Hiking, cycling and canoeing excursion lineup grows by 50%, still at no additional cost to
Boston, MA (April 2021) – The definition of “active travel” can vary as much as the travelers seeking to experience it. For some, an active vacation might entail summiting a mountain or running marathons. For others, it could be about hitting a daily step count or simply remaining committed to an active lifestyle while vacationing. The journey designers at Emerald Cruises understand this desire to keep active while traveling, which is why the brand has offered river cruise guests their popular EmeraldACTIVE tour program at no extra cost since 2016.
In the past five years, EmeraldACTIVE offerings have grown by nearly 50%, encompassing all river sailings across Europe and in Asia, adding new activities like kayaking and canoeing. In 2019, Emerald Cruises upped the ante even further with the announcement that all European river cruises would feature a dedicated Activity Manager to lead the EmeraldACTIVE tours, offer onboard group fitness programs and assist guests with planning individual cycling tours or athletic walks while in port. And now, with the 2022 launch of Emerald Cruises’ first ocean-going luxury superyacht, Emerald Azzurra, EmeraldACTIVE tours will be available on both ocean and river sailings for a total of 40 active excursion options across all Emerald Cruises itineraries.
Following is a look at how these active experiences break down:
- Total of 31 unique EmeraldACTIVE tour options available to guests on all European river sailings, including 15 guided hikes available across eight countries, 13 guided bike tours encompassing more than 140 miles of cycling, and guided canoe tours in Portugal and France;
- Eight brand new EmeraldACTIVE tours available on Emerald Azzurra yacht sailings in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Red Seas;
- Two EmeraldACTIVE shore excursions on Mekong sailings in Southeast Asia, including a kayaking tour of Halong Bay in Vietnam and a Vespa tour of the countryside near Siem Reap, Cambodia
Examples of EmeraldACTIVE hiking tours on the rivers of Europe include a guided hike along the terraced vine slopes of the Côtes du Rhône, one of France’s most esteemed wine-making appellations on a Rhône River sailing, or an active trek through the mystical woodlands of the Black Forest on Rhine River cruises. Cycling enthusiasts can take part in a 23-mile bike tour through rolling vineyards and quaint towns in the Wachau Valley, a beautiful region of northern Austria known for its dramatic landscapes and viticultural heritage, or enjoy a shorter city ride in Arnhem, Holland, famous for its postcard-worthy streets and scenic parks.
When Emerald Azzurra launches in 2022, guests will be able to take part in EmeraldACTIVE excursions in stunning locales such as a guided hiking tour to Forte Filippo in Port Ecole, Italy along the Italian Riviera, and a guided bike tour in and around historic Kusadasi, Turkey.
“It’s clear that small ship cruisers of all ages are increasingly interested in active, health-conscious travel, and we’re committed to offering programming both onboard and in ports that delivers a wide variety of options to our guests,” said David Winterton, Global Brand Director for Emerald Cruises.
Emerald Cruises offers a diverse lineup of river and yacht cruises on three continents. The Emerald Azzurra, the line’s first ocean-going vessel set to debut in January 2022, is a 100-guest, luxury superyacht that will sail the warm waters of the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Black and Red Seas. On the rivers, Emerald Cruises sails eight branded Star-Ships in Europe and one on the Mekong, as well as a chartered river ship sailing the Russian waterways (MS Nizhny Novgorod). The brand offers contemporary deluxe ships, outstanding service and an incredibly inclusive pricing plan that has won them the honor of being named Best River Cruise Line for Value by the Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards for five years running. Emerald Cruises is part of Scenic Group, which includes Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Mayflower Cruises & Tours and Evergreen Tours in Australia.
Emerald Cruises can be found on Twitter at @emerald_cruises, on Facebook as EmeraldCruisesGlobal and on Instagram as @EmeraldCruises.global.
Additional information can be found by contacting your local travel advisor; on Emerald Cruises’ website, www.emeraldcruises.com; or by calling the consumer/travel agent reservations line at 844-428-8389. Digital brochure downloads are available on the website.