Life Onboard Emerald Cruises
Overview
Emerald Cruises was created to offer a modern style of river cruising, blending relaxed luxury with a fresh and stylish onboard atmosphere. Founded in 2013, the cruise line quickly established itself with high quality Star Ships, thoughtfully planned itineraries and a strong focus on comfort, service and contemporary design. From the moment you step on board, the experience feels welcoming and refined, with elegant surroundings and an easy going pace that suits river travel perfectly.
Life on board is all about balance. Days are shaped around discovery, whether that means exploring historic riverside towns, enjoying guided excursions or simply soaking up the scenery as you sail. And when it is time to unwind, the ship offers plenty of inviting spaces to relax. With small touches throughout and a focus on making every moment feel seamless, Emerald Cruises delivers river journeys that are as rewarding as the destinations themselves.
Accommodations
Staterooms and suites with Emerald Cruises are designed to feel like a calm retreat at the end of each day, combining modern comfort with a clean, contemporary style. After time spent exploring riverside cities and charming towns, it is a pleasure to return to a space that feels restful, thoughtfully arranged and quietly luxurious. Many cabins feature large panoramic windows, bringing the scenery right into your room and allowing you to enjoy sweeping river views from the privacy of your own accommodation. Across the fleet, options range from smartly designed staterooms to more spacious suites, each finished with polished touches that reflect Emerald’s sleek, modern approach. Layouts are particularly well considered, with clever use of space that makes rooms feel open and practical, without losing the sense of comfort and refinement you expect from a luxury river cruise. Soft colours, elegant lighting and carefully chosen furnishings create an inviting environment that is stylish without feeling formal.
For more information, click through to each ship to discover the accommodations available.
Activities
Life on board Emerald Cruises is designed to feel both relaxed and rewarding, with a wonderful balance of time to unwind and opportunities to make the most of each day. Much of the magic of river cruising is in the scenery itself, and the Horizon Bar and Lounge is one of the best places to enjoy it. With sweeping windows and an abundance of natural light, it is a bright, welcoming space where you can settle in with a coffee, socialise with fellow guests, or simply watch stunning landscapes and riverside towns drift by as you sail.
When the sun shines, the Sun Deck is the perfect place to embrace it. This open air space is ideal for leisurely afternoons, with room to stretch out on a lounger, enjoy a chilled drink in the sunshine, or take in the views as the ship glides through vineyard lined valleys and picturesque riverside scenery.
Emerald also appeals to travellers who enjoy exploring actively, with many itineraries offering guided walking tours and cycling experiences. These are a brilliant way to see each destination up close, from historic old towns to scenic river paths, before returning to the comfort of the ship each evening.
One of Emerald’s most distinctive features is the onboard pool, which adds a refreshing touch during the day, and then transforms into a cinema style venue in the evening. It is a clever and memorable space that reflects Emerald’s modern approach, offering another relaxed way to enjoy life on board, whether you fancy a gentle swim or a cosy film night after a day of discovery.
Entertainment
Evenings with Emerald Cruises are unhurried, relaxed and wonderfully sociable. Entertainment is designed to complement the calm rhythm of river travel, with a focus on enjoyable moments rather than a busy schedule. Guests can settle into the lounges for a drink, share stories from the day, and enjoy a range of informal performances and live music that add a lovely atmosphere to the evening.
Depending on the itinerary, some nights may feature local performers, bringing a little taste of the region on board, while other evenings are simply perfect for a quiet drink as the river continues to glide past outside. Whether you prefer a lively conversation with new friends or a slower evening watching the scenery through the windows, Emerald Cruises creates a welcoming setting where entertainment feels natural, effortless and perfectly in tune with the journey.
Food & Drink
Dining with Emerald Cruises is a real highlight, offering a refined yet relaxed experience that feels perfectly in tune with life on the river. Meals are thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, with menus that combine international favourites with regional inspiration. As Emerald’s itineraries take you through some of Europe’s most celebrated culinary regions, local flavours often find their way onto the plate, adding a sense of place to each day and making dining feel like a true part of the journey.
Breakfast is a leisurely affair, with a generous selection designed to suit every appetite, whether you prefer something light before heading ashore or a more indulgent start to the day. Lunchtime brings a mix of fresh, flavourful dishes and comforting classics, perfect for relaxed afternoons on board, while dinner is where the experience feels especially polished. Evenings are unhurried, with attentive service, a calm atmosphere and beautifully crafted dishes served in an elegant setting.
