Emerald Cruises Reveals Festive Itineraries

Emerald Cruises is giving guests the chance to experience a Christmas to remember with a range of festive itineraries available this holiday season.

The comfortable, contemporary design and welcoming crew onboard Emerald Cruises’ Star-Ships will provide guests with an unbeatable festive break.

To make the most of each destination, guests can choose from a range of Christmas experiences through the EmeraldDISCOVERY programme and become immersed in local culture via guided tours, interactions with locals and unique events.

Guests can delve further into the culture of each destination, by adding an activity to their itinerary from the DiscoverMORE excursions.

From traditional Eastern European folklore dances to romantic canal cruises and famous Christmas markets, the festive itineraries will give guests a Christmas to remember forever:

Five days exploring fairytale Eastern Europe this festive season

On this 5-day Christmas cruise along the Danube, guests will immerse themselves in the culture and festive traditions of Eastern Europe and experience local entertainment with EmeraldPLUS.

Starting in historic Hungary, guests will take a guided tour of Budapest, explore the Christmas markets in the city’s main square, and enjoy dinner and a traditional folklore show.

In Slovakia, guests will see the twinkling lights of Bratislava at Christmas time, choose from a range of Christmas markets to peruse, and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Old City.

Whilst cruising along the Danube on board the Star-Ship, guests can experience entertainment from local Slovakian performers to add to the cheer.

In Vienna, delicious sweets await sampling, from sweet doughnuts, to salty pretzels and Kartoffelpuffer, the savoury pancake.

Emerald Cruises’ 5-day Christmas time on the Danube itinerary is priced from £1,249 per person based on an Emerald Stateroom, including flights, transfers, Wi-Fi and excursions, departing 18 December 2024.

Gluhwein & Christmas Markets along the Rhine

Guests can unwind and relax on this river cruise and soak up the atmosphere at some of the finest Christmas markets in Europe.

Stocking up on those stocking fillers ahead of yuletide is made simple on a guided tour of chocolate-box Strasbourg, historic Heidelberg and Cologne’s Old Town.

The guided tour of Heidelberg’s rich history also includes a wine tasting session and a visit to the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, which overlooks the Rhine River and a red-roofed skyline.

Highlights of the cruise also include a scenic drive through the Black Forest Highlands on the way to the Hofgut Sternen complex located at the foothill of Ravenna Gorge.

Here, as part of the EmeraldPLUS programme, guests will have the chance to see the postcard-worthy Christmas market situated underneath the 40-metre-high Ravenna Viaduct, illuminated by Christmas lights.

Seven idyllic Christmas markets await in Cologne, some of which surround the famous twin-spired Cathedral, and the cruise ends in Amsterdam for guests to explore further festive stalls, offering mulled wine and traditional foods.

Emerald Cruises’ guests can enjoy a leisurely breakfast onboard ahead of disembarking the Star-Ship, before the rush of the festive season begins back at home.

Emerald Cruises’ 8-day Christmas Markets on the Rhine itinerary is prices from £1,699 per person including flights, transfers, Wi-Fi and excursions, departing 14 December 2024.

Celebrate the magic of Christmas with festive European markets

On this 15-day cruise, guests will start their festive holiday by leisurely exploring the famous Budapest Christmas markets, which have been running since the 18th Century.

Offering mulled wine, goulash, lángos, pörkölt and stuffed cabbage, stylish souvenirs and gifts, the markets provide guests with the perfect chance to enjoy festive and unique Hungarian food and drink.

Venturing on to Bratislava, guests will capture the glittering marvel that is Slovakian Christmastime and be welcomed into the home of a local family to learn about their culture, over traditional sweet treats and coffee.

In Vienna, the delightful aroma of Christmas cookies and roasted chestnuts from local shops and markets will delight guests, as they explore this magical city.

Once in Germany, guests will enjoy an included excursion to Melk Abbey, where they’ll be given a guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey.

As part of an EmeraldPLUS experience, guests can visit the wonderful Christmas market inside the Thurn und Taxis Palace grounds in Regensburg before returning to the Star-Ship and sailing through the Main-Danube Canal.

Guests will witness the local festivities of German towns as they cruise to Amsterdam where the trip will conclude.

Emerald Cruises’ 15-day Christmas Markets of Europe itinerary is priced from £2,999 per person, based on an Emerald Stateroom including flights, transfers, Wi-Fi and excursions, departing 26 November 2024.

For full terms and conditions, visit emeraldcruises.co.uk