Emerald Cruises (River)

PremiumSee how Emerald Cruises (River) describes itself vs how we list it

Official site Deck plans (CruiseDeckPlans.com) Agent portal: Emerald Travel Advisor Hub See where they sail

What to say on a call

Best for

First-time river cruisers wanting an all-inclusive fareGuests who want a suite-style balcony (Emerald's signature open-air/enclosed balcony)Couples/small groups wanting European river itineraries at a mid-luxury price pointGuests who also want Emerald's ocean yacht product under the same loyalty program

1Fares include all meals, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi, all gratuities (on board and onshore), port charges, airport transfers and an included excursion nearly every day (DiscoverMORE excursions cost extra).
2Emerald Star-Ships feature a signature indoor/outdoor balcony that opens at the touch of a button, plus EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE excursion options
3Scenic & Emerald Rewards is shared with sister brand Scenic, so points and status carry between the two brands

Payments & cancellations

Final payment

Per cruise line

90 days prior to departure

Full Fare (standard): deposit due within 48 hours of booking, final payment 90 days prior to departure. Discounted Select Fares: final payment 120 days prior. Preferred Fares: full payment 10 months prior (or within 30 days of booking if inside 10 months).

Deposit

Per cruise line

$500 pp, due within 48 hours of booking (non-refundable)

A deposit of USD 500 per person is due within 48 hours of booking, or the booking is cancelled automatically. Deposits are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to other journeys, except as required by law.

Cancellation penalties

Per cruise line

Over 90 days: loss of deposit; 89-60 days: 35%; 59-30 days: 50%; under 30 days: 100%

Per person, for European and Asian river cruises: over 90 days before departure, loss of the booking deposit; 89-60 days, 35% of the journey price; 59-30 days, 50%; under 30 days, 100%. Changing the departure date or a guest's name counts as a cancellation.

What's included on board

Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.

Guests per ship: Up to 180 guests (Europe Star-Ships)Per cruise line
Gratuities: Included (on board and onshore)Per cruise line
Beer & wine: Included with lunch and dinnerPer cruise line
Premium drinks: US$33.50 pp/day (Platinum package, 2026 Europe)Per cruise line
Wi-Fi: IncludedPer cruise line
Dining: Included (all meals on board)Per cruise line
Premium dining: N/APer cruise line
Included tours: Included (an excursion nearly every day, plus EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE)Per cruise line
Extra tours: DiscoverMORE optional excursions at extra costPer cruise line
Transfers: Included (airport transfers to and from the Star-Ship)Per cruise line
Air program: Available (air booked through Emerald Cruises / Scenic Group)Per cruise line
Pre/post land tours: Available (pre-/post-cruise city stays)Per cruise line

Accessibility & special needs

Open the cruise line's accessibility pageEmerald's FAQ has questions on Star-Ship and yacht mobility and wheelchair access, pregnancy, and how much mobility excursions need.

Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium

Loyalty program

Scenic & Emerald RewardsPer cruise line

1Gold — After completing a first Scenic or Emerald journey (1,000 bonus Status Points)
2Diamond — 15,000 Status Points
3Emerald — 30,000 Status Points
4Chairman's Club — 50,000 Status Points (invitation-only)

Guests may say

“Scenic & Emerald Rewards”, “EmeraldEXPLORER (old name)”

Points and tier status are shared across Emerald Cruises and Scenic (river, ocean/yacht, and Eclipse products) since both are Scenic Group brands.

Military & veterans

US military personnel, veterans and first responders get $150 per person off Emerald river and yacht sailings with proof of current or past service; US residents only.

Per cruise line

The page's body text also mentions families and offer code USFIRST; the offer terms cover only US military personnel, veterans and first responders. Proof type not specified.

How military rates work → Premium

Airport transfers

Emerald river itinerary pages list 'Airport transfers to and from your Emerald Star-Ship' among the included features.

Which ports: Varies by itinerary; see each itinerary's inclusions.

Per cruise line

What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.

Cruise family

Scenic Group

Scenic Eclipse (Scenic Luxury Ocean Cruises)Scenic (River)Emerald Yacht Cruises

Loyalty between brands: Scenic & Emerald Rewards (launched Feb 2026) is one shared program across Scenic and Emerald yacht, river, and land journeys, plus Mayflower.

Per cruise line

See the whole family →

Good to know

Complimentary bikes on board (Europe)
Per cruise line
About 10 free bikes with helmet and lock on each Star-Ship; book via the shore excursion manager or reception. Not on Emerald Harmony (Mekong).
Elevators do not reach the Sun Deck
Per cruise line
Europe Star-Ships' elevators serve three of four decks; the Sun Deck is stairs-only. Emerald Harmony has no elevator. Standard cabins have thresholds that may not fit wheelchairs.
Dress code
Per cruise line
Informal dinners; guests may dress up a little for Welcome and Farewell Dinners.
Top-suite perks: free mini-bar and laundry
Per cruise line
Owner's One-bedroom Suites and Riverview Suites (Radiance) get a daily-restocked complimentary mini-bar; on Star-Ships those suites also get up to four items laundered per day. Other cabins pay for laundry.
Single staterooms for solo travelers
Per cruise line
Dedicated Single Staterooms on select Star-Ships (Danube, Moselle, Rhine, Rhône); otherwise a single supplement may apply.
MyRewards: 1% back as booking credit
Per cruise line
Scenic & Emerald Rewards members earn 1% of eligible new booking value as a monetary reward for a future Scenic or Emerald booking (cannot be used for a deposit).

Fleet

Ships: 9 Emerald Star-Ships sailing in Europe, plus Emerald Harmony on the MekongPer cruise line
Newest ship: Emerald Astra (180 guests; sailing 2026 in Central Europe; first ship with complimentary guest laundry)Per cruise line
Sources differ
Emerald's Europe ships page gives two river lists for Emerald Astra: the heading says Rhine, Moselle and Danube; the ship card says Rhine, Main and Danube.Europe ships page
Ship classes: Star-Ships

Coming soon

All new ships

Emerald NovaJune 2027 · Douro Not yet on salePer cruise line
Emerald Lumi2027 · Seine (Paris) Now selling Per cruise line

Where they sail

RhineDanubeMoselleRhoneSaoneDouroMekong

Learn these regions

Danube River Rhine River Main River (Rhine tributary)Seine River Rhône & Saône Rivers Douro River Dordogne/Garonne/Gironde (Bordeaux)Mekong River

Last full review: 28 Sep 2026·Last updated: 26 Oct 2026

A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.

"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.

Something wrong or missing?

"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.

"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.