Emerald Cruises UK Reviews

Have done two cruises with this company. Both were excellent. Well organised, lovely crew and beautiful food. Ships are well maintained and spotlessly clean. A most enjoyable holiday

We travelled on the Emerald Destiny on the Rhine last week. Everything about the cruise was excellent The cabin was bigger than other cruises The staff were really friendly and efficient. the included trips were interesting , informative and fun. you could not complain about the food and wine both excellent, with a good choice. The only negative I can think of is that the coffee from the machine was better than that served at the dining table .

We enjoyed a sunny week in the even sunnier company of our Portuguese and Brazilian crew on the Douro river aboard the elegant and comfortable Emerald Radiance. To say that nothing was too much trouble is to understate the excellent service, the diverting activities and the superb food on offer. We had a truly memorable first River Cruise with a very professional company. They made our Sapphire Anniversary very special.

We had a wonderful week with Emerald Waterways. The staff were so friendly and a credit to the company. Special mention must be made of our Cruise Director who was simply outstanding. We are already thinking of our next holiday with Emerald Waterways.

Fabulous 10 days must book another river cruise

We have been on a number of sea cruises but decided to try a river cruise for a change. We chose the Emerald Waterways “Jewels of the Rhine” because of the itinerary, going from Basel to Amsterdam and the all inclusive deal offered seemed quite attractive. We were not disappointed with our choice. We enjoyed the whole experience and the excellent service and great attitude of all the crew made us feel quite special. The cabins were a little smaller than we were used to on sea cruises and things could get a little noisy at times when negotiating locks at night. However the accommodation was adequate for purpose and the public rooms were comfortable and well appointed. The food and beverages were very good with plenty of variety. All in all a great trip.

A Wonderful experience The first river cruise we have been on and it didn't disappoint from the moment we stepped onboard to when we left there was nothing we would have altered. The staff were certeous, friendly, hard working and would do their best to help. The food was amazing and plentiful. Special mention should go to Geanina, the way she was calm, always smiling and the most efficient and always there when you needed. We will certainly recommend Emerald Waterways

To be honest, I'd choose my next cruise with the same airport arrival/ship departure - Munich airport was a nightmare, followed by 1 1/2 hour coach journey to Nuremburg. Frankfurt airport wasnt quite as bad, but it involved a 2 1/2 coach journey from Bernkastel, which means you spend the first and last days of your cruise travelling to and from. Once there, however, everything was superbly organised. I'd thought 50 people arriving to check in at same time would be mayhem, but it was handled very well and took no time at all. my only slight gripe would be the veggie food - only one option at dinner and that rather unimaginative most nights...not to mention, very small portions! The breakfast and lunch buffets were fine though. I'm certainly looking at another Emerald cruise for next year ...

Aware of your good reputation for River Cruises and after seeing the good reviews and recommendations on your website for this cruise, we decided to book your Dalmation Coast by Luxury Yacht cruise, and whilst we enjoyed the cruise, it was far from the "unrivalled luxury on-board" as you quote in your brochure. Also on looking more closely at the reviews mentioned above, it is apparent that most if not all the reviews are only relevant to your river cruises. This is false representation to quote these on your website for the Dalmation coastal cruise and this could be considered in contravention of the Trades Description Act. I list below the 'bullet points relating to our recent experience :- • The cost of the cruise was definitely not value for money, even when adding the early booking discount and the on-board credit you gave at the last moment. Our experience does not relate to your advertising saying "The Dalmation Coast by Luxury yacht" - quoted from your brochure and website, "A floating boutique hotel" and "This exquisite yacht" - quoted from your brochure - Our impression of The boat, Adriatic Princess, came across, to quote the Ford model nomenclature, as the 'Popular Plus' variant compared to the Deluxe and Super Deluxe versions that we witnessed when crossing other boats to get ashore. Had we booked this cruise direct with Elite Travel, which effectively it was and not Emerald, the final cost including flights etc would have been considerably less than what we paid to you. • Not being able to use a credit card on board is unbelievable - to expect cruise passengers to go onshore to an ATM to get cash to pay their tab is, quite frankly, ridiculous. In your pre cruise booklet titled "Important Information" it clearly states, and I quote "Credit Cards : Euro card, Master card, Visa cards are accepted in all countries in major shops, restaurants and hotels as well as to settle your shipboard account" • The crew, whilst very pleasant and helpful, were not what you'd expect on a luxury cruise. In no way could the guys serving drinks "help you pair the perfect beverage" to quote from your brochure, and they did not circulate the sun deck asking if any drinks were required. Accepting that you actually chartered the cruise from Elite Travel although it was marketed as Emerald, we would expect Emerald to have at least one representative on board such as the Cruise Director - this was not the case - Ivana was employed by Elite Travel, as were the rest of the crew and the only reference to Emerald was the flag on the prow of the boat and the ball point pen given to us. • The noise insulation from the engines and transmission was totally inadequate. The noise in our cabin, No 10 on the middle deck, was so bad that when woken up at engine start-up in the morning at 06:00 was like having a vintage Massey Ferguson Tractor firing up in the cabin. I judge that the noise levels would have actually required ear defenders under HSaW legislation. It was so noisy that you could not hear the TV or announcements from the in-cabin speaker, and we were told by passengers in the cabins on the lower deck that the noise was horrendous - "Sumptuous cabin" quoted from your brochure - it most certainly was not. • We could not believe that a box of tissues was not provided in the cabin and bathroom, or a face flannel - even the cheapest motel or B & B provides these. This is 'penny-pinching' in the extreme and certainly not what you'd expect on a luxury cruise. • The food, whilst very good, was considered to be 'good home cooking', certainly not fine dining as you would expect on a luxury cruise and you had to accept what you were given for the dinners - no choice available. • The pre cruise booklet titled "DiscoverMORE - Optional Tours" was totally irrelevant to the Dalmation Coast Cruise - all the tours were only applicable to your various River Cruises. I await with interest your comments and compensation for not providing what you claim and indeed what we paid for.

