Emerald Cruises

Daily Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Marseillan

   France

   

   Marseillan is a sun-drenched wine town on France's Etang de Thau lagoon, birthplace of Noilly Prat vermouth and gateway to the country's premier oyster-producing waters. Must-dos include touring the historic Noilly Prat chai, tasting Bouzigues oysters with Picpoul de Pinet wine at waterfront cabanes, and exploring the Canal du Midi. Visit June or September for warm Mediterranean weather and the unhurried rhythm of the Languedoc coast.

2. Day 1

   Arles

   France

   

   Arles, the most important city in Roman Gaul after Lyon, wears its history with casual magnificence: a first-century amphitheatre still hosts bullfights beneath open skies, and the haunting Alyscamps necropolis — once among the most prestigious burial grounds in the Western world — lines a poplar-shaded avenue with ancient sarcophagi. Yet Arles is equally celebrated as the city that intoxicated Vincent van Gogh, who produced over three hundred works here in fifteen fevered months; the Fondation Vincent van Gogh now honors his legacy in beautifully renovated rooms. Spring and autumn are ideal, with the Camargue's flamingo-filled wetlands just minutes south. Lyon is two hours north by TGV.

3. Day 2

   Arles

   France

   

   Arles, the most important city in Roman Gaul after Lyon, wears its history with casual magnificence: a first-century amphitheatre still hosts bullfights beneath open skies, and the haunting Alyscamps necropolis — once among the most prestigious burial grounds in the Western world — lines a poplar-shaded avenue with ancient sarcophagi. Yet Arles is equally celebrated as the city that intoxicated Vincent van Gogh, who produced over three hundred works here in fifteen fevered months; the Fondation Vincent van Gogh now honors his legacy in beautifully renovated rooms. Spring and autumn are ideal, with the Camargue's flamingo-filled wetlands just minutes south. Lyon is two hours north by TGV.

4. Day 3

   Avignon

   France

   

   Avignon's Palais des Papes — a fortress-palace of staggering medieval ambition where seven successive popes held court for seventy years — still dominates this Provençal city's skyline, its limestone bulk enclosing frescoed chapels and vast ceremonial halls that once shaped the destiny of Christendom. In July, the city transforms for the celebrated Festival d'Avignon, Europe's premier theatre gathering, turning every courtyard and cloister into a stage. Year-round, the beautifully preserved historic centre offers world-class Rhône Valley wines, refined Provençal cuisine, and the beguiling spectacle of the Pont Saint-Bénézet stretching halfway across the river. Lyon and Marseille are each accessible in under ninety minutes by TGV.

5. Day 4

   Viviers

   France

   

   Viviers is one of France's most beautifully preserved medieval secrets — a cathedral town of barely four thousand souls perched on a limestone spur above the Rhône, serving as an episcopal seat since the fifth century when its bishops chose this formidable rock over the declining Roman city below. The Romanesque bell tower, vaulted passageways, and Renaissance townhouses of the haute ville form an ensemble of extraordinary architectural coherence, virtually unaltered since the seventeenth century. River cruise guests arriving from Lyon or Avignon typically spend languid afternoons exploring these narrow, time-suspended streets, best visited in spring or early autumn when Rhône Valley light is at its most golden.

6. Day 5

   Tournon-sur-Rhône

   France

   

   Tournon-sur-Rhône is a captivating port town steeped in history, known for its medieval architecture and vibrant culinary scene. Must-do experiences include savoring local specialties such as caillettes and exploring the bustling Saturday market. The best time to visit is in the late spring or early fall when the weather is mild and the local festivities are in full swing.

7. Day 6

   Macon

   France

   

   Mâcon, a historic city in Burgundy, is a captivating port known for its rich heritage, charming architecture, and vibrant culinary scene. Must-do experiences include savoring local specialties such as "poulet de Bresse" and exploring the bustling Mâcon market. The best season to visit is spring, when the surrounding vineyards are lush and the local festivals bring the city's culture to life.

