Emerald Cruises’ 2026 season will span from February through to December, offering guests a wider choice of departure dates and experiences throughout the year. Early season sailings in February and March and later departures in November are now available on the brand’s best selling itineraries such as the 15-day Splendours of Europe, sailing between Amsterdam and Budapest, and 8-day Jewels of the Rhine, Basel to Amsterdam or reverse. Early or late season is a great time to travel as guests can explore world-class destinations without the usual crowds, enjoy preferred docking locations closer to city centres and take advantage of attractive pricing.

Sitting by the pool in front of the Hungarian Parliament building in Budapest

The longer 2026 season announcement follows the news that Emerald Cruises will be launching a new river cruise ship in 2026, Emerald Astra, adding to its existing fleet of six Star-Ships sailing on the Rhine, Moselle and Danube rivers. Mirroring the sleek elegance of the line's luxury superyachts, Emerald Astra's name has both ancient Greek and Latin origins and translates as “Star”. The news of the new ship arrives in conjunction with extensive updates to the entire Emerald Cruises river fleet across Europe, all designed to enhance guest experiences with luxury yacht-inspired design elements. Fleet-wide enhancements include Horizon Bar & Lounge redesigns with bright accent colours and luxurious textiles. Pool/cinema and dining spaces were also enhanced and revamped to bring a refined, modern ambiance to each ship. All upgrades have already been completed for the 2025 season.

Emerald Cruises' award-winning fleet of Star-Ships, is custom built to dock in the heart of iconic destinations, bringing the world to the doorstep for its 180 guests. Contemporary style defines the ships' interiors, while the popular Sun Deck provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes from a serene vantage point. Take a dip in the indoor heated pool complete with a retractable roof, another perfect spot to admire incredible views. This clever space converts into a cozy evening cinema, complete with complimentary popcorn. Every stateroom and suite features an en-suite bathroom, luxury ESPA toiletries, queen or twin-sized bed draped in luscious linens and a TV infotainment system. Each suite also features an all-weather balcony system, which allows the floor-to-ceiling windows to drop down electronically creating an indoor deck area for your enjoyment.

Enjoy the most delectable dishes in the Reflections Restaurant, showcasing flavours of the regions you sail in. Emerald Cruises' chefs source local ingredients and capture authentic cuisine as well as popular classics. Let the tastes of Central Europe, France, and Portugal dance on your palate, together with complimentary beverages served with each meal.

Emerald Cruises has made it easier than ever to see the best of each destination visited, with a handpicked program of excursions that will appeal to every passion and interest. EmeraldPLUS provides a depth of insight through unique cultural encounters, while EmeraldACTIVE seeks out intrepid explorers to embark on guided hikes, e-bike or kayak rides.

New in 2026, Emerald Cruises is re-introducing their eight-day Legendary Rhine & Moselle itinerary. Guests will relish a visit to the picturesque Rheingau wine region and taste wine from the world’s first Riesling winery. A guided tour of Trier, a delightful city founded by the Romans and often referred to as the ‘Rome of the North’, also awaits you. Discover Cochem, known as the ‘Pearl of the Moselle,’ where an EmeraldPLUS experience will take you on a journey through time at the majestic Imperial Castle, overlooking the Moselle River valley. Finally, guests explore Koblenz, one of Germany’s oldest cities, established as a Roman post and whose name originates from Latin and means “confluence”. Visit the Deutsches Eck (German Corner), ride the cable car to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, and wander the Old Town, before concluding with a visit to a traditional beer garden – the perfect spot to experience the local German way of life.

Deutsches Eck (German Corner) in Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers

Emerald Cruises has added new City Stay extensions to allow guests to extend their adventure with curated pre- and post-cruise city stays that connect seamlessly with their river itinerary.

New for 2026:
•    3-night Romantic Franconia & Bavaria available with Legendary Rhine & Moselle and Majestic Rhine itineraries
•    2-night Nuremberg & Munich with Danube Delights itinerary
•    4-night Lausanne for Sensations of Lyon & Provence itineraries
•    3-night London with Jewels of the Rhine itinerary
•    3-night Barcelona to soak in Mediterranean charm with Secrets of the Douro itinerary
•    3-night Belgian Delights in Brussels with Splendours of Europe itinerary

Lausanne, Switzerland (on the shores of Lake Geneva)

Excited for the new 2026 Emerald Cruises season? Contact your Travel Professional for complete details or register for a complimentary local event taking place between May 20th and June 12th, 2025 and designed to provide inspiration and information so that you can start planning your next journey with Emerald Cruises.