- Launched
- 2014
- Gross tonnage
- ~2,850 GT
- Passengers
- 180 guests
- Crew
- 48
- Length
- 135 m
- Home port
- Amsterdam / Budapest
Emerald Star launched the brand in 2014 and established the Star-Ship template, including the aft pool under a retractable glass roof.
The pool is heated and enclosed, so it is usable from the April shoulder season through the Christmas market sailings.
Each evening a floor is winched over the water to convert the space into a cinema with bar service.
Panorama Balcony Suites use a drop-down window wall rather than a fixed French balcony, and two Owner's One-Bedroom Suites sit forward.
Dining is the Reflections main restaurant with the smaller Reflections Bistro aft, both included in the fare.
Highlights
Retractable-roof pool
A heated indoor pool usable across the full season.
Pool-to-cinema
The water is floored over each evening for a cinema with bar service.
Drop-down windows
Panorama Balcony Suites open the cabin front without losing floor space.
Accommodation
Cabin types and classes
Emerald stateroom
Lower-deck cabin of around 15 sq m with a fixed panoramic window and a full bathroom.
Panorama Balcony Suite
Around 17 to 19 sq m with a drop-down window wall that opens the cabin front without losing floor area.
Grand Balcony Suite
Around 28 sq m in a single room with the drop-down window, a large seating area and an upgraded bathroom.
Owner's One-Bedroom Suite
Around 28 sq m across two rooms with a full balcony, a separate bedroom and a dedicated attendant. Two per Star-Ship.
Solo and accessible cabins
Dedicated single staterooms on most European Star-Ships plus accessible cabins with level-access showers.
Food and drink
Dining options
Included in your fare
Reflections Restaurant
The main dining room, open seating, with regional menus and always-available alternatives.
Reflections Bistro
A smaller aft venue serving a set evening menu in a quieter setting, reservation required, no supplement.
The Terrace
Breakfast and lunch buffet plus made-to-order dishes beside the pool, with outdoor seating in warm weather.
Room service
Continental breakfast and light meals to the suite at no charge.
Speciality restaurants (charged)
EmeraldPLUS dining ashore
Included local dining experiences on selected itineraries — a Bavarian brewery lunch or a Douro quinta table.
Captain's gala dinner
A multi-course menu with sparkling wine once per itinerary, included.
Every venue on board is included in the fare — Reflections Bistro requires a booking but carries no cover charge.
Venue line-up reflects the Emerald River Cruises standard; the exact restaurants aboard Emerald Star vary with the ship's class and most recent refit.
On board
Entertainment
Pool and cinema
The heated aft pool under a retractable glass roof converts to a cinema each evening with bar service.
Live music
A resident pianist or duo in the Horizon Bar before and after dinner.
EmeraldACTIVE and wellness
Guided hikes and rides ashore, plus a small fitness area and sun-deck classes.
Local performers
Regional musicians, dancers or craftspeople brought aboard once per itinerary.
Bars
Drinks packages
Included with meals
Regional wine, beer and soft drinks poured at lunch and dinner.
Complimentary bar service
Tea, coffee, bottled water and soft drinks available throughout the day at no charge.
Emerald drinks package
All-day spirits, cocktails and premium wines, charged per person per day.
Swim-up pool bar
Operating in warm weather at the aft pool, charged outside the included meal service.
Ashore
Excursions
Daily excursions are included with a choice of classic sightseeing, EmeraldACTIVE cycling and hiking, and EmeraldPLUS cultural experiences. Gratuities for local guides are built into the fare.
Classic sightseeing
Guided walking or coach tours with a local guide and audio headsets.
EmeraldACTIVE
Cycling from the ship's own bicycles, guided hikes and canoeing where conditions allow.
EmeraldPLUS
Cultural experiences — private concerts, home visits, cookery demonstrations and market tours.
Optional premium excursions
Further-afield tours and specialist experiences, charged separately.
Value
What the fare includes — and what it doesn't
Included
- Daily excursions across classic, EmeraldACTIVE and EmeraldPLUS tracks
- All onboard meals including Reflections Bistro
- Regional wine and beer with lunch and dinner
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days
- Gratuities for local guides and drivers
- Wi-Fi, port charges and the pool and cinema
Not included
- Airfare unless booked as a package
- The all-day Emerald drinks package
- Optional premium excursions
- Onboard crew gratuities, which are charged per person per day
- Laundry outside the Owner's Suite grades
Connectivity
Wi-Fi at sea
Technology
Shore-based cellular aggregation
Included in the fare?
Included in the fare throughout the ship for all guests.
Standard Wi-Fi
Browsing, email, messaging and social media on multiple devices, included.
Streaming
Workable at urban moorings, unreliable in the Rhine Gorge, the Wachau and on the Mekong.
The Mekong and Douro ships have noticeably weaker coverage than the Rhine and Danube fleet.
Same class
Sister ships
Launched 2014
Emerald Sky
A Rhine Star-Ship with the class pool and cinema, Panorama Balcony Suites and included daily excursions.
Launched 2016
Emerald Sun
A lower-Danube Star-Ship running Budapest to the Iron Gates and the Danube Delta.
Launched 2015
Emerald Dawn
A Rhine, Main and Danube Star-Ship with the class pool, cinema and included excursion programme.
Launched 2022
Emerald Luna
The newest European Star-Ship — updated interiors and improved cabin technology on the proven platform.
Cruise line
Explore the brand
Emerald River Cruises
Engineering-led Star-Ships with indoor pools under retractable glass roofs — the contemporary, better-value sibling to Scenic.
Scenic Group (parent group)
The Australian-owned parent of Emerald Cruises and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, operating river Star-Ships, ocean yachts and discovery vessels.