Our award-winning Star-Ships

Life on the river

A river cruise in Europe provides the most captivating passage through the history of this diverse continent. As you cruise along some of Europe’s most iconic waterways, not only will you witness Mother Nature at her finest, but also engineering at its most impressive.

What is a lock?

Europe’s waterways are not just distinctive because of their history, their terrain can make navigation more challenging, which is why water locks – essentially an elevator with which ships can be raised or lowered to overcome the variations in water level – were designed.

The Main-Danube Canal itself boasts 16 locks, some as deep as 30 metres and reaching a height of over 406 metres.

Navigating a lock

Our Star-Ships have been engineered with locks in mind, designed to fit perfectly with inches to spare. Your captain is trained for such manoeuvres, but sometimes water levels don’t cooperate and, on occasions, this can lead to lock closures or difficulties passing under bridges when water levels are too high or too low. We always have a plan in place to handle navigation issues in a timely and efficient manner, with minimal disruption to your journey.

Top gate opened

Lower level

Water flow

Top gate closed Lock area Top gate closed

Ship enters the lock

Lock area, water level rises Top gate closed

Lower level

Water flow

Top gate closed

Ship leaves the lock

Lower level

Water flow Top gate opened Upper level

Water flow

Upper level

Water flow

Upper level

Water flow Emerald Radiance, Porto Bridge

Double-docking

Bridges

Throughout the cruise, we will sail under many different styles of bridges. On such days, we may need to close the Sun Deck for guest safety. Our crew will lower the railings and the captain’s wheelhouse will be mechanically dropped to allow the Star-Ship safe navigation. But, with plentiful public spaces available throughout our Star-Ships, you’ll always have somewhere to enjoy river views.

Double-docking

River cruising takes you right into the heart of different destinations. In certain locations docking space may be limited and you may find that, overnight, your ship has docked next to another ship. This is all part of the river cruising experience and drawing your curtains at night is advised. You’ll also get a glimpse of your neighbouring ship as you walk through to embark or disembark.

River Cruise Cover

As with any other element of Mother Nature, rivers have personalities of their own. While we make every effort to plan our trips carefully, some days Mother Nature simply doesn’t co-operate and your cruise may have a deviation due to low or high water levels or lock closures. At no extra cost, we have created our river cruise cover to give you peace-of-mind should your cruise be impacted. For more information see page 120.

C RUISE WITH CONFIDENC E

The Small-Ship Experts

Our commitment to your health & safety

Our commitment to our guests and crew, the guest experience and their health, safety and wellbeing remains our key priority.

We continue to work closely with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and local and international Government Health agencies, to ensure our protocols exceed the latest regulatory requirements. Our Health & Safety Steering Committee oversees all health and safety policies and training with Emerald Cruises, ensuring you can travel with complete confidence that your wellbeing and safety are taken care of to the highest standard. In addition, we are implementing the most recent insights and technologies, with our Emerald Cruises team dedicated to exceeding the levels of cleanliness required in today’s travel climate.

We are continuously updating our protocols to safeguard both the health, safety and the experience of our valued guests.

Extend your stay

We offer a range of pre and post cruise city stays, as well as a selection of more inclusive touring options, perfect for those who want to explore independently. Transfers between your Star-Ship, hotel and the airport are included in the price you pay, as well as centrally located, hotel stays, with breakfast and the guidance of a dedicated Emerald Cruises representative or tour director. Stuck for inspiration? Take a look at which extended stay corresponds to your chosen itinerary and peruse the included highlights which you can enjoy when you get there.

Amsterdam City Stay

NEW

n Two nights in a centrally located hotel n Breakfast included n Transfers to & from the airport n Visit to Floriade Horticulture Expo on selected departures, or guided city tour of Amsterdam Available on: Tulips & the Rhine, Splendours of Europe, Jewels of the Rhine and Christmas Markets of Europe

Berlin City Stay

n Two nights in a centrally located hotel n Breakfast included n Guided city tour of Berlin n Transfers to & from airport Available on: The Majestic Rhine and Legendary Rhine & Moselle Lisbon City Stay

n Three nights in a centrally located hotel n Breakfast included n Guided tour of Lisbon n Transfers from Porto to Lisbon & airport Available on: Secrets of the Douro

Lucerne & Zurich City Stay

n Three nights in a centrally located hotel n Breakfast included n Guided city tour of Lucerne n Guided city tour of Zurich n Transfers to & from airport Available on: Jewels of the Rhine, Tulips & the Rhine and the Majestic Rhine Budapest City Stay

n Two nights in a centrally located hotel n Breakfast included n Guided city tour of Budapest n Transfers to & from airport Available on: Enchantment of Eastern Europe and Christmas Time on the Danube

Nice City Stay

n Three nights in a centrally located hotel n Breakfast included n Guided tour of Monte Carlo n Transfers to Nice & to & from airport Available on: Sensations of Lyon & Provence Prague City Stay

n Three nights in a centrally located hotel n Breakfast included n Guided city tour of Prague n Transfers to & from airport n EmeraldPLUS experience Available on: Splendours of Europe, Danube Delights, Danube Explorer, Christmas Time on the Danube, Christmas Markets of Europe and Christmas Markets on the Danube