The dining venues themselves reflect Emerald’s modern style, with welcoming spaces that feel contemporary and comfortable. Whether you are enjoying a glass of wine with dinner, sampling something new inspired by the region you are sailing through, or settling into the lounge afterwards for a quiet drink, Emerald Cruises makes every meal feel effortless, enjoyable and quietly indulgent.
Emerald Cruises Drinks Packages
Emerald Cruises is known for offering excellent value, with many sailings including drinks at key times, particularly with lunch and dinner. This helps the onboard experience feel more relaxed and inclusive, allowing you to enjoy the day without constantly thinking about extra costs. Emerald also offers a choice of drinks packages, with options varying depending on where you are cruising.
Europe River Cruises
On European river itineraries, guests can choose between two upgrade options:
The Premium package includes a daily selection of international wines by the glass, along with local and international beers, both draught and bottled or canned, available throughout the day. You will also have access to soft drinks and bottled juices, plus mocktails and non alcoholic bottled beers.
For those who would like an even wider selection, the Platinum package extends the choice further. Alongside international wines by the glass and a full range of local and international beers, it also includes cocktails from the drinks list and a selection of local and international spirits, all available throughout the day. Soft drinks, bottled juices, mocktails and non alcoholic beverages are also included.
Southeast Asia River Cruises
Drinks packages on Emerald’s Southeast Asia itineraries are tailored to suit the style of cruising in this region, with two excellent options available:
The Extended package provides a daily selection of wines by the glass, draught beer and soft drinks, available throughout the day, ideal for guests who enjoy a relaxed and easy going drinks choice.
For a more inclusive option, the Premium package opens up the entire beverage menu throughout the day. This includes international draught and bottled beers, cocktails and long drinks, plus wine and Prosecco by the glass, giving you the freedom to choose exactly what you feel like, whenever you feel like it.
As drinks package inclusions can vary depending on itinerary, it is always worth checking the details of your chosen cruise before you sail, so you can pick the option that best suits your style.
Relaxation & Fitness
Emerald Cruises offers plenty of ways to unwind. The sun deck is ideal for scenic sailing, with space to relax and watch the landscape unfold. Indoors, the ship’s lounge areas feel calm and comfortable, perfect for enjoying a book, a coffee or a quiet moment between excursions. The indoor pool provides a refreshing escape during the day, while the evening transformation into a cinema creates a cosy and memorable setting. Guests who want to maintain a fitness routine will also find onboard facilities designed to support gentle exercise, as well as opportunities to stay active ashore with guided walking and cycling experiences. Emerald’s approach to wellbeing is all about balance. It is a cruise line that makes it easy to feel rested, refreshed and looked after from start to finish.
Emerald Cruises Destinations
Emerald Cruises specialises in river journeys that bring Europe to life. Its itineraries focus on iconic waterways, with sailings through famous wine regions, historic cities and scenic countryside, often docking close to the heart of each destination.
Popular rivers include the Danube, where imperial cities and charming riverside towns offer a wonderful mix of history and culture, and the Rhine, known for its dramatic castles and vineyard lined slopes. Emerald also sails the Main and Moselle, which deliver a slower, more storybook style of river cruising, with smaller towns and breathtaking scenery. France is another highlight, with cruises that showcase elegant cities, regional cuisine and beautiful landscapes. In Portugal, the Douro Valley offers a journey through terraced vineyards and golden hills, often paired with unforgettable wine experiences.
Emerald Cruises also travels further afield, offering river cruises in Asia along the Mekong, where guests can discover floating markets, riverside villages and ancient temples, all while enjoying Emerald’s signature comfort and calm onboard atmosphere.
Types of Cruises
Emerald Cruises offers river journeys designed for travellers who want comfort, style and meaningful exploration. You might choose to embark on classic European river cruises. These sailings are ideal for those who want to explore Europe’s most famous waterways and cities in a relaxed way, with scenic sailing and cultural experiences woven throughout.
Scenic and wine focused cruises are perfect for travellers who enjoy countryside landscapes and regional food and drink, particular along rivers such as the Rhine and Douro. Emerald Cruises is also a strong choice for guests who are keen on cultural and immersive journeys. You’ll get the opportunity to truly connect with each destination, whether that means walking tours through historic old towns, visiting famous landmarks and local markets, or simply enjoying the rhythm of river life.
With stylish Star Ships, an award-winning reputation and a modern approach to river cruising, Emerald Cruises offers a beautifully balanced holiday that feels both enriching and wonderfully relaxing.
