Low Prices On All Emerald River Cruises

Emerald Cruises offers a dining experience that balances elegance with a relaxed, social atmosphere. Since their ships are smaller Star-Ships, the dining is more intimate than a typical ocean liner, focusing on regional flavors inspired by the rivers you’re sailing.

Where You’ll Eat

• Reflections Restaurant: This is the main dining room. It features floor-to-ceiling windows so you don’t miss the scenery. It operates with open seating, meaning you can choose your table and dining companions each night.
• The Terrace: Located at the bow (front) of the ship, this is an al fresco area perfect for a casual breakfast or light lunch when the weather is nice.
• Horizon Bar & Lounge: While primarily for drinks, this area often hosts Early Bird breakfasts and light late-night snacks.

Daily Meal Schedule

While times can shift slightly based on your daily excursions, the general window is:

• Breakfast (7:00 – 9:00 AM): A mix of a hot and cold buffet plus made-to-order stations for eggs and omelets.
• Lunch (12:00 – 2:00 PM): Typically, a themed buffet with a wide variety of salads, soups, and hot entrees, plus a dessert station.
• Dinner (7:00 – 9:00 PM): A multi-course, à la carte affair. The menu changes daily to reflect the region (e.g., German Schnitzel while on the Rhine).

What’s Included?

Emerald is known for being value-inclusive. Your cruise fare covers:

• All meals on board.
• Complimentary drinks: Unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner.
• 24/7 Stations: Self-service tea and coffee stations are available around the clock.
• Bottled Water: Replenished daily in your cabin.

If you want cocktails or spirits outside of meal times, you’ll need to pay per drink or upgrade to a Platinum Drinks Package (approx. $33–$35 per person, per day).

Dress Code

The vibe is Smart Casual. Daytime: Totally casual—shorts and t-shirts are fine for breakfast and lunch.

• Dinner: Most guests freshen up with slacks and a collared shirt for men, or dress/nice trousers for women.
• Formal Nights: There are no formal nights. Even for the Captain’s Welcome or Farewell dinners, a suit or evening gown is never required; a slightly dressier version of smart casual is the norm.

Dietary Requirements

Emerald is generally excellent with food sensitivities. However, you must notify them at the time of booking. Once on board, the Maître d’ will usually meet with you to discuss the daily menus. They readily provide:

• Vegetarian and Vegan options (always available on the menu).
• Gluten-free and Dairy-free alternatives.
• Low-sodium or diabetic-friendly choices upon request.

Like many cruise lines, Emerald Cruises maintains a policy that allows them to pass on significant increases in operating costs to the traveler.

The Paid in Full Protection

The most critical part of Emerald’s policy is your payment status.

• If you have paid in full: Emerald generally guarantees your price. According to their terms, if they have received the full amount of the Tour Price from you, they will not increase your price, even if fuel costs surge.
• If you have only paid a deposit: Emerald reserves the right to vary the tour price at their absolute discretion to account for increases in fuel, airfares, or taxes. Any increase will only be to the extent required to cover those additional costs.

Typical Surcharge Thresholds

While specific daily amounts can vary by year, cruise lines (including Emerald’s parent company, Scenic Group) typically trigger these surcharges based on the price of oil:

• The Trigger: Usually, if the price of Light Sweet Crude on the NYMEX exceeds a certain threshold (historically around $50–$65 per barrel), the line reserves the right to implement the fee.
• Estimated Cost: If a surcharge is applied, it typically ranges from $9 to $12 per person, per day. For a standard 7-night cruise, this could add roughly $63–$84 to your final bill.

Booking Deposit

• At the time of booking, a deposit is required to secure your Emerald Cruises vacation. River cruises aboard Emerald Cruises ships require a minimum deposit of $500 per person. Cruises operated on third-party vessels and Emerald yacht cruises require a deposit of $750 per person.
• Your reservation will be automatically canceled if the required deposit is not received by Emerald Cruises by the stated due date. All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable, unless otherwise specified in the booking terms and conditions.

Final Payment

The remaining balance of your tour price must be paid in full no later than 90 days prior to departure for river cruises and 120 days prior to departure for yacht cruises. Failure to submit final payment by the required deadline will result in cancellation of your booking and forfeiture of the deposit.

Bookings Made Close to Departure

For river cruises booked within 90 days of departure and yacht cruises booked within 120 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking. If Emerald Cruises is unable to fully confirm your reservation, all amounts paid will be refunded, and no further obligation or liability will apply.

Late Booking Fee

A late booking fee of $50 per booking applies to all reservations made within 21 days of the tour departure date.

Booking Changes and Administration Fees

An administration fee of $50 is charged for each change made to an existing booking. Requests to change the tour departure date are treated as cancellations and are subject to applicable cancellation fees. All booking change requests are subject to approval at Emerald Cruises’ discretion.

• Cancellation Policy for Yacht Cruises, Third-Party Ships, and Russia Tours
  For yacht cruises, cruises operated on third-party vessels, and tours in Russia, the following cancellation charges apply per person based on the number of days prior to tour commencement:
• Cancellations made 120 days or more before departure result in the loss of the tour deposit.
• Cancellations made between 119 and 91 days before departure incur a charge of 25% of the total tour price.
• Cancellations made between 90 and 61 days before departure incur a charge of 50% of the total tour price.
  Cancellations made 60 days or fewer before departure result in a charge of 100% of the tour price.

