Emerald Luna

There are four decks on the ship. The top deck is the sun deck and cabins are located on the first, second, and third decks. The ship offers five cabin categories. The majority of cabins are the 180-square-feet Emerald panorama balcony suites which feature the signature indoor/outdoor balcony suites. Instead of an outside balcony, the cabin space is extended providing an indoor version of a balcony set inside on paneled wood flooring with comfortable chairs and a table to complete the balcony area. This allows the guest to open up the cabin to the outside by activating the switch that lowers the floor-to-ceiling window to open halfway. They are a signature feature developed by Emerald Cruises that replaces the traditional outdoor French balcony.

There are a total of 60 Emerald Panorama Balcony Suites with 23 available on the Horizon deck and 37 on the Vista deck.

Upgrade to the larger grand balcony suites for more space (210-square-feet), in addition to the signature indoor/outdoor balcony. Additional luxurious amenities include a Nespresso machine, and complimentary laundry service. There are eight grand balcony suites located on the horizon deck.

Room service is available in the grand balcony suites and the owner’s one-bedroom suites. It consists of continental breakfast, pre-dinner canapes and after-dinner sweets served in the suites.

The top category of cabins are the 315-square feet owner’s one-bedroom suites. A bedroom with a separate living room featuring the indoor/outdoor balcony offers additional space with a walk-in-wardrobe and ensuite bathroom. Additional amenities include a pillow menu, personal iPad, laundry service, complimentary canapés, and a minibar. There are four owner’s one-bedroom suites located on the horizon (3rd) deck.

The 17 emerald state rooms at 162 square feet and the two emerald single staterooms at 117 square feet located on the riviera (1st) deck round out the cabin selections. These offer picture windows instead of the inside/outdoor balconies of the other cabins. The economical cabins offer a good value for budget cruisers with luxury toiletries, plus the same free Wi-Fi, HDTV and Infotainment system and telephone is included in all cabins.

All cabins feature environmentally friendly amenities like the full-size luxury Espa refillable shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, and body lotion. Cotton bathrobes and slippers are also available.

To eliminate the use of single-use plastic bottles, all cabins include Emerald Cruises portable water bottles. Passengers can fill and refill at water stations located onboard for onshore excursions and take the vessel with them upon departure. 

Two nightstands with reading lights frame the queen-size or twin-size beds, and climate control allows guests to determine the temperature of the cabin. 

Passengers with mobility issues are welcomed. A collapsible wheelchair is allowed on board. There is an elevator on the ship to access three of the four decks. Take note that the top Sun Deck can be reached by the stairs only. On rare occasions, the ship may be docked side-by-side, next to another ship at port, then guests must use the Sun Deck to leave and return to the ship. In this circumstance, guests will need to pass through the other cruise ship to gain access to the dock. For some shore excursions guests must be able to board a bus. An onboard companion may assist during shore excursions. Crew members will do their best to assist but may be busy with other duties.  

The main restaurant, Reflections, is located on the vista deck and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s no reserved seating within the two-hour dining times for each meal. The contemporary furnishings showcase sophisticated decor set in a variety of seating options to accommodate both small and large groups. 

Regional foods and local dishes are featured enhancing the destinations along the cruise route. Several choices of starters kick off the evening meal to whet the appetite before the main course such as smoked salmon carpaccio, truffle scented chicken cassoulet puff pastry or a flavorful watermelon and rocket salad accompanied with goat cheese crostini and raspberry vinaigrette. While cruising Holland, for example, guests may enjoy a main dish of river perch fillet enrobed in a potato crust served with seasonal vegetables doused with a sauerkraut sauce for dinner. Great care goes into creating the vegetarian dishes as well, such as a savory polenta cake topped with black sesame, served with Provençal vegetables sprinkled with shaved parmesan. 

Vegetarian options are noted on the breakfast and lunch buffets, and at least one vegetarian option is always available at dinner. Guests should make other dietary requests at the time of booking. A la carte ordering is also available.

Buffet breakfast includes an omelet station, vegetarian and meat options, as well as pastries, cereals, and breads. Yogurt, muesli, fresh fruit are available as are a variety of juices, milk, coffee, and tea.

The buffet lunch includes a homemade soup — a popular option as evidenced by the line. A pasta station and several hot main courses are available for the midday meal as well. A variety of fresh salad greens and salad ingredients such as quinoa, apple, and nuts are offered. Desserts include a selection of cheeses, pastries, and a dessert of the day such as a warm Belgian waffle with cherry compote. Homemade ice cream is offered daily. 

