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Complimentary drinks (both soft and alcoholic) are poured liberally at lunch and dinner; if you want to drink at other times, prices are high but if you can hold out until mealtimes you can get plenty to drink. Shore excursions are the most popular activities for Emerald's passengers, with the EmeraldPLUS (tours that focus on local customs) and EmeraldACTIVE options particular favorites. Onboard, cruisers love hanging out in the dual-purpose area at the back of the ship that transforms from an indoor, heated pool with retractable roof during the day to a cinema at night. Emerald Cruises serves the typical European river cruise passenger -- generally well-traveled cruise veterans in the 55-plus bracket. However, the line's contemporary, boutique-style ships also attract first-time river cruisers, including passengers in their 40s, who enjoy the active shore excursions on offer. Around half of the passengers come from the U.K., with the rest coming from Australia, New Zealand, the U.S and Canada.
Luxury river cruises
Unfortunately, like all other river liners, you’ll need to take a short set of stairs to get to the sun deck at top of the boat, and that’s where you’ll find the vast majority of the boat’s outdoor space. Otherwise, much of the boat feels accessible, with wide hallways, reasonably spacious rooms, and ramp-like gangways at ports. However, if a guest feels like rewarding a member of the crew for exceptional service, a cash tip is okay. Comfortable shoes for walking excursions and appropriate sportswear attire if desired for the gym and wellness classes.
Fleet
Emerald Cruises, part of the Scenic Group of cruise brands, launched in 2014. The line offers value-for-money river cruises while managing to include a lot in the fare. On board Emerald Cruise’s 9 river ships you’ll find a more active vibe compared to other river ships.
Day Majestic Mekong Cruise
Overall, the company has raised the bar within the budget river cruising market. The brand is positioned somewhere between the 3- and 4-star cruise lines. It competes with renowned brands like Avalon Waterways and Viking Cruises by boasting less expensive fares and innovative design touches. Although cabins on Emerald's river ships have names like Panorama Balcony Suite or Grand Balcony Suite, they are more akin to virtual verandahs with floor-to-ceiling windows that lower electronically to a halfway point.
These shore excursions tend to be more in-depth tours that offer a closer look at local life of a destination. They are priced separately (not-inclusive) and may be booked in advance or while onboard the cruise. If you purchase a Premium Drinks Package, drinks, including cocktails, are available at any time. The Amici Lounge is the main bar on deck 3, the Emerald deck, and this is where nightly port talks and evening entertainment takes place. The Pool Lounge offers coffee drinks and cold beverages, while the Sky Bar at the top of the ship serves beer, wine, and mixed drinks.
Emerald River Cruises Tips, Activities, and Overview
Moreover, children must be at least 10 years old to sail on Emerald's river cruises. Additionally, you have the option to add premium -- called DiscoverMORE tours -- for a fee. Depending on the itinerary, Emerald typically offers two or three of these tours.
Night Splendours Of EuropeDetails
To each of the canceled cruise bookings (river or ocean itineraries) is provided 110% FTC (for the booking's full value), to rebook and travel by December 31, 2022. To all booked land tours (including Egypt cruisetours) during the suspension period is provided 100% FTC (for the booking's full value), to rebook and travel by December 31, 2022. A luxury yacht cruise should highlight the very best of each destination and provide everything you need to have the most enjoyable time. Revel in the Emerald Cruises experience, designed to ensure your sailing journey is as fulfilling as possible. Every aspect of our superb yachts is designed around you, from the contemporary accommodation and social spaces to our crew’s attentive level of service. Even though the Emerald Sun is a smaller boat, it still offers a fairly varied range of entertainment options, from movie nights in the pool turned cinema to trivia contests and disco nights with a live DJ in the Horizon Bar.
Announced on February 1, 2020, the new brand is served by two 110-m long, 100-passenger superyachts - Azzurra (2022) and Sakara (2023). Scenic Group (shipowner) is the parent company of three travel brands - Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Evergreen Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises (Emerald Waterways and Emerald Yacht Cruises). Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of choosing Emerald Cruises for your next river journey.
