Emerald Luna is named in Amsterdam festivities

It comes during a period of growth for the brand. In May, Emerald Cruises welcomed its first oceangoing luxury yacht, Emerald Azzurra, with a christening held in Venice. A second luxury yacht, Emerald Sakara, is scheduled to debut in 2023.

David Winterton, global director of brand & marketing at Emerald Cruises, said, ‘The addition of Emerald Luna allows us to offer more sailings on our most popular river itineraries in Europe, with all the signature Emerald Cruises touches that guests have come to love – from the pool that converts to a cinema to our sought-after EmeraldACTIVE programme.’

Also in attendance were Scenic Group’s COO Rob Voss; VP Marketing, USA Maggie Carbonell; VP Sales, USA Ann Chamberlin, as well as embarking passengers and local dignitaries.

Vanessa McGovern

Emerald Luna’s godmother, award-winning US travel industry advocate and educator Vanessa McGovern of Gifted Travel Network, said, ‘It’s a true honour and a privilege to be named godmother to this magnificent river ship. I’ve long admired Emerald Cruises’ commitment to working with travel agents, and it’s with great pleasure that I welcome Emerald Luna to the fleet and wish her a safe passage.’

Added Winterton, ‘We are delighted to have Vanessa McGovern, a passionate advocate for travel agents, christen the ship as godmother and cement our commitment to supporting travel agents. By launching Emerald Cruises’ ninth luxury Star-Ship, Emerald Luna, we will offer guests more itineraries and more choice across Europe’s most iconic waterways. We are incredibly excited to work together with travel agents and create once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our guests.’

Emerald Luna

The 180-passenger Emerald Luna will sail on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. It features the line’s all-weather balcony design in most cabins, complete with decked area and an open-air system, plus an indoor swimming pool with retractable roof and cinema at the aft.

It joins sister vessels Emerald Sun, -Sky, -Star, -Dawn and -Destiny sailing the same rivers in Europe. 

Emerald Cruises’ river fleet also includes the 132-passenger Emerald Liberté sailing the Rhône and Saône Rivers in France, the 112-passenger Emerald Radiance sailing the Douro River in Portugal and the 84-passenger Emerald Harmony sailing the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia.