Christmas Markets Cruise on the Rhine

Amsterdam, North HollandNetherlands

8 Days / 7 Nights
for Member Pricing

Christmas Markets Cruise on the Rhine

Board the Emerald Sky — a luxury riverboat — and sail to ports in the Netherlands and Germany along the Rhine on this 7-night cruise for guests ages 12 and up.

About Your Trip

Price displayed above is per person based on double occupancy for the inside cabin and includes US$300 in government fees and taxes per person. Upgraded cabin categories are available at an additional cost. Click “Update Price” for final price per person, which includes government fees and taxes.



Before the holiday season kicks off, take a luxurious cruise up the Rhine River that begins in the Netherlands and ends in Switzerland. Along the way, you’ll stop at incredible cities — some of which have festive Christmas markets already in full swing.

While in port, do as much or as little as you want with complimentary activities that include guided walking and cycling tours, hiking and even wine and cake tastings. No matter what you decide, there’s plenty to see, from canals and historic city centers to fortresses and medieval towns. Still want more? You’ll have plenty of leisure time to explore museums, relax at cafes and shop for souvenirs — every day is a new adventure!

While on board your upscale riverboat, be sure to savor the diversity of landscapes as you sail by iconic windmills, hilltop castles and lush vineyards as you experience what it’s like to pass through an intricate lock system.

What we love:
• Step back in time at traditional European Christmas markets that date hundreds of years; typically, they feature handicraft and food-and-beverage stalls decked in colorful lights and decorations to get everyone into the yuletide spirit.
• A visit to the Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to see its spires that reach 515 feet (157 meters) into the sky.
• You’ll sample Black Forest gateau, a chocolate sponge cake with cherry filling, which contains flavorful liquor made from black cherries that grow in the Black Forest mountain region.

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What's Included

Your DreamTrip includes 8 days and 7 nights on a Rhine river cruise aboard the Emerald Sky, as well as:
• 6 full breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners.
• Complimentary beverages at all times, including water, soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee, wine, beer and premium brand drinks.
• Complimentary bottled water in your cabin, restocked daily.
• Minibar in your cabin, restocked with your favorite beverages daily.
• The services of an Emerald Waterways Cruise Director.
• Tailormade GPS with on-board narrative about features along the trip.
• A variety of onboard evening entertainment.
• Complimentary bicycles on board.
• Complimentary use of electric bicycles for biking opportunities.
• Concierge laundry service.
• Access to a spa with classes available (at an additional cost).
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on board.
• Flat-screen televisions in each stateroom.
• Port taxes and charges.
• All tipping and gratuities.
• English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides.
• Guided walking tour of Strasbourg with a visit to the Grand Ile.
• Guided tour of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
• Guided tour of Old Town Cologne.
• Choice of glass-top canal boat cruise in Amsterdam or a guided bike tour of Amsterdam.
• Choice of a visit to Heidelberg with castle visit or a hike to Heidelberg Hill.
• Wine tasting in Heidelberg.
• Visit to a village in the Black Forest region with a choice of a guided hike through the Black Forest trails or free time to walk around the village.
• Presentation at a typical family-owned Gasthof and tasting of Black Forest gateau.
• An In-destination Support team member will be provided on this trip. Their goal is to ensure you have a great DreamTrips™ experience from landing to liftoff. They host a welcome reception on arrival day, attend scheduled activities throughout the trip, notify the group of itinerary updates and more.



Transportation

Airfare is not included in the DreamTrip price! Before purchasing airfare, please note that your cruise will begin in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and end in Basel, Switzerland.

The closest commercial airport to the port for your arrival flight is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) in Amsterdam. The closest commercial airport to the port for your departure flight is EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (BSL) in Basel. We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for any trip.

Airport Transfers

Emerald Waterways provides round-trip airport transfers from:
• Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to the port on December 7, timing based on flight details provided. Please book your flight to arrive before 4 p.m.
• The port to EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (BSL) on December 14, timing based on flight details provided.

To arrange your airport transfers, you must submit flight details to the Emerald Waterways online Trip Personaliser no later than September 3, 2019 (at least 95 days prior to sailing).

To log in to the Trip Personaliser, you’ll need your Emerald Waterways Booking Number, which you will receive via email after your booking is complete.

Please note: Airport transfers will not be provided unless Trip Personaliser Terms and Conditions are accepted and the Guest Details section is completed.



This trip will close by October 31, 2018


Check out this DreamTrip on Facebook.
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Accommodations

Cabin Types
• Emerald Stateroom (Rivera Deck)
• Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite (Vista Deck)

All cabins feature:
• Flat-screen television with infotainment system.
• Individual air conditioning.
• Personal safe.
• Refrigerator with minibar.
• Hairdryer.
• Hotel-style beds.
• En suite bathroom.
• Complimentary bottled water.
• Complimentary Wi-Fi.

Availability is limited. Pricing varies by cabin type.
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Platinum Inclusions

After boarding the ship, Platinum Members will be treated to onboard credit* for use toward amenities on the Emerald Sky:

• US$100 per Emerald Stateroom.
• US$200 per Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite.

If you have any questions regarding your onboard credit, please see the ship’s Guest Services.

*You get 1 onboard credit per Platinum Member cabin, and the credit is available for use on this DreamTrip only. Onboard credit is not transferable, has no commercial value, is not subject to refund or credit after the stay and cannot be redeemed for cash. Please note: Your onboard credit will be applied to your onboard cabin account when your bill is reconciled.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Amsterdam, the Netherlands

• Arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) and meet an Emerald Waterways representative for your transfer to the ship in Amsterdam, timing based on flight details provided. Please book your flight to arrive into Amsterdam before 4 p.m.
Meals included: Dinner.

