Cruises have always had an air of romance and adventure to them. The romance of being alone with someone, a candlelit table for two at dinner, lounging side-by-side in the sun, enjoying a show together or dancing in the evening.
And adventure? How about discovering new places, trying new foods, experiencing new cultures? It’s the Love Boat TV show in real life!
One-on-one time in a new culture
Cruises are a great opportunity to unwind: No worry about extra hotel or restaurant costs; you unpack once and never have to figure out how to get to the next town.
But the downsides are seasickness; tiny-cabin claustrophobia; and nickel-and-dime-ing you for excursions, an outside view, wine with dinner, Wi-Fi, and tipping the staff.
But that’s ocean cruising. River cruising is different.
- Their smaller ships give a more intimate experience, better service and better food.
- The ports are normal towns. You’re among people going about their everyday lives.
- There’s at least one included excursion every day.
- River waters are calm.
- Every spacious cabin has views of the European countryside.
Isn’t this a prettier view than endless miles of nothing but ocean?
Of all the trips we’ve taken – and we’ve taken a lot – our Rhine River cruise was the best trip of all, hands down. Until I read Johnny Jet’s newsletter last week. A new European cruise line has just enhanced the entire river cruise experience.
We wouldn’t have thought that was possible, but it is.
Enter Emerald Waterways.
New to the scene, Emerald Waterways has taken the river cruise experience and kicked it up a notch.
Nowhere else can you cruise on new, custom-built ships and be spoiled by a heated swimming pool with retractable roof that transforms into a cinema at night, al fresco dining, all-weather balconies, an on-board hairdresser, massage therapy room, fitness area, and more.
Included: transfers to/from the ships; shore excursions, bottled water restocked daily; tips for their English-speaking crew; free Wi-Fi; tea and coffee all day, hot and cold breakfast buffet, and complimentary regional wines and local beers with your three-course lunches and four-course dinners of delicious, regional dishes.
Every Emerald Waterways cruise itinerary is carefully planned, with UNESCO sites, history, architecture, art, cuisine, and more. This year they offer:
- 8-day “Danube Delights,” Nuremberg – Budapest adventure
- 11-day “Classic Prague & Danube Delights,” 3-day Prague tour, then 8-day Danube Delights cruise to Budapest
- 12-day “Magical Rhine & Moselle,” trip between Basel and Amsterdam
- 15-day “Splendors of Europe,” exploring many top sights between Amsterdam and Budapest
- 15-days “Christmas Markets of Europe,” in 5 countries
They’re all tempting, but Danube Delights would take us to Eastern Europe. We’ve never been there … at least, not yet.
Because, guess what, the fares are really affordable.
We can do this!
Highlights of the 8-day Danube Delights cruise
We like how Emerald Waterways has fair, flexible fares. They don’t keep you running from place to place. You can choose to enjoy down time in port or on board, purchase optional Discover More tours, or upgrade your experience to EmeraldPLUS for even extra value.
Think of it: 4-5 different countries and cultures in 8 days!
Here are some of the highlights; click on theDanube Delights itinerary for more details.
Day 1 – Nuremberg
- Transfer to ship from airport and time to see Nuremberg
- Cocktail Reception
- Welcome Dinner
Day 2 – Weltenburg – Regensburg
- Sail Danube Gorge
- Weltenburg Abbey tour
- Regensburg guided tour
- Traditional Bavarian Oompah Band after dinner.
Day 3 – Passau – Linz
- Passau walking tour OR
- Optional Discover More tours to Salzburg or Ceský Krumlov. (Option #2 takes you to the Czech Republic!)
We may even walk into Linz after dinner to try a Linzer Torte.
Day 4 – Melk – Dürnstein
- Tour 900-year old Melk Abbey
- Sail Wachau Valley
- Dürnstein guided walking tour
Day 5 – Vienna
- Ringstrasse bus tour
- Vienna walking tour
- Optional visit to Schönbrunn Palace
- Optional evening Viennese concert trip.
Day 6 – Bratislava
- Bratislava sightseeing tour
- Home-hosted afternoon tea with a local Slovakian family.
- Captain’s Gala Dinner.
Day 7 – Budapest
- Budapest guided tour
- Authentic Hungarian Farewell Dinner with folk dancing and music.
Day 8 – Goodbye
- Sadly, we depart after breakfast and start dreaming of our next cruise.
Sound like fun? Be sure to download the colorful Emerald Waterways river cruise catalog. There are even more cruise itineraries in 2015.