Emerald River Cruises

Emerald Cruises luxury river journeys provide you with everything you need for an experience like no other. Their meticulously designed itineraries ensure that each aspect of your cruise is enjoyable and relaxing, from the moment you step on board, to the moment they bid you farewell. 

Journeying along the waterways of Europe and Southeast Asia, Emerald Cruises’ award-winning Star-Ships are world-class floating hotels, with stylish interiors, innovative features, and generous amenities to ensure that every moment on board is a delight. And on shore, you will be shown the very best of each remarkable destination you visit, with ample time available to explore the beautiful riverbanks, learn about local ways of life, and savour the finest wine and cuisine. 

⚓ Unforgettable Adventures through Europe and Southeast Asia

Whether you choose to cruise through the breathtaking landscapes of Europe, or along the majestic Mekong River in Southeast Asia, you’re in for an experience that will exceed all expectations. Discover the enchantment of Central Europe as you cruise along the Danube, Rhine, Main, or Moselle rivers. Delight your senses with the flavours of France on a Rhône river cruise, or immerse yourself in the cultural tapestry of Portugal along the Douro. In Vietnam and Cambodia, unveil the mysteries of these lands as you sail along the Mekong, leaving no culture unexplored. Get ready to broaden  your horizons and let Emerald Cruises be your guide to a world of unforgettable experiences.

Staterooms and Suites

Each Emerald Star-Ship features a range of stylish and spacious staterooms and suites to choose from, with each one offering a personal sanctuary of tranquillity and luxury. Whether you prefer ample space, or a cosy retreat, all options offer stunning river views, premium ESPA toiletries, WiFi, a TV with an entertainment system, a queen or twin-sized bed with luxurious linens, and an ensuite bathroom. 

⚓ Suites

The most exclusive category of suites is the Owner’s One-bedroom Suite, with only a limited number available on each ship. Guests in these suites enjoy access to a separate living room and bedroom, as well as a walk-in wardrobe for added storage space. On Emerald Harmony, the only ship in Southeast Asia, there are only two of these suites available, making them the most exclusive. These suites also boast a private terrace with a spacious hot tub. A Grand Balcony Suite offers guests a private outdoor balcony with an open-air system, and they can enjoy perks such as a pollow menu and room service. Last but not least, there is the Emerald Panorama Suite, featuring an innovative, all-weather balcony system that allows you to fully experience the sights of your destination. It also offers an indoor decked area that offers the ultimate in comfort and relaxation.

⚓ Staterooms

Boasting a spacious layout, natural light from the picture window and luxurious ESPA toiletries in your ensuite bathroom, the Emerald Stateroom is a true home-away-from-home offer. On select Star-Ships on the Danube, Modelle, Rhine and Rhône rivers, this stateroom class is also available as a single stateroom, offering exceptional comfort for single-party travellers.

Dining, Bars and Lounges

Emerald Cruises offers an exceptional onboard dining experience, with menus that are inspired by seasonal, local produce that brings the essence of your destination to each meal.

Reflections Restaurant is at the centre of the onboard dining experience, and it where you can start your day with a hearty breakfast, enjoy a lazy lunch after a morning of explorations, and finish the day with an enticing a la carte menu for dinner. The special Welcome and Farewell Dinners are also hosted in this space. For a more casual venue, The Terrace is a partly indoor, partly outdoor decked area located at the front of your ship, and offers light breakfast and lunch options, as well as snacks and afternoon tea. It’s also the ideal spot for sharing a bottle of wine with your loved one or new travel companions. 

⚓ Horizon Lounge & Bar

This open and contemporary space is the perfect spot to unwind with a glass of wine, a beer, or a hot drink, while enjoying the company of new friends in the plush seating area. Select wine, beer and soft drinks are included with your lunch and dinner, and drink packages are available to purchase from the moment you book your cruise. Whether you prefer non-alcoholic options like soft drinks, juices, and mocktails, or premium alcoholic packages with beers, wines, and cocktails, these packages offer superb value for money.

Entertainment

River cruises aren’t known for their splashy, over-the-top entertainment options, and Emerald Cruises is no different. Instead, they offer plenty of relaxation, socialising, and serene entertainment, which is perfect after a long day exploring on shore, or on days that require longer sailing between ports.

During the day, the top deck of your Star-Ship is the place to be. With panoramic rooftop views of the surrounding landscape, and plenty of deck chairs and sun loungers, there is no better place to relax and soak up your surroundings. For those that want to be a little more active, you can stretch your legs on the walking track, make use of the well-equipped gym space, or take a dip in the pool. The games area is always a popular space, so why not challenge a fellow guest to a friendly competition? If pampering is what you seek, you can’t go wrong by booking a massage or a facial for yourself. 

