My Rhine River Cruise on the Emerald Sky, Tulips & The Rhine: Basel to Amsterdam

Before the cruise we spent a week in Italy - and we were ready to relax! We chose to meet the group at the airport in Zurich for complimentary transportation to the ship in Basel. After being greeted with aromatic towels and a refreshing beverage, the crew gave us a quick tour and got us settled. As no tours were scheduled this day, we opted to take an Uber into Basel Old Town. Our rookie mistake was to just pin the location of the ship, not get the exact address. Fortunately, I had the phone number of the ship on me. I highly recommend keeping that phone number on you at all times. We called the front desk, which always had someone available, and they got us squared away. They stored our luggage upon embarking and as we disembarked.

We sailed the first week of April, so the weather ranged from warm to cold and rainy. I suggest packing light layers, scarfs, a sweater and a rain jacket.

The ship, built between 2014 and 2022, measures 443 feet (135 meters) in length. It accommodates 180 guests across 91 cabins and is staffed by 51 crew members. Emerald Sky has four decks, making it easy to navigate. The small size allowed us to get to know all the crew, who quickly learned our preferences, adding to the enjoyment of our week. The ship offers spa services, a large sun deck, a lounge, an indoor swimming pool, 24-hour espresso machines, and a fitness room. However, the fitness room is quite small, with just a bike, treadmill, yoga mats, and weights. They also hold fitness classes most mornings in the pool area. Be sure to ask about their E-Bikes, which are available when not out on tour.

They offer full-service breakfast, lunch, and dinner with lighter options available. We often opted for the chef’s recommendations, which featured a wide variety of choices and Michelin Star quality. The sommelier selected local wines based on our sailing location for each meal. Wine, soda, tea, and water are complimentary and generously provided during meals. The cocktails were delicious and reasonably priced. Did I mention the 24hr automatic espresso machine?! Cappuccino, Macchiato, latte, cafe au lait, or just plain coffee or milk l, it’s all available. I even looked into buying an automatic espresso machine once we got home.

The evening entertainment featured a variety of regional musicians and artists. On other nights, there was trivia, music, and dancing. We often spent our evenings on the sun deck, watching the ship navigate the locks. There is something for everyone to enjoy.

Each port offered at least one organized tour, all included in the cost of the cruise. Some ports also had options for more active tours. The active tour we chose was mildly active; for instance, our "hike" concluded in a wine cellar. That’s my kind of hiking.

The only additional expenses we incurred were for optional services, such as massages or a special excursion. There were two special excursions available on this sailing, and we heard each was well worth the cost.

Basel, Switzerland

We joined the ship in Basel, where we learned it's pronounced "Baa-zl," not "Bay-cel."

Breisach, Germany

Our first day was in Breisach, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tours were very accommodating and accessible. I joined my mom in her group, the gentle walkers, which moved at a leisurely pace and was very informative.

Strasbourg, France

The next day was Strasbourg, another UNESCO site. Our guide took us to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg before the crowds arrived. Our Lady Cathedral is a magnificent piece of Gothic architecture. Inside, The Astronomical Clock, built in the 1800s, features a planetary calendar, which shows the current positions of the sun and moon, and a mechanical rooster. Every day at 12:30 the rooster crows and the apostles move around the clock. We ended the day in Petite France, a charming area right off the canal.

Bad Dürkheim, Germany

On day four, we opted for the active tour to Bad Dürkheim. After a slightly uphill walk through a local vineyard, we ended the day in one of the oldest wine cellars in Germany. Fun fact: Sect is German sparkling wine, similar to Spain's Cava, Italy's Prosecco, and France's Champagne.

Koblenz, Germany

Next, we stopped in Koblenz. I ventured off on my own this day. The weather was colder than expected, so I did a little shopping before our optional tour through the Moselle Valley to Cochem.

Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany

That evening, the ship docked in Rüdesheim am Rhein. It was late, and most everything was closed. The cruise director did her best to show us the beauty of the town after dark. My husband and I found some live music, beer, and schnapps to top off the day.

Cologne, Germany

The next morning, we sailed the most beautiful part of the Rhine up to Cologne. There, we opted to skip the tour and visit the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum. This museum has medieval to 20th-century art, including works by Rubens, Rembrandt, Monet, and Van Gogh. We had time to stop at a café for a beer before boarding the ship for dinner.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Our last and long-awaited stop was Amsterdam. Since this was the Tulips and the Rhine Cruise, we visited the famous Keukenhof Gardens, which did not disappoint! Approximately 7 million flower bulbs are planted in the gardens annually. The tulip fields in Lisse had started to bloom and displayed the most magnificent colors. Disembarking was smooth and sad. They held our bags while we toured Amsterdam on our own until our new room was ready.

I highly recommend the Emerald River Cruise for those seeking a hassle-free way to explore multiple parts of Europe without the need to constantly pack and unpack. The guided tours offered are a bonus for those who enjoy structured excursions, but for those who prefer to wander independently, the option is always available. This cruise is ideal for couples, friends and families with adult children looking to create lasting memories together.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Amsterdam. In need of further inspiration? Check out Virginia Sauer's guide, Off-Season Adventure: 5 Days Hiking and Exploring the Faroe Islands.