Emerald Sun

The 2015-built MS Emerald Sun cruise ship is the third riverboat in the Emerald Waterways fleet, with sisterships Emerald Sky, Emerald Star, Emerald Dawn, Emerald Destiny, Emerald Luna, and Emerald Astra.

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

Emerald Waterways is a new river cruise brand (established in 2014) owned by Scenic Tours. Like the innovative longships of Viking River Cruises, Emerald Waterways ships incorporate modern features and amenities, offering an appealing alternative to small-ship ocean cruising. The brand provides more itinerary choices and sailing dates for travelers seeking all-inclusive European luxury river cruises.

Cabins

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

All categories, except the single-occupancy ES (Emerald Single Stateroom), are designed for double occupancy (maximum 2 passengers per cabin). About 75% of all staterooms are Suites with a balcony (indoor or step-out veranda).

Standard in-cabin amenities include queen-size beds (convertible to twins, except in Single cabins), bedside tables, mirrored wall panels, en-suite bathroom (WC, sink, shower cubicle, mirrored cupboards, mirror over the basin, clothesline, and luxury bath products: shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap, body lotion), walk-in closet (wardrobe with hangers), personal safe, direct-dial phone, flat HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system, movies on demand, “View From the Bridge” webcam views), fully-stocked mini-bar (beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks – extra charge except in Owner’s Suites), individual climate control, 220V outlets, umbrella, shoe cleaner, and two sets of earplugs.

Shipboard Facilities

MS Emerald Sun has 4 passenger decks (3 with cabins). Amenities include the 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 facilities (gym, spa, beauty salon, massage room), and 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.

One passenger elevator serves all cabin decks.

The ship offers two restaurants (Reflections – the main dining room, and The Terrace – alfresco) and two bars: Sky Bar (on the Sun Deck) and Horizon Bar & Lounge (serving hot entrées, cold cuts, soups, snacks, and a salad bar at lunch).

The Reflections Restaurant operates with open seating and table service, featuring a buffet station at dinner and an omelet station at breakfast. The Terrace provides casual outdoor dining for breakfast and lunch. The Horizon Lounge, with floor-to-ceiling windows, doubles as a relaxed lunch venue. Weather permitting, special lunch and dinner buffets are also hosted on the open deck.

The ship’s most innovative feature is the aft multi-purpose area that transforms from a heated indoor pool with retractable roof during the day into a cinema at night, screening classic films and recent releases.

Like most modern European river cruise ships, Emerald Sun is equipped with a telescopic wheelhouse that can be lowered into the 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 from London or other regional UK airports are also included in the package.

Note: CruiseMapper’s full list of river cruise ships and riverboats can be found in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub, where all companies and their fleets are listed.