New European river cruise company, Emerald Waterways, will see eight- to 15-day itineraries launch on April 15 with fares starting at US$2 230 (R21 887) per person sharing.
As part of the Scenic Tours Group, Emerald Waterways will be handled by Cruise Vacations in South Africa for local reservations and sales.
Emerald Star and Emerald Sky each carry 182 guests in 20 staterooms (with two staterooms built for solo passengers) and 72 suites. Features include an on-board heated swimming pool with a retractable roof, which transforms into a movie theatre in the evenings; two restaurants and a new type of cabin design with an indoor balcony. There is also an on-board hairdresser, massage therapy room and fitness area.
All gratuities and port charges are included on all sailings.
Emerald Waterways also features EmeraldPLUS excursions on all its itineraries. These special experiences, which are included in the fare, go beyond the usual tourist attractions, such as glass-blowing demonstrations, a glass-topped canal cruise in Amsterdam, the Winzerexpress mini-train, and a night of dancing and entertainment at a local Czech tavern.
Emerald Waterways is offering four itineraries in 2014: Danube Delights, Classic Prague & Danube Delights, Magical Rhine & Moselle as well as Splendours of Europe.
“We are extremely excited about the addition of this stunning river cruise product to our product portfolio,” says gm of Cruise Vacations, Gaynor Neill.
“Emerald Waterways offer a stunning, fresh and contemporary approach to European river cruising, and at very affordable pricing. We are confident that the product will prove popular with both FIT passengers and also corporate and incentive markets.”
