Emerald Cruises’ newest ‘Star-Ship’, Emerald Luna, has been christened during a ceremony in Amsterdam.
Emerald Luna is the ninth ship in the Emerald Cruises fleet. She will sail on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers in Europe. Award-winning US travel industry advocate and educator, Vanessa McGovern, took the honours as godmother during the official ceremony. McGovern is the Co-Founder and Chief Sales Officer of Gifted Travel Network, a US-based Virtuoso member travel agency.
At the event representing Scenic Group, the parent company of Emerald Cruises, were Rob Voss, Chief Operating Officer, Scenic Group; David Winterton, Global Director of Brand & Marketing; Maggie Carbonell, VP Marketing – Scenic Group USA; and Ann Chamberlin, VP Sales – Scenic Group USA; as well as Monic van der Heyden, Commercial Director, Cruise Port Amsterdam, Johan Kaasjager, Managing Director of the Den Breejen Shipyard, embarking guests, and local dignitaries.
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“It’s a true honour and a privilege to be named godmother to this magnificent river ship,” said McGovern. “I’ve long admired Emerald Cruises’ commitment to working with travel advisors, and it’s with great pleasure that I welcome Emerald Luna to the fleet and wish her a safe passage.”
The Emerald Luna christening comes at a time of growth for the small ship cruise line – in May, Emerald Cruises welcomed its first ocean-going luxury yacht, Emerald Azzurra, to its fleet with a christening in Venice. A second luxury yacht, Emerald Sakara, is scheduled to debut in 2023.
The 180-guest Emerald Luna features the line’s innovative balcony design in most cabins, complete with decked area and an open-air system, as well as an indoor swimming pool with retractable roof and cinema on the ship’s aft.
Emerald Luna joins sister ships Emerald Sun, Emerald Sky, Emerald Star, Emerald Dawn and Emerald Destiny sailing the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers in Europe.
Emerald Cruises’ river fleet also includes the 132-guest Emerald Liberté sailing the Rhône and Saône Rivers in France, 112-guest Emerald Radiance sailing the Douro River in Portugal, and 84-guest Emerald Harmony sailing the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia.