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Emerald Cruises has announced a ninth river cruise ship for its European fleet. The next ‘Star-Ship’, Emerald Astra will join the fleet in 2026, sailing the Rhine, Moselle and Danube rivers.

Emerald Astra will mark the next evolution of Emerald Cruises’ award-winning river fleet. Designed to mirror the sleek elegance of the line’s luxury superyachts, the ship features a modern, grey-tinted glass exterior and will carry up to 180 guests.

The name ‘Astra’ has ancient Greek and Latin origins, translating to ‘Star,’ and Scenic Group says Emerald Astra promises to be a true shining star – its seventh ‘Star-Ship’ on European waterways.

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“Demand for Emerald Cruises award-winning European River Cruise product has been phenomenal over the years, with our exceptional value positioning and our included EmeraldACTIVE experiences resonating with a younger, more active demographic,” a spokesperson for Scenic Group told LATTE.

The expansion of the brand’s river fleet was understandably halted by the pandemic in recent years. Emerald Luna was the next most recently launched ‘Star-Ship’, debuting in July 2022.

“Not surprisingly the impact of Covid on international travel slowed our growth plans from 2020-2021 but demand is now stronger than ever,” the company added.

Scenic Group is also committing to an extensive program of enhancements to the entire Emerald Cruises river fleet across Europe. These two developments are focused on enhancing guest experiences, blending Emerald Cruises’ hallmark features with luxury yacht-inspired design elements.

The updated design focuses on both style and functionality, offering guests’ favourite amenities such as the pool/cinema combination, multiple dining options, and a sun deck dedicated to relaxation and panoramic views. All interiors have also been enhanced with a sleek, contemporary design, ensuring a sophisticated and spacious atmosphere for travelers on Europe’s rivers.

“As we continue to expand the fleet and enhance the guest experience, our commitment remains steadfast: to provide unrivalled luxury and value in river cruising,” said Glen Moroney, Founder and Chairman of Scenic Group.

“The introduction of Emerald Astra, alongside the fleet-wide upgrades, exemplifies our dedication to leading innovation in the industry. By seamlessly blending the finest elements of river and yacht cruising, we ensure that every journey is extraordinary.

“These enhancements are designed with our guests in mind—creating refined spaces that encourage relaxation, connection, and discovery—upholding our promise to continually elevate the standards of luxury river cruising,” Moroney said.

Emerald Cruises’ 2026 river cruise season is now available, with the launch of its first-ever Luxury Europe River Cruise Planner. Download the 46 page electronic planner (pictured right) at emeraldcruises.com.au/brochures.

The first departure listed online for Emerald Astra is the flagship 15-day Splendours of Europe itinerary from Amsterdam to Budapest, departing on 21 February 2026.

Fleet-Wide Enhancements

Emerald Cruises also announced comprehensive upgrades across its European river fleet, which includes vessels navigating the Rhine-Main-Danube and Moselle, the Rhône in France, and the Douro in Portugal.

Key upgrades include:

• Horizon Bar & Lounge Redesigns: Star-Ships on the Rhine-Main-Danube route will receive new lounge furniture, with elevated design, bright accent colours and luxurious textiles. Similarly, the Emerald Radiance on the Douro and the Emerald Liberté on the Rhône will see updates to align the new aesthetic across the fleet.
• Pool/Cinema and Dining Space Enhancements: Pool and cinema spaces, along with Reflections Restaurant and The Terrace, will be revamped with new furniture and updated layouts to enhance guest comfort and dining experiences. Back-of-house areas will also receive significant upgrades.
• Missoni Textiles and Art: The addition of Missoni textiles and art installations, inspired by Emerald Cruises’ luxury yachts, will bring a refined, modern ambiance to each ship.
• In-Suite Technology: Each guest cabin will feature iPads to enhance guest interaction with onboard amenities and each journey’s itinerary providing an easy access, digital resource for guests.

All upgrades will be completed for the 2025 season, ensuring a new level of comfort and luxury on Europe’s rivers with Emerald Cruises.

Questioned by LATTE if further European river ships were on the horizon, beyond Emerald Astra, a spokesperson for Scenic Group said “Not on the rivers, however in April 2026 Emerald Cruises third luxury yacht, Emerald Kaia, will welcome her first guests in the Mediterranean.”

Emerald Kaia, a slightly larger version of sister ships Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, was formerly announced by Moroney in April this year aboard Scenic Eclipse when in Sydney.

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