Emerald Cruises maintains a very strict smoking policy to ensure the comfort of all guests. Because the Star-Ships are designed with many enclosed and communal spaces, smoking is highly restricted.

The No-Go Zones (Strictly Prohibited)

Smoking is strictly prohibited in the following areas:

• All Cabins & Suites: This includes all indoor living spaces.
• Private Balconies/Verandas: You cannot smoke on your private balcony, even if it is an Indoor Balcony (the drop-down glass window style).
• All Indoor Public Areas: This includes the Reflections Restaurant, the Horizon Lounge, the fitness center, and the corridors.
• Near Food Venues: Smoking is generally banned in any outdoor area where food is being served (like the Terrace during lunch).

Designated Smoking Areas

Smoking is only permitted in specifically marked areas on the external Sun Deck (the top deck of the ship).

• These areas are usually located toward the rear (aft) of the ship to ensure smoke doesn’t blow back toward other passengers.
• Signage and ashtrays will clearly identify these zones.
• Vaping & E-Cigarettes: Emerald treats electronic cigarettes and vaping devices exactly like traditional tobacco. They are only allowed in the designated outdoor smoking zones.

Important Rules to Remember

• Fines: If smoke is detected in your cabin or if you are caught smoking on your balcony, you will be assessed a significant deep-cleaning fee (typically around $250–$500) charged to your onboard account.
• Safety First: Throwing cigarette butts or ash overboard is a major safety violation (due to fire hazards and environmental regulations) and can result in immediate disembarkation from the ship.
• Port Restrictions: In certain ports or while the ship is refueling, smoking may be temporarily prohibited in all areas of the ship, including the outdoor decks. The crew will announce these blackout periods over the PA system.

Emerald Cruises offers a two-tier protection system.

Flexible Booking Plan

This is a lower-cost option (typically around $125 per person) designed for those who may need to change their dates rather than cancel entirely.

• What it does: Allows you to defer your cruise or cancel up to your Final Payment Date (usually 100–120 days before sailing).
• The Result: You receive a Future Travel Credit (FTC) for the amount paid, minus third-party fees (like airfare). This credit is usually valid for 24 months.
• Limitation: It does not provide a cash refund. If you cancel after the final payment date, standard cancellation penalties apply.

Platinum Protection Plan (PPP)

This is a more comprehensive plan (typically $395–$595 per person) that provides a safety net for medical and personal emergencies. It must be purchased at the time of your initial deposit.

• 100% Refund: If you cancel 31 days or more before departure for a Prescribed Reason (e.g., medical emergency, house fire, or redundancy), you get a 100% refund of your cruise fare.
• 70% Refund: If you cancel between 15 and 30 days before departure for a Prescribed Reason.
• Non-Medical Cancellation: If you cancel for a reason not on their list (like simple cold feet), they will usually issue a Future Travel Credit rather than cash.

River Cruise Cover (Included)

Unlike many other lines, Emerald includes a built-in River Cruise Cover at no extra cost. This specifically protects you against itinerary deviations caused by the river itself (high/low water levels or mechanical breakdown).

• Minor Disruptions: If you have to swap ships or take a short bus ride, they may offer small daily credits (approx. €70).
• Major Disruptions: If you have to stay in hotels instead of the ship or miss significant sightseeing, they may compensate you between €175 and €485 per day, depending on your suite category.

One of the standout features of Emerald Cruises is their all-inclusive tipping policy. Unlike many other cruise lines that add a daily service charge to your final bill, Emerald includes almost all gratuities in the initial price of your cruise.

What is Included?

• Onboard Crew: This includes your cabin stewards, waitstaff in the dining rooms, and the bar team.
• Shore Excursion Guides: The local experts who lead your daily tours and walking explorations.
• Drivers: The bus and coach drivers who transport you to and from excursions.
• Port Charges & Taxes: Often considered hidden fees, these are also pre-paid by Emerald.

What is NOT Included?

While the cruise is largely tip-free, there are a few exceptions where you might still reach for your wallet:

• Independent Services: If you wander off on your own and hire a local taxi or eat at a restaurant not affiliated with the tour, tipping is at your discretion (usually 10% in Europe).
• Exceptional Service: While never expected, if a particular crew member goes significantly above and beyond, some guests choose to leave a small additional cash tip at the end of the cruise, but there is absolutely no pressure to do so.
• Hair Salon/Spa Services: If your ship has a wellness area, a tip for the therapist or stylist is typically not included and is usually handled via a line on the receipt (standard 10–15%).

Regional Differences

• Europe (Rhine, Danube, Douro, etc.): The all-inclusive rule is strictly followed. You do not need to worry about tipping for any standard part of the journey.
• Southeast Asia (Mekong): Even on the Mekong, Emerald typically includes onboard and onshore gratuities. However, in these regions, small extra tips for local porters or helpers outside the official tour are common cultural practices (usually $1–$2 USD).

• Modern river ships with contemporary design
• Generous inclusions and strong overall value
• Included shore excursions in every port
• Relaxed, adults-focused atmosphere
• Scenic cruising through Europe and Asia’s most iconic rivers
• Wellness, active excursions, and cultural enrichment

Are shore excursions included?
Yes, a variety of guided excursions are included.

Are drinks included?
Yes, with lunch and dinner.

Is Wi-Fi available?
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available, subject to location.

Dress code?
Casual by day, smart-casual in the evening.

Suitable for solo travelers?
Yes, with occasional reduced single supplements.