Emerald Cruises unveiled its 2024 Europe river cruise collection, which includes a selection of Epic Voyages. The program features multi-river itineraries (up to 23 days in length) and two new European itineraries.
The Danube River is a longtime favorite for cruisers and gets a reboot with Emerald's new 10-day "Danube Explorer & Highlights of Budapest" itinerary. The voyage offers a deeper look into the culture and history of 5 countries in the heartland of Central Europe and includes a host of locally-focused experiences.
Tourists can visit a farm in Passau (Germany) for a Bavarian brunch, enjoy an onboard Slovakian performance in Bratislava, and a dinner with a folklore show in Budapest. Guests can stay active while touring iconic sites like Veste Oberhaus and Bratislava Castle with 6 distinct EmeraldACTIVE hiking & bike tours. An extended stay in Budapest (Hungary), the “Pearl of the Danube,” allows touring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed downtown, exploring the city’s nightlife, visiting one of the baths, and enjoying a culinary trip at the Grand Market.
Emerald’s second new itinerary is the 11-day "Rhine Castles & Moselle Vineyards". The voyage visits ports in 4 countries.
While visiting a German region popular for its castles, guests tour the Reichsburg Castle in Cochem/Marksburg Castle in Koblenz, both dating back to the 12th century. Guests looking to get active can hike to Landshut Castle Ruins high above the town of Bernkastel. Vineyards line the valleys along the Rhine, and passengers can experience a tour/tasting at Schloss Johannisberg in Rudesheim or travel the Alsace Wine Route complete with a tasting in Strasbourg.
In Emerald's new Dutch ports of call Utrecht and Nijmegen is offered a canal voyage and a visit to the UNESCO-listed windmills of Kinderdijk.
The latest brochure put a strong focus on Emerald's 4 Epic Voyages, which range in duration between 15-23 days. These sailings combine the line’s best-selling itineraries placed back-to-back to create a longer vacation, either on the same vessel or with a short flight/coach trip to embark on a new vessel halfway through.