8. Day 7

   Lyon

   France

   

   Lyon sits at the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône — a geographic destiny that made it the capital of Roman Gaul, a Renaissance silk-trading powerhouse, and, by contemporary consensus, the undisputed gastronomic capital of France. The UNESCO-listed Vieux Lyon preserves Europe's finest concentration of Renaissance architecture, its labyrinthine traboules — secret passageways threading through courtyard after courtyard — offering endless discovery. Paul Bocuse's legacy lives on in the city's constellation of bouchons, where quenelles de brochet and tablier de sapeur are served with the straightforward confidence of a city that has never needed to prove its culinary supremacy. Lyon rewards a visit in any season, with the Festival of Lights in December being particularly magical.

9. Day 8

   Lyon

   France

   

   Lyon sits at the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône — a geographic destiny that made it the capital of Roman Gaul, a Renaissance silk-trading powerhouse, and, by contemporary consensus, the undisputed gastronomic capital of France. The UNESCO-listed Vieux Lyon preserves Europe's finest concentration of Renaissance architecture, its labyrinthine traboules — secret passageways threading through courtyard after courtyard — offering endless discovery. Paul Bocuse's legacy lives on in the city's constellation of bouchons, where quenelles de brochet and tablier de sapeur are served with the straightforward confidence of a city that has never needed to prove its culinary supremacy. Lyon rewards a visit in any season, with the Festival of Lights in December being particularly magical.

10. Day 8

    Porto

    Portugal

    

    Porto, set dramatically on the granite bluffs above the Douro River, is among Europe's most romantically dishevelled cities — a place where baroque church towers rise above terracotta rooftops and century-old azulejo tilework lines every alley. Cross the iron Dom Luís I Bridge for sweeping views and descend into Vila Nova de Gaia's atmospheric wine lodges for a tasting of aged tawny port direct from the barrel. Seafood is magnificent: salt cod prepared a hundred ways, barnacles glistening with lemon, and custard tarts still warm from the oven. Spring and early autumn offer the finest conditions.

11. Day 9

    Porto

    Portugal

    

    Porto, set dramatically on the granite bluffs above the Douro River, is among Europe's most romantically dishevelled cities — a place where baroque church towers rise above terracotta rooftops and century-old azulejo tilework lines every alley. Cross the iron Dom Luís I Bridge for sweeping views and descend into Vila Nova de Gaia's atmospheric wine lodges for a tasting of aged tawny port direct from the barrel. Seafood is magnificent: salt cod prepared a hundred ways, barnacles glistening with lemon, and custard tarts still warm from the oven. Spring and early autumn offer the finest conditions.

12. Day 9

    Pinhao

    Portugal

    

    Pinhão sits at the most photographed bend on the Douro River, where impossibly steep terraced vineyards — the schist-stone walls built by hand over centuries — have shaped a valley so beautiful it is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and produced port wine for the world since the Marquis of Pombal established its boundaries in 1756. The village railway station, decorated with 24 azulejo tile panels depicting scenes of the grape harvest, is a minor masterpiece of Portuguese folk art that alone justifies a stop. The river cruise between Pinhão and Régua, passing through the heart of the Port wine country, is among the most beautiful journeys in Europe. Visit during the September harvest for an experience of extraordinary sensory richness.

13. Day 10

    Pinhao

    Portugal

    

    Pinhão sits at the most photographed bend on the Douro River, where impossibly steep terraced vineyards — the schist-stone walls built by hand over centuries — have shaped a valley so beautiful it is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and produced port wine for the world since the Marquis of Pombal established its boundaries in 1756. The village railway station, decorated with 24 azulejo tile panels depicting scenes of the grape harvest, is a minor masterpiece of Portuguese folk art that alone justifies a stop. The river cruise between Pinhão and Régua, passing through the heart of the Port wine country, is among the most beautiful journeys in Europe. Visit during the September harvest for an experience of extraordinary sensory richness.

