About Us
Luxury River and Yacht Cruising.
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about usAustralian-Founded, Canadian Expertise
Emerald Cruises is part of the global Scenic Group—a renowned Australian-founded company with nearly 40 years of history redefining luxury travel—we are dedicated to blending exploration with elegance. Scenic Group’s prestigious brands include Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises, Mayflower Cruises & Tours, and Emerald Tours (formerly Evergreen Tours).
Scenic Group has also cultivated a strong presence in Canada, with our Canadian headquarters based in Vancouver, British Columbia. We proudly employ over 60 staff nationwide, including a dedicated Canadian Contact Centre that supports both travel advisors and guests. By combining global expertise with a strong local presence, we provide exceptional service tailored to the unique needs of Canadian travelers.
Award-Winning Emerald Cruises
Emerald Cruises, celebrating 10 years in 2024, offers unforgettable journeys on nine state-of-the-art Star-Ships along Europe’s rivers and the Mekong. Launched as Emerald Waterways in 2013, it builds on the legacy of sister brand Scenic, a pioneer in ultra-luxury river cruising since 2008.
Luxury River Cruising
Emerald Cruises’ extensive fleet of luxury Star-Ships are custom-built to sail Europe’s iconic Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube, Rhȏne, and Douro rivers, as well as the majestic Mekong River in Southeast Asia, with each vessel hosting a range of stylish innovations.
Luxury Yacht Cruising
In March 2022, our groundbreaking luxury yacht Emerald Azzurra welcomed her first guests, followed by her twin sister Emerald Sakara a year later. Designed to dock in the smaller ports of the Mediterranean, the Adriatic coast, the Caribbean, Central America, the Red Sea, and Seychelles, these intimate yachts provide unique access to extraordinary destinations that other vessels simply cannot achieve.
New Ships New Horizons
Emerald Cruises is proud to expand its fleet with three remarkable ships launching from 2026. Superyachts Emerald Kaia, Emerald Raiya and Emerald Xara, along with the custom-built river ship Emerald Lumi, will offer refined design and immersive itineraries. From the sun-drenched Seychelles to the heart of Normandy, guests will enjoy elevated experiences shaped by comfort, discovery and contemporary luxury.
Over 10 years of Emerald Cruises
Our journey began with the christening of Emerald Sky in Amsterdam, marking the start of our commitment to delivering exceptional river cruising experiences. Over the years, we have expanded our fleet and destinations, continuing to innovate and elevate the guest experience
April 2014 – Our first Star-Ship, Emerald Sky, is christened in Amsterdam, with global style icon Twiggy as her Godmother.
August 2014 – Emerald Star joins the fleet, expertly designed to navigate the Rhine, Main, Danube, and Moselle Rivers
August 2015 – A year later, we celebrate a double christening as Emerald Sun and Emerald Dawn join our European fleet.
April 2017 – Our growth continues with the introduction of our fifth, sixth, and seventh Star-Ships, alongside two new destinations along the Rhône, Saône, and Douro Rivers.
April 2019 – We become the first river cruise line to introduce Activity Managers on board our European Star-Ships.
September 2019 – We launch our first self-built Star-Ship, Emerald Harmony, sailing the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia
January 2020 – We announce the commencement of construction for our ninth Star-Ship, Emerald Luna.
March 2020 – Our groundbreaking luxury yacht, Emerald Azzurra, welcomes her first guests on board.
August 2023 – We launch our second luxury yacht, Emerald Sakara, nearly identical to her sister yacht. The twin yachts sail the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Caribbean, Seychelles, Indian Ocean, and the Red Sea.
April 2024 – Celebrating 10 years of cruising, we announce the next generation of superyachts with Emerald Kaia, set to launch in early 2026.
2026 - 2028 - We expand our fleet with three luxury yachts: Emerald Kaia, Raiya, and Xara, plus two new river ships: Emerald Astra and Lumi, bringing you even more destinations and experiences worldwide.
Cherish the Planet
Emerald Cruises' Cherish the Planet initiative is more than sustainability. It's a commitment to creating positive change, from sustainability practices to rich community partnerships. We aim to leave as small a footprint as possible.
Learn how Scenic Group is approaching sustainability within the fleet and how we travel with our latest 2024 Impact Report.
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