VANCOUVER — Emerald Cruises’ newest river ship has set sail on its maiden voyage, marking the company’s eighth year of operations and the resumption of its 2022 Europe river cruise season.

Departing April 8 from Amsterdam on an eight-day Holland and Belgium in Bloom river cruise, the 180-guest Emerald Luna is a brand new river ship designed to dock directly in the heart of cities, towns and villages that line rivers of Central Europe. Onboard, it boasts spacious suites and staterooms, a three-tier atrium, and a heated swimming pool that transforms into a cinema.

“Emerald Luna marks a new, exciting addition to our growing fleet, following closely from last month’s launch of our first-ever ocean-going superyacht, Emerald Azzurra,” said David Winterton, global director of brand & marketing at Emerald Cruises. “While bookings remain strong for this spring and summer and with Europe continuing to be a popular destination for both new-to-cruise and loyal guests, the launch of Emerald Luna allows more opportunity for our trusted agent partners to sell experiences on Europe’s rivers in our signature Emerald Cruises style.”

Emerald Luna will be officially welcomed to the fleet when it is christened in Amsterdam on July 21. Emerald Luna will be joining sister Star-Ships Emerald Sun, Emerald Sky, Emerald Star, Emerald Dawn and Emerald Destiny, sailing the Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube rivers.

Emerald Cruises’ river fleet also includes the 132-guest Emerald Liberté sailing the Rhône and Saône Rivers in France, the 112-guest Emerald Radiance sailing the Douro River in Portugal, and the 84-guest Emerald Harmony sailing the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia.

The Emerald Azzurra, the line’s first ocean-going vessel, debuted in March 2022 and offers itineraries in the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Red Seas. Emerald Sakara, the brand’s second superyacht, will launch in 2023 in the Seychelles.