An Introduction to Emerald Cruises
Emerald Cruises offers a distinctive style of cruising that spans both luxurious river voyages and intimate ocean yacht expeditions. As part of the Scenic Group, Emerald aims to provide a deluxe experience with exceptional value, innovative ship design, and a focus on immersive cultural exploration.
A Brief History
Emerald Cruises was founded in 2013 by the Australian-based Scenic Group (formerly Scenic Tours), a company with roots in coach tours since 1986. After successfully launching its ultra-luxury river cruise brand, Scenic Space-Ships, in 2008, the company identified a market for a more contemporary, yet still premium, river cruise product at a more accessible price point.
Thus, Emerald Waterways (as it was initially known for river cruises) was born, with its first custom-crafted "Star-Ships" Emerald Star and Emerald Sky setting sail in 2014. These ships quickly gained acclaim for their modern design, inclusive features, and innovative elements like the indoor heated pool that transforms into an evening cinema.
In 2021, the company expanded beyond rivers into luxury ocean yacht cruising with the launch of Emerald Azzurra, marking its entry into the superyacht market and the rebranding to simply "Emerald Cruises" to encompass both river and yacht offerings. The fleet expanded further with Emerald Sakara in 2023, and a new superyacht, Emerald Kaia, is set to launch in 2026. This expansion highlights Emerald's commitment to delivering diverse and high-quality cruise experiences.
The Fleet: Star-Ships and Luxury Yachts
Emerald Cruises operates a modern and distinctive fleet tailored to its specific cruising styles.
River Star-Ships (Europe & Mekong):
These custom-built vessels are designed with contemporary interiors and innovative features, including Emerald's signature indoor pool that transforms into an evening cinema. They offer spacious public areas and a high level of service.
Emerald Astra | Emerald Dawn | Emerald Destiny | Emerald Harmony | Emerald Liberté | Emerald Lumi | Emerald Luna | Emerald Star | Emerald Sky | Emerald Sun | Emerald Radiance.
Luxury Superyachts:
These sleek, smaller yachts are designed to access less-frequented ports and provide an intimate, upscale ocean experience with a focus on active exploration.
Emerald Azzurra | Emerald Sakara | Emerald Kaia (New for 2026)
Current Starting Ports and Itineraries (2025-2026)
Emerald Cruises offers a diverse range of itineraries across Europe, Southeast Asia, and various ocean destinations, leveraging its bespoke fleet to provide access to unique locales.
River Cruise Starting Ports and Itineraries:
Europe:
Danube River: From Budapest (Hungary), Vilshofen (Germany), Nuremberg (Germany), Passau (Germany). Itineraries include popular routes like "Danube Delights" and "Splendours of Europe," along with a variety of Christmas Markets cruises.
Rhine River: From Amsterdam (Netherlands), Basel (Switzerland). Popular cruises include "Jewels of the Rhine" and "Black Forest & Rhine Highlights.
Main & Moselle Rivers: Often combined with Rhine/Danube itineraries, with starting points like Trier (Germany).
Rhône & Saône Rivers (France): From Lyon (France) and Chalon-sur-Saône (France), exploring the heart of French gastronomy and history.
Douro River (Portugal): Roundtrip from Porto (Portugal), navigating the scenic wine region.
Southeast Asia:
Mekong River (Vietnam & Cambodia): From Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) (with pre/post land packages) and Siem Reap (Cambodia), offering deep cultural immersion.
Luxury Yacht Cruise Starting Ports and Itineraries:
Mediterranean & Adriatic Sea:
Starting Ports:
Athens (Piraeus), Greece | Dubrovnik (Croatia) | Venice (Italy) | Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy | Nice (France) | Barcelona (Spain) | Valletta (Malta).
Itineraries explore the Greek Isles, Dalmatian Coast, Italian and French Rivieras, often calling at smaller, picturesque ports.
Caribbean & Central America:
Starting Ports:
Marigot (St. Martin) | San Juan (Puerto Rico) | Bridgetown (Barbados).
Voyages explore the Lesser Antilles, British Virgin Islands, and coastal Central American destinations.
Red Sea & Middle East:
Starting Ports:
Aqaba (Jordan) | Cairo (Egypt) | Dubai (UAE).
Itineraries include explorations of ancient sites, desert landscapes, and vibrant modern cities.
Seychelles & Indian Ocean:
Starting Ports:
Mahé (Seychelles) | Mombasa (Kenya).
Tropical island-hopping voyages to discover pristine beaches and unique wildlife.
Transoceanic: Repositioning cruises connecting various regions.
Official Websites
Emerald Cruises maintains a strong online presence, often with region-specific sites.
Global/UK Official Website: https://www.emeraldcruises.co.uk/
USA Official Website: https://www.emeraldcruises.com/
You may also find information through the broader Scenic Group website.
A Word of Caution: Cruise Scams
When planning your river or yacht cruise with Emerald Cruises, it is essential to remain highly vigilant against potential scam attempts that, unfortunately, target travelers. Be aware of these common red flags:
"Free Cruise" or "Exclusive Offer" Traps: Be highly suspicious of any unsolicited calls, emails, texts, or social media messages claiming you've won a "free Emerald cruise" or are eligible for an impossibly low-priced "exclusive" deal. These invariably come with hidden fees, demands for immediate payment for "port taxes" or "service charges," or are simply phishing attempts to collect your personal data or pressure you into buying something else entirely. Emerald Cruises, as a desirable brand, is a target for such fraudulent schemes.
Fake Websites and Phishing Attempts: Scammers create highly convincing fake websites that mimic Emerald Cruises' official site or reputable travel agencies. They also send deceptive phishing emails that appear legitimate. Their goal is to trick you into entering your login credentials, credit card details, or other sensitive personal information. Always manually type the official website address (e.g., emeraldcruises.co.uk or emeraldcruises.com) into your browser's address bar or use trusted bookmarks. Double-check the URL very carefully before entering any data, looking for subtle misspellings or unusual domain extensions.
High-Pressure Sales Tactics: Be wary of any offer that demands an immediate decision due to a "limited-time offer" that will expire in minutes or hours. This tactic is used by fraudsters to prevent you from doing proper research or verifying the offer's legitimacy.
Unusual Payment Requests: Never agree to pay for a cruise via untraceable methods like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency if requested by an individual or an unverified entity. Legitimate cruise lines and their authorized partners use secure, traceable payment methods (e.g., credit cards).
Misleading Employment Offers: Be particularly cautious of unsolicited job offers related to crewing Emerald Cruises vessels, especially if they ask for upfront payments for visas, training, or application processing. Reputable cruise lines do not typically request payment from job applicants.
To ensure your deluxe Emerald Cruises journey begins safely and securely, always book directly through the official Emerald Cruises website for your region or through a well-established, reputable travel advisor who is familiar with Emerald's offerings. If an offer feels suspicious, or if you receive any communication that raises red flags, contact Emerald Cruises directly using the official contact information found on their verified website, not from the suspicious offer itself. Embark on your unforgettable river or yacht adventure with complete peace of mind.
Additional Resources
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