Dec 8–15, 2027 Amsterdam to Basel Emerald Cruises
Seven nights on the Rhine aboard the Emerald Dawn, sailing from Amsterdam to Basel and hosted by Jenny the entire way. Your accommodations, meals aboard the ship, guided excursions and gratuities are already included.
Until departure
Interested in joining us?
Answer a few quick questions about your travel plans and preferences. Then you will schedule a short call with Jenny to talk through the available cabin options, answer your questions and determine whether this sailing is the right fit for you. Nothing is charged or reserved until you are ready to book.
This sailing was 78% sold as of September 8, 2026. The group cabins are not held indefinitely.
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For people who love Christmas
Twinkling lights strung above centuries-old squares. The smell of gingerbread and roasted chestnuts drifting through the market. A warm mug of glühwein in your hands while the December air turns your cheeks pink.
I
You don’t just decorate for Christmas. You love the entire feeling of it: the lights, music, traditions, food, and anticipation. Now imagine experiencing it in the European towns where centuries-old Christmas traditions still fill the streets.
II
(Or maybe you didn’t even know they exist!) This isn’t just one stop squeezed into a larger itinerary. It’s eight different Christmas markets, each with its own traditions, food, crafts, and atmosphere.
III
No changing hotels every other night or dragging luggage between cities. Unpack once aboard the Emerald Dawn and wake up each morning to a new Christmas destination along the Rhine.
IV
This is a hosted Champagne Travel sailing, with Jenny aboard from Amsterdam to Basel and a group coming together specifically to experience the magic of Christmas in Europe. Jenny loves Christmas, and if you do too, you’ve definitely found your tribe.
What it costs, and what it covers
Your fare includes much more than your cabin. From meals and drinks aboard the ship to guided excursions, gratuities and port charges, many of the details are already taken care of before you ever step aboard.
The airport transfer after disembarkation applies to guests flying home at the end of the cruise. Guests taking the three-night Lucerne extension continue on from Basel with the small group instead.
Riviera deck
Category D
$3,350
Picture window, 162 sq ft
Vista deck
Category B
$4,253
Emerald open-air balcony
Horizon deck
Category A
$4,362
Emerald open-air balcony
Horizon deck
Category S
$4,747
The larger balcony suite
Horizon deck
Category SA
Sold out
Separate bedroom and living area
Riviera deck
Category ES
Sold out
Solo cabin, no double-occupancy penalty
Per person, double occupancy. Preferred Fare, cruise only. Flights separate, and a $500 deposit holds your cabin.
Traveling alone? The single stateroom has gone, but Emerald is running
a 25% single supplement on the Select Fare for new bookings
through December 31, 2026.
Before you fly home
From $1,725 per person
Extend your time in Switzerland with three nights in Lucerne, including a private Swiss cheese-making experience and an unforgettable afternoon atop Mount Pilatus, complete with a special lunch overlooking the Alps.
Pricing based on double occupancy and rail transportation. Upgraded accommodations and private transfers available.
Meet Jenny
Jenny isn’t just planning this trip. She’ll be joining you for all seven nights, from Amsterdam to Basel, experiencing the Christmas markets alongside you and hosting the Champagne Travel group throughout the week.
Before Champagne Travel, Jenny was an attorney and a JAG officer in the U.S. Air Force. Her background shapes the way she plans travel today: thoughtfully, meticulously, and with an eye for the details most people don’t think about until they matter.
And because Jenny will be traveling with you, you won’t just have someone behind the scenes managing the trip. You’ll have your travel advisor right there with you from the moment you arrive in Amsterdam until the cruise ends in Basel.
Before you ask
Jenny will be aboard for all seven nights, hosting the Champagne Travel group throughout the sailing. You will have someone you already know available to help with questions, coordinate group details, and assist if something unexpected comes up along the way.
Yes, and people do. The dedicated single stateroom has sold out, but Emerald is running reduced single supplements on this sailing: a 25% single supplement on the Select Fare and a 50% single supplement on the Preferred Fare, for new bookings through December 31, 2026.
No. International airfare is separate from the cruise fare, which gives you the flexibility to choose the flights and cabin class that work best for you. The sailing begins in Amsterdam and ends in Basel, with onward transfers available. Jenny can also assist with flight arrangements for guests who would like help coordinating their travel.
December along the Rhine is cold, with temperatures often hovering around freezing, so warm layers are a must. But that is part of the Christmas market experience: crisp winter air, warm mugs of glühwein, and beautifully illuminated town squares. And when you are ready to warm up, the Emerald Dawn is waiting just a few steps away.
The excursions involve a fair amount of walking, though they are generally at an easy pace. Every one of them is optional, and there are excursions beyond the Christmas markets as well, so you can do as much or as little of each day as you like.
A $500 deposit holds your cabin. The balance is due later, and the exact schedule depends on the fare you choose, so Jenny confirms it on the call rather than quoting a date here that may not be yours.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Jenny can provide options, including Cancel For Any Reason coverage, which must be purchased within a limited period after your initial trip payment. She will walk you through the available options on your call so you can choose the coverage that is right for you.
Dec 8–15, 2027 From $3,350 per person
Join Jenny and Champagne Travel for seven nights along the Rhine and experience Christmas in Europe the way you’ve always imagined it.