Emerald Star

The 2014-built MS Emerald Star cruise ship is the first riverboat in the Emerald Waterways fleet, with sisterships Emerald Sky, Emerald Sun, Emerald Dawn, Emerald Destiny, Emerald Luna, and Emerald Astra.

With similar Star-Ship designs are the 2017-launched fleetmates Emerald Radiance (Portugal) and Emerald Liberte (France).

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.

Cabins

MS Emerald Star has a total of 91 staterooms in 8 categories for 180 guests served by 51 crew members.

Except for 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).

All passenger staterooms provide as standard/complimentary amenities queen beds (or convertible twin beds, except Single cabins with a single bed), bedside tables, mirrored panels by the bed, private en-suite bathroom (WC, small sink, shower cubicle, mirrored cupboards, mirror over the basin, clothesline, luxury bath products /shampoo, liquid soap, conditioner, body lotion), walk-in closet (large wardrobe with hangers), personal safe, direct-dial phone, flat HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system, movies on demand, “View From the Bridge” /real-time webcam views), mini-bar (fully-stocked with beer, beer, wine, soft beverages, snacks /all at additional price, except for Owner Suites), individual climate control, 220V power outlets, umbrella, shoe cleaner, 2 earplug sets.

Shipboard facilities

MS Emerald Star 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 (Reflections/MDR, and The Terrace/alfresco) and two bars: Sky Bar (on the sundeck) and the Horizon Bar & Lounge (offering hot entrees, cold cuts, soups, and other snacks, as well as a salad bar at lunchtime).

The Reflections Restaurant is the Main Dining Room with open seating and table service. There is also a buffet station at dinner and an omelet station at breakfast.

The Terrace is the alfresco 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.

The most innovative, new-to-river feature of the ship is the dual-purpose area at the aft that transforms from a heated indoor pool with a retractable roof during the day, to a movie theater/indoor cinema at night, showing classic movies and recent releases.

Emerald Star was christened by godmother Joanie Ogg - owner of the Joanie Ogg Marketing Group (travel industry consulting company). The naming ceremony was held in Vienna (Austria) on October 15, 2014.

Like most new European river cruise ships, Emerald Star has a telescopic wheelhouse which can be lowered into the below deck to clear low lying bridges. Ship's wheelhouse is open for passengers to visit on a regular basis.

Scenic Tours (Emerald Waterways) cruise deals are inclusive of wines, beers and soft drinks (at meals), as well as gratuities, transfers and shore excursions within the cost to the overall river cruise tour fare. Flights from London (England) or other regional UK airports are also complimentary.