Emerald Christmas Markets on the Rhine
7 nightsfrom £3,523 per person
Emerald's Christmas Markets on the Rhine suits travellers who want a guided market walk in nearly every port, with tips and drinks at meals included, sailing Amsterdam to Basel over eight days. The trade-off is pace: Dusseldorf and Cologne share one day, and Heidelberg and Freiburg come by coach from Mannheim and Breisach.
Photo Rolf Heinrich, Köln · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Follow the ports in sailing order
| Port | Mooring | Christmas market |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | Days 1 and 2 are in Amsterdam, with a canal cruise included. | Christmas Village Amsterdam |
| Dusseldorf | Day 3 begins with a walking tour of Dusseldorf and its markets. | Dusseldorf Christmas Markets |
| Cologne | Day 3 continues in Cologne with a market visit and a beer tasting. | Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market |
| Koblenz | Day 4 includes an orientation walk and the Koblenz market. | Koblenz Christmas Market |
| Heidelberg | MannheimEmerald lists day 5 as Mannheim, with a guided tour of Heidelberg and its market. | Heidelberg Christmas Market |
| Strasbourg | Day 6 includes a guided tour of Strasbourg and its markets. | Strasbourg Christkindelsmarik |
| Freiburg | BreisachEmerald lists day 7 as Breisach, with a Breisach tour and a guided visit to the Freiburg market. | Freiburg Christmas Market |
| Basel | Day 8 is disembarkation in Basel. | Basel Christmas Market on Munsterplatz |
Pick a December departure
- 1 Dec to 8 Dec 2026from £4,555 per person (2026)
- 8 Dec to 15 Dec 2026from £3,692 per person (2026)
- 15 Dec to 22 Dec 2026from £4,166 per person (2026)
- 16 Dec to 23 Dec 2026from £3,523 per person (2026)
Fares are the operator's published lead-in prices for the year shown. Check the cabin grade, any flight and the port charges before you book.
Do the same route by train
Every stop on this route has a main-line station, and the long hops are quick: Strasbourg to Basel takes 77 minutes on the fastest published train. Doing it by rail lets you stay for the evening markets in Strasbourg and Cologne.
- Strasbourg to Baselfastest 1 h 15 min, computed from the timetable
Emerald's inclusions list reads like a market crawl, with guided visits in Dusseldorf, Cologne, Koblenz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Breisach and Freiburg. Drinks beyond lunch and dinner cost extra. The 24 November, 2 December and one of the 8 December 2026 departures showed as booked out on 11 October 2026.
Quick answers about Emerald Christmas Markets on the Rhine
How much is Emerald's Christmas Markets on the Rhine in December 2026?
Emerald's UK site listed the 16 December 2026 departure of Christmas Markets on the Rhine from £3,523 per person with flights included on 11 October 2026, with other December dates from £3,692 to £4,555.
Does Emerald include gratuities on its Rhine Christmas cruise?
Yes. Emerald's Christmas Markets on the Rhine includes all tipping and gratuities, port taxes and airport transfers to and from the ship.
Which Christmas markets does Emerald's Rhine cruise visit?
Emerald's Christmas Markets on the Rhine includes guided market visits in Dusseldorf, Cologne, Koblenz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Breisach and Freiburg, between Amsterdam and Basel.
Which towns does Emerald Christmas Markets on the Rhine stop at?
Emerald Christmas Markets on the Rhine sails the Rhine over 7 nights and calls at Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Koblenz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Freiburg and Basel, in that order.
When does Emerald Christmas Markets on the Rhine sail in December 2026?
Emerald Cruises lists four departures of Emerald Christmas Markets on the Rhine in December 2026, leaving on 1 Dec, 8 Dec, 15 Dec and 16 Dec.