If you’re curious about the newest river cruise line afloat – Emerald Cruises – you now have the opportunity to virtually tour their new Emerald Sky and Emerald Star by way of a newly-added feature on their website: 360° virtual ship tours.
Although they’re a little difficult to control (I spent a few uncomfortable minutes spinning high atop the ship with the first virtual tour to load), once you get the hang of it, these tours give a full-screen look at what it’s like to be onboard, with 360-degree views of every category of stateroom, public room, and even some innovative exterior panoramas from high atop cities like Koblenz.
The new offshoot of Australian Scenic Tours, Emerald Cruises offers a few unique features aboard their two river cruise vessels, including an aft-facing swimming pool that can be converted into a cinema during evenings, and a full hair salon, onboard massage, and a small gym.
Although Emerald is trying to distinguish themselves from their counterparts at Scenic through lower price-points and more a ’la carte amenities, the line isn’t skimping on inclusions. Beer, wine and soft drinks are served complimentary during lunch and dinner, and Emerald even includes all gratuities and transfers from ship to airport in the price of the voyage.
Of course, if you’re eager to see more, River Cruise Advisor’s own Aaron Saunders will be sailing onboard Emerald Sky from Budapest on July 12, 2014, and will feature a complete day-by-day Live Report published here. But, in the meantime, these virtual tours are an excellent way to see that, if anything, Emerald is developing a look and style that is uniquely their own.
Our live report from onboard Emerald Cruises’ Emerald Sky begins Saturday July 12, 2014.