Transylvania City Stay

n Four nights in a centrally located hotel n Breakfast daily n Guided City Tour of Brasov n Guided tour of Bran Castle n Peles Castle visit n Transfer to Brasov n Transfers to & from the airport Available on: Enchantment of Eastern Europe

Istanbul City Stay

n Three nights in a centrally located hotel n Breakfast daily n Flight from Istanbul to Bucharest n Guided tour of Istanbul n Bosphorus cruise n Transfers to & from the airport Available on: Enchantment of Eastern Europe

Aix-en-Provence City Stay

n Three nights in a centrally located hotel n Breakfast daily n Transfer between Arles and

Aix-en-Provence n Included guided tour n Transfers to & from airport Available on: Sensations of Lyon & Provence

Madrid City Stay

n Two nights in a centrally located hotel n Breakfast included n Guided city tour of Madrid n Transfers to & from airport n Flight between Porto and Madrid Available on: Secrets of the Douro

Paris City Stay

n Up to three nights in a centrally located hotel n Breakfast included n Guided bus tour of Paris and

Seine cruise n Transfers to & from airport Available on: Sensations of Lyon & Provence and Splendours of Europe

EmeraldEXPLORER

We’re extremely proud of our continued commitment to providing the best river cruises in Europe. And, as we continue to grow, we’re delighted that so many of our guests return, fascinated by the wonderful travel opportunities we provide and eager to embark on another. With this in mind, the Emerald Cruises loyalty club, EmeraldEXPLORER, rewards you for your loyalty and earning points couldn’t be easier.

EmeraldEXPLORER Points to qualify

Welcome home voucher – an additional discount off your next cruise 1–4,999

€100 per person

Refer a friend scheme €100 per booking discount for both referrer & friend 5,000–9,999

€150 per person

€100 per booking discount for both referrer & friend 10,000+

€200 per person

€100 per booking discount for both referrer & friend

Exclusive member-only savings and offers

Exclusive EmeraldEXPLORER Newsletter

Rewarding your loyalty

Upon returning from your first cruise, you will automatically become a member of our EmeraldEXPLORER loyalty club, entitling you to exclusive benefits, including savings on future cruises, advance notice of new itineraries and much more.

Not only is it designed to recognise your time spent with us, but the amount you spend. The higher the category of your suite, the more points you’ll receive per day. And, for every subsequent cruise you take with us, you will earn more points.

Danube River

The international river

Having been the muse for decades of artistic legacy, the majesty of the Danube is no myth. Winding through 10 of Europe’s most breath-taking countries, it encompasses four capital cities, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade and Bratislava, all of which are must-see pit stops. “So many thoughtful touches, umbrella and walking sticks in the room, afternoon tea and late night snacks, free shuttle buses, fresh flowers on all tables, efficient listening devices for tours and bikes on board.”

Samblas

From Germany’s Black Forest, stretching 1,785 miles east towards the Danube Delta and into the Black Sea, this inspirational waterway has seen communities, dating as far back as the Neolithic Age, settle along its banks.

Centuries of historical intrigue are detailed upon visits to imposing fortresses, beautifully preserved palaces and ancient castles, as well as vibrant cities and peaceful riverbank villages. Step back in time and walk in the footsteps of the former residents who have helped shape the culture.

Whether you’re sailing on board the Emerald Star, Sky, Dawn, Sun, Destiny or Luna, you'll be treated to stylish staterooms and suites, an indoor heated pool, cinema and Sun Deck, to name just a few of the ship’s innovative features.

Great for architecture enthusiasts

The past is memorialised at every stop along the Danube, as some of Europe’s most exquisite monuments prove they’ve been built to stand the test of time. Architecture enthusiasts will be in awe of each city’s diversity, from the blend of Gothic and Renaissance Revival showcased by Budapest’s Parliament Building, to the New Baroque of Vienna’s Burgtheater.

Passau

In southeast Germany on the border of Austria, Passau is located at the confluence of the Danube, Ilz and Inn rivers. Aptly nicknamed the ‘Three Rivers City’, it is overlooked by the spectacular 13th century Veste Oberhaus, home to a museum, youth hostel and restaurant, as well as an open-air theatre since 1934. The Old Town is recognised for its beautiful Baroque architecture, namely St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its onion-domed towers and an organ boasting over 17,000 pipes.

Vienna

Renowned for its coffee shop culture and cosy wine taverns, the Austrian capital has made a name for itself as the home of many a renowned composer. Strauss, Mozart and Beethoven, as well as symbolist painter Gustav Klimt and the ‘father of psychoanalysis’ Sigmund Freud, have all fallen for its charm. Meander the streets, lined with stunning Baroque buildings and monuments of an Imperial past, now coexisting with the contemporary for a truly unique skyline.

Budapest

Formerly two separate cities, divided by the Danube, Buda on the west and Pest on the east certainly possess their own personalities. Buda’s narrow, winding streets and steep hills are home to the beautiful former Habsburg Palace and views from the Fisherman’s Bastion unveil the magnificent Parliament Building. A walk over the iconic Chain Bridge to Pest presents a mixture of bustling bars, cafés and restaurants, as well as thermal spas, all of which are the place to be in the evening.