14. Day 10

    Vega de Terron

    Spain

    

    Vega de Terrón is a tiny Portuguese-border river port where the Douro — navigable here only since the mid-twentieth century — carves its way through the spectacular Arribes del Duero Natural Park, a landscape of granite gorges plunging hundreds of meters to the river below, dotted with ancient villages and rare Black Stork nesting sites. River cruise passengers disembark here to discover an Iberian frontier that centuries of sheer cliff and wild current kept virtually impenetrable, exploring nearby Portuguese wineries producing bold, earthy reds from centenarian schist vineyards. Spring ignites the gorge slopes with wildflowers; autumn suffuses the terraced vines with burnished copper and gold.

15. Day 11

    Vega de Terron

    Spain

    

    Vega de Terrón is a tiny Portuguese-border river port where the Douro — navigable here only since the mid-twentieth century — carves its way through the spectacular Arribes del Duero Natural Park, a landscape of granite gorges plunging hundreds of meters to the river below, dotted with ancient villages and rare Black Stork nesting sites. River cruise passengers disembark here to discover an Iberian frontier that centuries of sheer cliff and wild current kept virtually impenetrable, exploring nearby Portuguese wineries producing bold, earthy reds from centenarian schist vineyards. Spring ignites the gorge slopes with wildflowers; autumn suffuses the terraced vines with burnished copper and gold.

16. Day 11

    Salamanca

    Spain

    

    The port of Salamanca is a jewel in northwestern Spain, celebrated for its stunning sandstone architecture and vibrant academic atmosphere. Must-do experiences include savoring local delicacies like hornazo and jamón de Guijuelo, as well as exploring the historic Universidad de Salamanca. The best time to visit is during spring or early autumn when the weather is mild and the city is alive with cultural festivities.

17. Day 12

    Pocinho

    Portugal

    

    Pocinho marks the easternmost navigable point of the Douro River — the terminus of the valley where port wine's history began and where the landscape reaches its most elemental and dramatic expression: near-vertical schist slopes terraced into vineyard stairways, the river running silver between them in the early morning light. The restored rabelo boats that once carried casks of wine downriver are now a romanticised memory, but the valley's working quintas welcome visitors for tastings of the upper Douro's increasingly celebrated unfortified wines. The Douro International Natural Park, bordering Spain, protects rare Egyptian vulture colonies on the surrounding plateau. September through October, during harvest, is the unmissable season.

18. Day 12

    Regua

    Portugal

    

    Régua, gateway to Portugal's vertiginous Douro Valley wine country, sits at the point where the river enters its most dramatic gorge — terraced vineyards climbing impossible slopes on every side, their schist walls a testament to generations of viticultural determination. The Wine Museum in Pinhão's art nouveau azulejo station captures the region's soul, while the great quintas — Ramos Pinto, Croft, Niepoort — open their cellars for intimate tastings of vintage port and luminous dry whites. Harvest season in September and October transforms the valley into a festival of colour and ferment.

19. Day 13

    Regua

    Portugal

    

    Régua, gateway to Portugal's vertiginous Douro Valley wine country, sits at the point where the river enters its most dramatic gorge — terraced vineyards climbing impossible slopes on every side, their schist walls a testament to generations of viticultural determination. The Wine Museum in Pinhão's art nouveau azulejo station captures the region's soul, while the great quintas — Ramos Pinto, Croft, Niepoort — open their cellars for intimate tastings of vintage port and luminous dry whites. Harvest season in September and October transforms the valley into a festival of colour and ferment.

20. Day 14

    Porto

    Portugal

    

    Porto, set dramatically on the granite bluffs above the Douro River, is among Europe's most romantically dishevelled cities — a place where baroque church towers rise above terracotta rooftops and century-old azulejo tilework lines every alley. Cross the iron Dom Luís I Bridge for sweeping views and descend into Vila Nova de Gaia's atmospheric wine lodges for a tasting of aged tawny port direct from the barrel. Seafood is magnificent: salt cod prepared a hundred ways, barnacles glistening with lemon, and custard tarts still warm from the oven. Spring and early autumn offer the finest conditions.

21. Day 15

    Porto

    Portugal

    

    Porto, set dramatically on the granite bluffs above the Douro River, is among Europe's most romantically dishevelled cities — a place where baroque church towers rise above terracotta rooftops and century-old azulejo tilework lines every alley. Cross the iron Dom Luís I Bridge for sweeping views and descend into Vila Nova de Gaia's atmospheric wine lodges for a tasting of aged tawny port direct from the barrel. Seafood is magnificent: salt cod prepared a hundred ways, barnacles glistening with lemon, and custard tarts still warm from the oven. Spring and early autumn offer the finest conditions.

Cabin Categories

Emerald Stateroom

Outside

153–170 sq ftMax 2E

An Emerald Stateroom is home to all the amenities you need to settle into your home-away-from-home. A great size picture window lets in the perfect amount of light, welcoming in the golden summer sunshine, or the winter sun during cooler months. Comfort is of the highest importance, so each room features individual climate control, allowing you to personalise your room’s temperature to suit your preferences and the time of year you’re cruising. We’ve designed our bathrooms as a relaxing retreat to retire to after an exciting day exploring. Enjoy a sumptuous shower complete with indulgent toiletries, as well as a hairdryer, all before settling into your queen or twin hotel-style bed, complete with luscious linens, as you enjoy a movie on your flat screen TV and infotainment system with, perhaps, a nightcap from your mini-bar. If you wish to stay in contact with loved ones throughout your trip, you can do so using your in-suite telephone or our free Wi-Fi available throughout the ship.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTVFree Wi-Fi+7

View Details ›

Emerald Stateroom

Outside

153–170 sq ftMax 2D

An Emerald Stateroom is home to all the amenities you need to settle into your home-away-from-home. A great size picture window lets in the perfect amount of light, welcoming in the golden summer sunshine, or the winter sun during cooler months. Comfort is of the highest importance, so each room features individual climate control, allowing you to personalise your room’s temperature to suit your preferences and the time of year you’re cruising. We’ve designed our bathrooms as a relaxing retreat to retire to after an exciting day exploring. Enjoy a sumptuous shower complete with indulgent toiletries, as well as a hairdryer, all before settling into your queen or twin hotel-style bed, complete with luscious linens, as you enjoy a movie on your flat screen TV and infotainment system with, perhaps, a nightcap from your mini-bar. If you wish to stay in contact with loved ones throughout your trip, you can do so using your in-suite telephone or our free Wi-Fi available throughout the ship.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTVFree Wi-Fi+7

View Details ›

Emerald Stateroom

Outside

153–170 sq ftMax 2F

An Emerald Stateroom is home to all the amenities you need to settle into your home-away-from-home. A great size picture window lets in the perfect amount of light, welcoming in the golden summer sunshine, or the winter sun during cooler months. Comfort is of the highest importance, so each room features individual climate control, allowing you to personalise your room’s temperature to suit your preferences and the time of year you’re cruising. We’ve designed our bathrooms as a relaxing retreat to retire to after an exciting day exploring. Enjoy a sumptuous shower complete with indulgent toiletries, as well as a hairdryer, all before settling into your queen or twin hotel-style bed, complete with luscious linens, as you enjoy a movie on your flat screen TV and infotainment system with, perhaps, a nightcap from your mini-bar. If you wish to stay in contact with loved ones throughout your trip, you can do so using your in-suite telephone or our free Wi-Fi available throughout the ship.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTVFree Wi-Fi+7