Day 2: Amsterdam, the Netherlands

•In the morning, participate in your choice of one of the following activities:
Option 1: Join a glass-top canal-boat cruise and explore Amsterdam’s maze of canals.
Option 2: Go on a guided bike tour.
• Return to the ship and sail along the Dutch countryside, past windmills and through locks toward the Rhine River.
• In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a gala dinner hosted by the captain.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 3: Cologne, Germany

• Relax on board as you cruise along the Rhine River.
• After lunch, join your local guide for a tour of Old Town Cologne, with its beautiful squares and historic monuments.
• Enjoy free time for exploring. We suggest you stop at the Christmas markets.
DiscoverMORE optional activity available (at an additional cost): Tour of a football stadium.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 4: Koblenz, Germany

• After docking in Koblenz, take a guided tour that includes Ehrenbreitstein Fortress on the opposite side of the river.
DiscoverMORE optional activity available (at an additional cost): Visit to Cochem Castle in Mosselle valley.
• In the afternoon, sail through the Rhine Gorge, passing countless castles and vineyards as well as the famous Lorelei statue and Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, built on an island in the middle of the river as a medieval toll station.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 5: Mannheim, Germany, with side trip to Heidelberg, Germany


• After docking in Mannheim, head to the medieval town of Heidelberg.
• Participate in your choice of one of the following activities:
Option 1: Visit Heidelberg, including the castle which overlooks the town.
Option 2: Go on a hike to Heidelberg Hill.
• Before getting back on board, indulge in wine tasting.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 6: Kehl, Germany, with a side trip to Strasbourg, France


• After docking in Kehl, transfer to Strasbourg for guided walking tour that includes UNESCO-protected Grand Ile.
• Enjoy free time for exploring. We suggest you stop at the Christmas markets.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 7: Breisach, Germany, with a side trip to the Black Forest region in Germany

• After docking in Breisach, transfer to a village in the Black Forest region.
• Participate in your choice of one of the following activities:
Option 1: Enjoy free time walking around the village.
Option 2: Go on a guided hike through Black Forest trails.
• Experience Black Forest gateau assembling presentation and tasting.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 8: Basel, Switzerland

• Disembark in Basel and transfer to EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freigurg (BSL), timing based on flight details provided.
Meal included: Breakfast.



Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice depending on weather, traffic conditions and other factors. In the unfortunate event that an activity or excursion is no longer available, it will be substituted with a similar activity of equal or greater value.

You will be advised of your designated arrival time to the cruise port upon completion of your online check-in. You must arrive at the cruise port no later than 2 hours prior to departure to allow time for the check-in process. Any guest arriving within 60 minutes of the departure time will risk being denied boarding.
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Additional Information

This DreamTrip is for guests ages 12 and up only. Age is determined at the time of travel. 

Please contact Travel Support if you have special requests regarding bedding, meals or medical needs, or any other questions about this trip.

Please note: At the time of booking, you will see a page with your order number and trip cost. This is your confirmation. Please retain and bring this information with you on your trip.

After your booking is confirmed, you may also receive a pre-check-in email.

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Terms and Conditions

Cancellation Policy*: This trip is non-refundable from the time of booking.

*This cancellation policy is subject to rules and regulations in applicable jurisdictions in which our travel supplier is based. Therefore, in the event of conflict between the cancellation policy displayed here and cancellation terms in supplier booking terms, the provisions of the booking terms will prevail.

Name changes are not allowed. Requested name changes are considered a cancellation and will require re-booking, if space is still available.

No changes of any kind are allowed within 30 days of sailing.

Members can’t combine DreamTrips Points. Your membership level determines the maximum amount of DreamTrips Points you can use. If you have more than 50 Rovia Bucks, you can apply them in the checkout process.

Platinum Inclusions and Other Onboard Credits
• Onboard credit will be applied to your onboard cabin account when your bill is reconciled.
• Onboard credits and/or discounts cannot be converted to cash, and any not used during your stay will expire immediately upon your embarkation of the ship. Member is responsible for paying any taxes that may be added to items purchased with onboard credit.

In the unfortunate event that an activity or excursion is no longer available, we will substitute a similar activity of equal or greater value.

Make sure that your passport and visa, if applicable, are up-to-date before you leave! It’s important to double check that you have all the identification and other documentation required by the specific country you’re traveling to. In many countries, passports and visas must be valid for 6 months or longer after the trip end date. If you are unable to obtain the required identification and other documentation, the Cancellation Policy for this DreamTrip will apply.

Each individual, including each child, who is coming along with you on your DreamTrip cruise is required to have a booking prior to the commencement of the trip. If you do not book and pay for each such person in advance of the trip, such person will not be permitted to board the ship.

Pricing for children is based on their age at the time of travel and may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the cruise line. Also, pricing for children can vary, and may be higher than pricing for adults. Therefore, before you book any travel, please check the relevant cruise line website for applicable terms and conditions as well as details regarding their pricing structure.

Cruise line restrictions and conditions:
• Final cabin category and location are at the total discretion of the cruise line and may result in an obstructed view.
• Upgrades are at the discretion of the cruise line, based on availability, and would entail an upgrade charge.
• Members are limited to only 1 cabin unless booking for children ages 18 and younger.
• Expectant mothers are prohibited from traveling on this trip if pregnancy is 23 weeks or longer on date of travel. Penalties will apply if cancellation is required.
• Bonus offer(s) direct from the cruise line may apply at time of booking, subject to DreamTrips Specialist approval. All Cruise Line offers are based on availability, subject to change, and not guaranteed through DreamTrips. Promotions may not be combinable with all fares.
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