Emerald Dawn Review

-- / 5.0
Editor Rating
170 reviews

Excellent cruise through the heart of Europe

Review for Europe Cruise on Emerald Dawn
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Sandstone Riser
2-5 Cruises • Age 70s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Jul 2018

We chose this cruise company which is marketed as Evergreen in Australia, because of Cruise Critic ratings and also word of mouth feedback from others who had sailed with Evergreen/Emerald.

We spent eight nights on Emerald Dawn and then transferred to Emerald Sky for six nights because of low water levels in the Danube River. We only spent one day travelling by bus and we did not miss any scheduled stops. The transfer from one boat to another was very professionally organised, made into a smooth transfer for the passengers.

Our cruise director, Michael, stayed with us for the whole cruise and that was very pleasing. Michael is very professional, helpful, informative and certainly impressed us with his ability to know the names of all passengers within a short period of time.

Cabin Review

Cabin Balcony

Decor was very easy on the eyes, quite neutral and not overdone. Although this cabin was smaller than those we have had on ocean going ships, it did not feel too small or crowded. Our cases were able to be stored under the bed and there was ample storage provided for our clothes. Emerald Dawn had slightly more storage because the safe and fridge were not located within the wardrobe like they were on Emerald Sky.

We really liked the way the window could be lowered to create a balcony within the cabin.

The bed was very comfortable and the doona was perfect for the temperature set for our cabin. We were pleased to be given two pillows each.

Port Reviews

Wurzburg

We enjoyed our time here, the local guide supplied by Emerald Waterways was very informative, spoke clearly. Enjoyed the market in the city centre.

Rudesheim

Our cruise company supplied a local guide for a walk around the town centre. We then rode the cable car, enjoyed the views over the river and vineyards. After coming back to the town I had one of their famous coffees ( Brandy, coffee, cream). We would have liked more free time here.

Bamberg

We had an excellent local guide supplied by Emerald Waterways. We were disappointed to find the cathedral was closed for a school function. A very interesting old town centre to explore. The weekend we were there a special festival was setting up in the newer part of the town centre, more time would have been great.

Nuremberg

We had a local guide supplied by Emerald Waterways. This guide was not as good as our other guides in different towns and cities, he was not a local and that was evident.

We were fortunate to have a whole day here because the river was low and we had to travel one day by bus. We wished we had ridden the little train after our guided walk so we had got a clearer picture of this city. Ride the little train which starts at the market square.

Regensburg

Interesting town explored with a local guide supplied by Emerald Waterways. We were there on a Sunday so many shops were shut. The architecture is quite special when wandering around the narrow lanes and alleyways.

Durnstein (Krems)

This town is fall of cloned gift shops, very little variety in the shops. The setting for this small town is quite picturesque with the ruins up on the hill behind the town. There is not much to do in this town other than visit the church, we were lucky enough to be able to go to a special art exhibition that was on in building adjoining the church.

Bratislava

Excellent local guide supplied by Emerald Waterways. Informative walk around the old town centre. We enjoyed a coffee at an organic cafe, modern cafe built within very old building. This is an interesting city, the new city sits beside the old town although we did not get time to visit the newer areas.

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