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Emerald Astra

Experience the luxurious Emerald Astra

Launching in 2026 the Emerald Astra has been built, designed and will be operated by our expert team. With luxurious interiors and cutting-edge features, the ship debuts a refreshed look and feeling having taken inspiration from our luxury yachts, with art installations in partnership with leading European galleries and collaborations with luxury design houses such as Missoni and Freifrau. Guest suites and staterooms feature luxurious ESPA toiletries, premium linens, pillows (with an expanded pillow menu), towels, mattresses, and toppers from top European brands, with select suites incorporating Missoni soft furnishings.

Other firsts on Emerald Astra will include complimentary guest laundry facilities and a reimagined Sun Deck with new furniture and refreshed outdoor spaces that maximise panoramic views. 

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Accomodation Types

A choice of sumptuous suites & staterooms

We understand that our guests have different requirements, from needing a greater amount of space, to accommodation perfect for solo travelling^. That's why we offer a range of stylish and spacious cabins to choose from. 

A range of accommodation options

Whichever cabin grade you choose, a comfortable getaway is assured. Every suite and stateroom benefits from an en-suite bathroom, luxury ESPA toiletries, Wi-Fi, a TV and infotainment system, and a queen or twin-sized bed draped in luscious linens.

^Solo cabins only available on selected vessels. 

Grand Balcony Suite

Owners One-Bedroom Suite

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite

Emerald Stateroom

Emerald Single Stateroom

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Deck Plans

A choice of sumptuous suites & staterooms

We understand that our guests have different requirements, from needing a greater amount of space, to accommodation perfect for solo travelling^. That's why we offer a range of stylish and spacious cabins to choose from. 

A range of accommodation options

Whichever cabin grade you choose, a comfortable getaway is assured. Every suite and stateroom benefits from an en-suite bathroom, luxury ESPA toiletries, Wi-Fi, a TV and infotainment system, and a queen or twin-sized bed draped in luscious linens.

^Solo cabins only available on selected vessels. 

Sun Deck

Horizon Deck

Vista Deck

Riviera Deck

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Dining

Indulgent regional flavours

Indulge in the rich regional flavours of Europe, from epicurean five-course dinners to light bites on deck. Each meal takes inspiration from local produce and the authentic tastes of your destination. Enjoy a celebratory welcome and farewell dinner, with friendly hospitality from the moment you step on board to when you leave. With no formal dress code, you can step straight from ship to shore and return to a smart-casual evening of beautifully prepared cuisine.

Reflections Restaurant

The Terrace

Healthy Options

Sky Barbecue

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Entertainment

As you cruise through Europe, your dedicated Activity Manager curates a programme of activities and engagingm entertainment. Enjoy an afternoon of trivia, an insightful on board lecture, or a lively evening performance, with each journey as unique as the region you’re in. Local entertainers will join you on board bringing the spirit, sounds, and stories of each European destination to life for a truly immersive experience. Between events, enjoy relaxed conversation with fellow guests and the welcoming, sociable atmosphere.

Horizon Bar and Lounge

Daytime Pool & Bar/Evening Cinema

Sun Deck

Games Area and Golf Putting Green

Reception

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Enrichment

Providing a comprehensive view of Europe, EmeraldDISCOVERY is our premier excursion programme, which includes near-daily tours and enlightening EmeraldPLUS, EmeraldACTIVE, and DiscoverMORE^ activities.

EmeraldPLUS

​Immerse yourself in new experiences with EmeraldPLUS

Taking you into the heart of local life, our included EmeraldPLUS excursions and experiences provide a fascinating insight into the authentic customs and traditions along the rivers of Europe and Southeast Asia.

Our journey planners have sought out hidden gems that you may not have discovered without a local expert. Providing a rare insight into each destination these included experiences are certain to be one of the highlights of your Emerald Cruises river cruise.

EmeraldPLUS experiences will take you deeper into the local culture. You'll enjoy exclusive social events with the locals, tours of significant landmarks, as well as special on board performances and workshops, and much more.

EmeraldACTIVE

Explore Europe with EmeraldACTIVE

Perfect for guests who like a faster pace, our exclusive - and included - EmeraldACTIVE program provides river cruising guests with the opportunity to experience each destination from a different perspective. Join guided hikes, bike rides, and canoeing experiences, and see a new side to each destination. Explore rolling vineyards, and cobblestone streets, and take to the water by canoe. It's all available at no extra cost on our Europe river cruise collection.

