Seeking out rare sights and hidden gems you may not have discovered without the guidance of a local expert, these extra-special excursions will take you to the heart of local culture, providing a fascinating insight into authentic customs and traditions during exclusive social events with residents and tours of significant landmarks, as well as on board performances and workshops. We believe it’s these special touches that make a holiday with Emerald Cruises truly unforgettable, offering moments of joy, wonder and discovery that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
To help inspire a little wanderlust, we’ve handpicked our favourite EmeraldPLUS experiences across our European river cruises, our Southeast Asia collection and luxury yacht cruising itineraries.
Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local Slovakian family
In Bratislava, we invite you to the home of a local family where you’ll enjoy home-hosted coffee and cake whilst listening to wonderful stories about the traditions and folklore of the region. This intimate encounter is your chance to immerse yourself further and discover more about life in the Slovakian capital, hearing first-hand how the Danube has helped shape the unique culture and way of life on the fringes of Eastern Europe.
You can enjoy this immersive encounter on our Danube Delights with Prague, Danube Delights and Splendours of Europe river cruise itineraries.
Bringing the culture to you, we invite a traditional Bavarian band on board to entertain you with their classic oompah sounds. A unique, wonderful experience, the band will perform traditional Bavarian music in authentic dress, something that will live on with you long after the river cruise has ended. Bavarian music is as fun as it is steeped in tradition, so you can expect a thoroughly Germanic evening of entertainment. This exclusive event will take place in the Horizon Bar & Lounge, whose dancefloor and entertainment area are purpose-built for this type of event. So, sit back, relax, and get in the spirit of things.
Enjoy this extra-special performance on our Danube Delights with Prague, Danube Delights and Splendours of Europe river cruises.
Visit Keukenhof Gardens
During springtime, the world’s largest floral showcase is yours to discover during an unforgettable experience in the celebrated Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands. Home to a staggering collection of seasonal tulips, beautifully curated over a 32-hectare site, Keukenhof is a paradise for gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Your visit includes a guided introduction to the gardens as well as free time to explore at your leisure. Grab a site map and make your way through the lovingly-landscaped grounds, each providing a kaleidoscope of seasonal blooms. It’s a day which promises to be the most colourful and enchanting of your journey.
You can visit Keukenhof Gardens on the following itineraries: Tulips & the Rhine and Holland & Belgium in Bloom.
A Provençal dinner hosted by renowned local chef, Fabien Morreale
As well as a rich winemaking heritage, Provence is also home to some of the world’s favourite dishes and most respected chefs. Fabien Morreale, Top Chef finalist, will be joining us on board to host a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience celebrating authentic Provençal cuisine. Of course, the meal is the true highlight, so bring your appetite and look forward to indulging in fine French fare. Morreale has pieced together a menu of delectable classics to showcase the very best food of the region.
Indulge in this exclusive dinner on our Sensations of Lyon & Provence river cruise along the Rhône.
Savour a rural Portuguese dinner at Quinta da Pacheca
After a day spent amid the spectacular Coa Valley of northern Portugal, it’s time for a special rural dinner at Quinta da Pacheca, one of the most celebrated ‘wine houses’ of the Douro Valley. The lands of the Douro are dotted with these charming homesteads, where port wine has been traditionally produced by generations of Portuguese farmers and producers.
Your evening begins with a tasting of the Douro’s iconic wines and ports, before a feast of freshly-prepared Portuguese fare offers a colourful and authentic taste of the region and its proud culinary traditions. With the beautiful Douro landscape as your backdrop, feel at peace amid the rural landscape as you savour some of the finest fare of the Iberian Peninsula.
Savour this wonderful culinary and cultural experience on our Secrets of the Douro river cruise.
A regional cheese and wine tasting on board
Whilst on board in Tournon, a regional wine-tasting will introduce you to a number of local specialties certain to get your taste-buds tingling. Local wines are yours to savour as part of this memorable experience, which promises to be the perfect introduction to the legendary fare of the south of France.
Enjoy this wonderful experience on board Emerald Liberté on our Sensations of Lyon & Provence river cruise.
Traditional Buddhist Monk blessing
Located north of Phnom Penh, Oudong was the former royal capital of Cambodia up until it moved to Phnom Penh in 1866. Important remnants on the temple site include the burial sites of Khmer kings as well as religious artefacts dating back more than a hundred years. It’s here, in the main temple of the Oudong Monastery, where you’ll receive the rare privilege of a traditional Buddhist blessing from the temple’s resident monks.
Immerse yourself in local culture during this exclusive experience on our Grand Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia, Treasures & Temples of Vietnam & Cambodia, and Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong itineraries.
Lion Dance performance on board Emerald Harmony
Thought to bring good luck and fortune, and a symbol joy and happiness, Lion Dance is a form of traditional dance and plays an important role in Asian culture and mythology. On board Emerald Harmony, enjoy this traditional performance on the Sun Deck. Vibrant bursts of colour light up the evening sky as you raise a glass and toast new-found friends.
Enjoy this colourful performance on board Emerald Harmony on our Grand Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia, Treasures & Temples of Vietnam & Cambodia and Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong itineraries.
