I was fortunate to sail on the beautiful Emerald Dawn, for a delightful springtime river cruise through Holland & Belgium. I flew with Emirates Airlines, via Dubai and arrived into Amsterdam two days prior to my cruise to explore the city and get my bearings. I took a walking tour on the first day, to learn about the local history and acquaint myself with the beautiful architecture and extensive canal system. The following day, I did the same, except on a bike, braving the local traffic and crowds!
When the day arrived to board Emerald Dawn, it was so simple - a stroll from my hotel (Ibis Amsterdam Centre) to the Port of Amsterdam. This is one of the real pluses of river cruising, the vessels can usually dock right in town! The greeting by the Emerald Dawn crew instantly made me feel at home with their very warm smiles and friendly but professional service.
I was taken to my very spacious Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite. My Suite had a remote-control window, which, at the touch of a button slides the window down to halfway giving you your own peaceful balcony or the ability to enclose the space, if the weather turns bad. In either setting, the views are completely unobstructed. The cabins were perfectly comfortable and well appointed.
The Emerald Dawn’s clever design has a pool at the aft of the ship, overlooking the back as if you are in an infinity pool. It is indoors so that you can swim in any weather. The very cleverly designed pool even “disappears” at the press of a button. Within minutes the water is emptied out as the pool floor raised till it is level with the floor and at night the room becomes a cinema, with deck chairs, blankets and popcorn to enjoy a relaxed evening, watching a movie. In the morning, the floor is still up so that the room becomes a Yoga/Pilates Studio and then once everyone is finished just a press of a button and within minutes the pool appears again in front of your eyes. With river vessels being smaller than ocean cruise ships, flexible spaces like these maximise the amenities onboard!
All meals are offered in the main dining room, with the standard of food being impeccable. I have Coeliac Disease and am always concerned about what I can eat, but every lunch and dinner, the waitstaff would greet me and go through the menu with my choices and I never felt left out! Except perhaps when we were in Belgium and everyone had Belgium Waffles - there weren't any gluten free waffles for me. Every evening, before dinner guests would meet in the Lounge, where the Captain would chat to you and then introduce you to the Sommelier who would go through the wine being served that night. This would always be paired with the menu, which the Chef would showcase then too.
The evenings were yours to enjoy, with the lounge and bar giving you the option to dance the night away or enjoy a quiet nightcap after a long day. The cinema was an option to catch a movie.
Emerald River Cruises offer you a selection of shore excursions each day, which are all included in your fare. There are different options to suit varying interests and activity levels - Emerald Plus and Emerald Active. There are also Discover More excursions, which are an additional charge.
Our journey through the Netherlands was enchanting, starting with the picturesque windmills of Zaanse Schans. Strolling through this quaint village felt like stepping back in time, where the iconic windmills once hummed away.
Next, we ventured into the vibrant city of Rotterdam, where modernity meets history. The skyline, punctuated by the tallest commercial and residential buildings in the country, offers a striking contrast to the traditional charm of the surrounding areas.
Our cultural exploration continued in The Hague, home to the prestigious Mauritshuis Museum. Here, we took in masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age, including the works of Rembrandt and Vermeer, each painting a window into the rich artistic heritage of the Netherlands.
Crossing into Belgium, we found ourselves in the charming city of Antwerp. The city's cobblestone streets, historic City Hall, and the medieval fortress of Het Steen created a sense of timelessness that lingered with every step.
