River · Yacht · Ocean Cruising

Emerald Cruises

Discover contemporary luxury across Europe’s legendary rivers, the Mediterranean, and beyond with Emerald Cruises’ innovative Star-Ships and ocean-going yachts.

A large, sleek cruise ship sailing on blue ocean waters, showcasing contemporary maritime design and impressive scale.
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Contemporary Luxury on River and Sea

Emerald Cruises is part of the Scenic Group family, offering a fresh approach to luxury cruising across Europe’s most iconic rivers and stunning ocean destinations. With their award-winning Star-Ships on the rivers and elegant superyachts at sea, Emerald Cruises delivers an outstanding value-luxury experience. Innovative amenities like a heated pool that converts into a cinema at night, a retractable glass roof, and included EmeraldACTIVE excursions set them apart in the premium cruise market.

At a Glance

Cruise Line: Emerald Cruises – Contemporary Luxury River & Ocean Cruising

Fleet: Award-winning Star-Ships on European rivers plus luxury ocean yachts including Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara

Destinations: Europe’s great rivers (Rhine, Danube, Main, Rhône, Douro, Mekong), the Mediterranean, Adriatic Coast, Red Sea, and more

Service: Attentive, personalised service with an approachable and relaxed luxury atmosphere

Signature Feature: Innovative Star-Ships with heated pool/cinema, retractable glass roof, and included EmeraldACTIVE excursion programme

  • Stylish staterooms and suites with hotel-style beds
  • All meals onboard — breakfast, lunch, and dinner including highlight dinners
  • Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Included EmeraldACTIVE guided excursions — biking, hiking, and more
  • EmeraldDISCOVERY cultural excursions and city tours
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard
  • Use of onboard amenities including heated pool, cinema, and wellness area
  • All port charges, airport transfers on designated days, and gratuities

Inclusions may vary between river and ocean itineraries. Contact our expert advisors for details.

  • Outstanding value for a luxury experience — premium quality at an accessible price point
  • Innovative Star-Ships with features not found on other river cruise vessels
  • EmeraldACTIVE programme for guests who want to explore destinations on foot, by bike, or even by canoe
  • Ocean yachts offer an intimate, yacht-style experience with under 100 guests

The Reflections Restaurant: Main open-seating restaurant with regionally inspired menus

Terrace Bar & Lounge: Light lunches and casual dining with panoramic views

Horizon Bar & Lounge: Relaxed setting with cocktails and evening entertainment

The Yacht Club (Ocean): Poolside al fresco dining on ocean yachts

La Cucina (Ocean): Italian-inspired dining on select ocean yachts

Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on all sailings. Premium beverage packages available.

Emerald Cruises expanded into ocean cruising with the launch of their luxury superyachts, Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara. These intimate vessels carry fewer than 100 guests, creating an exclusive yacht-club atmosphere.

Destinations include the Mediterranean, Adriatic Coast, Greek Islands, Red Sea, and Southeast Asia. With a marina platform for water sports, an infinity pool, and spacious suites — many with private balconies — the ocean yachts deliver a boutique cruising experience.

The small size allows access to charming ports and harbours that larger ships simply cannot reach.

At a Glance

Value-Luxury Cruising

All-Inclusive

River & ocean luxury included

  • All meals onboard
  • Wine, beer & soft drinks at meals
  • EmeraldACTIVE excursions
  • EmeraldDISCOVERY cultural tours
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Airport transfers on set days
  • All gratuities & port charges

Inclusions vary by itinerary

Explore

Discover Emerald Cruises

A large MSC cruise ship docked at the pristine Ocean Cay marine reserve in the Bahamas, with a white lighthouse and turquoise waters surrounding a white sandy beach.
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Award-Winning Star-Ships

Emerald Cruises’ river fleet features their innovative Star-Ships, purpose-built vessels that redefined river cruising. The standout feature is the heated indoor pool — a first for river cruising — which transforms into a cinema under the stars in the evening. A retractable glass roof over the pool area means you can enjoy the space rain or shine. With spacious staterooms, panoramic suites, and a relaxed onboard atmosphere, Emerald Star-Ships offer an exceptional way to explore Europe’s most storied waterways.

EmeraldACTIVE — Explore Your Way

For guests who love to stay active while they travel, Emerald Cruises’ included EmeraldACTIVE programme is a real standout. Choose from guided bike tours through charming European villages, scenic hikes along river valleys, canoeing excursions, and more — all included in your cruise fare. On the ocean yachts, the marina platform opens up for kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming right from the ship. It’s a wonderful way to get closer to each destination and experience it beyond the traditional guided tour. Our expert advisors can help you choose the itineraries with the best EmeraldACTIVE offerings for your interests.

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A pristine swimming pool on a luxurious cruise ship with white lounge chairs and a modern design, featuring a smiling passenger in a red floral dress standing with outstretched arms
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Intimate Ocean Yacht Cruising

Emerald Cruises took their signature contemporary luxury to the open seas with the Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara — stunning superyachts carrying fewer than 100 guests. Imagine cruising the Mediterranean, the Adriatic, or the Red Sea aboard a yacht that feels like your own private retreat. With a marina platform for water sports, an infinity pool, spacious suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, and al fresco dining under the stars, the ocean yachts deliver an experience that’s worlds apart from traditional ocean cruising. It’s the perfect blend of adventure, intimacy, and relaxed luxury.