On board, you’ll also have access to your Star-Ship’s wellness and fitness centre, and on selected sailings, you’ll have the opportunity to join your on board wellness team for guided fitness classes.

Wellness experiences on board your European Star-Ship

Our activity managers and wellness coaches will elevate your river cruising experience, working closely with their cruise directors to enhance the EmeraldACTIVE program, leading daytime classes on board, like yoga, Pilates, and aqua aerobics.

You'll also have access to bicycles, used on your guided cycling tours and also available for independent exploration. For our guided hikes, or independent strolls, you’ll find trekking poles in your suite or stateroom.

Head to the innovative indoor heated pool^, complete with a retractable roof, allowing you to enjoy the river breeze on warmer days, and a propulsive current, enabling you to swim for as long as you like. And on the Sun Deck, sharpen your golfing skills at the putting green^, and get your steps up as you take in the views of the surrounding riverbanks from the walking track..

^Emerald Radiance on the Douro River does not have an indoor heated pool or putting green. Instead, you’ll find the spa-style Serenity Pool on the Sun Deck.

EmeraldPLUS

​Immerse yourself in new experiences with EmeraldPLUS

Taking you into the heart of local life, our included EmeraldPLUS excursions and experiences provide a fascinating insight into the authentic customs and traditions along the rivers of Europe and Southeast Asia.

Our journey planners have sought out hidden gems that you may not have discovered without a local expert. Providing a rare insight into each destination these included experiences are certain to be one of the highlights of your Emerald Cruises river cruise.

EmeraldPLUS experiences will take you deeper into the local culture. You'll enjoy exclusive social events with the locals, tours of significant landmarks, as well as special on board performances and workshops, and much more.

Included Excursions

Each marvellous itinerary features included excursions and experiences designed to showcase the best of the city or town. Hand-selected by Emerald Cruises & Tours Journey Designers, these shore excursions are led daily by expert local guides providing meaningful insight and authentic experiences in thoughtfully sized groups. Explore vibrant cities and medieval towns, visit World-Heritage listed landmarks and ancient ruins, and be awed by towering cathedrals and riverside vineyards.

DiscoverMORE

Delve deeper and DiscoverMORE

Every aspect of our river cruise DiscoverMORE programme is designed to bring you closer to the heart of local life, discovering hidden gems and rare insights that go beyond ordinary travel encounters.

For those who want to experience even more of each destination, DiscoverMORE provides in-depth excursions and experiences which complement those provided by our EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE programmes. These optional events can either be booked before you go or while you’re on board and are available at an additional cost.

Each one of our cruise itineraries features complimentary experiences in a wealth of destinations, from UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites to insightful walking tours.

Additional to these included experiences, our extra-special collection of DiscoverMORE excursions enable you to explore each location at a deeper level, offering a unique insight into the region and immersing you in local life.

We advise you to book before you travel to secure your place on your chosen excursion or confirm your choice with your tour manager on the day of embarkation. 

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Health & Fitness

Emerald Serenity Pool

Wellness Area

Fitness Area

Hairdressers

Walking Track

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Kids & Teens

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Useful Information

Disabled Facilities

Wheelchair & Mobility Access

We welcome passengers with medical conditions or disabilities and can provide mobility provision when notified in writing prior to boarding.

However, please be aware that there may be limitations on board and during excursions.

In addition, standard suites and bathrooms have significant thresholds and cabin doors which limit access, meaning they may not be wide enough to allow access to many wheelchairs. Please speak to a member of our team about your requirements prior to booking.

Lifts

Lifts are present on each of the Emerald Cruises Star-Ships in Europe and service three of the four decks. Only the top deck, which is the Sun Deck, is not serviced, meaning access to the Sun Deck is restricted to the stairs.

Age Restriction

Passengers under the age of 18 years (as of the Journey Departure Date) must be accompanied by an adult and share their accommodation with an adult.

Children under the age of 12 years are not encouraged (with the exception of Christmas Journeys and Cruises) and are accepted or rejected at Our sole discretion.

Wifi & Internet Access

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available on board all Emerald Cruises Star-Ships and luxury yachts throughout the public spaces, cabins, and suites.

