By
Rebecca Gibson |
Emerald Cruises is to launch a new 180-guest Star Ship named Emerald Astra, which will debut on the Rhine, Moselle and Danube rivers in 2026.
Boasting a name that translates as ‘Star’ in ancient Greek and Latin, Emerald Astra will be the seventh Star Ship and feature a grey-tinted glass exterior and a “sleek and contemporary” design that balances “both style and functionality”. The ship will offer amenities and venues that have proved popular on Emerald Cruises’ existing ships, including the combined pool/cinema area, several dining spaces and a sun deck.
Emerald Cruises also plans to make “comprehensive upgrades” and introduce luxury yacht-inspired elements onboard the ships in its Europe-based river cruise fleet ahead of the 2025 season. As part of this, it will introduce iPads in guest suites, as well as new Missoni textiles and yacht-inspired art across the ships.
Emerald Cruises will also update the layouts and furniture in the pool and cinema areas, the Reflections Restaurant and The Terrace onboard each vessel to improve guest comfort and dining experiences. It will also make “significant” upgrades to the back-of-house areas.
In addition, Emerald Cruises will redesign the Horizon Bar & Lounge venues on all Star Ships sailing on the Rhine-Main-Danube route, adding new furniture, bright accent colours and luxurious textiles. Emerald Radiance and Emerald Liberte will be refurbished to align with the new aesthetic across the fleet.
Emerald Astra will feature the popular Horizons Bar & Lounge, which will also be upgraded on Emerald Cruises' existing ships
The investment in both Emerald Astra and the fleet-wide enhancements follows a 32 per cent increase in river cruise trade bookings from 2023 to 2024.
“The introduction of Emerald Astra, alongside the fleet-wide upgrades, exemplifies our dedication to leading innovation in the industry,” said Glen Moroney, founder and chairman of Scenic Group. “By seamlessly blending the finest elements of river and yacht cruising, we ensure that every journey is extraordinary. These enhancements are designed with our guests in mind – creating refined spaces that encourage relaxation, connection and discovery – upholding our promise to continually elevate the standards of luxury river cruising.”