View Details ›

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Balcony

160–180 sq ftMax 2B

Your Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite offers everything you could possibly need throughout your cruise, and more. You’ll be surrounded by elegant décor and opulent, comfortable furnishings, as you unwind in your home-away-from-home. Relax on your balcony as the stunning landscapes pass by, and transform it from an indoor to an outdoor space with ease, as the floor-to-ceiling window lowers to a halfway point at the touch of a button. Enjoy the river breeze from your comfortable chair, enjoying a good book or the unfolding vistas. Treat yourself to a drink from your suite’s minibar, or use it to keep your complimentary bottle of water chilled, or for any souvenirs that require it. When it’s time to retire to bed, you can look forward to the exceptional comfort of your queen-size or twin hotel-style bed, complete with luxurious linens. Treat yourself to an indulgent shower with luxury toiletries, to really prepare yourself for an excellent night’s sleep. Of course, keeping in touch with your loved ones is really easy. Every suite has its own telephone, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi being available throughout the Star-Ship.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTV+7

View Details ›

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Balcony

160–180 sq ftMax 2A

Your Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite offers everything you could possibly need throughout your cruise, and more. You’ll be surrounded by elegant décor and opulent, comfortable furnishings, as you unwind in your home-away-from-home. Relax on your balcony as the stunning landscapes pass by, and transform it from an indoor to an outdoor space with ease, as the floor-to-ceiling window lowers to a halfway point at the touch of a button. Enjoy the river breeze from your comfortable chair, enjoying a good book or the unfolding vistas. Treat yourself to a drink from your suite’s minibar, or use it to keep your complimentary bottle of water chilled, or for any souvenirs that require it. When it’s time to retire to bed, you can look forward to the exceptional comfort of your queen-size or twin hotel-style bed, complete with luxurious linens. Treat yourself to an indulgent shower with luxury toiletries, to really prepare yourself for an excellent night’s sleep. Of course, keeping in touch with your loved ones is really easy. Every suite has its own telephone, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi being available throughout the Star-Ship.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTV+7

View Details ›

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Balcony

160–180 sq ftMax 2P

Your Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite offers everything you could possibly need throughout your cruise, and more. You’ll be surrounded by elegant décor and opulent, comfortable furnishings, as you unwind in your home-away-from-home. Relax on your balcony as the stunning landscapes pass by, and transform it from an indoor to an outdoor space with ease, as the floor-to-ceiling window lowers to a halfway point at the touch of a button. Enjoy the river breeze from your comfortable chair, enjoying a good book or the unfolding vistas. Treat yourself to a drink from your suite’s minibar, or use it to keep your complimentary bottle of water chilled, or for any souvenirs that require it. When it’s time to retire to bed, you can look forward to the exceptional comfort of your queen-size or twin hotel-style bed, complete with luxurious linens. Treat yourself to an indulgent shower with luxury toiletries, to really prepare yourself for an excellent night’s sleep. Of course, keeping in touch with your loved ones is really easy. Every suite has its own telephone, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi being available throughout the Star-Ship.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTV+7

View Details ›

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Balcony

160–180 sq ftMax 2R

Your Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite offers everything you could possibly need throughout your cruise, and more. You’ll be surrounded by elegant décor and opulent, comfortable furnishings, as you unwind in your home-away-from-home. Relax on your balcony as the stunning landscapes pass by, and transform it from an indoor to an outdoor space with ease, as the floor-to-ceiling window lowers to a halfway point at the touch of a button. Enjoy the river breeze from your comfortable chair, enjoying a good book or the unfolding vistas. Treat yourself to a drink from your suite’s minibar, or use it to keep your complimentary bottle of water chilled, or for any souvenirs that require it. When it’s time to retire to bed, you can look forward to the exceptional comfort of your queen-size or twin hotel-style bed, complete with luxurious linens. Treat yourself to an indulgent shower with luxury toiletries, to really prepare yourself for an excellent night’s sleep. Of course, keeping in touch with your loved ones is really easy. Every suite has its own telephone, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi being available throughout the Star-Ship.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTV+7

