01 - Overview

Christmas Markets of France River Cruise
December 4 thru 11, 2027
Set sail on an unforgettable OUTbound holiday cruise from Paris through the Christmas Markets of France, gliding through Normandy as festive traditions and timeless charm come to life. Your journey begins in the dazzling City of Lights with an evening cruise along the Seine, where Paris sparkles in all its glory. From there, discover Vernon’s blend of art and natural beauty, then continue to Rouen, one of Normandy’s most vibrant and historic gems. Enjoy an overnight stay in the harbor town of Honfleur, where the iconic Vieux Bassin invites you to linger and offers the perfect gateway to the Normandy Beaches. Explore the landscapes of Les Andelys, home to a striking hilltop castle, and visit the Château de La Roche-Guyon before returning to Paris for a spectacular holiday finale.

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01 - Paris
Paris, France

Welcome to Gay Paree, one of the most beautiful cities in the world that is somehow even more vibrant during the holiday season. After comfortably settling into your cabins, take some time to explore this fantastic city on your own, or just unwind with a cocktail and get to know your follow OUTbounders up in the lounge. Later, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome reception before sitting down for our first dinner onboard. Tonight we’ll take a cruise on the Seine around the City of Lights as Paris comes alive after dark. We’ll sail overnight towards our first festive stop.

PREV DAY
NEXT DAY
01 - Paris
Paris, France

Welcome aboard! Today we’ll start our festive French Christmas Markets Cruise in Paris along the famous Seine River. After boarding our ship and settling in to your cabins, we’ll mix and mingle and get to know you and your fellow OUTbounders up in the lounge over drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Later we’ll introduce our crew before sitting down to our first dinner together onboard. Our ship will sail later this evening, giving our OUTbounders a spectacular experience cruising through the City of Lights!

PREV DAY
NEXT DAY
01 - Lounge
Horizon Lounge

The tastefully decorated Horizon Lounge, located at the front of the ship, was named for the superb views of the passing coastlines that guests will enjoy courtesy of the oversized windows. Intimate seating areas are peppered throughout the open floor plan, allowing you the choice of going all in with the group or enjoying a little private time between you and a smaller gathering of friends. The lounge also has a self-service beverage station with a machine that dispenses espresso, capuccino, mochaccino, hot chocolate, and hot water for a selection of teas... an OUTbounder favorite!

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01 - Owners Suite
Owners Balcony Suite

Starting at $7,997 per person
The Owners Suite has it all. A separate lounge and bedroom allows the luxury of space to enjoy your continental breakfast in the morning, a drink from your fully stocked minibar or after-dinner sweet treats. Your queen-size bed is draped in high quality linens, plus you’ll select your preferred pillow from an extensive menu. A walk-in wardrobe makes unpacking a dream. You’ll also have the option to have four items laundered a day. In the morning, enjoy a fresh coffee from your in-suite Nespresso machine. Sip it on the balcony, wrapped in the comfort of your complimentary bathrobe and slippers.

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02 - Grand Suite
Grand Balcony Suite

Starting at $10,997 per person Single Supplement
The Grand Balcony Suites make waking up and going to sleep a dream. Open your balcony with the press of a button from the comfort of your queen-size bed, dressed with luxurious linens. Wake up with a revitalizing shower, complete with sumptuous toiletries. Have a continental breakfast brought to your door to enjoy on your own private balcony. Complimentary bathrobes and slippers make lounging comfortable along with your own in-suite Nespresso machine. Select your preferred pillow from an extensive menu.

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Are You Ready for the Christmas Markets of France?

Ho ho ho! Don’t look now but the Holiday Season is fast approaching and the countdown is on! It’s time to start planning and fine-tuning all those festive details that will make our OUTbound cruise through the Christmas Markets of France even more merry! Below are a few things to help you make the most of your vacation with us. As always, if you have any questions that we haven’t covered, or have a special request, hit us up… either by phone at 916.683.1000 or email us at info@iamOUTbound.com.
Let’s get started!

