Switzerland-based Emerald Cruises (formerly Emerald Waterways), a company of the Scenic Group of Australia, has taken delivery of a new river cruise ship built by Scheepswerf Den Breejen Shipyard in the Netherlands.
The Star-class ship Emerald Luna has an LOA of 135 metres, a beam of 11.45 metres, a moulded depth of 3.15 metres, a draught of 1.7 metres, a gross tonnage of 3,544, and capacity for 182 guests. The Swiss-flagged, four-deck newbuild is the ninth river ship in the Emerald Cruises fleet and will sail primarily on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers.
The ship has 92 single staterooms and suites for guests while another 30 cabins are allotted for the 51-strong crew. Some of the suites have balconies with push button-operated floor-to-ceiling windows. The owner's suites also feature minibars while all guest cabins have climate-controlled interiors and wi-fi connectivity.
Notable features include an innovative balcony design in most cabins, complete with decked areas and an open-air system. This allows guests to enjoy views of the outside surroundings regardless of weather conditions. There is also as an indoor heated swimming pool with retractable roof at the ship's aft. During nighttime, this pool area can be converted into a cinema, a feature common among the Star-class ships in the Emerald Cruises fleet.
Other facilities include a three-tier atrium, indoor and al fresco restaurants, bars, and designated wellness and entertainment areas such as a salon, a massage room, and a gym. The sun deck features a putting green, a walking track, a barbecue, and a games area.
Access between the various decks is by lift.
Emerald Luna has already begun serving seven- and 14-day itineraries covering the cities of Budapest, Basel, Regensburg, and Amsterdam along with Star-class sister vessels Emerald Dawn and Emerald Sun.
| Emerald Luna | |
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Type of vessel: | River cruise ship |
| Flag: | Switzerland |
| Owner: | Scenic Group, Australia |
| Operator: | Emerald Cruises, Switzerland |
| Builder: | Scheepswerf Den Breejen Shipyard, Netherlands |
| Length overall: | 135 metres |
| Beam: | 11.45 metres |
| Draught: | 1.7 metres |
| Depth: | 3.15 metres |
| Gross tonnage: | 3,544 |
| Accommodation: | 92 x guest staterooms; 30 x crew cabins; swimming pool/cinema; atrium; restaurants; bars; salon; gym; massage room |
| Crew: | 51 |
| Passengers: | 182 |
| Operational areas: | Rhine River; Main River; Danube River |