Cruise itinerary
12-Night Europe Cruise from Amsterdam
12 nights · Europe · 12 ports of call
12-night Europe cruise aboard Emerald Sun, departing Amsterdam and calling at Düsseldorf, Cologne, Koblenz, Mannheim, Kehl and Strasbourg and 5 more.
- Free advisor
- No booking fees
- 10,000+ sailings
At a glance
- Ship
- Emerald Sun
- Cruise line
- Emerald Cruises
- Duration
- 12 nights
- Region
- Europe · Western Europe · Rhine
- Departs
- Amsterdam
- Returns
- Zurich
How NestCruise works:we're advisor-led, not a booking engine. No fares are listed and there are no booking fees — tell an advisor your dates and party and they price your exact Emerald Sun sailing, typically within 24 hours.
Where this voyage takes you
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day1
Amsterdam
The Dutch capital, laced with concentric canals and gabled merchant houses from its 17th-century golden age. Most river sailings depart from here, leaving time for the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House or a stroll through the Jordaan before lines cast off.
- Rijksmuseum
- Anne Frank House
- Jordaan canals
- Day2
Amsterdam
The Dutch capital, laced with concentric canals and gabled merchant houses from its 17th-century golden age. Most river sailings depart from here, leaving time for the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House or a stroll through the Jordaan before lines cast off.
- Rijksmuseum
- Anne Frank House
- Jordaan canals
- Day3
Amsterdam
The Dutch capital, laced with concentric canals and gabled merchant houses from its 17th-century golden age. Most river sailings depart from here, leaving time for the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House or a stroll through the Jordaan before lines cast off.
- Rijksmuseum
- Anne Frank House
- Jordaan canals
- Day4
Amsterdam
The Dutch capital, laced with concentric canals and gabled merchant houses from its 17th-century golden age. Most river sailings depart from here, leaving time for the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House or a stroll through the Jordaan before lines cast off.
- Rijksmuseum
- Anne Frank House
- Jordaan canals
- Day5
Düsseldorf
A city on the Rhine in western Germany, capital of North Rhine-Westphalia and a hub of fashion and finance. Düsseldorf is known for the historic Altstadt and its rows of taverns, the riverside promenade, and the modern architecture of the MedienHafen.
- Altstadt taverns
- Rhine promenade
- MedienHafen
Cologne
A Rhineland city dominated by its twin-spired Gothic cathedral, the tallest in Germany when built. River cruises call beside the old town, where the cathedral, riverside promenade and 12 Romanesque churches sit within easy walking distance.
- Cologne Cathedral
- Old town
- Rhine promenade
- Day6
Koblenz
A German city at the meeting of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, the point known as the Deutsches Eck or 'German Corner'. A cable car climbs from the headland to the Ehrenbreitstein fortress, and the town marks the northern end of the Rhine Gorge.
- Deutsches Eck
- Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
- Rhine cable car
- Day7
Mannheim
A city in southwest Germany where the Neckar meets the Rhine, laid out on a grid of numbered blocks rather than street names. The baroque palace is among Europe's largest, and the water tower anchors a green boulevard through the centre.
- Mannheim Palace
- Wasserturm
- Squares grid
- Day8
Kehl
A German town on the right bank of the Rhine, directly across the river from Strasbourg in France. A bridge and garden link the two banks, and the riverside park makes it a crossing point for cruises between Germany and Alsace.
- Two Banks Garden
- Rhine bridge
- Strasbourg nearby
Strasbourg
The capital of France's Alsace, set on the Rhine close to the German border. Its Grande Île old town centres on a soaring pink-sandstone cathedral and the canal-laced lanes of Petite France, while the modern European Parliament sits across the city.
- Strasbourg Cathedral
- Petite France
- European Parliament
- Day9
Breisach
A small town on the Rhine at the edge of Germany's Kaiserstuhl wine country, just across the river from France's Alsace. It is crowned by the St. Stephan minster on its hilltop and serves as the river gateway to Freiburg and the southern Black Forest.
- St. Stephan minster
- Kaiserstuhl vineyards
- Black Forest gateway
Freiburg im Breisgau
- Day10
Basel
A Swiss city on the Rhine where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, and a common starting point for Rhine cruises. Its old town climbs from the river to a red sandstone cathedral and a medieval market square ringed by guild houses.
- Basel Münster
- Old town
- Rhine starting point
Lucerne
A Swiss city on the lake of the same name, ringed by the peaks of Pilatus and Rigi. The wooden Chapel Bridge with its painted gables crosses the river Reuss in the medieval old town, and cogwheel railways and boats reach the surrounding mountains.
- Chapel Bridge
- Mount Pilatus
- Old town squares
- Day11
Lucerne
A Swiss city on the lake of the same name, ringed by the peaks of Pilatus and Rigi. The wooden Chapel Bridge with its painted gables crosses the river Reuss in the medieval old town, and cogwheel railways and boats reach the surrounding mountains.
- Chapel Bridge
- Mount Pilatus
- Old town squares
- Day12
Lucerne
A Swiss city on the lake of the same name, ringed by the peaks of Pilatus and Rigi. The wooden Chapel Bridge with its painted gables crosses the river Reuss in the medieval old town, and cogwheel railways and boats reach the surrounding mountains.
- Chapel Bridge
- Mount Pilatus
- Old town squares
Zurich
Switzerland's largest city, set at the north end of Lake Zurich where the Limmat River flows out. Zurich is known for the Old Town's medieval lanes, the Bahnhofstrasse shopping street, and the twin towers of the Grossmünster church.
- Bahnhofstrasse
- Grossmünster
- Lake Zurich
- Day13
Zurich
Switzerland's largest city, set at the north end of Lake Zurich where the Limmat River flows out. Zurich is known for the Old Town's medieval lanes, the Bahnhofstrasse shopping street, and the twin towers of the Grossmünster church.
- Bahnhofstrasse
- Grossmünster
- Lake Zurich
Upcoming departures
- 11 Jun 2026
- 19 Oct 2026
Upcoming sailings of this itinerary — a NestCruise advisor confirms current availability and your fare.
12-Night Europe Cruise from Amsterdam FAQ
Which ports does this cruise visit?
This 12-night Europe cruise calls at Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Koblenz, Mannheim, Kehl, Strasbourg, Breisach, Freiburg im Breisgau, Basel, Lucerne and Zurich.
How many days are spent at sea?
This is a port-intensive itinerary with no full days at sea.
Where does this cruise depart from?
It departs from Amsterdam and ends in Zurich.
How long is this cruise?
12 nights aboard Emerald Sun.
When does this itinerary sail?
Upcoming departures include 11 Jun 2026 and 19 Oct 2026. A NestCruise advisor can confirm current availability.