Emerald Cruises

The Emerald Sun, a modern river cruise ship with white hull and green-accented design, navigates the Rhine River with lush forested hills and a hilltop castle visible in the background. The vessel features expansive windows, an open-air sun deck, and multiple passenger amenities typical of contemporary river cruising.
Vector graphic: logo-emerald.svg

Where river cruising meets ocean discovery aboard intimate luxury yachts

Emerald Cruises is an appealing choice for travelers who want to experience the world’s rivers and coastlines with generous inclusions, intimate ship sizes, and a spirit of active exploration. With a dual fleet of purpose-built river vessels and luxury superyachts, Emerald offers outstanding value alongside genuinely immersive experiences. Their EmeraldACTIVE and EmeraldDISCOVERY programs set them apart, ensuring every port of call becomes an opportunity for authentic connection – whether you’re cycling through a Bavarian village or savoring a private cooking class in the south of France. Our team has extensive firsthand knowledge of the Emerald fleet, and we’re well positioned to help you determine whether this cruise line is the right match for your travel style.

Emerald Cruises has redefined what it means to explore the world’s most captivating waterways. From the storied rivers of Europe and Southeast Asia to sun-drenched Mediterranean coastlines and the hidden coves of the Adriatic, this is a cruise line built around genuine discovery. Part of the Scenic Group family, Emerald combines the intimacy of small-ship cruising with contemporary design and exceptional value – a premium experience that feels effortlessly refined without ever being pretentious. Whether you’re drawn to the innovative Star-Ships gliding past vineyard-draped riverbanks or the sleek superyachts anchoring in secluded harbors, Emerald delivers something rare: a voyage that feels both curated and completely natural.

A sophisticated expedition yacht is anchored in crystalline turquoise waters off the coast of Calvi, Corsica, with the historic citadel perched on a rocky promontory in the background. The pristine Mediterranean setting showcases the yacht's elegant multi-deck design against the scenic French island landscape.
An aerial view of a modern river cruise ship navigating through the dramatic Rhine River Gorge in Germany, with steep forested cliffs on both sides, charming riverside towns nestled below, and lush green vegetation covering the hillsides.
A modern river cruise ship navigates the Rhine River in Koblenz, Germany, with multiple passenger decks, an open-air promenade, and lush greenery along the riverbanks. The vessel is surrounded by other river boats and picturesque European architecture, showcasing the charm of a traditional Rhine River cruise destination.
The Emerald Azzurra, a sophisticated expedition yacht, anchors in calm Mediterranean waters off the coast of Corsica with the picturesque hilltop citadel of Calvi visible in the background. The scene captures a stunning sunset with warm pink and golden hues reflecting across the sea, creating an idyllic luxury cruise destination.

The intimate yacht experience that redefines coastal cruising

The Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara represent a truly distinctive way to explore the world’s most beautiful coastlines. With fewer than 100 guests aboard, these superyachts deliver an experience that feels personal and unhurried – more akin to sailing with friends on a private vessel than embarking on a traditional cruise. The onboard marina platform lowers directly into the sea, inviting you to kayak, paddleboard, or snorkel from the ship itself. An infinity pool graces the Sky Deck, and the Observation Lounge offers panoramic views that make every moment feel cinematic. It’s coastal cruising reimagined – intimate, active, and designed for genuine discovery.

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Destinations That Inspire Wonder

Emerald Cruises opens the door to a remarkable range of destinations across both rivers and oceans. On the river side, sail the legendary waterways of Europe – the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Rhône, Saône, Douro, and Mekong – passing through fairy-tale villages, vineyards, and centuries-old capitals. Aboard the superyachts, discover the hidden gems of the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Red Sea coastlines, from the whitewashed villages of the Greek Islands to ancient ruins along the coast. The EmeraldACTIVE program offers guided biking tours, canoeing, hiking, and onboard yoga – all included in your fare. Meanwhile, the EmeraldDISCOVERY program focuses on cultural enrichment through local artisan visits, cooking demonstrations, and exclusive performances that connect you with the heritage of each region. These aren’t add-ons or upsells. They’re woven into every voyage.

