Europe Christmas Markets 2019
Rhine, Main & Danube River All-Gay Cruise

December 5–12, 2019
December 12–19, 2019
Emerald Waterways Emerald Star Ship

7 nights from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Nuremberg, Germany
7 nights from Nuremberg, Germany to Budapest, Hungary
14 nights from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Budapest, Hungary

The Christmas Markets of Europe - 3 ways! Make the Yuletide gay as VACAYA explores the Christmas Markets of Europe! Spend your holiday season with friends aboard a luxurious 5-star Emerald Star-Ship as we sail from easy-to-reach and über-gay-friendly Amsterdam to stunning Budapest. We're serving up three magical all-gay river cruise options to make the most of your European Christmas holiday:

Option 1:
From Amsterdam, Netherlands to Nuremberg, Germany
December 5 - 12, 2019 (7 nights)

Option 2:
From Nuremberg, Germany to Budapest, Hungary
December 12 - 19, 2019 (7 nights)

Option 3:
From Amsterdam, Netherlands to Budapest, Hungary
December 5 - 19, 2019 (14 nights)

Those longing for romance, intrigue, history and culture of Old World Europe will relish the opportunity to travel from the “City of Canals,” Amsterdam, to the “Queen of the Danube,” Budapest. Follow the route of emperors, kings and queens on a magnificent European journey along three rivers and through five fascinating countries. The natural wonders of the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers yield way to countless UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Cologne’s Gothic Cathedral, the Würzburg Residenz Palace, Bamberg and Regensburg’s charming Old Towns, and the Melk Abbey—to name a few. Whimsical delights from Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum in Rüdesheim to the crooked houses in Miltenberg, will enchant. And since you will be traveling during the most festive time of the year, enjoy plenty of onboard celebrations. All of this and more awaits on one all-encompassing magnificent journey.

• Explore Christmas Europe in style & All-Inclusive Luxury

• Choose from two 7-night options or a Grand 14-night option

• Overnights in Amsterdam and Budapest

• Evenings in Cologne, Linz, Durnstein, and Vienna

• Included activities morning through night

Your Home Away From Home

Emerald Waterways revolutionary “Star-Ships” aren’t like any other riverships. They’re designed to impress and inspire with every little detail, exceeding any expectation you have of what a rivership should be like.

With its striking minimalistic design, sleek composition, and stylish features, the Emerald Star-Ships are comparable to a contemporary designed hotel. Only it’s better, because your hotel travels with you to a multitude of fantastic destinations, and offers incredible panoramic views of the stunning scenery you pass along the way.

At VACAYA, we don’t want to just meet your expectations; we aim to create spectacular surprises that exceed what you’d expect from a rivership. That’s why we’ve chosen to partner with Emerald Waterways, whose new deluxe ships boast a heated swimming pool complete with retractable roof – creating a brilliant onboard oasis for you to relax, whatever the weather. And on selected evenings, the pool area inventively transforms into a cinema showing a collection of films.

At 135 Meters long and with 182 guests, 92 staterooms, and a crew of 47, Emerald’s Star-Ships are redefining river cruising on the Danube, Rhine, and Main Rivers. The Star-Ship sisters include Destiny, Star, Sky, Sun, and Dawn. Elegantly designed and effortlessly welcoming, they provide a sophisticated and comfortable passage along these timeless waterways.

The spacious, airy and contemporary reception area hosts a spectacular three tiered atrium which opens up the center of the ship, allowing natural light to pour through and illuminate the interior.

Throughout the public areas, elegant furnishings, modern art, and mirrored walls create a refreshing and luxurious environment for you to enjoy, while floor-to-ceiling windows allow you to fully appreciate your time on the river.

Raise a toast with a cocktail and some new-found friends, and watch the endless vistas roll by.

Discover Everything Imaginable

A river cruise is one of the most elegant and worry-free ways to travel. Onboard the Emerald Star-Ships, all of your meals are included, as are standard cocktails, beer, wine, coffee, tea, and soft drinks. You’ll also have bottled water restocked daily in your stateroom. And with only 182 guests on the ship, not only is your VACAYA Luxe river cruise a great value, but it offers a truly intimate cruising experience, as well. Onboard, you’ll enjoy a continuous view of the incredible landscapes along the famous waterways, and you’ll also see a different side of Europe – one that can only be experienced on the rivers that have helped shape the history and cultures of the places they weave through.

We’re passionate about providing our guests with the very best. That’s what drives us, journey after journey. And it’s amazing what’s included:

• Boutique contemporary hotel feel

• Spectacular onboard heated pool, cinema, spa, and lounge

• Spacious, comfortable accommodations with an innovative open-air system for staterooms on the Vista and Horizon decks.

• Gourmet onboard meals and highlight dinner events, al-fresco on The Terrace or in the well-appointed Reflections Restaurant.

• Enjoy in-depth cultural experiences with EmeraldPLUS excursions, cheese and olive tastings, or Provencal dinners hosted by a local chef.

• For Owner’s and Grand Balcony Suite (Category S & SA) guests, enjoy Emerald’s Concierge Service, which includes continental breakfast, pre-dinner canapés, and after-dinner treats served right to your suite.

• A selection of complimentary house spirits, wine, beer, coffee, tea, and soft drinks throughout your voyage.

• Bottled water restocked daily in your stateroom.

• Built-in adventure, with an included onshore excursion in every port.

• Visits to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

• Emerald Active guided biking and hiking tours.

• English-speaking crew.

• Knowledgeable, personable local destination guides.

• Complimentary bicycles onboard.

• Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi.

• All airport transfers to and from the ship on embark and disembark days.

Emerald Innovation
On the Emerald Panorama Balcony and Grand Balcony Suites, Emerald has replaced the run-of-the-mill French balcony that’s commonplace on riverships with a new kind of indoor balcony complete with a decked area and an ingenious open-air system.

Onboard Bicycles
In 2017, Emerald introduced their new Emerald Active hiking and bicycling experiences. Take a guided bike excursion from Melk to Dürnstein or, if you want to challenge yourself over more rugged European terrain, join a guided hike in the Black Forest. You should be physically fit to enjoy these excursions.

Pool & Cinema
A new dimension in onboard evening entertainment, you’ll be able to watch classic films and recent releases as you wind down for the night with a drink, in the company of your fellow travelers. So if you’re not in the mood to take advantage of the bar, or ready to retreat to your room, the cinema is a great place to spend an evening.

The Terrace & Sun Deck
When the weather’s nice, The Terrace – located at the bow of the ship – offers a beautiful setting to enjoy al-fresco dining. For the perfect start to your day, you can watch the sun rise with your morning tea or coffee and light breakfast. With a panoramic view, The Terrace is also a lovely place to grab a café-style lunch from a choice of pastas, pizzas, soups, sandwiches, and salad. And on select days, you’ll find us firing up the barbecue on the Sun Deck for a fantastic grilled feast.