A pasta station and several hot main courses are available for the midday meal as well. A variety of fresh salad greens and salad ingredients such as quinoa, apple, and nuts are offered. Desserts include a selection of cheeses, pastries, and a dessert of the day such as a warm Belgian waffle with cherry compote. Emerald Star attracts mostly retired Australians and North Americans, both from the United States and Canada, as well as a smattering of folks from the United Kingdom. The average age is between 65 and 70 years old; during the height of the summer the demographic skews toward the lower end of the range, while at the start and end of the season, it skews older.
In July 2020, the "Emerald Waterways" brand was officially launched in Australia, where Scenic Group originally operated river cruises via the "Evergreen Cruises and Tours" brand. In early-2020, Scenic Group established "Emerald Yacht Cruises" as a separate (from Emerald Waterways) brand specializing in premium yachting vacations. The new brand was inaugurated in 2022 with the newbuild 100-passenger superyacht Emerald Azzurra. Scenic's yacht brand operates itineraries in Europe's southern seas (Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean, Black Sea) and also in the Red Sea (Arabian Gulf/Dubai) and Indian Ocean (Seychelles). The similarly designed but larger Emerald Kaia is currently scheduled for inauguration in April 2026. But generally speaking, Emerald's standard offerings aren't particularly family-friendly.
Emerald Sakara - Cruise Ship Review Condé Nast Traveler - Condé Nast Traveler
Emerald Sakara - Cruise Ship Review Condé Nast Traveler.
Posted: Fri, 29 Mar 2024 21:26:08 GMT [source]
Instead of an outside balcony, the cabin space is extended providing an indoor version of a balcony set inside on paneled wood flooring with comfortable chairs and a table to complete the balcony area. This allows the guest to open up the cabin to the outside by activating the switch that lowers the floor-to-ceiling window to open halfway. They are a signature feature developed by Emerald Cruises that replaces the traditional outdoor French balcony. The entertainment staff onboard Emerald Azzurra is small but mighty, consisting of the cruise director and a resident musician. Despite their Herculean efforts to entertain, there are no other evening options onboard such a small ship. Either you succumb to shuffling along to disco — DJ’d by the cruise director, of course — or you might drink a glass of wine while you do a load of laundry.
Yachts also feature fitness classes, an outdoor pool, and a larger spa and fitness center tucked downstairs near the restaurant, with a sauna. In addition, Emerald’s yachts carry electric bikes and a marina platform that in good weather can accommodate a small fleet of water toys from kayaks and paddle boards to an inflatable dock. EmeraldACTIVE excursions are the real deal, offering strenuous but rewarding hikes, cycling trips, or kayak opportunities in port.
All cabins feature environmentally friendly amenities like the full-size luxury Espa refillable shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, and body lotion. The cruise is all-inclusive; all meals (plus wine and beer) are included in the cost of the cruise as are all gratuities. The only items not allowed in the dining room during dinner are shorts and flip-flops (though we did see men in shorts during dinner).
Additional luxurious amenities include a Nespresso machine, and complimentary laundry service. Dinner is served a la carte, with an always-available menu (chicken, breaded eggplant, spaghetti Bolognese) along with daily specials. Dishes are sometimes inspired by the itinerary, and we never had a bad meal. Pair a local seafood cioppino, a beet risotto, and a beautiful plate of scallops and vegetables with a regional beer or wine — included at lunch and dinner. Follow your meal with the dessert du jour, the daily sundae, or a fresh fruit or cheese plate.
Additional amenities include a pillow menu, personal iPad, laundry service, complimentary canapés, and a minibar. There are four owner’s one-bedroom suites located on the horizon (3rd) deck. The rest of the innovations are fairly standard on newbuilds in the modern era of European river cruising.
Daytime entertainment is self-guided, with guests either participating in shore tours or exploring the ship or ports of call on their own. An evening outing or deck party could potentially bolster the superyacht’s nightlife. Complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks are offered in the lounges onboard, which also feature a bar serving drinks for purchase. On the yachts, the Observation Lounge is a gem of a place to read and unwind with spectacular views, coffee and tea, snacks, and filtered (or fizzy) water.
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