The Scenic Group has reached another milestone in its river cruise portfolio with the float-out of Emerald Astra, the newest vessel in the Emerald Star-Ship series, at the company’s shipyard in Turnu Severin, Romania, on September 30th, 2025.
Designed to advance the standards of modern river cruising, Emerald Astra introduces a refined aesthetic and upgraded amenities across all onboard spaces. The vessel incorporates contemporary art installations developed in partnership with leading European galleries, alongside luxury design collaborations with Missoni and Freifrau. Suites and staterooms will be fitted with ESPA toiletries, premium European linens, and select Missoni furnishings.
The ship will also introduce several new features for the brand, including complimentary guest laundry facilities—an amenity expected to be rolled out across the European fleet—and a redesigned Sun Deck with upgraded furnishings and enhanced open-air areas to optimize river views. Following Emerald Astra’s entry into service, Emerald Lumi will join the fleet on the River Seine in 2027, extending the new design concept to additional markets.
In parallel with Emerald Astra’s construction, Scenic Group continues a program of fleetwide enhancements. Upcoming upgrades for the Scenic Space-Ship series include refreshed suite interiors, premium bedding, and improvements to the top-deck areas. Similar refinements are planned across the Emerald Cruises fleet, notably in pool zones and public spaces, maintaining design consistency and the elevated ambiance introduced with Emerald Astra.
Ahead of her inaugural Danube voyage in May 2026, Emerald Cruises has appointed Toni Day as Godmother of Emerald Astra. The christening ceremony is scheduled to take place in Amsterdam in May 2026. Day, a U.S. first responder and veteran travel advisor, has been recognized for her long-standing service to both her community and the travel industry.
According to Ken Muskat, President of Scenic Group USA and LATAM, Day was selected in recognition of her professional dedication and leadership, qualities the company regards as aligned with its own values of resilience and excellence.
Before entering the travel sector, Day served for over 25 years with the New York City Fire Department, attaining the rank of EMS Deputy Chief. She played a pivotal role during the Rescue and Recovery operations at Ground Zero following the September 11 attacks, an experience that shaped her enduring commitment to service.
In 2004, she founded Toni Tours, Inc., a boutique agency specializing in luxury river and ocean travel. Over four decades, she has become one of Scenic Group’s leading global partners, curating “Adventures with Toni Tours” and visiting more than 120 countries. Her contributions to the travel industry have earned her numerous accolades, including ASTA’s Barbara O’Hara Advocacy Award and Nexion’s Circle of Excellence for three consecutive years.
Day remarked that the name Astra—derived from Latin and Greek for “stars”—reflects her belief in striving for excellence and exploration. She described the vessel as a symbol of resilience and adventure, values she considers central to her own career and to the spirit of modern river cruising.