11 DAYS • 23 MEALS Enjoy a relaxing and inspiring cruise on the romantic Rhine, Europe's longest river. We travel onboard our brand new exclusively chartered ship, visiting iconic ports of call, sampling incredible cuisine, and absorbing the local atmosphere.
Airport transfers on tour dates when air is provided by Mayflower Tours
Before cruising we begin in Lucerne, Switzerland with a two-night stay and touring
International Cruise Director and Mayflower Tours expert staff onboard, plus local English-speaking guides for shore excursions
There is no better way to experience the Rhine and Mosel Rivers than by cruising through the heart of central Europe aboard our newly built, exclusively chartered river ship, the MS Emerald Sky
Once onboard, unpack only once in your tastefully furnished river view stateroom with a window for panoramic viewing
Included excursions escorted by local English-speaking guides in Lucerne, Strasbourg, Cochem and Cologne
Narrated cruising through the UNESCO World Heritage Region of the Rhine River Valley including the legendary Lorelei Rock
Explore beautiful Reichsburg Castle on an included excursion
Included narrated canal cruise in Amsterdam
All meals included onboard with a variety of international cuisines
All onboard lunches and dinners are served with complimentary regional wines, beer and soft drinks
Afternoon tea and late evening snack served daily in the lounge
Complimentary WiFi onboard
Spacious public areas with large picture windows in the lounge, bar and dining room
Evening events and Local Insights onboard
Enhanced touring experience with the use of audio headsets
Walk-out balcony featured in the suites on Horizon Deck
"Inside balcony" with drop down window featured in the staterooms on the Horizon and Vista Decks
Insightful presentation on the history of the Rhine River
German entertainment onboard in Boppard
Culinary demonstration by the ship's chef
Canal cruise in Amsterdam
Day One — Depart the USA - Today you’ll depart the USA on your overnight flight to Zurich, Switzerland.
Day Two — Zurich to Lucerne, Switzerland - Upon arrival in Zurich, transfer to your hotel in Lucerne to begin your Swiss adventure. Once a simple fishermen’s village, it is a picturesque town surrounded by mountains and meadows, whose name means "Alpine Splendor." The afternoon is at leisure for you to begin discovering your beautiful new surroundings. This evening, join your Mayflower Cruise Directors and traveling companions for an included dinner at the hotel. Dinner
Day Three — City Tour of 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 Ruess 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 your leisure. Breakfast
Day Four — Optional Excursion to Mt. Pilatus - Before departing for your ship in Basel, the day is free for you 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 the MS Emerald Sky, home for the next seven nights. Breakfast and dinner
Day Five — Strasbourg, Capital of the Alsace Region - Between France and Germany lies lovely Strasbourg, one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Enjoy an included city tour of Strasbourg which was culturally influenced by both countries and is the official seat of the European Parliament. The walking tour of the city center features a stroll through the charming and fascinating Old Quarter, "La Petite France" with its typical Alsatian half-timbered houses. While in the Main Square, dominated by the magnificent gothic cathedral, be sure to notice its carvings as delicate as any piece of hand-made lace. This evening, depart for Speyer, Germany. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack onboard
Day Six — Optional Excursion to Heidelberg - After breakfast, the optional excursion to Heidelberg departs from Speyer. Known as Germany’s oldest university town, Heidelberg is also famous for its red-walled 16th-century castle. With its picture-postcard houses and maze of roofs, Heidelberg represents the essence of German Romanticism. Later this morning, your river ship continues to Mannheim for a brief stop to re-embark the participants on the optional excursion. This evening the ship docks in Rüdesheim, one of the Rhine’s most delightful towns. After dinner, enjoy your evening in port and stop in a beer hall or wine tavern along the lively Drosselgasse. Filled with music and song, it’s the perfect opportunity to sample the best of genuine Rhine hospitality! Breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack onboard
Day Seven — Rüdesheim and Boppard, Picture Perfect Rhine Towns -
In Rüdesheim, nature and history have left a rich heritage in the wine-growing Rheingau region whose origins date back to preRoman times. Home to three medieval castles, the town provides a fascinating look through German history. This morning your Mayflower Cruise Directors will walk you into town where you’ll have free time to stroll through the alleyways filled with shops or visit the Market Square.
This afternoon you won’t want to miss the spectacular scenery as you cruise through the “Splendor of the Rhine” – a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the river, featuring St. Goar and the legendary Lorelei Rock.
