Emerald Cruises UK Reviews 

This was my third Emerald River Cruise.
October 2024 Amsterdam to Basel,
April 2025 Passau to Budapest, and
April 2026 Bucharest to Budapest.
Each cruise was exemplary in terms of value for money and service. Easy to book with telephone support in the UK. All staff members look as if they genuinely enjoy their duties and were very accommodating to all guests.

Emerald excelled on this cruise along the Douro. We have been on two other trips in France and what they bill as ‘The Splendours of Europe’. This was the best all around experience. Emerald staff are always great in our experience but this time there were little personal touches that made all the difference. We have never had a poor meal and the local wine offering was very good. Keep it up!

We have done several Emerald cruises over the years and felt this was not quite up to previous cruises, we think there was insufficient staff at meal times and the choice appeared more limited.

First time on a river cruise and it was a fantastic experience. Booking experience was straight forward and staff on board were very friendly and extremely efficient. Food was of a very high standard and choice of drinks was good. Highly enjoyable trip from Regensburg to Budapest along the Danube - one which we will no doubt be looking to repeat in future.

Great company - great cruise!

Staff and food was good , service very good, tours where good, the in room water in refill bottles was my only criticism, not sure it was that or swimming pool water which gave us a upset tummy 🤔 could be any thing but I stopped swimming and drinking the water in the room 24hrs fine no symptoms

I have already done a detailed review of our cruise so don’t understand why I am getting this reminder!

Excellent event except for farm trip which was awful

Fabulous river cruise, our second with Emerald. Well organised with efficient and friendly staff throughout. The quality of the catering was exceptional.
Only negative is the transfer from airport to the ship, an A4 sign with Emerald written on it doesn't stand out enough, we were wandering around the arrivals area for ages getting more and more stressed !

East going itinerary, great staff,
great food and drink.

we were looked after really well enjoyed every minute of our cruise already booked for next year

I tried to change the names on a cruise within a week. I understand the rules but gave mitigating circumstances. Emerald cruises just said no and explained they are the rules. No empathy or understanding. £30000 wasted. Would never travel with Emerald again or recommend them to anyone!

Lovely destinations and scenery, included excursions, very good food (especially the vegetarian dishes), attentive staff (especially our steward Aulia who kept our cabin tidy and was a master of towel art, and Alena the cocktail waitress who remembered my favourite drink and our room number). Harry the Cruise Director was affable, friendly and a great organiser, as well as a good singer. Lucy the Entertainments Manager was warm and friendly and worked very hard every evening. It was kind of the organisers to have Gentle Walking Groups for excursions. Nice toiletries in the bathroom, saved me having to bring shampoo, conditioner or body lotion. Shame that the bed was so big only one of us at a time could get access to the bathroom, by sidling next to the bed. Surprised we didn't have tea/coffee-making facilities in our room, although it was available 24/7 upstairs. Also not many convenient plug sockets in the room - I had to drag out the heavy wooden bedside table to plug in my phone charger. Bedside lights were not very bright for reading.

Emerald never disappoints. The staff are wonderful, from the most senior down. Service and desire to please is first class. Accommodation is luxurious and very comfortable with room being superbly maintained. Itinerary is always varied and interesting; guides are knowledgeable, considerate and kind. There are not enough superlatives to do Emerald and all the staff justice. I would strongly recommend Emerald.

This was not up to the usual high standard I had come to expect. The food and the staff were excellent but the tour was not relaxing starting with chaos on on arrival with no luggage tags and consequently my luggage being sent to the wrong cabin ,early starts and long walking tours with little free time detracted from enjoyment.
The dining room was very noisy and so meals were not an enjoyment and it was very difficult to talk to friends not at all a relaxing experience.

We have never been disappointed with our Emerald cruises - the varied and thoughtful programme, the quality of the food and wine, and the unfailing courtesy and helpfulness of the staff. Our recent Rhine cruise met all our expectations but, as always, the time went too quickly.

The cruise was put together well. Our guides were very knowledgable of the countries were visiting.
We found the home visit interesting.
One disappointment, we would like to have been advised that dinner was not provided at the hotel in Bucharest.