Emerald Waterways Launches Its Second 'Star Ship,' Emerald Star

Europe's Newest River Cruise Line Sets High Standards for Service and Design

Boston, MA/Vancouver, BC, May 2014 – Emerald Waterways, Europe's newest river cruise company, has launched its second ship of the 2014 season. May 24 marks the inaugural sailing of the 'Star Ship' Emerald Star, a sister ship to Emerald Sky, which was launched in April with the assistance of British style icon Twiggy, who served as godmother. With more amenities and state-of-the-art features than what is offered by other lines, these innovative 'Star Ships' are making heads turn and will sets a new standard for river ship designs. A new interactive 360-degree ship tour can be enjoyed on the company's website, www.emeraldwaterways.com. Complete itinerary and ship details are also available on the site and in the 2015 brochure, available upon request.

The Emerald Star carries 182 guests in 72 suites and 20 staterooms, including two specifically built for solo occupancy. Items unique to these ships and the industry include an onboard heated swimming pool with a retractable roof, which transforms into a cinema in the evening complete with bar and popcorn; two restaurants – Reflections, the main dining room, and The Terrace, which serves light breakfast and lunch; and an onboard hairdresser, massage therapy room and fitness area.

This 'Star Ships' offer a new innovative cabin design that replaces the run-of-the-mill French balcony, common to most ships: all suites have floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, and at the touch of a button the top section lowers to form an open-air balcony, complete with decked area. The top of the range Owner's One Bedroom Suites and Grand Balcony Suites feature full outside balconies and a host of luxurious treats like a Nespresso machine, in-suite service with pre-dinner canapés and more.

Strong value continues with the fare inclusions: all transfers to and from the ships; all onboard (and some on-shore) meals; unlimited tea and coffee; wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; bottled water in the cabins; continental breakfast, pre-dinner canapés and after-dinner sweet treats served in the top suites; WiFi onboard the ship; at least one included shore excursion almost every cruise day; visits to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites; and more – including all gratuities.

Emerald Waterways is offering six itineraries in 2014, ranging from the eight-day, Nuremberg-to-Budapest “Danube Delights,” to the 11-day “Classic Prague & Danube Delights” that adds three days in beautiful and historic Prague to the eight-day Nuremberg to Budapest sailing, to a celebration of the Christmas holidays with a 15-day “Christmas Markets of Europe” tour.

In 2015, Emerald Waterways will launch two more 'Star-Ships' – Emerald Sun and Emerald Dawn – and add additional routes, including an 11-day French sailing between Lyon and Arles; a 10-day Eastern Europe itinerary that takes in Bucharest; and an eight-day Netherlands and Belgium exploration. For those booking well in advance, a US/CAN$500-per-person discount is being offered on sailings of 12 or more days and a US/CAN$250-per-person savings offer is available on itineraries of eight to 11 days.

As part of the Scenic Tours Group, Emerald Waterways is backed by the award-winning expertise of the world's leading luxury river cruise operator, Scenic Cruises. Additional information can be found by contacting your travel agent or on Emerald Waterways' website, www.emeraldwaterways.com; US consumer/travel agent reservations line: 855-222-3214; Canada consumer reservations line: 855-444-0161; Canada travel agent reservations line: 855-265-2899. Brochure orders may be placed on the website, or a digital downloadable version is available.

Note: A selection of images of the new ships is available via this link: Emerald Waterways Photos

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Gillies and Zaiser
10 Nytko Drive
Pomona, NY 10970-2646
EW-07-May 2014