Emerald Cruises said a new 180-passenger river ship is coming, as are enhancements to its existing fleet.
The ship will be named Emerald Astra and will be built to the standards of the line's Star-Ship vessels. The Astra will sail in Europe in 2026, plying the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.
The cruise line said Emerald Astra will mark the next evolution of its fleet. Designed to mirror the sleek elegance of Emerald's luxury superyachts, the Astra will feature a modern, gray-tinted glass exterior.
Emerald's fleet upgrades
The fleet upgrades are for the 2025 season and include:
• Horizon Bar & Lounge redesigns: Star-Ships on the Rhine-Main-Danube route, along with Emerald Radiance on the Douro and Emerald Liberte on the Rhone, will see new lounge furniture and upgraded décor to create a bright and sleek ambience.
• Pool/cinema and dining space: Key spaces, including the Reflections restaurant and The Terrace, will feature updated layouts and new furniture to improve the dining experience.
• Missoni textiles and art: Each ship will receive Missoni textiles and yacht-inspired art installations for a refined atmosphere across the fleet.
• In-suite technology: Guests can enjoy in-suite iPads to access their journey's itinerary.
Emerald Cruises, celebrating its 10th anniversary in
2024, currently has nine Star-Ships that navigate the rivers of Europe and the
Mekong in Southeast Asia.