The back story
Founded: 2013, as Emerald Waterways; part of the Scenic Group (emerald.cruises, About us) · Fleet: 10 Star-Ships in Europe; Emerald Harmony (Mekong); yachts Emerald Azzurra (2022), Emerald Sakara (2023) and Emerald Kaia (April 2026); Emerald Raiya (2027) and Emerald Xara (2028) to come; Emerald Lumi on the Seine from 2027 (emerald.cruises, Oct 2026) · Guests per ship: Up to 180 on the Europe Star-Ships; up to 100 on Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara; up to 128 on Emerald Kaia (emerald.cruises) · What’s included: Meals, airport transfers, gratuities and a selection of excursions; wine, draught beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on the rivers (emerald.cruises, Oct 2026) · Drinks packages (Europe rivers, 2026): Premium €14.50 and Platinum €28.50 per person per day (emerald.cruises, Oct 2026) · Sails: Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube, Rhône, Saône, Douro, Seine (from 2027), Mekong; yachts in the Mediterranean and Adriatic, Caribbean and Central America, Red Sea, Seychelles and Indian Ocean
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The back story
Emerald Cruises·In depth
A river line born in 2013 from an Australian travel family, which christened its first Star-Ship with Twiggy in Amsterdam and now sails small yachts as well.
The fleet
Who it suits. On a budget: Good value for a first river cruise: a picture-window Stateroom on a Star-Ship still comes with ESPA toiletries, Wi-Fi, wine, draught beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, transfers and gratuities. Selected ships have cabins built for solo travellers. Mid-range: A Panorama Balcony Suite with the all-weather balcony system, whose floor-to-ceiling window lowers at the touch of a button, or a Balcony Suite on one of the yachts. Luxury: An Owner’s One-Bedroom Suite with a separate living room on a Star-Ship, or the largest yacht suites, on the Pool Deck, of 108–130 m² including a private terrace.
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Up to 180 guests
Emerald Cruises·River ships · Star-Ship·€€
Star-Ships on the Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube, among them Emerald Sky, Star, Sun, Dawn, Luna and Destiny, with an indoor pool that becomes a cinema.
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180 guests, 2026
Emerald Cruises·River ship · Star-Ship·€€
The newest Star-Ship, with a grey-tinted glass exterior modelled on the yachts, sailing the Rhine, Main and Danube from 2026.
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Rhône, Douro, Seine
Emerald Cruises·River ships · France and Portugal·€€
Emerald Liberté on the Rhône and Saône since 2017, Emerald Radiance on the Douro, and Emerald Lumi on the Seine from 2027.
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Docks in Ho Chi Minh City
Emerald Cruises·River ship · Mekong·€€€
Emerald’s first self-built Star-Ship (2019), designed for the Mekong, with a Sun & Pool Deck, a wellness area and Asian-inspired dining.
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Up to 100 guests
Emerald Cruises·Luxury yachts·€€€
Twin luxury yachts (2022 and 2023) with an infinity-style pool, an Observation Lounge, an infrared sauna and a Marina Platform.
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Up to 128 guests
Emerald Cruises·Luxury yacht·€€€
The next-generation yacht, launched in April 2026, with a Wellness Deck, Sky Deck, Observation Sun Deck, the Night Market Grill and Soléa Bar & Bistro.
