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Emerald Cruises

Emerald Cruises

Explore the rivers of Europe and Asia with Emerald or relax onboard one of their award-winning luxury yachts as you sail the world's oceans. Book your next Emerald cruise with Global Journeys and enjoy exclusive online savings, a dedicated travel advisor to look after your booking and the best price guaranteed!
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CRUISE DEPARTURES: 1,506
FLEET SIZE: 15
KNOWN FOR: Affordable Luxury
27 Reviews (4.7/5)
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CRUISE STYLES:
Luxury Yacht Cruises River Cruises
DESTINATIONS:
Asia Caribbean & Bahamas Europe Med, Adriatic & Greece

Featured Cruises View all

Splendours of Europe

15 Days Amsterdam to Budapest

Operator: Emerald Cruises

From 5,245
Save 9,512
Grand Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia

21 Days Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Operator: Emerald Cruises

From 7,551
Save 6,364
Grand Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia

23 Days Hanoi to Siem Reap

Operator: Emerald Cruises

From 7,156
Save 6,565
Grand Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia

23 Days Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Operator: Emerald Cruises

From 7,576
Save 6,389

Popular Destinations View all Explore the following regions on one of 1,506 cruises with Emerald Cruises

Emerald Asia River Cruises
Asia

20 River Cruises

Emerald Caribbean & Bahamas Cruises
Caribbean & Bahamas

38 Yacht Cruises

Emerald European River Cruises
Europe

186 River Cruises

Emerald Med, Adriatic & Greece Cruises
Med, Adriatic & Greece

67 Yacht Cruises

Cruise Fleet View all Inclusions, itineraries, onboard facilities & deck plans of each Emerald cruise ship.

Emerald Xara
Emerald Xara
Ship Class: Small Cruise Ship

Emerald Xara is the fifth superyacht to join Emerald Cruises' luxury ocean-cruising fleet. Mirroring the sleek design of her sister ship, Emerald Kaia, she offers an enhanced onboard experience with expanded guest areas including the Aqua...

Emerald Raiya
Emerald Raiya
Ship Class: Small Cruise Ship

Making her debut in the Seychelles, Emerald Raiya is the fourth vessel to join Emerald’s growing fleet of luxury superyachts. She continues the evolution introduced by Emerald Kaia, featuring the same elegant design and dedication to...

Emerald Kaia
Emerald Kaia
Ship Class: Small Cruise Ship

Emerald Cruises is launching a new superyacht, the Emerald Kaia, in 2026. This next-generation yacht is the third in their line of luxury vessels, building on the success of the first two while maintaining the ethos of luxury small-ship...

Emerald Astra
Emerald Astra
Ship Class: River Ship

The Emerald Astra is set to launch in 2026, adding to their award-winning European fleet cruising the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. With a sleek design and innovative features including a pool that transforms into an evening cinema, the...

Emerald Cruises Reviews View all

4.7
AVG. RATING 4.7 / 5
27 Reviews
5 Star
78%
4 Star
15%
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Wonderful cruise on the Douro with time in Lisbon     0 , TAS, Australia, May 2025
This is our fourth river cruise with Emerald and once again, we could not speak more highly of them. And while the others have been excellent, the Douro is definitely the most most beautiful. There were lots of activities and performances, with top food and staff. We were disappointed that the archeological excursion did not attract enough people for ...read more it to run. Fortunately the bike ride did run but it was expensive, which put people off. We love the casual atmosphere aboard the Emerald cruises, but that does not compromise the professional approach to everything- from the cabin to the table. Portugal is a great place to visit and Emerald made it very easy to do so.
Wonderful River Cruise     1 , NSW, Australia, Nov 2024
Our cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in early November was above all our expectations. The Emerald Destiny and all its facilities were very good but the hospitality was outstanding. The attention and kindness of all staff members was amazing. The gourmet food was delicious and the food and wine reflected the area we were cruising through. The excursions ...read more were all interesting and very accessible. There were more active options for the fitter cruisers but also special guides for the slower among us. The onboard entertainment was also varied and delightful and we were lucky enough to find ourselves with a wonderful group of fellow travellers with which to share our journey. I would not hesitate to recommend Emerald Cruises.
Rhine river cruise   0 , NSW, Australia, Sep 2024
Our river cruise was excellent thanks to Rachel McSorley's information and guidance she gave us. The food and drinks were excellent and our sight seeing tours were well informed. We met up with some lovely people including a few Australians. The entertainment that the two young ladies was very funny and enjoyable. We would recommend it to our friends ...read more and my sister was on the cruise coming up from Basel when we departed our cruise with Scenic. Thank you very much.
Wonderful experience!   0 , QLD, Australia, Aug 2024
We had a wonderful time on our 8 day Danube Delights River cruise with Emerald. The scenery was brilliant; the food incredible and we made plenty of friends to boot! Whilst we experienced some very hot weather during our trip, we really enjoyed cooling off in the on-board pool of an afternoon. Most of the local tours guides were very good. Thanks ...read more to Hannah from Global Journeys for making the books so easy.
Beautiful river cruise   1 , Auckland, New Zealand, Aug 2024
So glad we have done this river cruise! Beautiful river, excellent customer service, food was great! Recommend to all. Happy customers.
Disappointing -Splendours of Europe   7 , QLD, Australia, Aug 2024
We have done several small boat cruises eg Douro, Rhine, Mekong, Great Lakes and Eerie Canal and several bike and boat or hotel tours in France, Italy and on the Danube and this was the worst, by far. That said, it gets two stars for the restaurant and room staff, who were excellent and the food which was really good particularly if you want to eat ...read more a healthy diet (there are lots of non-healthy options too and many on board were both overweight and gluttons). Breakfast is a buffet with omelette/fried egg station, lunch is a buffet with menu for protein(choice of meat, fish and vegetarian). Dinner is sit down meal with good choices and option of grilled fish, steak or chicken. Beer and wine are included with lunch and dinner, but wines were not regional and were lower end - included one from winery in Australia which we had never heard of.

