Tuesday marks the official merge of Emerald Waterways and Emerald Yacht Cruises under a single global brand, Emerald Cruises.
The Emerald Cruises brand will feature river and yacht cruising via its new website, www.emeraldcruises.ca. Cruisers can now visit a single site to research and shop based on their preferences for destination or cruise type, compare vessels, check availability and book their river or yacht cruise online.
“We believe moving to a single brand will support our long term growth ambitions as a leading, small ship cruise company,” said David Winterton, Global Director of Brand & Marketing, Emerald Cruises.
“In recent weeks, our portfolio of river and yacht cruises has seen a surge in popularity, and we can’t wait to return to the water with both our new and loyal guests, as soon as it is safe to do so.”
In 2013, Australia-based Scenic Group announced they’d be launching a new, premium river cruise line aimed at younger, more active travellers and packaged for exceptional value and flexibility, filling a gap in the river cruise marketplace.
A year later, in APR 2014, with the launch of two new ships—Emerald Sky and Emerald Star—Emerald Waterways was born. Today, the line sails eight branded “Star-Ships” across 15 countries and two continents. Its ninth ship, Emerald Luna, is set to launch later this year.
In early 2020, the line announced it would be adding yacht cruising to its growing portfolio with the 100-guest, 5-star luxury superyacht, Emerald Azzurra. Set to launch in JAN 2022, Emerald Azzurra will sail the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Red, and Aegean Seas, and starting in 2023, the Black Sea.