River · Yacht · Ocean Cruising

Emerald Cruises

Discover contemporary luxury across Europe’s legendary rivers, the Mediterranean, and beyond with Emerald Cruises’ innovative Star-Ships and ocean-going yachts. Heated pools that become cinemas, included active excursions, and superyachts carrying fewer than 100 guests – this is value-luxury done right.

Or call us at 1-800-444-1560 or email info@smartcruiser.com

Contemporary Luxury on River and Sea

Emerald Cruises is part of the Scenic Group family, offering a fresh approach to luxury cruising across Europe’s most iconic rivers and stunning ocean destinations. With their award-winning Star-Ships on the rivers and elegant superyachts at sea, Emerald Cruises delivers an outstanding value-luxury experience. Innovative amenities like a heated pool that converts into a cinema at night, a retractable glass roof, and included EmeraldACTIVE excursions set them apart in the premium cruise market.

At a Glance

Cruise Line: Emerald Cruises – Contemporary Luxury River & Ocean Cruising

Fleet: Award-winning Star-Ships on European rivers plus luxury ocean yachts including Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara

Destinations: Europe’s great rivers (Rhine, Danube, Main, Rhône, Douro, Mekong), the Mediterranean, Adriatic Coast, Red Sea, and more

Service: Attentive, personalized service with an approachable and relaxed luxury atmosphere

Signature Feature: Innovative Star-Ships with heated pool/cinema, retractable glass roof, and included EmeraldACTIVE excursion program

  • Stylish staterooms and suites with hotel-style beds
  • All meals onboard – breakfast, lunch, and dinner including highlight dinners
  • Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Included EmeraldACTIVE guided excursions – biking, hiking, and more
  • EmeraldDISCOVERY cultural excursions and city tours
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard
  • Use of onboard amenities including heated pool, cinema, and wellness area
  • All port charges, airport transfers on designated days, and gratuities

Inclusions may vary between river and ocean itineraries. Contact our experienced agents for details.

  • Outstanding value for a luxury experience – premium quality at an accessible price point
  • Innovative Star-Ships with features not found on other river cruise vessels
  • EmeraldACTIVE program for guests who want to explore destinations on foot, by bike, or even by canoe
  • Ocean yachts offer an intimate, yacht-style experience with under 100 guests

The Reflections Restaurant: Main open-seating restaurant with regionally inspired menus

Terrace Bar & Lounge: Light lunches and casual dining with panoramic views

Horizon Bar & Lounge: Relaxed setting with cocktails and evening entertainment

The Yacht Club (Ocean): Poolside al fresco dining on ocean yachts

La Cucina (Ocean): Italian-inspired dining on select ocean yachts

Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on all sailings. Premium beverage packages available.

Emerald Cruises expanded into ocean cruising with the launch of their luxury superyachts, Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara. These intimate vessels carry fewer than 100 guests, creating an exclusive yacht-club atmosphere.

Destinations include the Mediterranean, Adriatic Coast, Greek Islands, Red Sea, and Southeast Asia. With a marina platform for water sports, an infinity pool, and spacious suites – many with private balconies – the ocean yachts deliver a boutique cruising experience.

The small size allows access to charming ports and harbors that larger ships simply cannot reach.

Cruise Search

A stunning aerial view of a modern cruise ship's pool deck featuring a turquoise infinity pool

Award-Winning Star-Ships

A Heated Pool That Becomes a Cinema at Night

Emerald Cruises’ river fleet features their innovative Star-Ships, purpose-built vessels that redefined river cruising. The standout feature is the heated indoor pool – a first for river cruising – which transforms into a cinema under the stars in the evening, with a retractable glass roof so you can enjoy the space rain or shine. Spacious staterooms, panoramic suites, and a relaxed onboard atmosphere make the Star-Ships an exceptional way to explore Europe’s most storied waterways.

EmeraldACTIVE – Explore Your Way

For guests who love to stay active while they travel, Emerald Cruises’ included EmeraldACTIVE program is a real standout. Choose from guided bike tours through charming European villages, scenic hikes along river valleys, canoeing excursions, and more – all included in your cruise fare. On the ocean yachts, the marina platform opens up for kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming right from the ship. It’s a wonderful way to get closer to each destination and experience it beyond the traditional guided tour. Our experienced agents can help you choose the itineraries with the best EmeraldACTIVE offerings for your interests.

The Emerald Azzurra, a sleek white luxury expedition yacht, anchors in clear blue waters
An aerial view of a luxury cruise ship anchored in the crystal-clear turquoise waters of Bonifacio

Intimate Ocean Yacht Cruising

Emerald Cruises took their signature contemporary luxury to the open seas with the Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara – stunning superyachts carrying fewer than 100 guests. Imagine cruising the Mediterranean, the Adriatic, or the Red Sea aboard a yacht that feels like your own private retreat. With a marina platform for water sports, an infinity pool, spacious suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, and al fresco dining under the stars, the ocean yachts deliver an experience worlds apart from traditional ocean cruising. Whether you want to explore hidden coastal towns or simply unwind on deck, the ocean yachts make every day feel effortless.

The Emerald Cruises Experience

Innovative Ship Design

Emerald’s Star-Ships feature industry firsts like a heated indoor pool that transforms into a cinema, a retractable glass roof, and spacious panoramic suites with private balconies – redefining what’s possible on a river cruise.

Exceptional Dining

From the Reflections Restaurant’s regionally inspired menus to al fresco dining at the Terrace and The Yacht Club on ocean voyages, every meal is a culinary highlight. Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner.

