Sep 5, 2019
A river cruise is a fantastic way to see Europe, with our deluxe, award-winning Star-Ships providing all your needs for a comfortable and luxurious journey. If you are new to river cruising, here are our Top 10 things to do on an Emerald Waterways European River Cruise.
1. Take a dip in our on-board heated swimming pool
Enjoy a morning or afternoon swim as the stunning landscapes of Europe pass you by. The retractable roof will welcome the cool breeze as you invigorate your senses before breakfast or after a day of sight-seeing.
2. Discover the local towns and villages on a bike tour
If you love to be active you will enjoy seeing the sites of Europe on one of the many bike tours. Of course if you’d prefer something less active there are no shortage of guided walking tours through each destination.
3. Create your own adventure
If you would rather your own pace, or have a destination in mind to explore, there is plenty of free time built into your itinerary. You might like to relax in a quaint little European café and watch the world go by, wander through intriguing side streets to discover something new around every corner, or use this time to rest on your deluxe Star-Ship.
4. Go home with a local
On selected tours our EmeraldPLUS program provide the opportunity to be welcomed into the home of a local family to hear about their daily life over coffee and cake. This is a unique experience that provides an insightful look into the real culture of a place.
5. Go for a jog or leisurely walk before breakfast on the running track
If you are keen to keep up your fitness routine, start your day with a morning walk or jog, on our on-board running track to get you moving and work off all those delicious European pastries and cakes.
6. Toast your new friends on the sundeck
An evening drink is the perfect opportunity to meet new friends and swap stories about your day’s adventure. You may also like to challenge your friends to some mini golf or a game of noughts and crosses on the sundeck.
7. Relax with a yoga class followed by an aroma-oil massage in the Spa
Our wellness area ensures you are taking care of yourself whether that be a more vigorous workout in the gym or a light yoga class lead by our activity manager. There is also a range of spa treatments to spoil yourself with which will ensure you go home with a holiday glow.
8. Enjoy a five-course à la carte dinner in Reflections Restaurant
Reflections restaurant provides not only a delicious fine dining experience, but also fantastic views from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Our culinary experts ensure that you enjoy a wonderful selection of seasonal and regional foods. Our guests can enjoy complimentary wine, beers and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. You’ll soon discover that the food will be one of the highlights of your trip.
9. Watch a movie in our cinema
By day an indoor pool and by night a cinema! On most of our Star-Ships our innovative design allows for the floor to rise through the pool, and the screen to lower with plenty of comfortable plush chairs for you to wind down in with a tub of popcorn after a day of exploring. If you’re sailing Portugal’s Douro you can watch a movie under the stars for a truly ambient experience.
10. Dance with the Captain at the Welcome Gala Dinner
We may not be able to guarantee this one but it may be worth asking! Our Welcome Gala dinner is a great opportunity to get dressed up to meet the captain and be treated to an á la carte fine dining experience.
