Emerald Cruises

Emerald Cruises is part of the Scenic Group and combines European river cruises with ocean cruises aboard yachts. The brand was founded in 2013 as Emerald Waterways. In April 2014, the company christened its first Star-Ship, the Emerald Sky, in Amsterdam; the Emerald Star joined the fleet in August.

European River Cruises

The European Star-Ships sail on the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Douro, Main and Moselle, among other rivers. Designed for inland waterways, the ships accommodate up to 180 guests. Recurring onboard spaces include panoramic lounges and restaurants serving regionally inspired cuisine. On selected evenings, an indoor pool can be transformed into a cinema. Guided walks and cycling tours complement the shore excursion program. The Emerald Destiny showcases some features of the river fleet: built in 2017, the ship has a sun deck, a restaurant with a terrace and a glass-enclosed lounge.

Ocean-Going Yachts

The brand welcomed its first yacht guests aboard the Emerald Azzurra in 2022. Designed for up to 100 people, it combines an infinity pool with an Observation Lounge and a marina platform. On selected days, guests can swim directly from the platform. Emerald Sakara joined as a second yacht in August 2023. According to Emerald, the destinations on offer also include the Adriatic, the Seychelles, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Emerald’s yacht cruises sail to destinations including the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Alongside its river cruises, the brand therefore offers a program of smaller-ship voyages at sea; the Azzurra features its own guest spaces and water access.

Part of the Scenic Group

Emerald Cruises and Scenic are independent travel brands within the same Scenic Group. Scenic began with bus tours in Australia in 1986, and the group went on to develop river, yacht and land-based travel offerings. The sister brand Scenic offers European and Southeast Asian river cruises, as well as Discovery yachts. Emerald’s Star-Ships and yachts remain distinct ship classes: the river fleet is designed for European waterways, while the Azzurra takes guests to destinations at sea and along the coast. The Emerald Star was purpose-built for the Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle; this design is one of the defining features of its river-ship class.