You will enjoy the Emerald Waterways difference. Our innovative river cruise ships offer panoramic views of the stunning scenery, and feature contemporary boutique hotel styling, deluxe in-suite comfort, fine dining options and exceptional service, all included in the price.
Emerald Waterways’ sleek and modern ‘Star-Ships’ are not like other river cruise ships. As one of Europe’s newest fleets, every detail and contemporary feature has been designed to enhance the experience of our guests. With their striking minimalistic design and statement centerpieces, an Emerald Waterways ‘Star-Ship’ is comparable to a boutique hotel, only this hotel travels with you as you explore the rivers of Europe and enjoy a different view every day.
Emerald Waterways river cruises are deluxe, all-inclusive vacations. Pricing covers airport transfers to and from the ship, complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, all tips for shore side and onboard staff, complimentary Wi-Fi, a shore excursion in every port, bicycles and complimentary tea and coffee available 24 hours a day.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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, and bar – the perfect place for you 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 is our ship’s main restaurant, offering a casual setting for you 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 you can enjoy a light breakfast and cafe style lunch alfresco on The Terrace. From our welcome dinner to farewell banquet, you will have the opportunity to meet with other guests and share memories that will last a lifetime.
Contemporary Cabins Built for Comfort
What makes our cabins really stand out is that they’re an incredible value for your money. On average, they are larger than most other operators’, but we don’t charge you for the extra space. We offer a range of cabins to choose from and no matter which you opt for, you’ll enjoy your own en-suite bathroom, hotel-style bed, flat screen TV and infotainment system, indulgent toiletries and hair dryer, individual climate control, personal fridge with bottled water restocked daily and plenty of space and storage.
It’s Amazing What’s Included
- Spacious accommodation on board our revolutionary ‘Star-Ships’
- On board heated pool and cinema
- Innovative open-air system in all cabins on the Vista and Horizon decks
- The option to enjoy a light breakfast or lunch al-fresco on The Terrace
- All on board meals and a collection of highlight dinners at Reflections Restaurant
- Wine, beer and soft drinks to accompany lunch and dinner
- Unlimited tea and coffee throughout your cruise
- Bottled water restocked daily in your cabins
- An included shore excursion in every port
- Extra special included excursions with EmeraldPLUS
- Visits to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Pre-dinner canapés, after-dinner gourmet desserts and the option to have continental breakfast served in the Owner’s One-Bedroom and Grand Balcony Suites
- Spectacular service from an English speaking crew
- Knowledgeable local guides at each destination
- Bicycles on board for daily use
- Complimentary WiFi on board
- All airport transfers to and from your ship
- PLUS we take care of all gratuities, saving you up to $650 per couple on an 15 day cruise
Our ‘Star-Ships’
Emerald Star and Emerald Sky entered service in 2014, followed by Emerald Sun and Emerald Dawn in 2015. In 2016, Emerald Belle will make her debut during the Europe sailing season. The first five ‘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.
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 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 Amsterdam to Basel Rhine Highlights cruise.
France
Romantic settings, historic villages and battlefields, stunning scenery, French flavors and rolling vineyards are yours to discover on Emerald Waterway’s new river cruises featuring the Rhône and Saône Rivers. With the success of our Emerald ‘Star-Ships’ on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, we have launched a brand new ship in the amazing culinary, cultural and historic destination of France, the Emerald Liberté. With no overnight sailings, relaxed itineraries and plenty of time to explore on your own, this is the perfect destination to river cruise. Explore Lyon, France’s 2nd largest city known as the gastronomic capital. Dock in the heart of the beautiful towns of Mâcon, Chalon– Sur–Saône and Tournon, then taste the world renowned wines of Beaujolais and Burgundy. Marvel at the sheer size of the Palais du Pape in Avignon, surely one of the most historic and picture postcard towns in Europe, then step back in time at the Arles Colosseum. Your Emerald Waterways Cruise Director will be with you every step of the way to assist in local sightseeing and answer any queries. Our team takes pride in their jobs and their goal is for you to not only have the perfect holiday but to come away from France with an intimate understanding of how the locals live. Personalize your holiday with our Discover More excursions such as wine tasting in the Beaujolais region, a visit to a Benedictine Abbey in Cluny or a tour of the medieval town of Perouges. These excursions can all be pre-booked to ensure your space or you can book on board with your Cruise Director.
Portugal
The Douro River is the second destination featuring a brand new Emerald ‘Star-Ship’ in 2017. The Douro winds its way from Spain into Northern Portugal, an area almost lost in time, scattered with quaint villages, working family farms and countless vineyards producing the specialties of the region.
Emerald Radiance will feature an outdoor serenity pool located on the top deck for your enjoyment. Visit the lively city of Porto, famous for its riverside cafés and extensive wine cellars in the area of Vila Nova de Gaia. Traditional villages of Pinhão, Pocinho and Regua have occupied the shores of the river for many centuries. It’s like time has stood still, with secret methods in fortified winemaking being handed down by each generation. Salamanca lies just over the border in Spain. You’ll enjoy a full day exploring this lively student town known as the ‘Oxford’ of the Spanish language included in your itinerary. Included excursions featured in your itinerary including a highlight dinner at a local wine estate and a cocktail lesson on board. You can also extend your stay and experience Lisbon for a three night stay in the thriving capital of the country with the oldest borders in Europe. Your Emerald Waterways Cruise Director will be with you every step of the way to assist in local sightseeing and answer any questions. Our team takes pride in their jobs and their goal is for you to not only have the perfect holiday but to come away from the Douro Valley with a fresh perspective on life. Personalise your holiday with our Discover More excursions such as an excursion to the Mateus Palace or the Palacio da Bolsa. These excursions can be pre-booked or booked on board with your Cruise Director. As always, all tipping, gratuities, port charges and porterage are included, as well as beer and wine with lunch and dinner. Headsets are included on all guided tours so you won’t miss a thing while pausing for that special photo or sight. Discover a corner of Europe cherished by those lucky enough to visit its curving landscapes, gorgeous family run wine estates and cities fashioned by the architects of foregone eras.
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 Rhine Highlights Cruise 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 new 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.