Experience

The Emerald Cruises Experience

Innovative Ship Design

Emerald’s Star-Ships feature industry firsts like a heated indoor pool that transforms into a cinema, a retractable glass roof, and spacious panoramic suites with private balconies — redefining what’s possible on a river cruise.

Exceptional Dining

From the Reflections Restaurant’s regionally inspired menus to al fresco dining at the Terrace and The Yacht Club on ocean voyages, every meal is a culinary highlight. Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner.

Stunning Destinations

Cruise Europe’s legendary rivers — the Rhine, Danube, Main, Rhône, and Douro — or set sail on the Mediterranean, Adriatic Coast, Greek Islands, Red Sea, and beyond aboard Emerald’s intimate ocean yachts.

Images

Gallery

Amazon Pink Dolphin
Silversea Silver Endeavour

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Emerald Cruises is a contemporary luxury cruise line that’s part of the Scenic Group. They operate a fleet of award-winning Star-Ships on Europe’s great rivers and intimate ocean superyachts in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Red Sea, and beyond. Known for innovative ship design, inclusive pricing, and an active approach to destination exploration, Emerald Cruises offers outstanding value in the luxury cruise segment.

Emerald Cruises includes all meals onboard (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, EmeraldACTIVE guided excursions, EmeraldDISCOVERY cultural tours, complimentary Wi-Fi, airport transfers on designated days, all port charges, and gratuities. When you book through Cruise Help, you also get access to our exclusive group rates, weekly price monitoring, and no booking fees — ever.

Emerald Star-Ships are purpose-built river cruise vessels that set themselves apart with innovative design features. The standout is the heated indoor pool — a first for river cruising — that transforms into a cinema at night under a retractable glass roof. Star-Ships also feature spacious staterooms and suites, panoramic balcony suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, multiple dining venues, a wellness area, and a sun deck with walking track.

EmeraldACTIVE is Emerald Cruises’ included excursion programme designed for guests who want to explore destinations actively. Activities include guided bike tours, scenic hikes, canoeing, and more on river cruises. On ocean yachts, the marina platform opens for kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming. All EmeraldACTIVE excursions are included in your cruise fare at no extra charge.

On river Star-Ships, categories range from Emerald Staterooms (with a window) to Panorama Balcony Suites featuring indoor balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows that open, Grand Balcony Suites, and the Owner’s One-Bedroom Suite. On the ocean yachts, accommodations include Oceanview Staterooms, Balcony Suites, Terrace Suites, and the Owner’s Suite. Our expert advisors can help you choose the right cabin and deck placement for your preferences.

Emerald’s river fleet sails Europe’s most iconic waterways including the Rhine, Danube, Main, Moselle, Rhône, Saône, Douro, and the Dutch and Belgian waterways. They also offer Mekong River cruises in Southeast Asia. The ocean yachts sail the Mediterranean, Adriatic Coast, Greek Islands, Red Sea, and select seasonal destinations. New itineraries are added regularly.

All meals are included onboard. The main Reflections Restaurant offers open-seating dining with regionally inspired menus that change daily. The Terrace Bar & Lounge serves light lunches and casual options with panoramic views. On ocean yachts, additional venues include The Yacht Club for poolside al fresco dining and La Cucina for Italian-inspired cuisine. Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks accompany lunch and dinner on all sailings.

Emerald Cruises maintains a relaxed, smart-casual atmosphere. During the day, casual and comfortable attire is appropriate. In the evening, smart-casual dress is recommended — think collared shirts and slacks for men, and dresses or smart separates for women. There are no formal nights, making packing easy and the atmosphere approachable. It’s refined without being stuffy.

Absolutely. Emerald Cruises is an excellent choice for first-time cruisers because of the all-inclusive value, the relaxed onboard atmosphere, and the included excursion programmes that take the guesswork out of exploring each destination. The intimate ship sizes — especially on river cruises — create a welcoming environment. Our expert advisors at Cruise Help have sailed these ships and can guide first-time cruisers through every step of the planning process.

The Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara are luxury superyachts carrying fewer than 100 guests each. They feature an infinity pool, a marina platform for water sports, spacious suites (many with private balconies), multiple dining venues, and a relaxed yacht-club atmosphere. Their small size allows access to charming ports and harbours that larger cruise ships cannot reach, creating a truly unique and intimate ocean cruising experience.

When you book Emerald Cruises through Cruise Help, you get access to exclusive group rates with savings up to 50% off published fares — with just one room. Our team of 23+ expert advisors, many with real cruise ship experience, provides personalised cabin selection advice, itinerary planning, and destination guidance. We perform weekly price monitoring on every booking and automatically adjust your rate if the price drops. Plus, we never charge booking, consultation, or change fees — ever. With 365-day support, you’re never on your own from the moment you enquire to the moment you disembark.

Get Started

Ready to Explore with Emerald Cruises?

Whether you’re dreaming of a European river cruise along the Danube or an intimate yacht voyage through the Greek Islands, our expert advisors at Cruise Help are here to help you find the perfect Emerald Cruises experience. With exclusive group rates, weekly price monitoring, and no fees — ever — your journey begins with us!