Emerald Waterways Announces New Ships, Itineraries and Fares

Following news that parent brand Scenic will build a new ocean expedition vessel, Emerald Waterways announces its own new riverboats as well as fresh itineraries and reduced fares.Star-ShipsBesides the new Star-Ship Emerald Belle launching on the Rhine and Danube rivers in 2016, two smaller versions will emerge in 2017 – the 138-guest Emerald Liberté on France’s Rhône and Saône Rivers and the 112-guest Emerald Radiance on Portugal’s Douro River. They will be reduced in size due to the rivers’ properties (such as the Douro River’s tighter clearances) and bring the total fleet size to seven. Both will exhibit a 3-to-1 guest-to-crew ratio, and the Emerald Radiance will accommodate a new 330-square-foot cabin category with panoramic floor-to ceiling windows on two sides. Otherwise, a new stateroom design replaces a French balcony with an indoor balcony deck.Both ships will feature pools, but only the Emerald Liberté will have the line’s signature heated convertible pool with a retractable glass roof and ability to transform into a cinema. The pool on the Emerald Radiance will instead be positioned on the top deck without a cinema.Additionally, the ships will contain the Reflections main dining room and The Terrace for light breakfast and lunch as well as a hairdresser, massage therapy room, fitness area and complimentary-use bicycles.ItinerariesPortuguese sailings are described by the line as follows:Guests on the Douro will enjoy stops in Portugal ranging from the World Heritage city of Porto to the Roman settlement of Regua and in Spain – Vega de T