Cabins were adequate, with a reasonable ensuite and over the top room service (2x daily) - sign said to reuse towels unless on floor, but this was ignored and wet towels changed every day. The bad points far outdated the good. Number one is the noise in the dining room, which was unbearable - we left one night and skipped dinner on two occasions because of the noise. Lounge was too small to hold all guests and was noisy, either from loud music or too many people, so we avoided all entertainment, except the Zittar player, who was very good. Other entertainment was quizzes of various sorts, golf putting, singing, etc -very unsophisticated. Seats in lounge were mostly uncomfortable. Lounge also had cold water on tap (still and sparkling) and basic coffee machine (using UHT milk and OK if you add a double espresso to anything). Drinks were bar prices and packages from about $20 per day per person.

Front deck was poorly furnished with old seats and not very comfortable. Pool was OK, but small (converted to cinema at night, with mostly uninteresting movies). Sun deck was closed for nearly half the cruise due to low bridges/high water levels.

Guided tours were in big groups (30 plus), so like cats being hearded around. They have gentle walking group, but no faster walking group, so saw much more walking around independently. Little time is spent at most locations (full day only in Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest), and a lot of time is spent on the boat. No day tours by bus included, unlike on other cruises. Some day trips available at extra cost, but very expensive. Active program is aimed at those who don’t exercise very often and are slow. Bike tour guides were good, but too slow eg 5 hours to do 35km. Passengers were mainly native English speakers, with most from Australia.

Information about bus returns to boat was hard to obtain unless you went on the guided tour (always told “tour guide will tell you”) and sometimes plainly wrong. People were left in Budapest for two hours on a hot day, when they had expected to be taken back to the boat after the bus tour around town. Best the tour guide could say was “get a taxi” when there was public bus that dropped you opposite the boat and was free for over 65s. No maps provided for towns (allegedly for environmental reasons, but they had paper cups in lounge), but you could get them at information centres (but not told where they were). Would definitely not do another river cruise like this.
Douro River Cruise with Emerald.     0 , VIC, Australia, Aug 2024
Excellent River Cruise with boat location 7 min walk from Porto. Excellent staff and food. Room was ok but a little tight on space. If you sat on the balcony with window open join was just at eye level. Bathroom hard to access as not even 1 meter to walk from other side of bed to bathroom.
Impressive ship and itinerary     2 , QLD, Australia, Jul 2024
This was our first time with Emerald Azzuarra having previously travelled on the Scenic Eclipse. We loved the relaxed and non crowded feel of Azzurra. Being a smaller ship it was able to go to ports the bigger cruise lines cannot reach which was fabulous. We realized how great this was when we visited places like Debrovnick and Split that had 3-4 ...read more other big cruise lines in port and the places were PACKED! This itinerary was fabulous. We travelled mostly overnight and woke up each morning to a postcard view of a new town. The Croatian coastline and towns were stunning. Montenegro was just as beautiful, and whilst Albania was interesting , one day was perfect. Coming through the Corinth Cananl with only centimetres to spare on either side was a highlight.

The Emerald Azzurra crew were also amazing. Friendly, personable and attentive. Nothing was a problem for them. There are a few things Emerald need to work on such as food choices and consistency of quality though. We were told they are bringing people from Scenic Eclipse to elevate the experience. Emerald Azzurra is not in the class of Scenic Eclipse yet but has all the elements to be just as impressive with a bit more work. Overall we loved the trip and would travel with Emerald again.
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Emerald Brochures View all Download the latest Emerald brochures to read at your convenience.

