Emerald Luna

The 2021-built MS Emerald Luna cruise ship is a newbuild riverboat (constructed in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Holland) and Emerald Waterways' 9th boat of the Star-Ship class, with sisterships the fleetmates Emerald Star, Emerald Sky, Emerald Sun, Emerald Dawn, Emerald Destiny.

Emerald Waterways is a new river cruise shipping company (2014-established) and brand owned by Scenic Tours (shipowner). Like the new longships of Viking River Cruises, the innovations implemented on Emerald Waterways ships make these vessels an alternative to the ocean "small-ship cruising". Emerald Waterways adds more cruise tour itinerary choices and sailing dates for the aficionados of the all-inclusive European luxury riverboat travel vacations.

The vessel (ENI number 02338885) is currently Switzerland-flagged (MMSI 269057777) and registered in Basel.

The Maiden Voyage (8-day "Holland and Belgium in Bloom" itinerary) started on April 8, 2022, from Amsterdam. Emerald Luna's christening ceremony was on July 21, 2022, held in Amsterdam (Netherlands). The naming event was attended by Rob Voss (Scenic Group's COO), David Winterton (Global Director of Brand & Marketing), Maggie Carbonell (VP Marketing USA) and Ann Chamberlin (VP Sales USA); as well as by Monic van der Heyden (Cruise Port Amsterdam's Commercial Director), Johan Kaasjager (Den Breejen Shipyard's Managing Director), all the embarking passengers plus local dignitaries.

The boat's godmother is Vanessa McGovern - Gifted Travel Network's co-founder and CSO/chief sales officer. She is widely renowned as a travel industry sales and marketing professional, an award-winning educator, an advocate for travel agents (ASTA's Board of Directors Executive Committee/ASTA=American Society of Travel Agents), a prominent speaker at various travel-related events, a respected businesswoman and entrepreneur.

Cabins

Most of Emerald Luna staterooms are outfitted with drop-down windows that transform the seating area into a comfortable balcony space. Emerald Luna has a total of 92 staterooms in 8 categories for 180 guests served by 47 crew members. Excepting the single-occupancy category ES (Emerald Single Stateroom), all cabins are with double occupancy (max capacity 2 passengers per cabin). 75% of all rooms are Suites with a balcony (in-room/step-out veranda).

Shipboard facilities

MS Emerald Luna has 4 passenger decks (3 with cabins), Horizon Bar Lounge with outdoor Terrace seating (Deck 3 forward), Reflections Restaurant (Dining Room, Deck 2 forward), aft-Deck3 indoor swimming pool/night cinema (covered with sliding roof), wellness facilities (Gym, Spa and Beauty Salon, massage room), Sun Deck (Wheelhouse, games area with giant Tic-Tac-Toe, 3-hole Mini-Golf Putting Green, Walking Track, Sky Barbecue Bar, shaded seating, passenger-use bikes). One lift (passenger elevator) connects all cabin decks.

The ship has two restaurants. The Reflections Restaurant is the main restaurant with open seating and table service. There is also a buffet station at dinner and an omelet station at breakfast. The Terrace is the al-fresco dining area - an informal venue for breakfast and lunch. The Horizon Lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows and doubles as a casual lunch restaurant. Weather permitting, lunch and dinner special buffets are held at various times on the open deck.

Note: You can see the 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.