Reuben's Retreat

Emerald Cruises are proud to support Reuben's Retreat

Here at Emerald Cruises, we proudly support Reuben’s Retreat, a charity dedicated to supporting families and children living with life-limiting or life-threatening illness, by providing them with help and assistance through a wide and varied range of services.

Working holistically, the retreat offers an outstanding selection of support and services catering for the individual specifically, to ensure the care they receive is relevant to their needs. From person-centred counselling, well-being treatments and therapies, to activity days, short breaks and support groups, their work nationwide means access to care is always available.

Having celebrated their fifth anniversary in April 2017, their next big challenge is to begin fundraising for a hydrotherapy pool and changing suite to introduce a physical therapy resource for children with complex requirements, with the hope that one day they will be able to expand their state-of-the-art day-care area into a sensory music, arts and crafts zone.

This wonderful charity not only offers children the opportunity for effective therapy to help them cope with the side effects of their illness, but also gives parents the respite, so that they can recharge their batteries and meet other families in similar positions, safe in the knowledge that their loved one is being cared for appropriately.

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

One of the things Emerald Cruises guests love about travelling with us is the relaxed dress code. We’re not strict about what you wear, only that you bring clothes that will help you enjoy the great cultural tapestry of Europe in complete ease and comfort.

Below, we list our recommendations for the clothing you should bring for an eight-day European river cruise, both for days and evenings. We’ve tried to be as comprehensive as possible, taking into account different clothing for the time of year.

During the day, your everyday clothing should do the trick, so no need to splash out on a new wardrobe. Our good friend, the travel writer and cruise expert, Alan Fairfax, says: “Think chinos and sports shirts, while ladies - the choice is yours.”

• A choice of t-shirts, tops or casual shirts that are comfortable for day-long wear. In the colder months, these can be worn as a base layer.
• A couple of warm sweaters, sweatshirts or knitted tops. Even in spring and summer evenings can be chilly, so make sure you have something warm to pull on – particularly when you’re away from the ship.
• A few pairs of trousers, jeans or chinos (we’d recommend around three for an eight-day cruise). Of course, if the forecast looks warm, bring a couple of pairs of comfortable shorts, too.
• A light weather-proof jacket, rising to a good winter coat in the colder months. Even the summer months can’t guarantee dry weather, so don’t get caught without a rain and wind-proof jacket.
• A good pair of walking shoes. The cobblestones of Europe can be tough on feet, so make sure you bring a pair of comfortable, thick-soled walking shoes for comfortable daily wear.
• Swimwear. With Emerald Star-Ships boasting a pool, be sure to pack your swimwear to enjoy a leisurely dip as your ship floats to its next destination.
• Hats, gloves and a scarf – for those chilly winter days on the river.
• Sunglasses and sun hat.

During evening meals, smartening up is a nice touch, but there’s no need to bring your tuxedo; open-neck shirts, trousers and dresses complement our luxury surroundings just fine.

• A selection of long-sleeved, open-neck shirts for gents, and a couple of casual evening dresses for ladies. There’s no need be overly formal – think smart casual comfort.
• A couple of pairs of chinos, smart jeans or trousers. These can be the same as the ones worn during the day, paired with an open-neck shirt, for instance.
• A blazer or smart jacket. Though not necessary, it’s nice to dress up for the Captain’s Welcome dinner or evenings spent onshore – but there’s no need to bring a tie.
• A comfortable pair of smart shoes. While you’re free to wear the same pair as during the day, there’s a chance they could get dirty, so it’s good to have a reserve for the evenings.

Age Restriction

Travellers who are less than 21 years old on the departure date must be accompanied by and share a cabin/room with an adult aged 21 or over. Children under 12 years of age are not accepted. This is a condition of carriers and cruise operators.

Tipping

Completely removing the risk of an awkward silence at the end of a delectable meal, or upon receipt of a bottle of crisp champagne to your suite; Emerald Cruises have already taken care of on-board tipping.

The last thing you want at the end of an amazing holiday is to be presented with additional and unexpected charges. This can leave a sour taste in your mouth and a dent in your spending money. When you travel with Emerald Cruises, you don’t have to worry about any unwanted surprises because we include all tips.

By including all tipping in the price of your cruise, which can add up to £440 per couple on a 15-day journey, we ensure that you don’t get hit with any shock expenses. It’s also a great way to guarantee that our hardworking servers receive the gratuities they deserve. What’s more, all the other little things like port charges, airport taxes and transfer costs are also taken care of, so all you have to worry about is enjoying the journey of a lifetime.

Paired with the complimentary dining options, free drinks with meals and all-inclusive services; you’ll seldom need your wallet or money clip whilst on-board an Emerald Cruises river cruise. Your days on-board can be spent enjoying the views and uncompromised services, rather than budgeting, scrimping and saving.

So whether you’re exploring the capital cities dotted along the Danube or navigating the mighty Rhine, you can rest assured that tips and gratuities have already been taken care of. You’re free to spend each day on-board an Emerald Cruises river cruise enjoying the attentive service of our experienced team, the wonderful amenities and luxurious settings as the ship meanders through one of Europe’s beautiful rivers.

Wi-Fi

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.

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.

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.

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.

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