By
Rebecca Gibson |
Travel industry veteran Joanie Ogg served as godmother to Emerald Waterways’ Emerald Star when she debuted in Vienna, Austria, on 15 October.
Voted ‘Travel Agent of the Year’ and inducted into the CLIA ‘Hall of Fame’, Ogg has received various travel awards and has also authored or co-authored several travel industry books. Ogg also serves as the principal of Joanie Ogg Marketing Group and operates TravelProfessionalCommunity, which has more than 12,600 travel professional participants.
“It is an honour for us to have such an accomplished industry leader as Joanie Ogg as godmother of the Emerald Star,” said Emerald Waterways founder and owner, Glen Moroney. “As someone who has dedicated her career to helping so many succeed in this industry, it is only fitting that she help welcome in the next generation of river ships.”
Emerald Star is the second of the line’s ‘Star Ships’ and offers the same features a sister Ship Emerald Sky, which was christened by British model, actress and singer Twiggy (Lesley Lawson) on 9 April in Amsterdam, Netherlands. A further two ‘Star Ships’ – Emerald Sun and Emerald Dawn – are currently under construction and are due for delivery in early 2015.
“The privilege of being asked to serve as the godmother of the Emerald Star is not mine alone, but belongs to the thousands and thousands of hard working cruise selling agents in the travel professional community whom I will have the joy of representing as I christen her and wish her safe passage,” said Ogg. “Emerald’s next generation of river cruising vessels offers a perfect step-up for travel agents cruise customers looking for a more immersive cultural experience.”
Each of Emerald Waterways’ four ships will feature 20 staterooms and 72 suites, including the Emerald Panorama Balcony Suites, which incorporate an open-air system and an indoor balcony with chairs and a decking area. The vessels also offer 315 sq ft Owners Suites with fully enclosed bedrooms, separate lounge areas and other amenities, as well as the 210 sq ft Grand Balcony Suites, which feature exterior balconies. All cabins offer an indoor balcony with a decked area and a new open-air system.
In addition the vessels will have two restaurants, a hair salon, a massage therapy room, a fitness area and a heated swimming pool with a retractable roof, and bar and gelati station. The pool area also transforms into a movie theatre in the evening.
All transfers, meals and beverages and shorex fares are included in the price of the cruise, while passengers can enjoy a range of inclusive shore excursions. They can also choose additional EmeraldPlus excursions, such as glass-blowing demonstrations, a glass-top canal cruise in Amsterdam and a trip on the Winzerexpress mini-train.