Emerald Cruises’ newest Star-Ship, Emerald Luna, christened in Amsterdam
Emerald Cruises’ newest Star-Ship Emerald Luna, which will sail on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers in Europe, was christened during a ceremony in Amsterdam. In attendance for Scenic Group, parent company of Emerald Cruises, were Rob Voss, COO - Scenic Group; David Winterton, Global Director of Brand & Marketing; Maggie Carbonell, VP Marketing - Scenic Group USA; and Ann Chamberlin, VP Sales – Scenic Group USA; as well as Monic van der Heyden, Commercial Director, Cruise Port Amsterdam, Johan Kaasjager, Managing Director of the Den Breejen Shipyard, embarking guests, and local dignitaries. Award-winning US travel industry advocate and educator Vanessa McGovern took the honors as godmother during the official ceremony.
“It’s a true honor and a privilege to be named godmother to this magnificent river ship,” said Vanessa. “I’ve long admired Emerald Cruises’ commitment to working with travel advisors, and it’s with great pleasure that I welcome Emerald Luna to the fleet and wish her a safe passage.”
The Emerald Luna christening comes at a time of growth for the small ship cruise line – in May, Emerald Cruises welcomed its first ocean-going luxury yacht, Emerald Azzurra, to its fleet with a christening in Venice. A second luxury yacht, Emerald Sakara, is scheduled to debut in 2023.
“Emerald Cruises has seen significant growth in the past two years - to its fleet as well as to the scope of products the brand has to offer,” said Ann Chamberlin, VP Sales for Scenic Group USA. “The addition of Emerald Luna allows us to offer more sailings on some of our most popular river itineraries in Europe with all the signature Emerald Cruises touches that guests have come to love, from the pool that converts to a cinema to our sought-after EmeraldACTIVE programming. And having Vanessa McGovern, a passionate advocate for travel advisors, christen the ship as godmother is icing on the cake.”
The 180-guest Emerald Luna features the line’s innovative balcony design in most cabins, complete with decked area and an ingenious open-air system, as well as an indoor swimming pool with retractable roof and cinema on the ship’s aft. The ninth Star-Ship in the line’s fleet, she joins sister ships Emerald Sun, Sky, Star, Dawn and Destiny sailing the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers in Europe. Emerald Cruises’ river fleet also includes the 132-guest Emerald Liberté sailing the Rhône and Saône Rivers in France, 112-guest Emerald Radiance sailing the Douro River in Portugal, and 84-guest Emerald Harmony sailing the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Emerald Cruises offers a diverse lineup of river and yacht cruises on three continents. Emerald Azzurra, the line’s first ocean-going vessel which debuted in March 2022, is a 100-guest, luxury yacht sailing the warm waters of the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Red Seas, and new for the 2023/2024 season - the Caribbean & Central America. Emerald Sakara will be the brand’s second luxury yacht and launches in 2023. On the rivers, Emerald Cruises sails eight branded Star-Ships in Europe and one on the Mekong. The brand offers contemporary deluxe ships, outstanding service and a focus on active shore excursions and onboard wellness offerings through their signature EmeraldACTIVE program. Emerald Cruises is part of Scenic Group, which includes Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Mayflower Cruises & Tours and Evergreen Tours in Australia.
