About the line
Emerald is Scenic's value brand, sharing the same ship engineering — including the indoor 'pool' that converts to a cinema by night — at a lower price point. Inclusions are lighter (drinks at dinner, some excursions), so it's a good fit for travelers who want a modern ship and plan to explore markets independently. Christmas sailings have a relaxed, casual feel.
Best for
Value travelers who want a modern ship and an indoor pool-balcony hybrid, and don't mind paying for drinks and excursions à la carte.
Inclusions
A quick read on the standard Christmas-sailing package. Partial inclusions are marked with a half-circle.
Drinks
PartialBeer & wine at lunch/dinner
Excursions
PartialSome excursions included
Flights
Flights extra
Gratuities
Gratuities extra
Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Bikes
Bikes carried, free to use
The fleet
Emerald Destiny
Emerald Sun
Emerald Sky
Emerald Dawn
Christmas itineraries
Named itineraries this line runs for the Christmas-market season. Nights and rivers as published.
Christmas Markets on the Danube
Danube River
Christmas Markets on the Rhine
Rhine River
Itineraries we feature
Real, published itineraries — shown as examples. Live availability via a planning expert.
Keep exploring
See how the rest of the field compares.
The thinking person's river cruise.
Viking revolutionized European river cruising with its fleet of identical, award-winning Longships. The Christmas-market season is one of their signatures: a daily excursion is included at every port, beer and wine flow free at lunch and dinner, and the Aquavit Terrace turns into a cozy winter lounge. The itinerary is packed but unhurried, with a resident historian and an included excursion in every stop.
from $2,499
per person · example
The heart of the river.
AMA Waterways is a family-run line known for generosity: a complimentary Sip & Sail cocktail hour before dinner every night, premium wine and beer throughout the day, and a chef's table restaurant included at no extra charge. Their Christmas sailings lean into the festive — gingerbread decorating, Glühwein tastings, and a special holiday menu. The AmaMagna on the Danube is nearly double the width of a standard river ship, with more lounge and dining space.
from $2,799
per person · example
Luxury, redefined on the river.
Riverside took over the former Crystal river ships and re-launched them as a genuinely all-inclusive luxury product. Nearly every excursion is included, drinks flow all day, gratuities are covered, and the service ratio is among the highest on the rivers. Christmas sailings feel intimate and refined — fewer passengers, more space, and a butler-style cabin service on the top suites.
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per person · example
All-inclusive, done right.
Tauck brings its land-tour pedigree to the rivers with a genuinely all-inclusive model: all excursions, all drinks, all gratuities, and a Tauck Director on every departure. Ships are among the newest and lowest-density on the rivers, with a scarcity of suites relative to standard cabins. Christmas sailings emphasize behind-the-scenes access — private evening market visits, exclusive concerts in Vienna.
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per person · example