Emerald Cruises Adds 10-Night Passau-to-Belgrade Danube Sailing
Scenic’s revised 11-day South of France sailing between Lyon and Tarascon includes six overnight port stays and an onboard dinner hosted by Michelin-starred chef Didier Goiffon.
Scenic Group opened early access on October 8, 2026, to its 2028 European river-cruise and land collection, including a new 10-night Emerald Cruises itinerary from Passau, Germany, to Belgrade, Serbia. The program also includes a redesigned Scenic southern France cruise with more overnight port stays, plus four new or enhanced land extensions lasting three to five days.
“For Scenic, we’ve reimagined some of our most popular river and land itineraries to provide longer stays, new destination pairings and expanded extension options,” said Elisabeth Sadler, vice president, river cruising product, Scenic Group.
Longer port stays in France
Scenic’s 11-day Spectacular South of France itinerary will operate between Lyon and Tarascon in either direction. The revised schedule includes six overnight port stays, two late departures and extended cruising to Chalon-sur-Saone.
Included Scenic Enrich experiences will continue at the Pope’s Palace in Avignon and Chapelle de la Trinite. The itinerary also retains regional wine tastings and culinary experiences, including an onboard dinner hosted by Michelin-starred chef Didier Goiffon.
Land extensions from the Loire to Munich
The five-day Grand Castles of the Loire option can be paired with Seine or Bordeaux sailings. It explores the Loire Valley’s chateaux, Renaissance heritage and wine-country landscapes.
A four-day Brittany Discovery extension will accompany Seine itineraries, with included Scenic Freechoice excursions offering a choice between Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint-Malo.
The four-day Monte-Carlo & French Riviera extension includes accommodation at Fairmont Monte-Carlo. Its Freechoice touring options combine Eze with a traditional perfumery visit, or a trip to Menton with a local limoncello tasting.
On selected Gems of the Danube departures, a three-day Munich extension will connect with the cruise via Regensburg.
Emerald adds Danube Capitals & Crossroads
Emerald’s new Danube Capitals & Crossroads itinerary will operate on selected departures in March, April and August 2028. Between Passau and Belgrade, the route takes in the Wachau Valley, Vienna, Bratislava, Esztergom, Budapest and Novi Sad, with overnight stays in Vienna and Budapest.
“For the Emerald Cruises collection, we have introduced a new itinerary along the lower Danube River,” Sadler said, “where we see strong demand for guests to explore more authentically.”
The itinerary includes a Bavarian Beer Experience and the EmeraldPLUS Vineyard Stories of Wachau activity with a local wine tasting. Other experiences include wine tasting beneath Esztergom Basilica and an onboard Serbian folklore evening. EmeraldPLUS cultural activities are included in the cruise fare.
Included EmeraldACTIVE excursions range from a hike to Veste Oberhaus in Passau and walks through Wachau vineyards to e-biking in Vienna. Guests can also hike around Bratislava Castle and Gellert Hill, or join guided cycling excursions in Novi Sad and Belgrade.
The optional DiscoverMORE program carries an additional charge. Choices on the new itinerary include excursions to Salzburg, Schonbrunn Palace, Mauthausen Memorial, the Carpathian Wine Route and Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Museum.