Flights

Flight Ideas

Since our trip begins and ends in Paris, flights are super easy. Simply log onto your favorite airline’s website and look for roundtrip tickets to either of Paris’s major airports… either Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), the primary international airport or Orly Airport (ORY), the smaller regional airport.

And of course the standard disclaimer, you are always welcome to book any flight or airline you wish and OUTbound does not guarantee or endorse any airline or flight.


Boarding Our Ship

Getting to the Ship

Our ship will be docked along the Seine River in Paris near the Javel bas Amont.

Paris Dock Address: Port de Javel Bas, 75015, Paris France

Boarding

Boarding officially begins at 3:00pm local time on Saturday, December 4th, but you are free to arrive at our ship at any time after 1:00pm. In the event your stateroom is not ready prior to 3:00pm, feel free to drop your bags at the reception desk, grab a drink from the bar and relax in the Panoramic Lounge or head up top to the Sun Deck to recover from your long travel day!


Theme Nights

Theme Nights & Parties

Nothing makes an OUTbound event more fun than our THEME NIGHTS! This is your chance to express yourself with a fun t-shirt, wild wig or full blown costume. Feel free to show us what you got! As always with OUTbound, you are welcome to participate as much or as little as you like, it’s up to you!

Be sure to check back as we get a little closer to our sail date to see the full list of our Theme Nights! We’ll announce these about three months before we sail… plenty of time to plan and get creative!


Enhanced Beverage Package

Upgrade Your Drink Package

As with every OUTbound trip, all of the standard beers, wines, mixed drinks, specialty coffees, sodas and bottled waters are included in the price of your trip. However, Emerald does offer an Enhanced Beverage Package for those of you looking for something special.

To download the full drink list, including what is included with your cruise and what the Enhanced Package offers, click… HERE.

Enhanced Beverage Package

The Enhanced Beverage Package can be added to your reservation for $105 per person, either before we sail or once you are onboard.


Travel Tips

Take A Picture!

Before heading out on a big trip, most travelers focus on packing the right clothes, confirming reservations, and making sure your passports are in hand. But seasoned OUTbounders know there’s another small step that can make a big difference in a pinch… snapping a few key photos before you leave home.

These quick snapshots take less than two minutes to capture but can save hours of stress if luggage gets lost, travel apps glitch, or important documents go missing.

Passport
A clear photo of the main passport page can make it faster to get a replacement at an embassy or consulate if your passport is lost. It’s best to keep this image in a secure, password-protected file or cloud app.

Prescription Medications & Labels
OUTbounders who take medication should take a picture of both your pills and the prescription labels. If your medications get lost or you run out, having the generic drug name on hand can make it much easier to refill while traveling.

Boarding Pass & Travel Documents
Travel apps sometimes glitch, and wifi isn’t always reliable at the airport. A screenshot of your boarding pass ensures it’s available offline when needed. The same goes for any hotel confirmations, train tickets, or tour reservations booked outside of your OUTbound trip.

Luggage Contents
Snapping a photo of everything packed in your suitcase before zipping it shut can be invaluable if your bags are delayed or lost. Airlines and insurance companies often ask for detailed lists of contents when processing a claim. A quick image can serve as proof of what was inside your bags and speed up any claims you might need to make.
As we all know, travel can be unpredictable, but your smartphone camera (something that’s already in your pocket and doesn’t require any extra cost) offers one of the easiest safeguards. Taking a few extra photos before you depart is a small habit that can prevent big headaches… and help you stay calm when plans don’t go exactly as expected.


Tipping

Tipping Our Hosts

Tipping is the ONLY thing not included with your OUTbound vacation. We never want to dictate anyone’s generosity or decide how much you think YOUR experience with a crew member, waitstaff or tour guide was worth. How much to tip depends on the type of service you receive and your personal experience.

During our trip together, you’ll come into contact with many different servers and hosts. At the end of each day’s guided tour, you’ll have the chance to tip our guide and driver whatever you feel your experience was worth.

