River Cruise Cover

Cruise with confidence, knowing your holiday is insured against unforeseen circumstances^.

What’s included in your river cruise cover?

We understand that you have invested a great deal into your Emerald Cruises holiday, and our river cruise guarantee is designed to give you peace of mind. Enjoy your time on board, safe in the knowledge that you’re covered in the event anything not considered typical or usual to river cruising occurs. On every Emerald Cruises European river cruise, you’ll be automatically covered from the start of your cruise for any delays or cancellations that occur due to unforeseen circumstances^. There's nothing extra to pay, as the cost is covered in the price of your cruise.

  • A complete halt to your itinerary, where your Star-Ship is unable to sail, and we are unable to deliver your onshore excursions except by way of coach rides of greater than 3 hours each way

  • Where we have the ability to accommodate you on another Emerald Cruises Star-Ship due to high/low water, but your itinerary is delayed by more than 24 hours

  • If there a mechanical breakdown occurs on board that results in your Star-Ship not being able to continue the cruise and there are no alternative ships available

  • If, due to industrial action, we are not able to pass through a lock and your cruise cannot continue

In these circumstances, depending on the level of your tour and the specific circumstances, you’ll be paid up to a maximum amount for each full 24-hour period from the start of the delay or cancellation up to a maximum of EUR €70 (or seven consecutive 24 hour periods) or the originally scheduled end date of your tour, whichever is the lesser.

YOUR INCLUDED RIVER CRUISE COVER


This may be enacted in the event of a deviation to compensate you for any changes to your itinerary.

Emerald Cruises is committed to open and transparent communication. Should information about potential issues be available prior to your departure we will notify you and allow you to make an informed decision about your travel plans.

Should the impact happen during your cruise, you will be notified by your cruise director on board that River Cruise Cover has been enacted. Once your cruise is complete, we will review the total number of days that were disrupted and provide you with a letter upon your return home with the amounts that can be claimed and details of the claims process.

What does an itinerary deviation look like, how could it impact my trip, and how might I be compensated?
A deviation can be a quick, minor inconvenience, a prolonged change or an extended disruption depending on the circumstances.

A minor disruption may include:
In the event that your Star-Ship cannot pass through a section of the river (due to water levels or a closed lock or river obstruction, for example), we use coaches to transfer you from your original Emerald Cruises Star-Ship to a new Star-Ship on the other side of the obstruction. These “ship swaps” are performed with the least impact possible, with your cruise director accompanying you onto the new ship with your belongings to ensure the remainder of your cruise is as enjoyable as possible. You will be accommodated in a suite of the same type and value; should this not be possible you will be compensated the difference in the value of the suites.

A prolonged disruption may include:
Using coach transfers to the included sightseeing locations, while continuing to be accommodated on your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. A prolonged disruption may also require us to continuously cruise without stopping for touring. Under the Emerald Cruises River Cruise Cover you will be compensated between €140- €175 per person per day of the disruption should we not be able to fulfil the sightseeing listed in the itinerary.

An extended disruption or major impact to your itinerary:
In the event of an extended disruption, accommodation off-ship will be in local hotels with all meals provided. To the best of our ability, we will ensure the hotels are of similar standard to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. Meals will be included, however, alcoholic drinks and amenities such as butler service, are not included. Cruising will be undertaken by coach. As we understand this experience will not be same as being on board the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, under the River Cruise Cover you will be compensated based on the suite category booked, between €175- €485 per person per day for up to seven days. Alternatively, a full refund for the remainder of the cruise may be available should you choose to disembark and end/finish your journey.

^Please note that Emerald Cruises is not liable for COVID-19 and other pandemic-related issues such as quarantines, delays, lockdowns, repatriation expenses, loss of touring, loss of inclusions, border closings, or location entry requirements or restrictions, etc.  We strongly recommend guests obtain travel insurance to cover such costs and risks, as well as any others resulting from Force Majeure Events.

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