Please note, Wi-Fi connection strength and speed may change as the vessel moves.

Special Dietary Requirements

We endeavour to cater for all dietary requirements. We ask that you inform us of any requirements at the time of booking.

Vegan Options

While we do not offer separate menus, every dish is clearly marked, with suitable options to suit requirements at every meal.

You can make dietary requests at the time of your booking, which are then reviewed. Personalised menus are also available.

Certified vegan wines are also available on board each of our cruises; one white and one red. If you like, you can request something special at the time of booking so that it can be sourced before your cruise.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is not permitted in the cabins or any indoor section of any vessel in the Emerald Cruises fleet.

There are areas on the external decks where smoking is permitted.

Alcohol Policy

We have no problem with guests purchasing alcohol for consumption in their rooms. However, we do ask that personal drinks are not consumed in the communal areas of our Star-Ships and luxury yachts.

Laundry Facilities

Guests on board our Star-Ships staying in the Owner's One-bedroom Suite and Riverview Suite can have up to four items laundered per day.

Emerald Grand Balcony Suite guests can have two items per day laundered.

Guests on board our luxury yachts staying in the Terrace Suites and Yacht Suites can have two items laundered per day.

Owner’s One-bedroom Suite guests can have up to four items laundered per day.

Guests in all other suites and cabins can request laundry services for an additional fee.

LGBT Friendly

All our cruises are LGBT friendly. A selection of our destinations are famed for their LGBT-friendly atmosphere, including Amsterdam, Antwerp, Vienna, Cologne, Prague, and Budapest.

Baggage Allowance

Each guest is entitled to one piece of checked (hold) baggage, and the total sum of its length, width, and height must not exceed 160cm (62 inches) and the weight must not exceed 20kg (44lbs).

Additional baggage may be permitted but this will be at the cost of the guest.

Packing Tips

We recommend casual and comfortable clothing. For sightseeing and walking tours, you’ll need comfortable shoes. For the winter months, you may need warmer clothing.

Dinner is informal, but on certain evenings such as the Welcome and Farewell Dinners, you may prefer to dress up a little.

Drinks Packages

A selection of drinks packages is available on board, with our most popular option being the Premium Drinks Package. Please contact us for more details.

Language

The language on board is English. All staff, crew, and tour guides speak English, and all announcements and lectures will be made in English.

Payment Methods

Which currency should I bring on board?

The on board currency will depend on your ship:

• Europe River Cruising: Emerald Cruises Star-Ships accept Euro.
• Asia River Cruising: Emerald Harmony accepts US Dollars.
• Emerald Cruises Luxury Yachts: Accept US Dollars.

Additionally, a small amount of exchangeable currency for each destination is kept on board.

What payment methods do you accept?

You can pay for your cruise using MasterCard, Maestro, and Visa.

Please note, some promotions require specific payment methods. Please refer to the terms and conditions for each individual promotion.

Can I exchange currency on board?

The ship’s reception stocks a small amount of exchangeable local currency for each country you’ll visit.

If you’re sailing in Europe, it’s widely accepted that most European destinations we visit will accept Euros (€), even if the local currency differs.

Health & Safety

Once you have boarded your Star-Ship or luxury yacht, the on board crew will conduct a safety briefing for all guests. This will detail the relevant safety procedures, and what you should do in the event of an emergency.

All of our Star-Ships and luxury yachts are equipped with safety equipment to ensure the safety of our guests, including sprinkler systems and life-saving equipment.

Solo Travellers

Our warm and welcoming atmosphere is perfect for first-time and seasoned solo travellers alike, with included guided group excursions at each destination and evening dinners inviting conversation with like-minded guests.

Most of our Emerald Cruises Star-Ships have single occupancy staterooms.

A single-traveller supplement fee may apply if you chose to sail on a Star-Ship or luxury yacht with no single occupancy accommodation available.

Explore our solo traveller offers here.

Excursion Information

In addition to your included excursions, EmeraldPLUS experiences, and EmeraldACTIVE activities, we offer a selection of optional DiscoverMORE excursions for both river and yacht, which are available at an additional cost and can be booked on board or through our reservations team.

An experienced shore excursion manager accompanies every journey. The cruise director is responsible for ensuring the entire cruise runs smoothly.