Onboard our ship, you’ll receive an envelope in your stateroom on the last night of our cruise before disembarking the next morning in Paris and heading home. It’s here where you will have the opportunity to leave a tip that will be split among the crew… waitstaff, bartenders, room stewards and the entertainment staff.

A general rule of thumb for tipping the ship’s staff is €10 per day, per person.

However, if your experience warrants something more, then by all means feel free to be as generous as you would like. If you feel that any individual in particular has gone above and beyond in making your experience something extra special, then we encourage you to reach out to them directly and let them know how much you appreciated their service during our time together.


Currency

What Money Should You Bring?

France

France is a member of the European Union and one of the countries that use the Euro (abbreviated €) as their national currency.

You can also use your credit or debit card as well throughout our trip, as credit cards are widely accepted everywhere in each of the countries we will visit. However, remember that there will be additional bank charges upon usage and even a foreign transaction fee in some cases, depending on your bank.


EU Visa Requirements

Will I need a Visa to enter France?

American, Canadian and Australian citizens who are planning to visit France with us in 2027 will most likely need to apply for the European Union’s new ETIAS. ETIAS is not a visa but a new mandatory entry requirement.

Scheduled to start sometime in 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will require travelers from once visa-exempt countries, including United States citizens, to apply for a ETIAS and pay a small fee.

What is an ETIAS?

To streamline the entry process and enhance security, the European Union will be introducing the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This system aims to simplify the process for travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the United States, by requiring them to obtain an ETIAS authorization before visiting any of the Schengen Area countries.

For all of the latest ETIAS information, visit the official European Union Travel website HERE.

EU Entry and Exit System (EES)
As of October 12, 2025, US citizens will need to go through the EU’s new Entry and Exit System when traveling to 29 European countries. This applies to any visits lasting up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Your fingerprints, facial image, passport details, and entry and exit dates will be collected upon entry to an EES country and stored digitally. You do not need to pay a fee to enter the Schengen Area or the EU. The new system will be introduced gradually, and no advanced action is required.

There is no online application, advanced registration, or fee required for the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES). It is a biometric border control system that replaces traditional passport stamping. You will complete your EES registration in-person at a self-service kiosk or border desk the first time you enter a Schengen Area country.

Travel to Europe Mobile App (EES)
The Travel to Europe mobile application is now available, allowing pre-registration of travel information prior to arrival in France. The app allows non-EU travelers to pre-register their passport data for the Entry/Exit System (EES) before reaching a border crossing point.

Non-EU nationals can use the app to pre-register their data up to 72 hours prior to entering or leaving a European country.

The app is voluntary and does not replace border checks but makes border crossing more efficient. Use of the application is optional and free of charge, and it is available on the App Store and Google Play. You can get more information about the EES Mobile App by clicking HERE.


Power Outlets

What Power Converters Will I Need?

Our ship, the Emerald Lumi, has two (2) EU 220v Type C outlets and two (2) US 110v Standard outlets in each stateroom. Feel free to bring a USB adapter with multiple outlets so that you can charge several of your devices at once.

If you are arriving early in Paris, you’ll need a Type C adapter for use at your hotel as it will have the same receptacles as standard EU power outlets.

The Type C is the plug which has two round pins, like this…

You can find a ton of options on Amazon or other retailers that will include USB ports for charging your phone, tablet and other devices all at the same time.

Keep in mind that the United Kingdom (UK) uses different power outlets than the EU, so the Type C adapter will not work if you are visiting England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland during your trip.


Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

If we’ve learned anything over these last couple of years, it’s that the world can be an uncertain place at times. While you’re never required to buy travel insurance, it’s a good idea and we recommend all OUTbounders consider protecting your hard-earned vacation money. The price of your coverage will depend on a few factors, including the cost of the trip, what state you live in, how long before the trip departs, and if you have any pre-existing or underlying health conditions, to name a few.

Some reasons why you might buy travel insurance include:

  • Cancel for Any Reason
  • Unexpected Work Requirements
  • Personal or Family Illness

OUTbound does not provide travel insurance. However, we always recommend using a third-party insurance carrier to provide your coverage.


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