Having looked Scenic last in our Danube Itineraries series, it seems natural to look at Emerald Cruises next. Emerald Cruises is an offshoot of Scenic Tours. As I mentioned last week, Scenic Tours ventured into river cruising in 2008. In 2014, Scenic started another river cruise company – Emerald Cruises. Let’s take a look at what Emerald has to offer on the Danube, and how it sets itself apart from its sister company on river cruising’s most popular waterway.
Emerald Cruises’ Danube Itineraries Include:
Danube Delights – 8-days from Budapest to Nuremberg
Countries visited: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
Stops in: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Dürnstein, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg
Overnights in: Budapest
This itinerary is common among most cruise lines, and is also a great choice for first time cruisers. Guests are able to visit four countries where they will see the big cities like Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava – however this itinerary also takes guests to smaller towns like Passau. Guests will also have the chance to see multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites including Melk Abbey. For guests who are Sound of Music fans, this itinerary also provides an opportunity to visit Salzburg when the ship is docked in Passau.
This itinerary includes two variations:
- Classic Prague & Danube Delights – 11-days
- Includes three nights in Prague.
- Danube Delights With Oktoberfest – 10-days
- Includes two nights in Munich to attend Oktoberfest.
Danube Explorer – 8-days from Passau to Budapest
Countries visited: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
Stops in: Passau, Linz, Melk, Dürnstein, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest
Overnights in: Budapest
Similar to the last itinerary we looked at, this sailing takes guests from Passau to Budapest. This itinerary does, however, allow guests to visit Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic when the ship is docked in Linz. This excursion takes place of the Salzburg excursion offered on the previous itinerary in Passau – where guests will have the option to either hike or tour the city.
Like the last itinerary, there is an 11-day variation of this itinerary that includes a 3-night journey to Prague.
Enchantment Of Eastern Europe – 9-days from Budapest to Bucharest
Countries visited: Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria
Stops in: Budapest, Kalocsa, Osijek, Belgrade, Donji Milanovac, Vidin, Rousse, Giurgiu, Bucarest
Overnights in: Bucharest
This lower Danube sailing takes guests from Budapest to Bucharest. Guests will have the opportunity to sail through the Iron Gates and visit small villages as well as larger towns in South Eastern Europe. The cruise will conclude in Giurgiu; from there, guests will be transported to Bucharest where they will overnight.
Guests also have the option to book Emerald’s 11-day Enchantment Of Eastern Europe & Budapest itinerary that includes two nights in Budapest.
Treasures Of The Danube – 16-days from Nuremberg to Bucharest
Countries visited: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria
Stops in: Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Melk, Dürnstein, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Kalocsa, Osijek, Belgrade, Donji Milanovac, Vidin, Rousse, Giurgiu, Bucharest
Overnights in: Budapest and Bucharest
This itinerary combines the upper and lower Danube taking guests from Nuremberg to Bucharest. This itinerary is great for those who are looking for a longer voyage, as it combines one the most popular upper Danube itineraries with a lower Danube itinerary for what I like to call a mini-European tour.
The Islands Of Dalmatia & Danube Delights – 22-days from Dubrovnik to Munich
Countries visited: Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia
Stops in: Dubrovnik, Slano, Mljet, Korcula, Pucišca, Omiš, Split, Hvar, Šibenik, Trogir, Opatija, Lake Bled, Zagreb, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Dürnstein, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg
Overnights in: Dubrovnik, Slano, Korcula, Šibenik, Trogir, Opatija, Lake Bled, Zagreb, Budapest
This itinerary starts in Dubrovnik, where guests will be transferred from the airport to a chartered yacht. This yacht will take guests through Croatia along the Adriatic Coast. Guests will disembark the yacht in Trogir, where they will spend a few days exploring on land before embarking their Emerald Cruises’ ship in Budapest. Guests will then cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg on Emerald’s Danube Delights itinerary.
The Islands Of Dalmatia & Lower Danube- 23-days from Dubrovnik to Bucharest
Countries visited: Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria
Stops in: Dubrovnik, Slano, Mljet, Korcula, Pucišca, Omiš, Split, Hvar, Šibenik, Trogir, Opatija, Lake Bled, Zagreb, Budapest, Kalocsa, Osijek, Belgrade, Golubac, Vidin, Rousse, Giurgiu, Bucarest
Overnights in: Dubrovnik, Slano, Korcula, Šibenik, Trogir, Opatija, Lake Bled, Zagreb, Bucharest
Instead of combining The Islands Of Dalmatia itinerary with the Danube Delights itinerary, this takes guests through Croatia and then onto Budapest. Guests will sail from Budapest to Giugiu, where they will disembark and be transferred to Bucharest for an overnight.
To see how Emerald’s prices for Danube river cruises compare to its competitors see our price comparisons: Danube River Cruise Pricing Charts 2020
