Emerald Cruises Launches Emerald Astra
Emerald Cruises has launched Emerald Astra, the newest addition to its Star-Ships fleet, and introduced numerous upgrades across its entire river fleet in Europe.
Emerald Astra, designed to reflect the elegance of the company’s luxury superyachts, features a modern gray glass exterior and will accommodate 180 guests. The updated design emphasizes both style and functionality, offering guest-favorite amenities such as the pool/cinema combination, multiple dining options, and a sun deck dedicated to relaxation and panoramic views. All interiors have also been enhanced with a sleek, contemporary design, ensuring a sophisticated and spacious atmosphere for travelers on Europe’s rivers.
Emerald Astra
Emerald Astra_Horizon Bar
Emerald Astra will join the fleet in 2026 as the seventh ship to sail on the iconic Rhine, Moselle, and Danube rivers. Emerald Cruises’ 2026 river cruise season will be available for booking starting October 22, 2024, including through Expressbook for travel agents.
Emerald Cruises also announced a series of upgrades for its entire European river fleet, which will be completed for the 2025 season, guaranteeing a new level of comfort and luxury. These updates include the redesign of the Horizon Bar & Lounge, with the Star-Ships on the Rhine-Main-Danube route receiving new lounge furnishings with elevated design, vibrant colors, and luxurious fabrics. Emerald Radiance on the Douro and Emerald Liberté on the Rhône will see enhancements to align with the new aesthetic across the fleet. Pool and cinema spaces, along with Reflections Restaurant and The Terrace, will be revamped with new furnishings and updated layouts to enhance guest comfort and dining experiences. The addition of Missoni fabrics and art installations inspired by Emerald Cruises’ luxury yachts will bring a refined and modern ambiance to each ship. Finally, every guest cabin will be equipped with an iPad to enhance interaction with onboard services and each journey’s itinerary, providing an easily accessible digital resource for guests.
ECER Pool
ECER Cinema
Glen Moroney, founder and chairman of Scenic Group, emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering unparalleled luxury and value in river cruising, noting that the introduction of Emerald Astra, alongside the fleet-wide updates, represents the company’s dedication to innovation. He added that these enhancements have been designed with guests in mind, creating refined spaces that promote relaxation, discovery, and continually elevate the standards of luxury river cruising.
These new features, aimed at enhancing guest experiences, have been introduced following a significant increase in demand for river cruises. Emerald Cruises has recorded a 32% rise in river cruise bookings from 2023 to 2024 YTD, a clear indication of its growing popularity among agents and their clients.
Emerald Cruises continues to elevate its offering by enhancing guest experiences through the integration of Emerald Cruises’ distinctive features with design elements inspired by luxury yachts.
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