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On location: Emerald
Globe hopping 18 / On location
Sail away with Emerald Sun
A river cruise is the perfect way to tick off some of Europe’s most iconic cities and taste the local fare, says Travel Counsellor, Claire Spicer
As with ocean cruising, I believe there is a river cruise for everyone. The key is to know your clients and match them up with the right ship, cabin and itinerary – and if your clients are foodies, Emerald Sun is the choice for them!
It wasn’t long into my fi ve-day cruise from Budapest, Hungary, along the Danube to Vukovar, Croatia, before chef Kiril Melnik and his team introduced themselves to us and talked us through their recommendations, something they did each evening to help us appreciate the regional infl uences of each meal.
From the buff et breakfast to a full a la carte menu at dinner, everything was of a consistently high quality. Passengers were off ered a wide variety at all meal times and the team catered brilliantly for special dietary requirements (a great selling point).
I quickly eased into the leisurely pace of river cruising. Part of the charm is watching the world go by and relaxing, whether thats playing mini golf on the sun deck or taking a dip in the indoor pool - this one was particularly impressive with a retractable roof that turned into a cinema in the evening – a fantastic use of space!
Cabins with balconies off ered a fullheight window which opened halfway, thus giving you the balcony experience without compromising on space.
For those on a budget, the lower deck cabins with river view windows are both spacious and comfortable.
One of the benefi ts of a river cruise, I soon found, is that it can take you right into the heart of beautiful cities such as Vienna, Budapest, Amsterdam, Salzburg and Porto. Excursions vary depending on your preferences.
Emerald Sun carried bikes, which proved a fabulous way to explore an area of Belgrade, Serbia, and forms a key part of Emerald Cruises’ EmeraldACTIVE programme. The quality of the local tour guides was high and the small group coach tours involved a mixture of walking and coach, great for all abilities. We also ate at the home of a lovely Croatian family, giving a truly authentic experience and fully immersing us in the local culture.
Activities on board Emerald Sun were varied, with anything from morning yoga on the sun deck, evening quizzes in the Horizon Bar and Lounge, informative daily port talks from the Cruise Director, and even a DJ!
I discovered that a river cruise is a fabulous way of seeing multiple destinations without having to constantly unpack your bags, a defi nite for foodies and perfect for anyone with anxiety about seasickness as you barely notice you are moving. It can be a family aff air, fun with friends, a romantic break or great for a multi-generational trip. I’m a river cruise convert and can’t wait to tell my clients. emeraldcruises.co.uk
