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 company (established in 2014) owned by Scenic Tours. Similar to the innovative Viking River Cruises Longships, Emerald Waterways’ ships feature modern 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 luxury European river cruises.

Cabins

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

Except for the single-occupancy ES (Emerald Single Stateroom), all cabins are designed for double occupancy (maximum 2 passengers per cabin).

Seventy-five percent of all rooms are Suites with a balcony (step-out veranda or in-room veranda).

All staterooms offer standard complimentary amenities, including queen beds (or convertible twin beds, except Single cabins), bedside tables, mirrored panels, private en-suite bathroom (WC, small sink, shower cubicle, mirrored cupboards, mirror over 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” webcam channel), mini-bar (fully stocked with beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks /all at additional cost, complimentary only in Owner’s Suites), individual climate control, 220V outlets, umbrella, shoe cleaner, and two sets of earplugs.

Shipboard facilities

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

One passenger elevator connects all cabin decks.

The ship has two restaurants (Reflections/MDR and The Terrace/alfresco) and two bars: Sky Bar (on the Sun Deck) and the Horizon Bar & Lounge (serving hot entrées, cold cuts, soups, salads, and light lunch options).

The Reflections Restaurant is the Main Dining Room with open seating and table service. It also features 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, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, doubles as a casual lunch venue.

Weather permitting, special buffet lunches and dinners are held on the open deck.

The most innovative feature onboard is the aft dual-purpose area that transforms from a heated indoor pool with a retractable roof during the day to a movie theater at night, showing both classic films and recent releases.

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

Like most modern European river cruise ships, Emerald Star features a telescopic wheelhouse that can be lowered below deck to pass under low bridges. The wheelhouse is regularly open for passenger visits.

Scenic Tours (Emerald Waterways) cruise fares are all-inclusive, covering wines, beers, and soft drinks at meals, as well as gratuities, transfers, and shore excursions. Complimentary flights are also offered from London or other regional UK airports.