View Details ›

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Balcony

160–180 sq ftMax 2C

Your Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite offers everything you could possibly need throughout your cruise, and more. You’ll be surrounded by elegant décor and opulent, comfortable furnishings, as you unwind in your home-away-from-home. Relax on your balcony as the stunning landscapes pass by, and transform it from an indoor to an outdoor space with ease, as the floor-to-ceiling window lowers to a halfway point at the touch of a button. Enjoy the river breeze from your comfortable chair, enjoying a good book or the unfolding vistas. Treat yourself to a drink from your suite’s minibar, or use it to keep your complimentary bottle of water chilled, or for any souvenirs that require it. When it’s time to retire to bed, you can look forward to the exceptional comfort of your queen-size or twin hotel-style bed, complete with luxurious linens. Treat yourself to an indulgent shower with luxury toiletries, to really prepare yourself for an excellent night’s sleep. Of course, keeping in touch with your loved ones is really easy. Every suite has its own telephone, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi being available throughout the Star-Ship.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTV+7

View Details ›

Emerald Riverview Suite

Suite

300 sq ftMax 2RA

A suite unique to our Emerald Radiance Star-Ship sailing Portugal’s Douro, our two exquisite Emerald Riverview Suites are thoughtfully positioned at the back of the ship. Floor-to-ceiling windows open out onto your own private balcony which, at the simple press of a button opens up to transform it into an open-air space. Relax in the morning with a freshly made cup of coffee from your Nespresso™ machine and, if you wish, have a continental breakfast brought to your suite to enjoy in private. You’ll have the luxury of space as your separate bedroom and lounge area creates the ideal home-away-from-home, as well as a walk-in wardrobe, so you can truly settle into your surrounds. Enjoy an incredible night’s sleep in your queen-size or twin hotel-style bed, wrapped up in luxurious bed linen, and select a pillow from our extensive menu. Lay back and watch a film in bed on your flat screen TV and infotainment system, or enjoy the space as you ponder an exciting day ahead. Your luxurious bathroom features a shower complete with decadent toiletries, as well as comfortable bathrobes and slippers, the perfect attire for getting ready for an evening meal. And, the suite comes with an exclusive invite to dine at the Captain’s Table for an evening sure to become a highlight of your river cruise. Take advantage of having four laundered items a day and prepare that special suit or gown for a night such as this or for an occasion you may be celebrating. You can even have pre-dinner canapés delivered to your door and after-dinner sweet treats to enjoy with a drink from your complimentary minibar. With so much to tell your loved ones back home, you can make calls from your in-suite telephone, utilise the ship-wide Wi-Fi and an iPad that’s available for your personal use throughout your journey.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedSuite BenefitsTV+12

View Details ›

Owner's One-Bedroom Suite

Suite

285 sq ftMax 2SA

Some of the most sumptuous suites on European waterways, our Owners One-Bedroom Suite has it all. A separate lounge and bedroom area allows the luxury of space, from which to enjoy your complimentary continental breakfast in the morning, a drink from your fully stocked minibar or after-dinner sweet treats before bed. Your queen-size or twin hotel-style bed will be draped in high quality linens, for the perfect night’s sleep, plus you’ll have the pleasure of selecting your preferred pillow from our extensive menu. Get comfortable for the night after a busy day exploring, and prepare for the next as you unwind with a film on your flat screen TV and infotainment system in true comfort. A walk-in wardrobe makes unpacking even more of a dream. A great space to keep all your belongings and outfits for special occasions, such as your exclusive dinner at the Captain’s Table. You’ll even have the option to have four items laundered a day to ensure that favourite dress or suit is in the best possible condition for your event. In the morning, enjoy the perfect wake-up call with a fresh coffee from your in-suite Nespresso™ machine. Sip it on the balcony, wrapped in the comfort of your Emerald Cruises bathrobe and slippers after a refreshing shower in your stylish in-suite bathroom, enhanced by luxurious toiletries. You’ll have so much to tell your loved ones back home, so we’ve made keeping in contact really easy. Not only will you have an in-suite telephone, but complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the Star-Ship and an iPad means you can choose your favourite method of communication, whenever the moment suits.

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableSuite Benefits+9

View Details ›