How many boats and departures do you carry for Emerald?

Fifteen boats in our inventory — 15 hulls — and 1,412 distinct departures across 574 dates and 636 routes, from 17 July 2026 to 21 April 2029. Not one of the fifteen is without a departure with us.

Are Emerald and Scenic the same thing?

They belong to the same company. Scenic Group, founded by Glen Moroney and based in Zug, Switzerland, runs both brands: Emerald began in 2013 as a division of Scenic. Comparing the two is not comparing two competitors, it is comparing two ranges from the same house.

What sets Emerald apart from Scenic, then?

On what the fare covers, and it is measurable. Scenic announces drinks all day with a few exceptions, butler service for suites, a restocked minibar, all excursions included and electric bicycles. Emerald announces wine, beer and soft drinks at meals, no butler, and excursions on two tiers of which the second is charged. Gratuities and Wi-Fi are announced as included on both sides. We report what both lines announce; we have not checked it departure by departure.

Where does the name Emerald Waterways come from?

It was the original name, in 2013. Since February 2020, Emerald Cruises has been the brand covering both the rivers and the sea-going yachts. Our address still carries the old name; the content speaks of the house as it is today.

Which boat is the busiest with you?

Emerald Harmony, on the Mekong, with 603 itinerary records — far ahead of Emerald Radiance with 241. One boat therefore carries a considerable share of this fleet's calendar with us.

Does Emerald have sea-going ships?

Yes. The river Star-Ships carry one hundred and eighty people; Emerald Azzurra, delivered in February 2022, opened a range of sea-going yachts, far smaller than a liner. They are two different products under one brand.

Six hundred and thirty-six routes for fifteen boats — is that a lot?

It is a high ratio for river work, and there is a reason: this fleet works very different rivers, from Europe to the Mekong, and the sea-going yachts add tracks the rivers do not have. The variety is real, but it comes from the ground, not from the number of hulls.

How do you count a departure?

One boat on one date. If the same boat leaves on the same day, that is one departure, not two. Our database holds far more records than departures on the river fleets, and what we publish is the number of departures.

Are these the line's figures?

No. Everything given here — number of hulls, number of departures, dates, routes — comes from OUR inventory, measured on 31 August. A zero with us is not a zero with them.

Can I book a departure you do not carry?

Often, yes. Your advisor can look beyond what appears here. The online catalogue is a way in, not the limit of what exists.

Is service available in French?

It depends on the departure, not on the line. On European rivers French-speaking departures exist but are not the rule. Say so before booking: it is checked departure by departure.

Is a river cruise tiring?

Less than a coach tour, more than a week in a hotel. You unpack once, but you walk a great deal: towns are seen on foot, old centres are cobbled, and the days follow one another without gaps. If walking is a concern, say so before choosing the route.

Should I book far ahead?

On boats of one hundred and twenty to one hundred and eighty people, yes. There are few cabins, and the upper decks go first. Booking far ahead fixes a choice but commits money in advance: talk cancellation terms through with your advisor before you decide.

Why do some boat pages show no dates at all?

Because the boat carries no departure on our calendar. The page stays online because the boat exists and you are looking for it; it then says what became of her, when we know.

Who protects me if the trip falls through?

Your agency, and it alone. Voyages AquaTerra operates under a licence from Quebec's Office de la protection du consommateur, your payments pass through a trust account, and the compensation fund for travel agency clients covers your departure. That holds whichever line you choose.

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