Upon arrival in Boppard, located in the UNESCO World Heritage area of the upper part of the Middle Rhine, enjoy free time in this charming town. Its history dates back to the Romans and the finest preserved Roman fortifications in all of Germany can be seen. In the Middle-Ages it was an important commercial and shipping center which is reflected in the town’s historic marketplace and fine mansions along the Rhine promenade. Following dinner, enjoy a special performance onboard by local German entertainers.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack onboard
Day Eight — Cochem, Cozy Wine Taverns - This morning you arrive in Cochem where along the beautiful Mosel River, countless vineyards with varying shades of green and squares of grapevines unfold before your eyes. Cochem, rated one of the prettiest villages along the Mosel, is best known for its fortified gates, pastel-colored or half-timbered buildings, Baroque towers and vintages of Mosel Riesling wine. Enjoy an included guided tour of the 19th-century Reichsburg Castle with its many spires and mighty brick walls that provide contrast to the surrounding lush vegetation. With a late afternoon departure, your ship continues sailing along the Mosel and Rhine Rivers. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack onboard
Day Nine — Cologne, One of Germany’s Oldest Cities - When you visit 2,000-year-old Cologne, the largest city in Germany during the Middle-Ages, you’re sure to be enchanted by the blend of Romanesque churches, simple post-war buildings, and classic modern architecture. Enjoy an included walking tour to the town center and Domplatz – home of the magnificent cathedral, the largest in Germany, which serves as the symbol of the city. With a mid-afternoon departure, enjoy your last afternoon cruising as you sail to your final port of call. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack onboard
Day Ten — Amsterdam, Holland - Known as the "Venice of the North” with its winding tree-shaded canals, Amsterdam boasts ornately gabled 16th-century townhouses and hundreds of canals and bridges. Like the diamonds that make it famous, Amsterdam shines with works of the world’s greatest artists. This morning, during a narrated canal cruise, you get a view of the city from a different perspective as you pass historic buildings, lovely townhomes and churches from water level. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore Amsterdam as you wish. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack onboard
Day Eleven — Amsterdam/USA - Bid a fond farewell to Europe and return home with memories of life enriching experiences from your cruise along the Rhine and Mosel Rivers. Breakfast
Itinerary is subject to change
Days Two and Three - Hotel Astoria or similar, Lucerne, Switzerland
Days Four through Ten - Aboard the MS Emerald Sky
Pre night hotel stays available in Amsterdam. Call for details.
Ship InformationMS Emerald Sky
The 180-passenger MS Emerald Sky is a deluxe river cruise vessel providing a stylish, spacious and unique ship from which to enjoy your river cruise! In addition to providing some of the largest staterooms and suites on river vessels, the ship also offers one-bedroom suites which boast a separate bedroom, spacious lounge area and full balcony. Other unique features onboard are a heated swimming pool (with a retractable roof) that transforms into a cinema in the evening! With the friendly staff and remarkable ship it’s sure to be a relaxing and enjoyable holiday!
Built: 2014
Speed: 15.5 mph
Staterooms: 80
Suites: 12
Length: 443 feet
Crew: 47
Owner’s One Bedroom Suite (315 sq. ft.): Horizon Deck
Features outdoor private balcony with sliding glass door; separate bedroom and lounge area with sofa, chair, coffee table, two dressers and walk-in closet; large bathroom with two basins, shower, hair dryer, bathrobes and slippers; Complimentary WiFi; Two twin beds that can be put together; Telephone; Safe; Individual climate control; TV; Mini-fridge
Grand Balcony Suite (210 sq. ft.): Horizon Deck
Features outdoor private balcony with sliding glass door; Bathroom with shower, hair dryer, bathrobes and slippers; Complimentary WiFi; Two twin beds that can be put together; Dresser; Closet; Writing desk; Telephone; Safe; Individual climate control; TV; Mini-fridge
Panorama Stateroom (180 sq. ft.): Vista and Horizon Decks
Features an indoor balcony with open-air system; Bathroom with shower, hair dryer; Complimentary WiFi; Two twin beds that can be put together; Dresser; Closet; Writing desk; Telephone; Safe; Individual climate control; TV; Mini-fridge
Stateroom (162 sq. ft.): Riviera Deck
Features small window (doesn’t open); Bathroom with shower and hair dryer; Complimentary WiFi; Two twin beds that can be put together; Dresser; Closet; Writing desk; Telephone; Safe; Individual climate control; TV; Mini-fridge
Call for air rates and schedules from your city to Zurich, Switzerland and from Amsterdam, the Netherlands
All staterooms offer river views and have a private bathroom and shower, hair dryer, radio, flatscreen TV, individually controlled heating and air conditioning, safe and telephone.
* Staterooms on these decks feature an ‘indoor balcony’ with drop down window
†Suites feature a walk-out balcony
2 for 1 Airfare offer details: New twin reservations received 120 days prior to the departure date will qualify for 2 for 1 airfare. Solo Travelers — FREE Airfare on all new reservations received 120 days prior to departure. No other offers apply. May deduct Mayflower Money, Referral Rewards, First Time Traveler Savings and Presentation Savings as applicable.
LEVEL 3: A blend of longer and shorter days on this program with more walking tours mixed with some periods of standing. Expect more of the touring to be over uneven surfaces or involve stairs.
