7 Night Cruise sailing from Regensburg to Budapest aboard Emerald Sky.

Day 1 Arrival Regensburg
Welcome to Regensburg where you will board your Emerald Waterways Star-Ship.

Day 2 Regensburg
This morning, sail through the picturesque surrounds of the Main-Danube Canal, passing over a series of impressive aqueducts. The medieval centre of Regensburg is yours to discover, exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town as your local guide leads you down cobblestone streets and past historic patrician houses. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner & reception followed by traditional Bavarian band on board.

Day 3 Passau - Linz
Today’s cruising will take you to the heart of Passau, where three of Europe’s main rivers converge in the shadows of the castle. Your guided tour of this illustrious city will unveil how it was rebuilt following fires in the 17th century. Italian architects left their mark with a scattering of Baroque architecture, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Enjoy exploring the city before returning to your Star-Ship for lunch and an afternoon of sailing along the Danube River.

Day 4 Melk - Durnstein
History is brought to life in the quaint village of Melk. This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Melk’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Benedictine abbey, stopping to admire beautiful relics in the museum and an extensive collection of ancient manuscripts in the library. Afterwards, your Star-Ship will sail through the fascinating Wachau Valley, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Cultural Landscape, and on to Dürnstein. If you are feeling active, join a guided hike to Dürnstein Castle, a medieval castle where Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner. Alternatively, embark on a guided bike tour from Melk to Dürnstein, passing terraced vineyards, castles and ruins along the way, before arriving where your Star-Ship is docked in Dürnstein.

Day 5 Vienna
Welcome to Vienna. The “City of Dreams” was home to the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud. Today, you can explore the capital with a drive along the magnificent Ringstrasse and a walking tour of the city. Soak in the opulent façades of the Vienna State Opera and City Hall before admiring the multi-coloured tiled roof of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Alternatively, embark on a guided cycling tour from where your Star-Ship is docked to the idyllic Danube Island.

Day 6 Bratislava
A delightful scattering of Baroque palaces, Gothic architecture and blocks that tell tales of a communist past are yours to uncover as we sail towards Bratislava. Enjoy a guided tour of the city’s enchanting past, taking in the neo-Renaissance glory of the Slovak National Theatre and the Episcopal Summer Palace. Alternatively, embark on a guided hike to Bratislava Castle and its idyllic Baroque gardens, offering the perfect backdrop to the Shakespeare festival that takes place during the summer months. This afternoon, enjoy a home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family before being welcomed to your Farewell Dinner.

Day 7 Budapest
Welcome to Budapest, a city generously steeped in history and culture, where ancient architecture exists alongside contemporary buildings. Enjoy a guided tour, starting at the Liberty Statue and touching on many of Budapest’s highlights, including Heroes’ Square and the Buda Castle district, before a walking tour showcases Matthias Church and panoramic views best admired from the Fisherman’s Bastion. Alternatively, enjoy a hike to Buda Hill and gaze over the Danube.

Day 8 Budapest Disembarkation
After breakfast, it is time to farewell your fellow passengers and disembark the ship.

Navigating the rivers Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle; the Emerald Star, Sky, Sun, Dawn, Destiny and Luna can guide you through some of Europe’s most magical stretches of water and help you explore many of the continent’s most arresting and enchanting cities.

The six sister vessels, boasting a modest capacity of 182 guests apiece, are all blessed with a selection of wonderful amenities and features.

At the very heart of every Star-Ship in the Emerald Waterways fleet is the Horizon Bar & Lounge. A contemporary, chic social space; the lounge is equipped with a comprehensively-stocked bar, skilled bartenders, help-yourself hot drinks facilities and a generous offering of plush seating and sofas. The Horizon Bar & Lounge is an ever-popular after-dinner retreat for guests looking to make new friends and share the day’s events with friends of old.

Dining aboard the ships throughout a stay on the beautiful rivers of Europe provides an endless array of palate-pleasing sensations. From the Reflections Restaurant which offers a collection of highlight dinners during any given itinerary, to the chance to dine under the balmy European sky thanks to the Sun Deck’s Sky Barbecue; there are gastronomic offerings to suit every taste and every appetite.

The Sun Deck of the ships also boasts the wonderful retractable glass roof which provides seasonal protection for the pool, cinema and Riverview Lounge below. Whether you wish to undertake a few lengths before breakfast in the heated pool or enjoy a Hollywood classic in the cinema, this area of the ship is primed for relaxation when you’ve got a few upcoming hours of river navigation.

Contemporary river cruising along the iconic waterways of Europe and Southeast Asia, and intimate super yacht cruising on the world's most celebrated oceans and coastlines. Emerald Cruises is the home of Emerald Waterways and Emerald Yacht Cruises.

Welcome to the world of river cruising:
Since 2014, Emerald Cruises has welcomed many thousands of guests from around the world to the magnificent waterways of Europe.

Our deluxe fleet of revolutionary Star-Ships promise contemporary comfort and unique on-board innovations, while our generous fully-inclusive offering combines affordability with great dining, exceptional service and immersive itineraries across Europe.

We take great pride in ensuring every journey is perfectly planned, and each guest enjoys a relaxing and insightful river cruise experience, whether you’re sailing on-board our award-winning fleet or exploring a nearby town for the day.

Which rivers do Emerald Cruises explore?
A cruise with Emerald Waterways will take you along many iconic rivers of Europe. These include the Danube, Rhine, Main, Rhône and Douro rivers. In 2019, we launched our first Star-Ship outside of Europe, the Emerald Harmony sails along the mighty Mekong River between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Discover Super Yacht Cruising in Europe:
In 2022, Emerald Cruises brand new, innovative super yacht, Emerald Azzurra, will welcome her first guests to Europe. With just 100 guests on board, this stylish and luxurious yacht has been custom-designed to allow unique access to the fascinating ports and harbours only small yachts can reach.

Let us take you on a journey, off the beaten track and along timeless trade routes, on board our bespoke super yacht, Emerald Azzurra. Discover some of the oldest communities to have ever existed, explore the crystalline waters connecting stunning island groups and even uncover the mysteries of the Holy Land.

Experience the rich history of the East & West Mediterranean, the exciting ports of the Adriatic Coast and the abundance of natural and archaeological wonders of the Red Sea with Emerald Yacht Cruises.