Written By; Lisa Norton, VP Emerald Waterways North America
Life’s a deluxe river cruise, only on Emerald Waterways. Your clients haven’t had a vacation experience that exceeds their expectations like this. Our exciting, unique destinations and itineraries, exceptional contemporary amenities and service, and amazing range of thoughtful inclusions and options are designed so they can completely relax – and revel – in a truly deluxe trip. Our award-winning international fleet of Star-Ships is the river cruising experience your clients always wanted, and more.
Exceptional Emerald Value, it’s all included:
- Innovative onboard features like a heated pool with retractable roof and cinema
- Boutique hotel like accommodations with spacious cabins and our refreshing open-air balcony system in all our suites.
- All on board meals and a collection of highlight dinners at Reflections Restaurant
- A refined selection of wine, beer and soft drinks to accompany lunch and dinner.
- Tea and coffee available at all times
- Bottle water restocked daily in your cabin
- Enjoy each port with an included shore excursion or walking tour
- Extra special included excursions courtesy of EmeraldPLUS
- Biking and hiking guided tours with Emerald Active
- Visits to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Served right to your cabin. Continental breakfast, pre-dinner canapés and after dinner treats in our Owner’s One-bedroom, Riverview and Grand Balcony Suites
- Excellent service from an English speaking crew
- Knowledgeable local guides at each destination
- Complimentary bicycles on board for daily use.
- Complimentary WiFi on board
- All airport transports to and from your ship
- Plus we even take care of all gratuities
Award-winning River Cruises
After just two years of serving guests and sailing the rivers of Europe, we are delighted to have earned our second award from the Editor’s of Cruise Critic, ‘Best River Line for Value’. This was a great follow-up to last year’s selection as ‘Best New River Ship’, also from the Editor’s of Cruise Critic. Our ships have been praised for their innovative highlights and modern approach to river cruising; something we believe really sets us apart.
Emerald Star and Emerald Sky entered service in 2014, followed by Emerald Sun and Emerald Dawn in 2015. The first four ‘Star-Ships’ are 442 feet long with 182-passenger capacity and 92 staterooms, including two single staterooms. On board we have international officers and crew and sail eight to fifteen-day cruises on the Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube rivers. Emerald Waterways also operates charters in Southeast Asia along the Mekong and Irrawaddy Rivers.
Your Deluxe On board Experience
The two most innovative aspects of our ships are the dual-purpose area at the aft of the ship that transforms from an indoor heated swimming pool with retractable roof during the day, to a cinema at night, and our revolutionary open-air system found in all staterooms on the Horizon and Vista Decks. With the touch of a button, the upper part of the cabin’s floor-to-ceiling window drops down to create the feeling that you are on a balcony.
Take a dip in the pool
Unlike any others on Europe’s rivers, our deluxe ships have a heated swimming pool complete with retractable roof, bar and – the perfect place for guests to relax whatever the weather. On select evenings, the pool area inventively transforms into a cinema showing a collection of films.
Expect Delicious Cuisine
Emerald Waterways offers the very best in fine dining. Reflections Restaurant is our ship’s main restaurant, offering a casual setting for guests to enjoy our delightful cuisine. To accompany lunch and dinner, we’ve carefully chosen a selection of European red and white wine, local beers and soft drinks. When the weather’s fine your clients can enjoy a light breakfast and cafe style lunch alfresco on The Terrace. From your client’s first night on board to the farewell dinner they will have the opportunity to meet with other guests and share memories that will last a lifetime.
Contemporary Cabins Built for Comfort
Building a brand new fleet allowed us to tailor the design of our staterooms and suites. They offer a great value to our guests since they are larger than most other operators. We offer a range of cabins to choose from and no matter which you opt for; all accommodations include complimentary bathrobes and slippers, bottled water, Wi-Fi, electronic safes, flat-screen TV with infotainment systems, a mini-fridge, and a hair dryer.
EmeraldPLUS and Emerald Active
Choose an EmeraldPLUS or Emerald Active experience at select destinations, at no additional charge, and go way beyond the standard tourist offerings to a richer, more authentic experience of local European culture. For example, in Amsterdam you can enjoy a leisurely EmeraldPLUS visit to the lush Keukenhof Gardens, beloved as the world’s most beautiful in the spring, or go for a picturesque cruise through the city’s maze of canals.
