Emerald on the waves: The art of travel with Emerald Star
On the calm waters of the Danube, Rhine, or Main, the Emerald Star beautifully embodies the balance of refinement, comfort, and discovery. Launched in 2014, this Star-Ship by Emerald Waterways was designed for elegant and intimate cruising, with cabins, lounges, and decks opening onto stunning European landscapes. With a capacity of 180 passengers, the Emerald Star promises a cultural and refined journey, where each stop becomes poetry and unforgettable memories.
Living spaces & refined atmospheres
Cabins: Havens of light and peace
On the Emerald Star, the cabins combine contemporary design with warm touches. Whether you choose the Panorama Balcony Suite with its floor-to-ceiling windows that partially open, the Grand Balcony Suite with an outdoor balcony, or the Owner’s Suite with a separate lounge and spacious bedroom, comfort is everywhere. Elegant bathrooms, reliable Wi-Fi, modern televisions, and high-end amenities create a cozy environment where privacy blends seamlessly with well-being.
Lounges and restaurants: Elegance and conviviality
At the heart of the Emerald Star, the Horizon Bar & Lounge offers a refined and welcoming atmosphere, with soft lighting, comfortable chairs, and tasteful décor that invites elegant relaxation. The Reflections Restaurant, bathed in natural light from large panoramic windows, allows guests to enjoy delicate dishes with local and international flavors while admiring the enchanting river landscapes that slowly unfold.
Sun decks: Endless views and relaxation
On the Emerald Star, the Sun Deck becomes a true open-air haven. Walking paths, a lush garden, expansive sunlit terraces, and a BBQ area invite guests to enjoy every moment along the river. The heated pool, which can be transformed into an outdoor cinema, offers magical evenings where the starry sky, light displays, and the river’s calm combine to create an unforgettable experience.
Gastronomy and culinary delights on the Emerald Star
Local flavors and refined menus
On board the Emerald Star, the Reflections Restaurant offers fine cuisine that truly elevates the rich culinary traditions of the regions visited. Menus draw from local regions, blending fresh ingredients with time-honored traditional recipes, while thoughtfully chosen local wines gently complement each dish with grace. Between elegant creations and timeless classic specialties, each meal becomes a celebration of the senses, where food perfectly blends with the ever-flowing river scenery.
Gourmet rhythm of the journey
Days begin with a generous breakfast offering a wide variety of flavors, from classic continental dishes to local specialties. They continue with light lunches, sometimes served on the sunny terrace of the Sun Deck, and end with elegant dinners featuring changing menus. On board the Emerald Star, each culinary moment aligns with the stops and passing landscapes along the route, creating a rich cultural and gastronomic journey that delights every sense.
Bar and lounge: Shared moments
The Horizon Bar & Lounge on board the Emerald Star becomes a space for conviviality and elegant relaxation. In this bright area, colorful cocktails, afternoon teas, and local wines are paired with soft music and lively conversation. Passengers gather here after their excursions to share warm, joyful, and relaxed moments in an intimate, welcoming setting, where comfort and riverside elegance naturally come together.
Stops and unforgettable experiences
Cultural discoveries along the cities
Emerald Star cruises take travelers to capitals and iconic cities such as Vienna, Budapest, Cologne, and Passau. At each stop, majestic monuments, renowned museums, markets, and local traditions create a rich cultural kaleidoscope to explore at one’s own pace and leisure, offering memorable, immersive, and inspiring experiences. Guided excursions are offered to deepen the experience, while the freedom to stroll allows passengers to enjoy each city according to their own wishes.
Serenity and intimate moments on board
The Emerald Star also offers times of calm and relaxation. Sunrise meditation, quiet reading on the Sun Deck, silent contemplation of the passing landscapes, or a soothing moment in the heated pool invite passengers to slow down and savor the moment. These pauses become cherished memories of a calm journey, where the ship’s modern comforts blend harmoniously with the river’s tranquil rhythm.
Elegant evenings and subtle entertainment
In the evenings, the Emerald Star reveals its quiet charm through carefully curated activities. Intimate concerts, shows inspired by local traditions, friendly themed nights, and open-air film screenings in the retractable-roof cinema create a refined, relaxing, and memorable atmosphere for all passengers. Each form of entertainment respects the serenity of the journey while adding a festive and cultural touch to the river cruise experience.
Itineraries and horizons of the Emerald Star
River landscapes and legendary valleys
The Emerald Star sails along the iconic rivers of Europe, revealing medieval castles perched on hills, lush vineyards in neat rows, dense forests, and picturesque villages with colorful rooftops. Every bend of the Danube, Rhine, or Main unveils a romantic, ever-changing, and breathtaking scenery where nature and history intertwine. From the Baroque abbeys of the Wachau to the majestic gorges of the Rhine Valley, this panorama offers travelers an unforgettable spectacle.
Gourmet stops and artisanal discoveries
Along the Emerald Star’s itineraries, passengers explore the richness and diversity of local traditions and culture. In the bustling markets of Vienna or Cologne, regional flavors awaken the senses, while traditional cellars invite tasting of the famous wines of the Rhine or Wachau. Workshops by artisans, glassblowers, chocolatiers, or luthiers open their doors to visitors, sharing authentic craftsmanship, heritage, and unique, memorable experiences.
Magical moments between sky and river
Golden sunrise, blazing dusk, or starry night: the Emerald Star becomes a privileged observatory, suspended between sky and water. From the Sun Deck or the pool that converts into an open-air cinema, passengers watch horizons that gently change with the hours. Reflections of the sun, the quiet of the evenings, and the magic of a film under the stars make each cruise an unforgettable experience where time seems to stop in pure delight.
An horizon of elegance with Voyages Aqua Terra
Personalized guidance and tailored support
With Voyages Aqua Terra, each cruise on the Emerald Star becomes a carefully orchestrated and unforgettable experience. Our experts guide travelers in selecting cabins, from the bright Panorama Balcony Suites to the spacious Owner’s Suites, as well as in choosing itineraries and excursions. From the first contact to the return, this personalized support ensures complete peace of mind, with every stage of the journey reflecting natural elegance.
Exclusive benefits and delicate touches
Thanks to the partnership with Voyages Aqua Terra, passengers on the Emerald Star enjoy a range of rare and refined privileges. Elegant upgrades, welcome gifts, priority reservations for the Reflections Restaurant or Horizon Bar & Lounge, and even access to private events enhance daily life on board. These exclusive touches truly elevate the river cruise experience, adding a precious, intimate dimension where every detail becomes a mark of distinction.
Timeless memories and shared emotions
Each journey on the Emerald Star unfolds as a collection of rare moments, from the poetic landscapes of European valleys to stops rich in discoveries and warm encounters. With Voyages Aqua Terra, these moments gain special intensity, transforming into lasting memories. The combination of the ship’s elegance and the agency’s expertise offers travelers more than just a cruise: an experience defined by emotion, beauty, and the lasting impression of a truly unique journey.