Unique Features

Unlike any other on Europe's waters, our ships boast a heated pool* complete with retractable roof and bar which cleverly transforms into a cinema in the evening.

Disabled Facilities

Emerald Cruises welcomes disabled guests but wishes all guests to understand that limitations could exist on-board and during shore excursions. The lifts on the ships service three out of four decks, with access to the Sun Deck only possible using stairs. Under appropriate circumstances guests are welcome to use collapsible wheelchairs on-board. Many tours are conducted from coaches,so guests need to be able to climb up and down the stairs to board. Some shore excursions may require movement over cobblestones or up and down stairs;accordingly, guests with limited mobility will require the services of a responsible companion to be travelling with them, since crew availability is limited. If you have any medical, physical or other special needs, please contact the travel advisors for further information and have a look at the deck plan to gain an understanding of the layout of any particular ship. On occasion they will be required to dock next to other ships, which may mean accessing the shore via the Sun Deck, requiring you to ascend and descend stairs.

Dress Code

The River Cruise Dress Code

If you are packing for an upcoming river cruise and struggling to determine the clothes which will make the suitcase cut, and which should be left in the bedroom cupboard, worry no more. Here, we have compiled everything you need to know about dressing for a river cruise, and even sought the help of two of our favourite cruise bloggers to offer their advice on how to dress to impress (and for comfort) during a wonderful journey atop the beautiful rivers of Europe.

Advised Dress Code on a River Cruise Holiday

Emerald Cruises operates a smart-casual dress code for evening meals and entertainment. A choice of open-neck shirts with slacks or dresses are appropriate for the elegant surroundings on-board the Emerald Waterways ships. These should be paired with smart shoes. Guests are welcome to wear jackets and ties but these are not compulsory.

On-Board Dress Code

Daywear on-board the Emerald Cruises ships is casual, but not too casual. This is, perhaps, best explained by actress and contributing editor of Cruise International magazine, Julie Peasgood: “The good news about dress codes on river cruises is that there generally isn’t one. ‘Formal’ certainly isn’t the name of the game on any river cruise - and many people find the more relaxed dress code a welcome relief. Smart casual is usually all that’s required, both in the day and the evening – the emphasis is definitely on feeling comfortable.

“You can, however, don your finery at the welcome dinner on-board, or at the Captain’s reception if you wish to. It’s always special to bring out your bling if that’s your style, but on river cruises that’s going to be cocktail frocks rather than full-length gowns. Swimwear isn’t ever encouraged in the dining room by the way, with sleeveless vests and restaurants never a comfortable pairing.”

On-Shore Dress Suggestions

With city visits and cultural excursions at the heart of the Emerald Cruises experience, we want our guests to make the very most of these opportunities, and that includes dressing for the occasion. Whilst exploring enchanting cities and regions of outstanding beauty, comfort is key so picking the right clothing is important.

A comfortable pair of walking shoes is an absolute must, whether you’re undertaking an EmeraldACTIVE hike or enjoying a relaxing tour around the canals of Amsterdam. Appropriate clothing for the destinations visited is recommended, and our on-board team can keep you updated with the weather expected for upcoming port calls. Waterproofs are highly recommended, so a potential downpour does not spoil any excursion or city visit.

Our good friend, Telegraph contributor and cruise writer extraordinaire, Jane Archer, echoes these sentiments: “By day, the important thing is to be comfortable. High heels are a bad idea for walking ashore as cobbled streets are ubiquitous in Europe’s towns and cities. Summers get hot so be prepared with shorts, light dresses and t-shirts, conversely autumn and winter are chilly so a warm coat, hat and gloves are a must.”

Additionally, our river cruise itineraries visit some of the most wonderful shopping destinations on the continent. Explore the delightful Mariahilfer Straße in Vienna, taking in the exciting boutiques hidden by the bigger department stores, or the famous Váci Street in Budapest, home to designer flagships galore.

Difference Between River and Ocean Cruise Dress Codes

Ocean cruise lines often follow the maxim that ‘bigger is better’, from the size of the vessels to the eye-watering buffet options available throughout the day. And this continues through to the dress codes, with many lines imposing strict rules about what their guests should and should not wear. Particularly on Captain’s Dinner and other formal nights, tuxedos and cocktail dresses are often the order of the day. Admittedly, some ocean cruisers are ditching the dress code altogether in a bid to bring more families on board, with shorts and vests becoming a regular sight at the dinner table.

River cruise dress codes tend to be placed comfortably in the middle of these two extremes, with the smart-casual suggestion pairing sophistication with comfort.

Age Restriction

Travellers who are less than 18 years old on the departure date must be accompanied by and share a cabin/room with an adult aged 18 or over. Children under the age of 12 years are not encouraged and are accepted or rejected at our sole discretion.

Wifi & Internet Access

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available on-board all the Emerald Cruises ships throughout the public spaces, cabins and suites.

Please note: Wi-Fi connection strength and speed may change as the vessel moves.

