EMERALD SAILS ONLINE

Emerald Waterways has cruised on to the web with its new site — http://www.EmeraldWaterways.com — and turned on its reservation lines — agents can call 1-888-778-6689 — as it gears up for its inaugural season sailing Europe’s waterways beginning in April 2014. The new river cruise company will feature eight- to 15-day sailings with fares that start at $2,255 and to celebrate its launch, it’s offering up to $500 p.p. savings in airfare costs when Emerald Waterways books the flight and the cruise is booked by Oct. 31.

Cruises are aimed at both experienced travellers and the younger demographic looking value and great pricing in a near all-inclusive format. Emerald is the first new European river cruise company to set sail in more than six years and its new ships will offer such amenities as a heated swimming pool, a movie theatre, two restaurants and a new type of cabin design that replaces the run-of-the-mill French Balcony, common to most ships, with an indoor balcony complete with decked area and an ingenious open-air system. Also available are onboard hairdresser, massage therapy room and a fitness area.

Emerald Star and Emerald Sky will each carry 182 guests in 72 suites and 20 staterooms, including two built for solo occupancy. Emerald Waterways is part of the Scenic Tours Group and its digital brochures are now available. Brochure orders may be placed on the web site with delivery expected later this month; a digital downloadable brochure version is expected to be available from the web site by the second week of September.