For those who relish an active lifestyle, enjoy Emerald Active pursuits such as a guided bike tour along the Danube’s banks between Melk and Dürnstein in the wine-growing Wachau Valley, rejoining your shipmates upon arrival at Dürnstein; or go on a stimulating hike to the spectacular ruins of Wertheim Castle, near Miltenberg, in Bavaria.
Groups and Charters
Enjoy an exceptional vacation experience at an extraordinary value with a group river cruise on Emerald Waterways. Perfect to celebrate a special occasion, explore common interests with like-minded people or as a company retreat, employee incentive or team building program. You need as few as ten people to book your group’s exciting deluxe river cruise on one of our beautiful Star-Ships. For even more exclusivity, full or partial charters of our Star-Ships are also available on select routes and itineraries.
A designated group specialist on our experienced staff will liaise with you to ensure all needs are taken care of at all times, on board and on shore. And of course, your group enjoys the same deluxe on board list of inclusions and amenities. Your group will receive a welcome bottle of sparkling wine in each cabin. We can even arrange for special groups events, such as group cocktail parties, and have private event space made available on board for your group’s activities.
Our booking specialists will work with you to select the very best river cruise dates, itinerary, and customized activities for your group, whatever the event, occasion or need. We’ll send a group quote for your review and approval, before finalizing your group contract. Your amazing group river cruise vacation is just a phone call or email away; with our group booking expertise and flexible itineraries, booking couldn’t be simpler.
What’s New for 2017
We’re excited to announce two new ships for 2017 – the Emerald Radiance, which will set sail on the Douro River in Portugal in April 2017 and the Emerald Liberté, cruising from Lyon to Arles on the Saône and Rhône rivers. These sleek Star-Ships are built to the same exacting standards as the rest of the fleet, to offer you the highest quality experience, unparalleled on these rivers.
Emerald Radiance is 292 feet long with 112-passenger capacity and 56 staterooms. On board we have international officers and crew. We will sail eight-day cruises on the Douro River.
Emerald Liberté is 361 feet long with 138-passenger capacity and 70 staterooms. On board we have international officers and crew. We will sail eight-day cruises on the Rhône and Saône Rivers. This itinerary may be combined with our new Douro cruise or with our Jewels of the Rhine cruise.
Tailor your trip to suit your desires!
Customize your itinerary by combining two of our exciting 8-day river cruises to make your own 15-day vacation! If you have the time, why not take two trips and make them one comprehensive experience! Since you’ve already traveled to Europe, why not see even more of the region, or perhaps even another country, and avoid another long fight and all that entails! Combine two experiences; our new 8 day Secrets of the Douro River cruise on board the brand new Emerald Radiance with our 8-day Sensations of Southern France river cruise. Enjoy the beautiful Douro Valley, the Portuguese people, their food, music & dance and of course their world famous port. Compare and marvel at the unique variance of France, the French people, their food, music and traditions. At the end of the magnificent Douro river cruise, board a flight from Porto and travel to Lyon, France, where you will be transferred to our brand new Emerald Liberté to begin the second half of your vacation. Further enhance your journey with an optional pre-cruise extension in Lisbon and a post-tour stay in Nice, with tours of Monte Carlo and Monaco!
Link our Jewels of the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel with our exciting new Sensations of Southern France itinerary, featuring the incredible castles of the Rhine Gorge with the picturesque valleys of the Black Forest. Transfer from Basel to Lyon by coach travelling through Switzerland before boarding the Emerald Liberté in Lyon. Make the most of your time in Europe and extend you vacation with a post-cruise stay in Nice.
Emerald Specialist Program
To learn more about Emerald Waterways, sign up for our online travel agent course, EmeraldSpecialist.com. With this course you will learn about our Star-Ships, their unique features and our itineraries in Europe and Southeast Asia. Upon completion you will receive preferred notifications of specials, have opportunities for Emerald Waterways educational trips and guide your clients to a truly outstanding river cruise experience. Complete the course today at EmeraldSpecialist.com.
With our boutique-hotel styling, deluxe in-suite comfort, fine dining options and exceptional service all included in the price, your clients will enjoy the Emerald Waterways difference.