Emerald Luna

The 2021-built MS Emerald Luna cruise ship is a newbuild riverboat constructed in Hardinxveld-Giessendam (Holland). Luna is Emerald Waterways' 9th boat of the company's Star-Ship series, with sisterships the fleetmates Emerald Star, Emerald Sky, Emerald Sun, Emerald Dawn, Emerald Destiny, and Emerald Astra.

Emerald Luan boat's namesakes are the cruise ships AIDAluna and Norwegian Luna, the Luna Seaways ferry, and the riverboat Arosa Luna.

In 2022, the vessel (ENI number 2338885) changed its flag state and port of registry from Switzerland (MMSI 269057777) to Portugal (MMSI 255803840).

Emerald Waterways is a new river cruise shipping company (2014-established) and brand owned by Scenic Tours (shipowner). Like the new longships of Viking River Cruises, the innovations implemented on Emerald Waterways ships make these vessels an alternative to the ocean "small-ship cruising". Emerald Waterways adds more cruise tour itinerary choices and sailing dates for the aficionados of the all-inclusive European luxury riverboat travel vacations.

The Maiden Voyage (8-day "Holland and Belgium in Bloom" itinerary) started on April 8, 2022, from Amsterdam. Emerald Luna's christening ceremony was on July 21, 2022, held in Amsterdam (Netherlands). The naming event was attended by Rob Voss (Scenic Group's COO), David Winterton (Global Director of Brand & Marketing), Maggie Carbonell (VP Marketing USA) and Ann Chamberlin (VP Sales USA); as well as by Monic van der Heyden (Cruise Port Amsterdam's Commercial Director), Johan Kaasjager (Den Breejen Shipyard's Managing Director), all the embarking passengers plus local dignitaries.

The boat's godmother is Vanessa McGovern - Gifted Travel Network's co-founder and CSO/chief sales officer. She is widely renowned as a travel industry sales and marketing professional, an award-winning educator, an advocate for travel agents (ASTA's Board of Directors Executive Committee/ASTA=American Society of Travel Agents), a prominent speaker at various travel-related events, a respected businesswoman and entrepreneur.

Cabins

Most of Emerald Luna's staterooms are outfitted with drop-down windows that transform the seating area into a comfortable balcony space.

Emerald Luna has a total of 91 staterooms in 8 categories for 180 guests served by 51 crew members.

Except for the single-occupancy category ES (Emerald Single Stateroom), all cabins are with double occupancy (max capacity 2 passengers per cabin).

75% of all rooms are Suites with a balcony (in-room/step-out veranda).

All passenger staterooms provide as standard/complimentary amenities queen beds (or convertible twin beds, except Single cabins with a single bed), bedside tables, mirrored panels by the bed, private en-suite bathroom (WC, small sink, shower cubicle, mirrored cupboards, mirror over the basin, clothesline, luxury bath products /shampoo, liquid soap, conditioner, body lotion), walk-in closet (large wardrobe with hangers), personal safe, direct-dial phone, flat HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system, movies on demand, “View From the Bridge” /real-time webcam views), mini-bar (fully-stocked with beer, beer, wine, soft beverages, snacks /all at additional price, except for Owner Suites), individual climate control, 220V power outlets, umbrella, shoe cleaner, 2 earplug sets.

Shipboard facilities

MS Emerald Luna has 4 passenger decks (3 with cabins), Horizon Bar Lounge with outdoor Terrace seating (Deck 3 forward), Reflections Restaurant (Dining Room, Deck 2 forward), aft-Deck3 indoor swimming pool/night cinema (covered with sliding roof), wellness facilities (Gym, Spa and Beauty Salon, massage room), Sun Deck (Wheelhouse, games area with giant Tic-Tac-Toe, 3-hole Mini-Golf Putting Green, Walking Track, Sky Barbecue Bar, shaded seating, passenger-use bikes).

One lift (passenger elevator) connects all cabin decks.

The ship has two restaurants (Reflections/MDR, and The Terrace/alfresco) and two bars: Sky Bar (on the sundeck) and the Horizon Bar & Lounge (offering hot entrees, cold cuts, soups, and other snacks, as well as a salad bar at lunchtime).

The Reflections Restaurant is the Main Dining Room with open seating and table service. There is also a buffet station at dinner and an omelet station at breakfast.

The Terrace is the alfresco dining area - an informal venue for breakfast and lunch.

The Horizon Lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows and doubles as a casual lunch restaurant.

Weather permitting, lunch and dinner special buffets are held at various times on the open deck.

The most innovative, new-to-river feature of the ship is the dual-purpose area at the aft that transforms from a heated indoor pool with a retractable roof during the day, to a movie theater/indoor cinema at night, showing classic movies and recent releases.