To provide guests with greater flexibility, river cruise line Emerald Cruises has opened early access bookings for its 2023 European river cruise season ahead of schedule. The announcement will be welcome news for guests, providing them with greater opportunity to book preferred itineraries, as well as access to a wider range of sailing dates and spacious suite options, before the itineraries go on general sale. 

Emerald Cruises is rewarding those planning ahead with significant early booking discounts and added-value extras. Guests booking before 30 September 2021 will save up to £1,400 per couple on cruises along popular rivers including the Rhine, Main and Danube, and the rivers of France. 

While those looking to sail in Portugal will save up to £1,200 per couple. All new bookings will also receive a complimentary Premium Drinks Package, giving them unlimited access to a selection of drinks all day long whilst on board. Furthermore, guests choosing to pay for their cruise in full 12 months prior to departure will enjoy an additional 10 per cent Super Earlybird saving. 

Bookings across thirteen European river cruise itineraries for 2023 have been put on sale. Itineraries available include: 

·         Eight-day Sensations of Lyon & Provence 

·         Eight-day Secrets of the Douro 

·         Eight-day Jewels of the Rhine 

·         Nine-day Enchantment of Eastern Europe 

·         Eight-day Danube Delights 

·         15-Day Splendours of Europe 

·         Eight-day Tulips and the Rhine 

·         Eight-day Holland & Belgium in Bloom 

·         Eight-day Christmas Markets on the Rhine 

·         Eight-day Christmas Markets on the Danube 

·         Five-day Christmas Markets in Southern France 

·         15- Day Christmas Markets of Europe  

Prices for the best-selling eight-day Danube Delights river cruise start from £1,845 per person departing 20 October 2023 on board Emerald Destiny. The itinerary sails from Regensburg to Budapest, taking in Passau, Dürnstein, Vienna and Bratislava along the way. 

Guests will enjoy a guided tour of Regenburg, a guided hike to Bratislava Castle, and join an art tour of Vienna – new for 2023. Welcoming guests to the fascinating history and culture of the region, a traditional Bavarian band will perform on board, followed by a home-hosted coffee and cake afternoon with a Slovakian family in Bratislava. 

Alternatively, the popular eight-day Jewels of the Rhine river cruise sails from Amsterdam to Basel, offering insight into quintessential Holland as it glides past centuries-old windmills and picturesque countryside. Following the romantic Rhine river through Germany, the river cruise takes in Cologne, Koblenz, Ludwigshafen, Strasbourg and Breisach before arriving in Switzerland’s gothic city of Basel. 

Highlights of the itinerary include a canal cruise in Amsterdam, a visit to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress – one of the largest preserved fortresses in Europe, guided tours of Heidelberg and Strasbourg, and a new canoeing venture whilst in Breisach. Departing 8 October 2023, prices start from £1,995 per person on board Emerald Sun. Prices include return flights (or Eurostar travel on selected itineraries), transfers, selected excursions, all tipping and gratuities and complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board. 

For peace of mind, all new bookings include a complimentary Deposit Protection Plan, as well as the reassurance of a Flexible Booking Policy.