Emerald Waterways continue innovating to show their passengers why "small ship cruising is the future of cruise travel."
Emerald Waterways’ fleet of nine deluxe Star-Ships all carry fewer than 200 guests, fitting them comfortably into the small ship category. The largest of their river ships carries a max of 180 guests on the Danube, Rhine and Main rivers in Europe, while the smallest can accommodate just 84 along the Mekong river in Asia.
The small ship designation applies to the line's soon-to-debut ocean yacht. When she launches in 2021, Emerald Azzurra will carry just 100 passengers in 50 deluxe suites on voyages in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Red Seas, showcasing ports that are not overwhelmed with tourists.
Emerald Azzurra’s innovative design features nearly double the usual dining space per passenger and 88% of staterooms and suites will boast terraces or balconies.
An example of Emerald Waterways responding to passenger feedback was the launch of its EmeraldACTIVE, a shore excursion program aimed at creating active tour options across all European river cruise itineraries. The EmeraldACTIVE programme features a selection of guided cycle tours, canoeing trips, rural and urban hikes. In 2019, the company expanded the programme by adding a dedicated Activity Manager on each European Star-Ship to support the active trips and expand the onboard offerings with water aerobics, yoga, and Pilates classes.
As other cruise companies announce cancellations of newbuilds, Emerald Waterways continues to grow its fleet. In addition to introducing Emerald Azzurra next year, the brand will launch a new river cruise ship, Emerald Luna. She will accommodate 180 passengers on the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers when she debuts in April 2021.