Emerald Cruises and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours have opened bookings for their 2026 European seasons on the Rhine, Danube, Rhône and Douro rivers.

The season will feature an extended sailing schedule on the Rhine and Danube rivers, plus for a limited time, guests can book a 2026 cruise at the same price as a 2025 river cruise. In addition, with their Best Available Offer, guests can enjoy free airfare on cruises 15 days or more, with savings of up to $3,000 per couple or, or $5,600 savings per couple on five- to 11-day cruises.

Emerald cruises 

Emerald Cruises’ 2026 season will span from February through December. Highlights include:

• Early season sailings: Guests can enjoy less crowds and beautiful sights in Europe earlier in the year with February and March departures on the Rhine and Danube.
• Spring blooms: New spring sailings highlight the vibrant blooms and windmills along the Dutch and Belgian waterways and on the Rhine river from Amsterdam to Basel.
• Holiday magic: Guests can celebrate the festive season with Emerald’s Christmas Markets cruises in November and December.
• New Rhine & Moselle Journey: Guests will explore the picturesque villages and valleys of the Rhine and Moselle in the summer and fall seasons, on roundtrip voyages from Mainz, Germany. 

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours 

Scenic’s 2026 Ultra-Luxury European River Cruise Season will see its all-inclusive Space-Ships introduce several exciting new offerings, including:

• Winter departures: Guests can discover Europe without the crowds in February and March.
• New 7-day voyages: Shorter, convenient luxury trips will be available, including the return of the ‘Charming Castles &Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle’ itinerary.
• New land extensions: Destinations like Bavaria, London and Porto will be available as part of Scenic’s new land extension options.
• Ultimate Journeys: Scenic’s extended cruises range from 54-85 nights, offering an immersive experience on its Space-Ships and Discovery Yachts.
• Christmas Market sailings: With 18 Christmas market sailings and extension options in Paris, Prague and Switzerland, guests can fully embrace Europe’s festive season.
• Spring highlights: Six new departures along the Rhine promise a delightful journey through Europe’s spring landscapes, including tulip fields and iconic windmills.

To learn more, or to view and download the new Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours 2026 Europe River Cruises Early Access Brochure, go to scenic.ca/brochures.

Source: Travelweek