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Gallery

A classic riverboat cruise ship navigates the Columbia River with snow-capped Mount Hood rising dramatically in the background, surrounded by dense Pacific Northwest forest and waterfront homes nestled along the shoreline.
An aerial view of a multi-deck river cruise ship navigating a narrow waterway surrounded by lush green forests and residential areas. The vessel is traveling through what appears to be a tropical or subtropical river system with clear blue water and dense vegetation on both banks.
A classic white paddlewheel riverboat with distinctive red and black smokestacks navigates a calm, blue river lined with lush green forests. The multi-deck vessel represents traditional American river cruising with its iconic paddle wheel design and ornate white superstructure against a scenic natural backdrop.

What’s Included In Your Cruise Package?

Your extraordinary cruise adventure comes with many included amenities from the cruise line. In addition, Extraordinary Adventures offers our clients extra complimentary benefits as well as popular upgrades to create a seamless door-to-door experience – all the more reason to select Extraordinary Adventures as your travel agency!

Included in Every Emerald Cruise

  • Heated pool and cinema (river fleet) or infinity pool and marina platform (yacht fleet)
  • EmeraldACTIVE excursions (biking, hiking, canoeing, yoga)
  • Airport transfers and port charges
  • Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner
  • Curated shore excursions at every port
  • EmeraldDISCOVERY cultural enrichment program
  • All gratuities

Your Extraordinary Adventures Cruise Also Includes

  • Expert guidance choosing your itinerary, ship, and stateroom
  • Recommendations on shore excursions
  • Advice on cruise and travel policies and procedures
  • Emergency assistance while on your trip
  • Recommendations on travel insurance

Add Extraordinary Adventures White Glove Service to Receive

  • We arrange car service and transfers
  • We book flights*
  • We reserve hotel stays
  • Pre-cruise and post-cruise travel planning assistance

$250 Planning Fee per stateroom
Complimentary for Emerald Cruises bookings*
*Terms and conditions apply

Frequently Asked Questions About Emerald Cruises

Emerald Cruises offers a unique dual-fleet experience spanning both river and ocean cruising. Part of the Scenic Group, Emerald is positioned as a premium cruise line delivering exceptional value with generous inclusions. Their innovative Star-Ships revolutionized European river cruising with features like a heated indoor pool that converts to a cinema, while their luxury superyachts – the Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara – bring an intimate, yacht-style experience to coastal destinations. The EmeraldACTIVE and EmeraldDISCOVERY programs ensure every voyage is enriching and immersive, and the contemporary, relaxed atmosphere appeals to travelers who value quality without pretension.

On the river fleet, accommodations range from Emerald Staterooms with a window to Panorama Balcony Suites featuring Emerald’s innovative open-air system that converts the window into a full balcony at the touch of a button. Grand Balcony Suites and Owner’s One-Bedroom Suites offer the most spacious options with expansive living areas. On the superyachts, categories include Staterooms, Balcony Suites, Terrace Suites, and the Owner’s Suite, all featuring modern design, premium bedding, and ocean views. We’re happy to guide you toward the stateroom category that best matches your preferences and travel style.

Emerald Cruises fares are designed for outstanding value with inclusions that cover the essentials and beyond. Your fare includes curated shore excursions at every port, complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, all gratuities, airport transfers, and port charges. On river cruises, you also enjoy onboard bicycles, the heated pool, and access to the EmeraldACTIVE program. On the superyachts, the marina platform with complimentary water sports equipment is included. Wi-Fi is available across the fleet. It’s a genuinely inclusive approach that minimizes unexpected costs and lets you focus on the experience itself.

The Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara are luxury superyachts carrying fewer than 100 guests each, creating an intimate and social atmosphere. These 360-foot vessels feature an infinity pool, Sky Bar, Observation Lounge with panoramic views, a wellness area, and the signature marina platform that lowers from the stern for direct water access. The small size allows them to dock in harbors and visit ports inaccessible to larger cruise ships, bringing you closer to the heart of each destination. The atmosphere is personal and unhurried, with a warmth and ease that larger ships simply can’t replicate.

Emerald’s river fleet covers an impressive range of European waterways – from the Christmas Market routes of the Danube to the vineyard-lined banks of the Douro and the temples along the Mekong in Southeast Asia. The superyachts, meanwhile, unlock coastal destinations across the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Greek Islands, Red Sea, and Arabian Peninsula, with itineraries designed to visit intimate harbors that larger ships simply cannot reach. Emerald continues to expand its sailing regions, and we stay on top of every new route announcement. Whether you have a specific destination in mind or want help narrowing the possibilities, we’re here to match you with the right itinerary.

