This month marks a milestone five years since Emerald Waterways launched its first collection of unique European river cruises aboard their original Star-Ships, Emerald Sun and Emerald Sky. Since then, the Australian river cruise brand known for providing exceptional value and attracting younger, more adventurous cruise travelers has continued to grow, expanding its fleet of signature “Star-Ships” to eight, adding itineraries in Asia, Egypt, Portugal and along the coast of Croatia, and continuing to up the ante on active excursions and unique onboard enrichment activities.
“We’re very proud of how far Emerald Waterways has come in just in just five short years. The recognition we’ve received in the industry paired with excellent feedback from guests continues to fuel our steady but thoughtful growth,” said Lisa Norton, Vice President of Brand Management for the US. “We look forward to further expanding and honing our offerings as we head into our sixth year of service.
In the five years since its launch, Emerald Waterways has received its fair share of industry accolades for its unique products. In 2014, its first year on the rivers in Europe, Emerald was awarded “Best New River Ships” in Cruise Critic’s Editors’ Pick Awards for their Emerald Star and Emerald Sky Star-Ships. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, the line was again commended by Cruise Critic, winning “Best River Line for Value” for a record three years in a row. 2017 also saw Emerald Waterways take home Silver Travel Weekly Magellan awards for Best Overall Contemporary Ship and for Contemporary Pool Design.
Guest satisfaction ratings validate these accolades, with guests from the top five itineraries on the Rhine, Main, Danube and Rhône routes giving scores between 9.5 and 9.7 out of 10 – or “Excellent” – for overall satisfaction.
2019 will see more growth for Emerald Waterways, including the launch of a brand new Star-Ship, the Emerald Harmony, which will sail the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia. With only 84 guests in 42 staterooms and suites, Emerald Harmony will offer an intimate sailing experience on the Mekong, and its clever design allows the ship to access the center of Ho Chi Minh City, meaning guests will disembark in the middle of the action rather than needing to be coached in from outside the city like other cruise lines. New itineraries launching in 2019 include intimate yacht sailings along the stunning Dalmatian Coast of Croatia and cruise and land tours of the Nile river in Egypt and Jordan.
Emerald Waterways’ river cruises offer contemporary, deluxe ships, outstanding service and an incredibly inclusive pricing plan. Cruise fares include all transfers; all port charges; all onboard (and some on-shore) meals; unlimited specialty tea and coffee, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; bottled water in the cabins replenished daily; continental breakfast, pre-dinner canapés and after-dinner sweet treats served in the top suites; complimentary Wi-Fi onboard the ship; most shore excursions as well as all onboard and excursion gratuities. On touring days, hotel accommodations, internal flights, and transfers are also included.
Part of Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Emerald Waterways’ eight branded Star-Ships offer river sailings in Europe and on the Mekong, as well as the MS Rossia along the Volga River in Russia; theAdriatic Princess II yacht in Croatia; and the MS Hamees on the Nile.
Additional information can be found by contacting your local travel agent; on Emerald Waterways’ website, www.emeraldwaterways.com in the US and www.emeraldwaterways.ca in Canada; or by calling the consumer/travel agent reservations line in the US (844-428-8389) or Canada (855-444-0161). Brochure orders may be placed on the website, or a digital downloadable version is available.
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