Emerald unveils 2021 European river cruise season

Emerald Waterways has opened the books on their 2021 river cruise season with no price increases from the 2021 preview brochure and complimentary or reduced airfare deals on all European sailing.

Also, in celebration of Canada Day, Emerald Waterways is offering a Canada launch bonus of either an on-board credit or additional savings until July 15th.

The upcoming season will feature a newly launched Star-Ship, Emerald Luna, new land extensions to Istanbul and Transylvania, and several fresh itineraries on some of Europe’s most popular rivers.

All 2021 river cruise bookings also now include Emerald Waterways’ Deposit Protection Plan at no extra charge (value of $125 per person) as well as a reduced deposit payment, so guests can book their vacations with confidence.

The complete 2021 river cruise program is detailed in the company’s brochure here. 

2021 itineraries

Christmas Market sailings have become increasingly popular as an ideal way to visit the festive traditional holiday markets of Europe.

New for 2021, Emerald Waterways is offering three 5-day itineraries to see and shop the iconic markets on the Rhine (sailing between Basel and Frankfurt), the Danube (sailing between Vienna and Budapest) and for the first time on France’s Rhone river between Avignon and Arles. 

During the Canada Day launch period, all guests can choose either a $600 savings per couple or €400 on-board credit per couple. All European river cruises of 15 days or longer will receive free, round trip airfare to Europe and for Canada Day a complimentary extended drinks package.

Guests booking a sailing of eight to 14 days will receive round trip air for $295. The Canada Day sale booking deadline is July 15th, 2020. Plus, for added flexibility and peace of mind, Emerald Waterways is also offering free Deposit Protection Plan (value $125) to protect the value of the deposit and reduced deposit of $250 per person.

Two European itineraries are making their debut in 2021. A 10-day sailing through Holland and Belgium entitled Springtime Delights departs round trip from Amsterdam in April and includes stops in lesser-explored ports such as Maastricht, Holland’s oldest fortified city, and Haarlem, the heart of the Dutch flower growing industry.

And because April is the height of tulip season in Holland, the itinerary will include a visit to the iconic Keukenhof Gardens, which boasts nearly 80 acres abloom with more than seven million multi-coloured tulips. The eight-day Legendary Rhine & Moselle itinerary has been updated, and now sails from Mainz to Bernkastel with new ports of call in Rüdesheim and Wiesbaden.

Two new land extensions—to exotic Istanbul and gothic-styled Transylvania—are now available on the Enchantment of Eastern Europe sailing on the Lower Danube.

A three-night land extension to Istanbul, Turkey includes tours of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Spice Market and a Bosphorus sightseeing cruise to the spot where Europe meets Asia. A four-night extension to Transylvania, in the mountains of Romania, features a guided tour of the magnificent and iconic Dracula Bran Castle in Brasov.

Emerald Waterways remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of their guests and crew. 

“The world may have changed, however, Emerald Waterways’ commitment to our guests, the guest experience and their health, safety and wellbeing remains our key priority,” said Patricia Wu, Emerald Cruises Canada brand director. “Our global management team is working closely with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and government health agencies around the world to continue to provide each and every guest with the uttermost confidence while on board with us.”

Details on that are available here.

Emerald Cruises is the parent brand of Emerald Waterways and the newly formed Emerald Yacht Cruises.

The Emerald Azzurra, the first ship to launch under the Emerald Yacht Cruises brand, is a 100-guest super yacht that will ply the warm waters of the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Red seas when she sails in July 2021.

Emerald Waterways features nine branded Star-Ships offering river sailings in Europe and on the Mekong.