About the line
About Emerald Cruises
Emerald's European river program includes guided excursions, EmeraldPLUS experiences, and gratuities. Wine, beer, and soft drinks accompany lunch and dinner; additional drinks and optional excursions can cost extra. Its current Christmas Danube itinerary links Passau and Budapest, with a Munich transfer.
Best for
Travelers comparing a contemporary ship and included touring with the total cost of more inclusive alternatives.
Pros
- Included touring and EmeraldPLUS experiences
- Gratuities included in the published program
- Wine and beer with lunch and dinner
- Contemporary ship interiors
Cons
- Drinks outside included meal times can cost extra
- Optional excursions may cost extra
- Check the ship's facilities and your cabin category
Inclusions
What’s included
A quick read on the standard Christmas-sailing package. Partial inclusions are marked with a half-circle.
Drinks
PartialBeer & wine with lunch/dinner
Excursions
PartialIncluded touring; optional extras may apply
Flights
Flights extra
Gratuities
Included
Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Bikes
Bikes carried, free to use
The fleet
Ships
Emerald Destiny
Emerald Sun
Emerald Sky
Emerald Dawn
Christmas itineraries
Example Christmas sailings
Published itinerary examples, not live cabin availability. Check the departure for current ships and inclusions.
- 7 nights
Christmas Markets on the Danube
Danube River
Itineraries we feature
Example cruises on this line
Real, published itineraries — shown as examples. Live availability via a planning expert.
Keep exploring
Other cruise lines
See how the rest of the field compares.
Viking River Cruises
The thinking person's river cruise.
Viking's European river cruises combine Scandinavian-style interiors with destination-focused touring. Fares include one shore excursion per port, onboard meals, beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi, and port taxes. Enrichment lectures and destination performances add context to the journey. Ships and layouts vary by river; compare the actual vessel and cabin rather than assuming every Longship is identical.
Our score
4.6Request pricing
per person · example
AmaWaterways
The heart of the river.
AmaWaterways is a family-owned line known for food-forward dining, several excursion styles, and active choices such as hiking and biking. On European sailings, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, along with a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour; The Chef's Table is included at no extra charge. Its Christmas-market itineraries combine guided touring with time to explore independently. AmaMagna offers an especially spacious Danube experience, while the wider fleet gives travelers a useful range of ship and cabin styles.
Our score
4.7Request pricing
per person · example
Riverside Luxury Cruises
Luxury, redefined on the river.
Riverside offers several fare packages rather than one universal all-inclusive fare. On Riverside Mozart, full-board options and premium beverage packages can be booked with or without selected excursions. Compare the package and ship alongside the cabin price; some specialty dining and experiences can cost extra.
Our score
4.5Request pricing
per person · example
Tauck River Cruising
All-inclusive, done right.
Tauck's Christmas itineraries combine river cruising with its escorted-tour approach. Scheduled sightseeing, special events, selected onboard drinks, and specified gratuities are included. Its Danube route connects Nuremberg and Vienna; the Rhine trip connects Basel and Düsseldorf. Confirm the exact events, vessel, and departure direction before choosing.
Our score
4.6Request pricing
per person · example