An Emerald Star-Ship in Budapest

In the evenings, enjoy live music in the Horizon Lounge, or perhaps a night of trivia, dancing or a crew talent show. Some evenings the pool area is cleverly transformed into a cosy cinema, complete with screenings of contemporary and classic films and complimentary popcorn. Other evenings, this space becomes the Riverside Lounge, a blissful space to enjoy the river views, read a book, and socialise with fellow guests.

Facilities and Amenities

While the facilities and amenities on offer may different from ship to ship, as well as across different destinations, you will find the following onboard:

⚓ A luxurious Wellness Area and in-site fitness room equipped with high-grade gym equipment
⚓ Elevators that service three out of four decks, with only the Sun Deck  accessible only by stairs
⚓ A comprehensive laundry service available for a small fee (or included for guests booked in an Owner’s One-bedroom Suite or Emerald Grand Balcony suite), as well as a self-serve laundry facility on board Emerald Harmony
⚓ Free pedal bicycles that can be reserved for use on shore
⚓ Complimentary WiFi throughout the ship, including public spaces, staterooms and suites
⚓ Plush bathrobes and slippers in all staterooms and suites

When you book a river cruise with Emerald Cruises, you can relax knowing that a wide range of inclusions are included in the price you pay.

Here’s what you can always expect:

⚓ Hassle-free airport transfers
⚓ Stylish accommodation onboard a Star-Ship
⚓ All onboard meals included
⚓ Enjoy wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
⚓ Daily restocked bottled water
⚓ An excursion almost every day, including unique EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE activities
⚓ Visits to UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites
⚓ Pamper yourself with ESPA luxury toiletries
⚓ First-class service from our English-speaking crew
⚓ Insightful local guides
⚓ Complimentary WiFi onboard
⚓ All port charges, airport taxes, and onboard tips covered

On all Star-Ships, the wheelhouse (the enclosed area of the ship where it is piloted by the captain and crew) is open for all guests to visit during a river cruise itinerary. If you have a particular interest in river navigation, the wheelhouse can provide a wonderful insight into the role of the captain and the intricacies of working through locks and cruising under bridges. Emerald’s ships have been engineered with locks in mind, and your captain is trained to manoeuvre them, so the wheelhouse is always an interesting spot on the ship to visit.

Cruising with Children

Emerald Cruises itineraries are designed with a focus on destination exploration, and while they strive to create memorable experiences for all guests, it’s important to note that their ship amenities and entertainment may not always cater to younger children. As such, they generally do not encourage children under the age of 12 to join their cruises. However, exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis at the cruise line’s discretion.

On Shore Experiences

Emerald Cruises immersive itineraries are designed to offer diverse experiences throughout your trip, with excursions conducted in small groups by local experts, all included in your cruise fare. You can look forward to daily excursions that provide a wonderfully insightful perspective of the destinations you visit. 

In addition, EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE experiences and activities are also included with every journey. The EmeraldPLUS program offers authentic and immersive experiences that delve deep into local cultures, showcasing regional traditions and customs. From socialising with residents to in-depth tours of historical landmarks, these excursions provide a close-up look at local life. For those looking for more active experiences, the EmeraldACTIVE program offers guided hikes, bike rides, canoeing excursions, and on-board wellness and fitness activities. These experiences allow you to explore your destinations in a vital and exhilarating way. 

If you’re eager to see and do more, the DiscoverMORE excursion program is available at an additional cost. This program allows you to delve further into the history, beauty, and culture of the destinations you visit, offering exclusive optional excursions that can be booked before you travel or while on board.

Accessibility

Emerald Cruises welcomes passengers with medical conditions or disabilities and are happy to provide mobility assistance if prior notification is received. However, there may still be certain limitations to keep in mind. There are significant thresholds to the doors for all standard suites and bathrooms, and the doorway may not be wide enough to accommodate all wheelchairs. And while Star-Ships all have lifts servicing three out of the four decks, the Sun Deck itself is only accessible via stairs. This can affect shore access as sometimes the ship may need to dock alongside other ships, in which case getting on shore is done via the Sun Deck.

Some shore excursions are conducted from coaches, in which case guests need to be able to walk up and down the coach stairs. Furthermore, some excursions include guided tours, which may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility. Emerald Cruises encourages guests with limited mobility to travel with a companion, as the crew may not have capacity to assist during excursions. Our Cruise Travel Advisors can work with you and the cruise line to discuss your specific needs and ensure your journey is as comfortable as possible.