On the river fleet, the Reflections Restaurant serves regionally inspired cuisine, while the Terrace provides casual al fresco dining on the Sun Deck. Aboard the superyachts, the Amafina restaurant offers refined dining with locally sourced ingredients, and La Cucina serves relaxed poolside fare. Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks are included at lunch and dinner across the fleet, and special dietary requirements are accommodated with advance notice. The culinary program emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients that complement the destinations you’re exploring.

EmeraldACTIVE is Emerald Cruises’ signature included excursion program designed for travelers who want to engage with destinations in a more active, hands-on way. Activities vary by itinerary and may include guided biking tours through riverside towns, canoeing or kayaking excursions, guided hikes, and onboard wellness sessions such as yoga and stretching classes. All EmeraldACTIVE experiences are complimentary and provide an enriching alternative to traditional sightseeing tours.

The EmeraldDISCOVERY program focuses on cultural enrichment – think local artisan visits, cooking demonstrations, and exclusive performances that connect you with the heritage and traditions of each region. Both programs are woven into the fabric of every voyage at no additional cost, ensuring active and culturally curious travelers alike can explore each destination at a deeper level.

Absolutely. Emerald Cruises is an excellent choice for first-time cruisers, particularly those drawn to river cruising or intimate yacht experiences. The generous inclusions mean fewer surprises and decisions to make, the ship sizes are approachable rather than overwhelming, and the EmeraldACTIVE and EmeraldDISCOVERY programs ensure engaging experiences at every port. The contemporary design and relaxed atmosphere appeal to travelers who may not think of themselves as “cruise people” but want a refined, immersive way to explore new destinations. If you’re considering your very first voyage, we’d love to walk you through the options and help you find the perfect fit.

Emerald Cruises maintains a relaxed yet refined dress code. Daytime attire is casual and comfortable – perfect for active excursions and lounging on deck. Evenings call for smart casual attire, equivalent to what you might wear to a nice restaurant. On the Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Dinners, guests are invited to dress up slightly, though formal wear is never required. The overall atmosphere is approachable and sophisticated without being stuffy.

We recommend booking 6 to 12 months in advance, especially for popular itineraries like Christmas Markets on the Danube, springtime tulip cruises on the Rhine, and Greek Islands yacht voyages during peak summer months. Emerald Cruises operates intimate vessels with limited capacity – the superyachts carry fewer than 100 guests, and the Star-Ships accommodate a relatively small number of travelers compared to ocean ships. Early booking also gives you the best selection of stateroom categories and often unlocks early-booking promotions. Contact us and we’ll help you identify the ideal timing and secure any available exclusive offers.

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What Our Clients Say

Real clients. Real experiences. Never ordinary – always extraordinary.

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“These two definitely know their ships, and if they don’t, they know where to find answers. We had never booked with an agent before, but after our first experience with Extraordinary Adventures, we were so pleased that we quickly booked our second cruise shortly after. Their response times are rapid, and their suggestions are immeasurable.”

Sabrina & Marty S

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“Scott and Laura were very helpful and professional from the first minute. The information I got saved me money and time. Wonderful, friendly, personal, and quick service. Response within minutes to all my questions. Thank you for the great work.”

Richard & Pascal F

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“I gave them a budget, what I wanted, and potential dates. They did the rest! Gave me checklists for what to pack, suggestions of things to do, and the best plans for the biggest bang for our buck. They even checked on us when we returned to be sure we had an enjoyable experience.”

Kristy & Anthony R

Verified Client · Google Review

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“We have tried different venues to purchase cruises and definitely prefer working with Scott and Laura. They have always put our best interest at the forefront. They are professional and easy to contact and take the worry out of our travel plans.”

Michael & Virginia D

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“Scott and Laura are super knowledgeable and incredibly fast to respond to questions. They helped make our last cruise worry- and stress-free. I have referred two of my friends who used their services and were very happy. They will go out of their way to help. Super friendly!”

Darla C

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“Laura and Scott are great people to help assist with any vacation needs. I found them to be very attentive to my wants and needs. They have been very informative, provided great suggestions to help make the most of my vacation, and they are very upfront and honest. I will definitely use Extraordinary Adventures again.”

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Small Ships, Big Experiences

Find Your Perfect Boutique Voyage

Boutique and yacht cruises offer something the big ships simply cannot — true intimacy, the freedom to explore hidden harbours, and a genuine sense of occasion under sail. Whether you dream of tall ships, private yacht-style vessels, or intimate expedition yachts, our specialists know exactly which voyage will steal your heart.