Emeraldwaterways timings

[ngjarman]

Hello. We're doing Emerald Star this summer, does anyone have a detailed itinerary, that's to say arrivals and departure times for each day so we can plan our days? Thanks, Neil

Edited April 17, 2017 by ngjarman

[FuelScience]

It's unlikely that you'll find exact-or near exact timings. Also, what itinerary are you on? Even on a single route, there are typically large differences in stops based on the direction you're traveling. Also river cruises are more "fluid." Ships have to adjust to river conditions and docking limitations. On our last cruse we were scheduled to spend an entire day and evening in Bernkastel, but there was a wine festival going on and the ship had to set sail before noon to free up docking space. So we sailed on to Zell and made a nice unscheduled stop there.

 

Your best bet might be to ask if anyone would be willing to scan and post daily schedules from a recent cruise. That would give you a rough idea of timings. Finally, if you're really desperate, you can go to a site like marinetraffic.com and try to follow an Emerald ship on the same itinerary before you cruise. The only problem with this is that river coverage is spotty with significant areas where the ships "disappear."

[Host Jazzbeau]

If by "plan our days" you mean arrange independent shore excursions -- for the reasons explained by FuelScience this will be risky. Emerald includes shore excursions in your fare, and they will be able to adapt them to changes required by river conditions and docking [the port master tells the ship where and when they can dock, often at the last minute] -- this would be very hard for you to do with third-party shore excursions. My advice is not to "fight" the vibe of a river cruise -- at least on your first one [and I am a notorious detail planner on most of our trips!] Accept that you have booked a comprehensive package, go with the flow -- and use your pre-planning to fill in the gaps after the included tour has shown you the highlights.

[ngjarman]

Thank you both for your responses. As seasoned cruisers we are so accustomed to doing our own thing, at our own speed. It looks like we're going to have to adapt to a slower pace of life for this summer. All advice duly noted and once again thank you!

[gnome12]

Don't count on it being a slower pace.

[Host Jazzbeau]

Don't count on it being a slower pace.

 

Agreed :D