Emerald Harmony

The 2019-built RV Emerald Harmony cruise ship is the 8th vessel in the Emerald Waterways fleet and the company’s first Star-Ship class boat designed for Southeast Asia’s inland cruising market.

Emerald Harmony operates on the Mekong River, offering cruisetour itineraries in Vietnam and Cambodia, departing from the homeports of Saigon and Siem Reap.

The vessel is Cambodia-flagged (MMSI 515214716).

Emerald Waterways is a new river cruise company, established in 2014 and owned by Scenic Tours. Similar to the new longships of Viking River Cruises, Emerald ships incorporate innovations that make them a strong alternative to small-ship ocean cruising. Emerald Waterways expands the choice of itineraries and sailing dates for travelers seeking all-inclusive European-style luxury river voyages.

Emerald Harmony was constructed at the 76 Shipyard in Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon (Vietnam).

Itineraries

Emerald Harmony offers 3 Mekong River cruise itineraries:

• 13-day "Majestic Mekong River Cruise"
• 17-day "Treasures and Temples of Vietnam and Cambodia"
• 21-day "Grand Tour of Vietnam and Cambodia"

The inaugural cruisetour ("Grand Tour of Vietnam and Cambodia") departed on August 20, 2019. Call ports included Halong Bay, Hue/Da Nang and Hoi An. The itinerary ended with 3 nights in Siem Reap, with visits to the Phare Cambodian Circus and Angkor Wat. This luxury vessel was specifically designed to navigate and dock directly in downtown Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). After disembarkation, guests could extend their trip with a 2-night hotel stay in Saigon before their flights home.

The tables below show sample 8-day itineraries (between Cambodia and Vietnam) departing from Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, My Tho, and Saigon.

Emerald Waterways’ 19-day "Treasures & Temples of Vietnam and Cambodia" cruise prices started from GBP 5200 (~EUR 5730) per person (double occupancy).

Guests begin in Hanoi, continue to Halong Bay, embark on the Mekong River cruise (from My Tho to Siem Reap), and conclude with a return flight.

My Tho to Siem Reap (northbound route)

Phnom Penh to Saigon (southbound route)

For the 2024-2025 Mekong season, Emerald Harmony introduced a new 10-day "Meandering Majestic Mekong" voyage between Saigon and Phnom Penh. This itinerary begins in Saigon (Day 1 embarkation) and continues through Cho Gao Canal (Day 2), Ben Tre City (Day 3), Sa Dec/My An Hung (Day 4), Cu Lao Gieng Island/An Long (Day 5), Tan Chau (Day 6, Vietnam-Cambodia border crossing), Phnom Penh (Days 7-8), Angkor Ban (Days 8-9), Peam Chi Korng (Day 9), and Phnom Penh (Day 10).

Cabins

Emerald Harmony has a total of 42 staterooms in 4 categories:

• 2x Owner’s Suites (450 ft2 / 42 m2) – the only cabins with step-out balconies (terrace size 325 ft2 / 30 m2), fitted with outdoor Jacuzzi whirlpools. Perks include complimentary laundry (4 items per day), in-suite dining service (pre-dinner canapés), and VIP dining at the Captain’s Table.
• 4x Grand Balcony Suites (400 ft2 / 37 m2) – with separate bedroom and lounge area. Perks include in-suite dining service (pre-dinner canapés and after-dinner sweets).
• 32x Panorama Balcony Suites (275 ft2 / 25 m2)
• 4x Emerald Staterooms – porthole window cabins (275 ft2 / 25 m2)
• All staterooms accommodate up to 2 passengers.
• Most staterooms are French Balcony cabins with floor-to-ceiling drop-down windows that convert the seating area into a private indoor balcony.

All cabins feature contemporary Southeast Asian design, twin beds (convertible to double/Queen-size), wardrobe, mirrored dressing table with chair, en-suite bathroom (with WC, shower, single-sink vanity, hairdryer, premium toiletries, bathrobes, slippers), flat HDTV (infotainment system with Internet and movies-on-demand), free Wi-Fi, mini-fridge, phone, alarm clock, and electronic safe box.

Shipboard facilities

The ship features Emerald Waterways’ signature design details such as sleek furnishings, modern lighting, and an indoor swimming pool with a retractable roof that transforms into a night cinema.

Emerald Harmony has 4 passenger decks, a small Fitness Room (Gym), Spa (massage room), indoor swimming pool, 1 elevator, and passenger-use bicycles. The Poolside Bar serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The Sun Deck includes shaded seating areas (4-seat tables), a sunbathing area with premium loungers, deck games, and a walking track.

The ship has 2 restaurants. Reflections Restaurant is the main dining room with open seating and table service, plus a buffet station (at dinner) and omelet station (at breakfast). The Terrace is an al-fresco dining venue serving breakfast and lunch. Horizon Lounge features floor-to-ceiling windows and doubles as a casual lunch-only restaurant. Weather permitting, buffet-style meals are also served on the open-air Sun Deck. Onboard dining highlights Cambodian specialties and international cuisine prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Complimentary drinks (wine, beer, sodas) are included with lunch and dinner.

The ship’s most innovative feature is the dual-purpose area that functions as a heated indoor pool with retractable roof by day and a movie theater by night.

Emerald Harmony is also the first in the fleet to introduce the Lotus Lounge. Located at the bow on Vista Deck, it offers Afternoon Tea, specialty coffees, and light snacks throughout the day.

Note: See CruiseMapper’s list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.

Emerald Harmony is Emerald Waterways’ 8th riverboat in the Star-Ship series and the first to be deployed outside Europe. This modern vessel was custom-designed to sail directly into the heart of Vietnam's capital, Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City. The 15-day "Majestic Mekong" cruisetour begins with a 3-night hotel stay in Siem Reap before embarking the ship in Prek Kdam (Tonle Sap). The journey continues through Cambodia to Kampong Tralach and Phnom Penh, then crosses into Vietnam to visit Long Khanh Island and My Tho (Mekong Delta). After disembarkation, guests enjoy a 2-night hotel stay in Saigon before their flights home. General booking prices started at around GBP 3,000 per person (double occupancy, based on the December 10, 2019 departure).

The following time-lapse video shows the vessel's construction from the keel up.

For the ship's inaugural cruise season (2019), bookings made by August 31, 2018, included free roundtrip international airfare to Asia plus USD 100 per person onboard credit. Alternatively, guests could choose a discount of USD 3000 per couple. Bookings made between September 1 and October 31, 2018, offered either free flights or USD 3000 per couple, while full-paying customers saved an additional USD 600 per couple on all itineraries.