To meet growing demand for active, healthy travel options, Emerald Cruises has announced an expansion of its EmeraldACTIVE tour program for guests, introduced on Emerald river cruises at no extra cost in 2016. More than 50 complimentary active tour choices focus on wellness and keep guests moving on both its river and ocean voyages world wide.
Keeping Active on the Rivers
Guests on Emerald Cruises’ river ships in Europe and Southeast Asia can choose from more than 40 EmeraldACTIVE tour options, including 20 guided hikes available across eight countries, 19 guided bike tours encompassing more than 150 miles of cycling, and guided kayak tours on the Douro River in Portugal and the Rhône River in France. These EmeraldACTIVE tours offer an alternative way to experience the towns, cities and countrysides along the cruise route and are offered alongside the more traditional day tours.
Examples of hiking tours on the rivers of Europe include a guided hike along the terraced vine slopes of the Côtes du Rhône, one of France’s most esteemed wine-making appellations on a Rhône River sailing, or an active trek to Dürnstein Castle with incredible views of the Danube River below. Cycling enthusiasts can take part in a 23-mile bike tour through rolling vineyards and quaint towns in the Wachau Valley, a beautiful region of northern Austria known for its dramatic landscapes, or enjoy a shorter city ride in Arnhem, Holland, famous for its postcard-worthy streets and scenic parks.
As a way to personalize the experience for guests, all of Emerald Cruises’ river ships in Europe feature a dedicated activity manager and wellness coach to assist guests with getting the most out of the active pursuits. The activity manager leads the EmeraldACTIVE tours in each port and offers onboard group fitness programs like water aerobics and yoga alongside the wellness coach. When they are not being used for a guided tour, the bicycle fleet is available to guests to take an explore on their own and the activity manager can assist with plotting a scenic route.
Staying Fit at Sea
The brand’s first ocean-going yacht, Emerald Azzurra, launched in MAR 2022, and has since been sailing the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas. Cruises aboard the 100-guest yacht feature a slightly different pace from Emerald's river sailings, focusing many opportunities to get active on the warm ocean waters with the ship’s marina platform. Here, when the yacht is at anchor, guests can take advantage of the standup paddleboards, inflatable kayaks, SEABOBS, snorkel gear and aqua trampoline available to all guests at no charge.
The yachts also offer an array of complimentary EmeraldACTIVE excursions in stunning locales, such as a guided hiking tour to Forte Filippo in Port Ecole, Italy along the Italian Riviera, and a guided bike tour in and around historic Kusadasi, Turkey.
Additional opportunities for athletic pursuits are available through the line’s DiscoverMORE tours—excursions that carry an extra charge and are designed to give guests an alternate view of the area. Options include sightseeing kayak tours around the Greek isles, river tubing in picturesque Giardini Naxos in Sicily, and a guided hike from Portofino to the beautiful village of San Fruttouso in Italy, to name a few.
As with the rivers, an onboard wellness coach offers yoga and Pilates classes on the Observation Deck when the weather permits, and a well-equipped gym and full-service Elements Spa allow guests to get in a workout or body treatment on their own schedule. Emerald Azzurra sails with a fleet of Gocycle electric-assist bikes, which guests are welcome to use to explore while in port.
Additional information can be found on Emerald Cruises’ website, www.emeraldcruises.ca