Special Dietary Requirements

Emerald Cruises endeavour to cater for all dietary requirements and requests. We ask that you inform us of any requirements or requests at the time of booking. This will give us chance to meet your requirements.

Vegetarian & Vegan Options

While we do not offer a separate vegan menu, all of our vegetarian dishes are clearly marked and there will be a vegetarian option available with every meal.

We do offer all of our guests the opportunity to make dietary requests at the time of booking. These are then reviewed and special arrangements can be made. Personalised menus are also available.

Certified vegan wines are also available on board each of our cruises, one white and one red. If you would like, then you can request something special at the time of booking so that it can be sourced for you before your cruise.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is not permitted in the cabins or any indoor parts of any of the ships in the Emerald Cruises fleet.

There are areas on the ships’ external decks where smoking is permitted.

What to Pack for a River Cruise

Essentials

With clothing and footwear wrapped up neatly in your suitcase, it’s time to consider those easy-to-forget essentials that you may or may not need during your river journey. Below, we recommend a list of personal items and electronics which you should pop in your case for a comfortable and hassle-free trip.

Personal Items

Medication
From prescribed medications (clearly labelled) to painkillers, allergy relief tablets and travel sickness pills, you shouldn’t leave home without packing those all-important medicines.

A backpack, satchel or travel bag
Remember to bring the charging lead for your phone, camera and other electronic items, as well as a travel adapter. All Emerald Cruises Star-Ships feature two-pin standard European sockets, so you’ll need an adapter plug.

Insect repellent
Depending on the time of year you travel, you may want to pack insect repellent to divert the attention of Europe’s creepy crawlies, including mosquitoes and midges.

Toiletries and cosmetics
While we provide a selection of complimentary toiletries, we understand there are some things you can’t live without – so don’t forget your washbag.

Travel documents
An obvious one, but easy to neglect; make sure to pack your passport, tickets, boarding passes and any other documents related to your trip.

Tech and handheld devices

A smartphone or tablet
While a river cruise is a chance to escape the realities of everyday life, a smartphone or tablet is useful for helping to plan and research the day’s activities, or help you navigate one of the continent’s bustling cities.

Device chargers and travel adapters
Remember to bring the charging lead for your phone, camera and other electronic items, as well as a travel adapter. All Emerald Cruises Star-Ships feature two-pin standard European sockets, so you’ll need an adapter plug.

A camera
From the Rhine Gorge to Buda Hill, the rivers of Europe boast some truly beautiful vistas, so pack a camera to document those special moments.

Headphones
Whether listening to music by the pool or tuning into coach tour commentary, a pair of headphones is a useful addition to your suitcase.

Extra memory cards
From the moment you set out, you’ll feel the impulse to capture your surroundings, so pack additional memory cards for your camera or smartphone to ensure you never miss a beat.

E-reader
There’s something wonderful about reading a book as the great spectacle of Europe floats by, so if you’re an avid reader, save space in your case with an E-reader.

“Take lots of guide books. You'll want to read more.” – Sarah Lucas

Alan Fairfax was kind enough to provide a handy checklist, compiling some little extras to make your first-time river cruise even more enjoyable.

• Don’t forget a lightweight plastic hooded rain mac for those unexpected showers.
• A small rucksack for your camera, binoculars, rain macs and other items when out on excursions is essential.
• Research the countries you’ll visit. Check their currency, especially if travelling the Danube. If you’re using cash, get it before you leave. If you choose to use a credit card, ensure there are no transaction charges. Emerald Cruises Star-Ships do hold a small amount of currency – please refer to the FAQ page for more information.
• Don’t forget your electrical plug adapters. All sockets on the ships are the two-pin variety.
• A phrase book is always handy, especially in the smaller, more provincial towns and villages.
• Check your mobile network provider for any overseas charges, and don’t forget chargers and cables.

What not to pack

We understand it’s the small touches and finer details which make your travel experience that much more special and care-free. That’s why our Star-Ships are kitted out with a range of carefully-considered amenities and inclusions, taking the stress out of packing for your upcoming Emerald Cruises river cruise.

Below, we list all the things you won’t need to pack for your European river journey.

• A hair dryer
• Towels
• Toiletries (we provide a selection of toiletries, but you may prefer to use your own)
• Hiking poles and umbrellas
• Bottled water for excursion days
• A travel iron (all ships offer a comprehensive laundry service, for a fee)
• Coat hangers
• Bathrobe and slippers

Laundry Facilities

Guests staying in the Owner’s One-bedroom Suite and Riverview Suite can have four pieces of clothing laundered, free of charge, per day. And guests staying in the Grand Balcony Suites are permitted two complimentary laundry items per day.

For guests in all other suites and cabins, laundry services are available on river cruise ships at an additional charge. There is no dry cleaning on river cruise ships.

Alcohol Policy

We have no problem with guests purchasing alcohol for consumption in their rooms. However, we do ask that personal drinks are not consumed in the communal areas of the ships.

Drinks Packages

A selection of drinks packages is available on board, our most popular being our Premium Drinks Package. Please contact us for more details.