Stunning Destinations

Cruise Europe’s legendary rivers – the Rhine, Danube, Main, Rhône, and Douro – or set sail on the Mediterranean, Adriatic Coast, Greek Islands, Red Sea, and beyond aboard Emerald’s intimate ocean yachts.

Gallery

An aerial overhead view of the Emerald Azzurra expedition yacht moored in deep blue Mediterranean
A luxurious Emerald Cruises yacht anchored in pristine turquoise waters off a tropical island beach
Three women wearing traditional Japanese kimonos with elaborate obi sashes walk through the grounds
A magnificent luxury expedition yacht with multiple decks anchored in calm turquoise waters during
A promotional brochure cover for Emerald Yacht Cruises featuring a sleek luxury expedition yacht
A contemporary, elegantly appointed bathroom featuring polished marble walls with subtle gray

Frequently Asked Questions

Emerald Cruises is a contemporary luxury cruise line that’s part of the Scenic Group. They operate a fleet of award-winning Star-Ships on Europe’s great rivers and intimate ocean superyachts in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Red Sea, and beyond. Known for innovative ship design, inclusive pricing, and an active approach to destination exploration, Emerald Cruises offers outstanding value in the luxury cruise segment.

Emerald Cruises includes all meals onboard (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, EmeraldACTIVE guided excursions, EmeraldDISCOVERY cultural tours, complimentary Wi-Fi, airport transfers on designated days, all port charges, and gratuities. When you book through SmartCruiser.com, you also gain access to our exclusive group rates and value-added amenities, with a dedicated agent guiding your booking from start to finish.

Emerald Star-Ships are purpose-built river cruise vessels that set themselves apart with innovative design features. The standout is the heated indoor pool – a first for river cruising – that transforms into a cinema at night under a retractable glass roof. Star-Ships also feature spacious staterooms and suites, panoramic balcony suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, multiple dining venues, a wellness area, and a sun deck with walking track.

EmeraldACTIVE is Emerald Cruises’ included excursion program designed for guests who want to explore destinations actively. Activities include guided bike tours, scenic hikes, canoeing, and more on river cruises. On ocean yachts, the marina platform opens for kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming. All EmeraldACTIVE excursions are included in your cruise fare at no extra charge.

On river Star-Ships, categories range from Emerald Staterooms (with a window) to Panorama Balcony Suites featuring indoor balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows that open, Grand Balcony Suites, and the Owner’s One-Bedroom Suite. On the ocean yachts, accommodations include Oceanview Staterooms, Balcony Suites, Terrace Suites, and the Owner’s Suite. Our experienced agents can help you compare cabin categories and deck placement to find the best fit and value for your sailing.

Emerald’s river fleet sails Europe’s most iconic waterways including the Rhine, Danube, Main, Moselle, Rhône, Saône, Douro, and the Dutch and Belgian waterways. They also offer Mekong River cruises in Southeast Asia. The ocean yachts sail the Mediterranean, Adriatic Coast, Greek Islands, Red Sea, and select seasonal destinations. New itineraries are added regularly.

All meals are included onboard. The main Reflections Restaurant offers open-seating dining with regionally inspired menus that change daily. The Terrace Bar & Lounge serves light lunches and casual options with panoramic views. On ocean yachts, additional venues include The Yacht Club for poolside al fresco dining and La Cucina for Italian-inspired cuisine. Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks accompany lunch and dinner on all sailings.

Emerald Cruises maintains a relaxed, smart-casual atmosphere. During the day, casual and comfortable attire is appropriate. In the evening, smart-casual dress is recommended – think collared shirts and slacks for men, and dresses or smart separates for women. There are no formal nights, making packing easy and the atmosphere approachable. It’s refined without being stuffy.

Absolutely. Emerald Cruises is an excellent choice for first-time cruisers because of the all-inclusive value, the relaxed onboard atmosphere, and the included excursion programs that take the guesswork out of exploring each destination. The intimate ship sizes – especially on river cruises – create a welcoming environment. Our experienced agents at SmartCruiser.com can guide first-time cruisers through every step of the planning process, from choosing an itinerary to picking the right cabin.

The Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara are luxury superyachts carrying fewer than 100 guests each. They feature an infinity pool, a marina platform for water sports, spacious suites (many with private balconies), multiple dining venues, and a relaxed yacht-club atmosphere. Their small size allows access to charming ports and harbors that larger cruise ships cannot reach, creating a truly unique and intimate ocean cruising experience.

When you book Emerald Cruises through SmartCruiser.com, Division of Oasis Travel Network, you work with a dedicated, experienced agent who can help you choose the right itinerary, the best stateroom or suite for your needs, and the ideal sailing date. We offer exclusive group rates and amenities, with savings of up to $1500+ depending on the time of year and destination. See a lower price elsewhere? Ask and we’ll do our best to price match. Your dedicated agent stays with you from the moment you inquire right through to disembarkation and beyond – you’re never routed to a random reservations agent.

Ready to Explore with Emerald Cruises?

Whether you’re dreaming of a European river cruise along the Danube or an intimate yacht voyage through the Greek Islands, our experienced agents at SmartCruiser.com, Division of Oasis Travel Network are here to find the right Emerald Cruises sailing for you. With exclusive group rates, valuable amenities, and a dedicated agent guiding every step, your next cruise starts with a conversation. Call us at 1-800-444-1560 to get started.