and indulgence.
Activity level: Easy, Duration: 3 hours

Set high above the Rhine at the point where the Black Forest joins Alsace, Breisach is a charming blend of German and French cultures. The Romanesque-Gothic St Stephen’s church is perched on a volcanic hill and visible from a great distance.

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Breisach with Christmas market visit
Join your local guide for a walking tour of Breisach. See the Stephanmünster cathedral, the Radbrunnen sculpture, the Franciscan Monastery, and walk the pretty streets around Marktplatz. Afterwards, visit the Christmas market.

EmeraldPLUS
Guided visit to Christmas Market at Ravenna Viaduct
Enjoy a picturesque drive through the Black Forest Highlands to the Hofgut Sternen complex at the foothill of Ravenna Gorge, a place where history and tradition merge. It was here that in 1770 Marie Antoinette stopped with 52 beautifully decorated carriages on the way to her wedding to King Louis XVI. Explore the lovely Christmas market underneath the 40-metre-high (131 ft) Ravenna Viaduct. Be amazed by the magical aroma of Black Forest specialties and handcrafted regional products

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Guided tour of Colmar (extra expense)
Commence your magical morning with a tour of Colmar. As you walk down the cobblestone lanes, it's easy to imagine the characters from the Grimm's Fairy Tales here. In the historic centre, you will be able to see the confluence of French and German architecture, lifestyle, and culture.
Activity level: Easy, Duration: 5 hours

After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow guests and your Emerald Star-Ship as you are transferred to Zurich airport, taking memories of quintessential German & French villages and the magic of European Christmas with you.

Please book your flight to depart out of Basel after 10:00 AM.

Due to new restrictions on cruise ships at Amsterdam’s city docks, your cruise is now likely to embark and/or disembark at a port outside central Amsterdam. If your ship does not have a central Amsterdam docking, Emerald Cruises will provide a central Amsterdam meeting point and transfers to your ship as required. These changes are required by local authorities and are in line with our booking terms which allow changes to berthing or dock locations and ports where operationally necessary. You will be advised of the confirmed docking location prior to departure.

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.