A nice perk during lunch and dinner is the complimentary inclusion of wine, beer, or soft drinks. Each day a different red and white wine is served (likewise at dinner). There are also certified vegan wines available onboard for guests that request them. 

On sunny, warm days guests can opt to eat a light breakfast of croissants and coffee or light lunch outside on The Terrace located at the front of the ship on the horizon deck. 

Three courses are offered at dinner which includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert. A printed menu lists the day’s selections which typically include a meat, fish, or poultry choice and a vegetarian option for the main entree. Appetizers choices range from the standard salad or soup, to more creative fare like a spinach-ricotta cannelloni. Dessert could be crepes suzette a la orange one night and creme brûlée or chocolate mousse the next.

On one end of the Horizon Bar and Lounge located on the horizon deck, guests can help themselves to specialty coffee drinks, hot chocolate, and teas. 

Lounge seating is arranged to accommodate small groups or pairs of people. This space is also where the evening entertainment occurs. The bar is set up at the opposite end near the terrace section outside. The professional bar staff tends to guests in a timely manner ensuring cocktails are delivered quickly. Guests may order wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails. There are three drink packages available for guests 18 and older or a guest may have individual drinks placed on their room account.

In addition, a small bar located in the pool lounge is open during movie nights.

Talented staff members provide entertainment after dinner mostly in the way of quiz show entertainment to engage and interact with the guests. There’s usually a lot of laughs and excited contestants in the audience. There’s a dance night and a singing starlet night (provided by a talented staff songstress) as well as local musicians brought onboard for folk or classical concerts. During the afternoon cultural programs or some sort of craft session is offered such as a “Paint Your Clogs” art lesson while on the tulip cruise in Holland. 

Afternoon tea is offered daily in the Horizon Bar and Lounge in the late afternoon. Plus, special movie nights are a popular attraction when the pool converts to a movie theater with a large screen. It’s a first-come, first-serve environment where guests are encouraged to arrive early to get a seat. Popcorn is provided and the pool bar stays open on movie nights. 

The sun deck is the place to be in sunny weather. Guests can while away an afternoon in the games area by testing their golf skills on the putting green, or challenge friends to a game of Tic-Tac-Toe on the lawn. 

EmeraldPlus and EmeraldActive Shore excursions are included in the cruise. EmeraldPlus excursions are designed to enhance the guest experience at a destination and to offer unique options that might have been complicated to arrange independently. Some of these inclusive tours could be a home-hosted coffee and cake visit with a local Slovakian family in Bratislava while cruising the Danube. Or, an excursion to the Keukenhof Gardens in Amsterdam to see the colorful tulips on the Holland-Belgium in Bloom spring cruises along the Rhine. For those passengers that enjoy seeing destinations through guided hikes and bike rides plus canoeing, EmeraldActive excursions are designed for faster paced, human-powered exploring to include hikes through vineyards or bike excursions that lead out to pretty country scenes such as the tulip covered fields of Holland. The DiscoverMORE category offers another option for guests to see hidden gems through even more insightful excursions, experiences and activities. These shore excursions tend to be more in-depth tours that offer a closer look at local life of a destination. They are priced separately (not-inclusive) and may be booked in advance or while onboard the cruise. These range from special cultural offerings like attending a classical concert in Avignon to a guided Baden-Baden Opera House behind the scenes tour to a special excursion to the Dutch flower auction at Royal FloraHolland during the spring tulip season cruises on the Rhine. 

Special wine and food tastings are on offer as well. These highlight special seasonal activities such as a Linzer torte-making workshop in Austria, special food tastings or a vineyard visit and Franconian wine tour in Germany. Every cruise offers an assortment in each of the three categories depending on the itinerary.

The gym room on the vista deck is set up for cardio, core, and strength workouts. Small but mighty, this compact room holds state-of-the-art cardio equipment, free weights, and equipment to keep up with stretching, yoga, and Pilates while away from home. 

Swimmers don’t have to miss their daily laps, thanks to a pump in the pool that allows a person to swim laps in current-enhanced water. 

Across from the gym on the vista deck is the wellness room where spa services take place. Treatments, including massages and facials, can be booked with reception. It’s best to book early as the time slots fill up quickly. Prices range depending on the treatment.

If a guest needs a beard trim or would like their hair styled, they can make an appointment with the salon hairdresser, also located on the vista deck. The salon offers the essentials in a mini-salon environment to add a little something extra for a special occasion. 

The sun deck provides a walking track spanning the perimeter to keep up with daily steps. In warm weather, complimentary yoga/Pilates and wellness sessions are held on the rooftop space.