Emerald Yacht Cruises (2024-26) Brochure

Emerald Yacht Cruises (2024-26)

See the world from a new perspective. Set sail on an Emerald yacht cruise that immerses you in luxury and allows you access to fascinating ports and harbors that only small vessels can reach. Be one of only 100 guests with a dedicated crew of 76.
Emerald France River Cruises (2025) Brochure

Emerald France River Cruises (2025)

Cruising the romantic Rhône and Saône rivers aboard our purpose-built Star-Ship, Emerald Liberté, you’ll sail into the heart of stunning locales, uncovering immersing experiences and precious local insights. On board, your surroundings mirror the beauty...more of the French landscape, with stylish interiors profiting from incredible attention to detail and all the amenities of a world-class hotel.
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The Emerald Cruise Experience Choose to travel with Emerald Cruises on your next adventure!

Cruise Europe & the Mekong River in Style
Cruise Europe & the Mekong River in Style

Explore the rivers of Europe and the Mekong on a stylish floating hotel, where all-inclusive service and contemporary design create an impressive river cruise experience.

Boasting ample public areas with floor to ceiling windows, a relaxing sun deck, a restaurant, bar and lounge, pool, and wellness area complete with a gym, there is everything you need at your fingertips.

Enjoy the onboard facilities of the Emerald fleet as you discover the treasures of the Rhine, Danube, Rhône, Douro and Mekong rivers.

Luxury Yacht Cruising
Luxury Yacht Cruising

Emerald Cruises has brought its award-wining reputation and first class service to ocean cruising!

Set sail on the voyage of a lifetime. Whether you’re searching for a tropical haven, looking for sunny shores, wanting to explore new cultures, or longing to relax on board, you’ll discover a world of adventure when sailing with Emerald Cruises.

Their luxury superyacht collection began with Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara and building on their success, three next-generation superyachts are set to launch over the next two years bringing even more opportunities for guests to explore the world in Emerald's signature style.

Emerald Kaia, Emerald Raiya and Emerald Xara are identical sister ships that accommodate up to 128 guests and feature expanded onboard spaces including the Aqua Pool, Elements Spa and modern gym.

A Journey of Discovery
A Journey of Discovery

Dock in the heart of destinations, enjoy direct access to charming towns and historic cities, and take part in high quality experiences. Emerald Cruises brings incredible destinations to life with an included excursion on almost every day of your cruise.

All itineraries feature a selection of complimentary handpicked excursions that showcase each region visited. Guests can also enjoy EmeraldPLUS experiences that delve deep into local culture and EmeraldACTIVE hiking and biking tours at no additional cost.

A selection of DiscoverMORE optional excursions are also available to purchase featuring exclusive activities and deeply immersive experiences.

Backed by Experience
Backed by Experience

As part of the Scenic Group, Emerald have been operating river cruises since 2014 - their deluxe river cruises have built a reputation for excellence which they continue to deliver on, time and time again.

A team of experienced Cruise Directors, coach drivers, and expert local guides are passionate about showing you everything each fascinating destination has to offer, and the onboard staff are always on hand to deliver high level service every step of the way.

Join the Emerald Cruises family and let them share their passion for river cruising with you.

Emerald's Exceptional Value
Emerald's Exceptional Value

A deluxe river cruise with Emerald Cruises includes all onboard meals with flavours carefully created by the expert culinary team. Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks are also served with lunch and dinner.

Guests can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and cruise with the peace of mind that all tipping and gratuities, airport transfers to and from your Star-Ship, and all port charges and taxes are included in your cruise fare.

With no single supplement payable across a variety of Emerald Cruises' river cruises it's also an ideal choice for solo river cruisers offering exceptional value and an unrivalled experience.

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Explore More Your guide to traveling with Emerald Cruises

Exploring the Adriatic and Ionian Coasts: Our Experience On Board the Emerald Azzurra

17 June, 2024

Exploring the Adriatic and Ionian Coasts: Our Experience On Board the Emerald Azzurra

Global Journey's CEO, Campbell, and his wife Frances, recently cruised the Adriatic and Ionian coasts on board the Emerald Azzura. My wife and I have just returned from an extended trip to Europe, part of which was dedicated to exploring the Adriatic and Ionian coastline on board the Emerald...

Introducing Emerald Kaia: The Next-Generation Superyacht

23 April, 2024

Introducing Emerald Kaia: The Next-Generation Superyacht

Emerald KaiaEmerald Cruises has just announced their new chapter in luxury yacht cruising - Emerald Kaia. A visionary addition to their prestigious fleet, which includes Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, the Emerald Kaia is scheduled for its maiden voyage in April 2026. This splendid yacht...

FAQ's Frequently asked questions for those considering traveling with Emerald Cruises

What are Emerald's Platinum Protection and Flexible Booking Plans?
The Emerald Platinum Protection Plan must be purchased at the time your booking is made and covers you if you are unable to travel due to health reasons, while the Flexible Booking...read more Plan offers you the flexibility to change your travel arrangements or re-book for a more suitable time if needed. Find out more about both plans here.
Do I have to pre-book all shore excursions?
Normal included shore excursions are not pre-booked, however, if you choose to personalise your holiday with the 'Discover More' extra sightseeing available, it is a good idea to pre-book these to guarantee your place on them. All excursions are subject to minimum numbers.
When will we receive our final documents?
Travel documents will be issued approximately 3 weeks prior to departure. If you need to receive your documents sooner, or need your documents sent to a different location for any reason, please be sure that you let your Global Journeys Travel Advisor know where to send them.
How much luggage can I bring on a river cruise?
The luggage allowance whilst on your cruise is one suitcase with a maximum size of 76 x 53 x 28 cms (30 x 21 x 11'') and weight of 20 kilograms. You may also carry a small backpack, or the Emerald Cruises issued backpack. Additional bags beyond the luggage allowance may incur additional charges and are to be...read more settled directly to the hotel or as required. Please check with your Global Journeys Travel Advisor if you have any specific requirements.
What clothing should I pack?
You are on holidays and therefore the dress code is relaxed. However, most of Emerald Cruises guests do observe smart casual for the evenings on board the ship or for any of the many evening activities planned on tour. Perhaps include something a bit more elegant for the Welcome and Farewell dinners, although...read more black tie and formal attire are not needed. Emerald Cruises also recommend a mixture of light and medium weight clothing that can accommodate changing weather conditions including a waterproof jacket. For visits that include religious sites like synagogues, monasteries, mosques or churches - it's asked that you dress conservatively including covered shoulders, trousers and/or knee-length dress.
Can Emerald Cruises accommodate special dietary requirements?
Yes. If you have not already advised your Global Journeys Travel Advisor at the time of booking, please let your Tour Director know at the start of the tour any special needs or dietary requirements so they can be best accommodated. Remember your favourite food items will not always be available.
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What is the Emerald Explorer Program?
Emerald Explorer is a program for people who have travelled with Emerald Cruises or Evergreen Tours. The program offers members that extra level of service, member only tour offers, recognition when on tour, fun member competitions and special...read more savings off your next holiday with Emerald Cruises.
Are airport transfers included?
Airport transfers are only available on the first and last day of your cruise and at times Emerald Cruises designate. Transfers outside these times will be at your expense and must be secured by your own arrangements. Passengers who have purchased Emerald's pre and post hotel accommodation and airfares (through...read more Emerald & Global Journeys) will be provided airport transfers to/from their hotel in the cruise start or end city only, on the day of the pre or post accommodation booking. No refund will be given for unused transfers.
If we book with Global Journeys can we utilise our Getaway voucher?
Your exclusive Getaway viewer offer of a bonus saving of $250 per person is valid on any 2024 or 2025 river or yacht cruise in the Emerald Cruises collection. This voucher can be used on new bookings made before 31 January 2024. It may be withdrawn at any time. All bookings are subject to full terms and conditions....read more
How can I use my Getaway voucher on my new booking?
Once you have requested and received your unique Getaway voucher via email, the voucher can be redeemed by contacting your Global Journeys Travel Advisor.
I haven't yet received my Getaway voucher, what do I do?
Your voucher confirmation email can take up to 12 hours to reach your inbox. We ask that you also please check your junk folder. If after 12 hours your voucher has yet to be received, please request another voucher. ...read morer>

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Emerald Cruises

Emerald Cruises All Emerald Cruises Emerald Cruises Reviews Emerald Explorer Loyalty Program

Travel Styles

All Emerald Cruises

Regions

Emerald Asia River Cruises Emerald Caribbean & Bahamas Cruises Emerald Douro River Cruises Emerald Europe River Cruises Emerald France River Cruises Emerald Med Cruises Emerald River Cruises Emerald Yacht Cruises

Emerald Cruises Ships

Emerald Astra Emerald Azzurra Emerald Dawn Emerald Destiny Emerald Harmony Emerald Kaia Emerald Liberte Emerald Luna Emerald Radiance Emerald Raiya Emerald Sakara Emerald Sky Emerald Star Emerald Sun Emerald Xara

Cities

From Amsterdam From Athens From Basel From Bridgetown From Budapest From Hanoi From Munich From Nice From Porto From Prague From Rome From San Juan From Zurich

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