Emerald Waterways has launched two new ships— the
182-passenger Emerald Dawn and Emerald Sun. The vessels were inaugurated in a
dual christening ceremony in the Hungarian capital of Budapest last month.
Kelly Bergin, president of Oasis, a national affiliation of
independent travel consultants, served as the godmother of the Emerald Dawn.
Julie Kendrick, head of commercial and marketing at Midcounties Co-operative
Travel, an independent travel cooperative in the U.K., served as godmother of
the Emerald Sun.
The two river cruise ships each have 72 suites and 20
staterooms, including two cabins built for solo occupancy. The staterooms and
suites also feature a drop-down window that transforms into an open-air balcony
with the push of a button. Top-deck suites have a separate balcony with sliding
doors.
The ships also feature a heated swimming pool with a
retractable roof. The pool area transforms into a movie theater in the evening.
The two restaurants are Reflections (the main dining room) and the Terrace, which
serves breakfast and lunch. There's an onboard hairdresser, massage therapy
room and fitness area, as well.
Prices include all transfers to and from the ships; all
onboard (and some on-shore) meals; unlimited tea and coffee; wine, beer and
soft drinks with lunch and dinner; bottled water in the cabins; free use of
onboard bicycles; WiFi onboard the ship; most shore excursions; and all
gratuities.
Emerald Waterways is one of the newer lines to have come
onto the river cruise scene, having been launched by Australian company Scenic
as a four-star, all-inclusive river cruise company in 2014.
The Emerald Dawn and Emerald Sun bring Emerald Waterways’
European fleet to four ships. A fifth vessel, the Emerald Belle, is launching
in 2016.