Page 28 - DreamScapes Magazine | Fall/Winter 2025

S P E C I A L F E A T U R E R E P O R T
Rivers to
Discovery
Emerald Cruises charts a new course for
growth with new ships, fresh routes and
its first celebrity-themed Asia river cruise
BY MICHELE SPONAGLE
I’LL NEVER FORGET THE EXCITEMENT OF MY
first river cruise. As I stepped onto the vessel, I felt like I
was stepping into a brand new world of adventure.
I was travelling from Budapest to Amsterdam,
cruising along the most famous rivers of Europe,
including the Danube and Rhine. I loved the ports of
call and a chance to explore something new every day. It
was the most stress-free trip I’ve ever been on, thanks to
the guides that Emerald Cruises provides in every desti-
nation and an incredible cruise director who enriched
every visit with in-depth briefings. This is the trip that
brought each visit to life, and made me fall in love with
river cruising.
It’s no wonder why it was such a smooth trip.
Emerald Cruises (formerly Emerald Waterways) has
been sharing the best of the globe with travellers since
2014. Its expertise shines in every detail, from somme-
lier-selected wines that reflect a sense of place at
dinner to gorgeous suites with floor-to-ceiling win-
dows. The company has earned nine Cruise Critics
Editor’s Picks Awards.
The Best of Southeast Asia
Though most well-known for its Europe-focused itiner-
aries, Emerald Cruises also offers incredible journeys in
Southeast Asia on board the stunning Star-Ship Emerald
Harmony. It’s an ideal ship to allow passengers to truly
appreciate the region’s historic sites and cultural treas-
ures along the Mekong River.
Imagine arriving in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City
buzzing with energy or taking in the captivating views of
Halong Bay’s karst islands in Vietnam, then indulging in
some of the finest Asian cuisine crafted by Emerald
Cruises’ expert culinary team. Itineraries range from
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DREAMSCAPES FALL/WINTER 2025
PHOTOS: EMERALD CRUISES | PUSHR VIDEO