Emerald Dawn

The 2015-built MS Emerald Dawn cruise ship is the 4th vessel in the Emerald Waterways fleet, following her sisterships Emerald Star, Emerald Sky, Emerald Sun, Emerald Destiny, Emerald Luna, and Emerald Astra.

Sharing the same Star-Ship design are the 2017-launched fleetmates Emerald Radiance (Portugal) and Emerald Liberte (France).

Emerald Dawn sails on the Danube, Rhine, and Main rivers.

Emerald Waterways is a relatively new river cruise company, established in 2014 and owned by Scenic Tours. Similar to the modern longships of Viking River Cruises, the innovations on Emerald Waterways ships position them as an alternative to small-ship ocean cruising. The brand offers more itinerary choices and sailing dates for travelers seeking all-inclusive luxury river cruise vacations in Europe.

Cabins

Emerald Dawn has a total of 91 staterooms across 8 categories, accommodating up to 180 guests, and is served by 51 crew members.

All cabins, except for the single-occupancy ES (Emerald Single Stateroom), are double-occupancy with a maximum capacity of 2 passengers each.

Seventy-five percent of all staterooms are Suites with private balconies (step-out verandas).

All staterooms are equipped with standard complimentary amenities, including queen-size beds (convertible to twins, except in Single cabins), bedside tables, mirrored panels, private en-suite bathrooms (WC, sink, shower, mirrored cupboards, clothesline, luxury toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and liquid soap), walk-in closet (wardrobe with hangers), personal safe, direct-dial phone, flat HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system, on-demand movies, and “View From the Bridge” real-time webcam views), mini-bar (stocked with beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks at extra charge, except complimentary in Owner Suites), individual climate control, 220V power outlets, umbrella, shoe cleaner, and earplugs.

Shipboard Facilities

MS Emerald Dawn has 4 passenger decks (3 with cabins). Public areas include the Horizon Bar & Lounge with an outdoor terrace (Deck 3 forward), the Reflections Restaurant (Deck 2 forward), an aft Deck 3 indoor swimming pool/night cinema with a sliding roof, a wellness complex (Gym, Spa, Beauty Salon, massage room), and a Sun Deck with the Wheelhouse, games area (giant Tic-Tac-Toe), 3-hole Mini-Golf Putting Green, Walking Track, Sky Barbecue, shaded seating, and passenger-use bicycles.

A passenger elevator serves all cabin decks.

The ship has two restaurants (Reflections MDR and The Terrace alfresco) and two bars: the Sky Bar (on the sundeck) and the Horizon Bar & Lounge (serving hot dishes, cold cuts, soups, snacks, and a salad bar at lunchtime).

The Reflections Restaurant is the main dining room, offering open seating, table service, and a buffet station at dinner, as well as an omelet station at breakfast.

The Terrace is the alfresco dining area, an informal venue for breakfast and lunch.

The Horizon Lounge, with floor-to-ceiling windows, also serves as a casual lunch venue.

Weather permitting, special lunch and dinner buffets are held outdoors on the open deck.

The most innovative feature on the ship is the dual-purpose aft area that transforms from a heated indoor pool with a retractable roof by day into a cinema by night, screening classic movies and recent releases.

Like most modern European river cruise ships, Emerald Dawn features a telescopic Wheelhouse that can be lowered into the deck below to pass under low bridges. The Wheelhouse (Navigation Bridge) is open for passengers to visit on a regular basis.

Scenic Tours (Emerald Waterways) cruise fares include wines, beers, and soft drinks with meals, as well as gratuities, transfers, and shore excursions. Flights from London (England) or other regional UK airports are also complimentary.

Note: You can find CruiseMapper's complete list of river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub, where all companies and their fleets are listed.