Emerald Cruises

Emerald is the more relaxed sibling of Scenic, the Australian-owned group behind it, and it runs two quite different kinds of ship. On the rivers, its long, low vessels are known for a clean contemporary look and for a heated pool at the stern, covered by a retractable roof, which becomes a cinema in the evening. They sail the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Rhône and Douro, and a sister ship works the Mekong.

At sea, the line operates small yachts built for a modest number of guests. These spend their seasons in the Mediterranean, the Adriatic and the Caribbean, anchoring off small harbours and opening a marina platform at the stern for swimming and paddleboarding. In both cases the style is informal, with a good deal included in the fare.