JEWELS OF THE RHINE

SWITZERLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, AND THE NETHERLANDS

SEPTEMBER 11 - 21, 2025

11 Days ● 23 Meals: 9 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 8 Dinners

HIGHLIGHTS: Visit four countries • 2 night hotel stay in Lucerne • Touring in Lucerne • 7 nights onboard River Cruise in your choice of suite or stateroom • First-Class Service with English-speaking crew • Onboard activity manager will support all EmeraldACTIVE excursions and host daily onboard wellness activities, games, classes, and evening entertainment • Shore excursions with English-speaking local guides • Personal listening device for shore excursions • Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites • All meals included onboard with a variety of International cuisine • Complimentary regional wines, beer and soft drinks with onboard lunches and dinners • Complimentary bottled water in your stateroom • Complimentary WiFi onboard • Complimentary bicycles onboard for use ashore • All port charges included 

PRICE PER PERSON:

**Pricing based on location of stateroom/suite on board Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. View layout of cruise here.**

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

Day 1: Thursday, September 11, 2025 - Depart the USA: Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Zurich, Switzerland.

Day 2: Friday, September 12, 2025 - Zurich to Lucerne, Switzerland: Upon arrival in Zurich, transfer to your hotel in Lucerne to begin your Swiss adventure. Flights should arrive by 3:00pm. The afternoon is at leisure to begin discovering your beautiful new surroundings. This evening, join your Mayflower representative and traveling companions for an included dinner at the hotel.

Day 3: Saturday, September 13, 2025 - Lucerne: After breakfast, an included walking tour highlights the city’s landmark, the famous 14th-century Chapel Bridge with its paintings of heroic town events, that crosses the Reuss River. See the 17th-century Renaissance Town Hall and town squares, all set amongst the beautiful backdrop of the Swiss Alps. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 4: Sunday, September 14, 2025 - Lucerne – Basel: Before departing for your ship in Basel, the day is free to enjoy at leisure or join the morning optional excursion to Mt. Pilatus – a mountain overlooking Lucerne that offers a unique alpine experience! This afternoon, travel by motorcoach to Basel, Switzerland for embarkation of your luxurious Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner onboard.
DiscoverMORE: Mt. Pilatus (additional expense)

Day 5: Monday, September 15, 2025 - Breisach, Germany: As part of the EmeraldPLUS program, visit the city of Freiburg. Considered the ‘capital of the Black Forest’, Freiburg has lovely sights that will leave you amazed. You also have the opportunity to sample true Black Forest delicacies from the lively market in the city center near the main cathedral. If you’re feeling more active, join the guided canoeing excursion in Breisach. 
EmeraldPLUS: Guided tour of Freiburg
EmeraldACTIVE: Canoeing excursion in Breisach

Day 6: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 - Strasbourg, France: Once docked in Kehl, coaches await to take you across the river to Strasbourg, the capital city of the Alsace Region in France. The guided walking tour takes you along narrow lanes and across footbridges as you discover the Grande Île, the historical city center and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its medieval black and white timberframed buildings, picturesque le Petite France, old tanning houses, canals and river locks, the city’s star attraction is the ornate cathedral, dominating the main square. This afternoon, the city is yours to explore at leisure. 

Day 7: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 - Ludwigshafen / Heidelberg, Germany: Relax onboard
as the vessel cruises along the Rhine River to Ludwigshafen, docking site for Heidelberg. Travel by coach to Heidelberg, home of the oldest university in Germany. The guided walking tour visits the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, with fantastic views overlooking the Neckar River, and takes you through the cobblestoned-streets of the medieval city below. Alternatively, hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg.
EmeraldACTIVE: Hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg

Day 8: Thursday, September 18, 2025 - Koblenz: Begin the day sailing through the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge. Pass countless medieval castles and vineyards lining the shores of this section of the river, with photo opportunities around every bend. See the infamous Lorelei statue and Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, built on an island in the middle of the river as a medieval toll station. Continue cruising to the 2000-year-old town of Koblenz, situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Enjoy a walking tour through the streets of the city as your guide points out historic monuments and buildings. See the ‘German Corner’ monument marking the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers.

Day 9: Friday, September 19, 2025 - Cologne: Continue cruising along the Rhine River to Cologne. Founded by the Romans, the city is one of Germany’s oldest and is famous for its magnificent UNESCO World Heritage gothic cathedral. Join your local guide for an included walking tour of the city, touching on the historical charm of the Old Town and its Roman history. Traverse the quaint alleyways and see historic monuments alongside modern architecture. The remainder of the day is at leisure. This evening, back onboard, join your Captain for a farewell reception and dinner. 

Day 10: Saturday, September 20, 2025 - Amsterdam, the Netherlands: Welcome to Amsterdam, the final port of call. Experience the city on a cruise aboard a glass-top boat. Traverse the UNESCO
World Heritage network of canals, passing Roman patrician and ornate merchant houses from the Dutch Golden Age. Alternatively, join a guided bike tour to Waterland, passing through quintessential Dutch landscapes of quaint villages and windmills.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour to Waterland

Day 11: Sunday, September 21, 2025 - Amsterdam / USA: Bid ‘auf wiedersehen’ to Europe and return home with memories of life-enriching experiences from your European adventure and cruise along the Rhine River. 

Itinerary is subject to change.

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