I think Emerald has got it right with the river cruise holiday. It is as relaxing as you want it to be but there are lots of good excursions available. Entertainment is good, not over the top but enough. The cabins (especially Panorama suites) are so well laid out and convenient for everything. Lovely and clean and bright. A very pleasurable experience.

Thought the cruise very good, staff and food good. Trips most were waste of time eg. Supposed to go to a fort drove past it twice, another fort just looked at it from a distance back on coach, a walking tour was taken to square pointed out church, banks, ATMs restaurants that took Euros lasted 5 minutes then told to be back on coach in an hour. We have never been on cruise before booked through ROL there administration was the worst I have known, lack of information of flights not told depart T5 return T3 as no paperwork would never go through this company ever.

Fantastic "Legends of the Moselle, Rhine and Main" rivers cruise on board the Emerald Destiny - lovely new ship. Very efficient, well organized, friendly crew - nothing too much bother for them. In particular Banasz (excuse spelling) is the best cruise director we have had - and we have been on lots of river cruises. The booking process was also efficient and easy. Will certainly cruise with Emerald again. Well done to everyone.

This was our first river cruise with Emerald having done 7 previously with other cruise lines. The food was somewhat disappointing and the homeward travel arrangements were not good having to wait 5 hours at Frankfurt airport, we believe other available flights would have resolved this problem. As the sun deck was closed ,due to low bridges, for the first 3 days, which were hot and sunny, and there was only 6 outside seats available, it was unacceptable to have to sit in air conditioned lounge when on board cruising. (A complaint shared by many passengers) Emerald Destiny was immaculate, modern and very shiny. The cabin was excellent and staff very obliging. All arrangements for onshore visits were very satisfactory.

We loved every moment of our cruise up the Rhine, Main and Moselle. The holiday on the Emerald Destiny could not have been a better break for us both. Extremely comfortable, delicious food and wines, luxurious cabin with everything we needed. The staff were brilliant, polite and helpful and to top it all, the trips ashore, visits to the villages, castles as well as wine tasting, will be remembered for ever. Thank you and we shall definitely go on holiday with Emerald Waterways again.

We had a wonderful time on our first cruise, excellent food, attentive staff and excellent tours well organised. Our next cruise will be with Emerald.

Very enjoyable week on the river Douro with Emerald Waterways: helpful staff, excellent food, comfortable cabins. Everything was so well organised and nothing too much trouble.

Just back from an amazing 7 days on Emerald Radiance up and down the Douro River. Ship is brilliant, and crew are the most friendly, smiley and helpful group of people you could ever wish to meet. Add to this one of Europe’s most beautiful and unspoilt rivers and you have a holiday made in heaven. Go for it - you will not be disappointed.

Everything was done to make our cruise one to remember. The food was superb, the wines unbelievable, The staff were friendly, efficient and just a great team. Cannot fault it.

We sailed on Emerald Dawn. The ship was ok. The staff were very good. Two minor comments about the cabins: why are the waste bins so large that they have to be hidden away under the sink or under the table where they become inaccessible? The shower gel is presented in very small plastic bottles which are a) difficult to use and b) a very wasteful use of plastic. Other cruise companies provide a pump-action refillable bottle for shower gel ! We purchased our own shower gel onshore. The choice of excursion locations was less than exciting. For example, Osijek was a bad experience. Ok, it rained but really there is very little to see there. You describe the town of Vidin as "a beautiful town in north-west Bulgaria". I have photos of Vidin taken on your excursion which show Vidin as a town of abject poverty where the population just do not care about the crumbling buildings and lack of any facilities that could welcome tourists and make the residents some money. The winery was very basic and I’m afraid that the winery owners dream of export successes are way off in the future judging by the wine tasting we experienced. On a positive note, excursion successes were the really enjoyable trip to the Pusxta to see the wonderful Magyar cowboys (although we felt very sorry for the poor donkey in the show) and the visit to the residence of Nicolae Ceausescu in Bucharest. The bicycle tour in Belgrade was very enjoyable and the guides excellent. We must congratulate you on the standard of the tour guides that you selected who were very well educated in the history of the countries we visited, in particular the guide provided in Bucharest was excellent. Lastly, the standard of some of the food provided at dinner on Emerald Dawn was less than enjoyable, a feeling noted by our table and many others. The chef seemed to have difficulty sourcing meat of an adequate standard.

The whole trip was excellent. The ship was clean and comfortable, the staff extremely friendly and polite and the food was of a high standard. It was pleasing to see that a different white and red wine were served with the meals every day. The other passengers were very friendly. We had the Premium Drinks package and it would have been helpful if the wine list or bar staff had explained exactly what drinks were avaklable e.g. champagne.