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Whether you’re travelling to unspoilt islands or bustling metropolises, our fleet of river-cruising Star-Ships and ocean-going luxury yachts guarantee an unparalleled voyage. Enjoy modern exploration, pairing authentic adventures with inimitable luxury. 

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Luxury river cruises 

Relax on an award-winning river cruise through Europe or journey to Southeast Asia along the Mekong River. 

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Explore the extraordinary on a luxury river cruise

Embark on a river cruise to unveil majestic wonders and explore exhilarating cultures. Broaden your horizons by touring the beautiful destinations that dot the riverbanks, learn more about the local way of life, and sample the finest wine and cuisine. 

Explore the world’s rivers in luxury

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Hot Topic: Surprise Cruise Reveal Ideas

Emerald Azzurra vs. Scenic Eclipse: Super Yacht Cruises

Emerald Cruises and Scenic both have fantastic super yacht options for a bit of a different small ship experience than river cruises provide.

Scenic Group, the parent company of Emerald Cruises with its own luxury river cruise line, debuted a yacht last year. It led us to think about the cruise lines' trend to create yacht experiences. And, in particular, the newly formed Emerald Yacht Cruises compared to the Scenic Eclipse.

Emerald Cruises has been voted the best value for the money in river cruising three years in a row by Cruise Critic. Scenic Eclipse was voted the Best New Luxury Cruise Ship in 2019.

As fans of Emerald Cruises, we genuinely wondered: what's the difference between the yacht cruise ships, Emerald Azzurra and Scenic Eclipse?

We break it down for you by extensively comparing them. In addition to this, we provide you with our overall conclusions. (In our humble opinions, of course.)

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post, which means we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase,  at no cost to you . We truly only recommend hotels, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Overview of Both Super Yacht Cruises

From the get-go, we must acknowledge we're not comparing apples to apples here. The similarities are 1) the parent company and, 2) the word “yacht” when discussing both options.

As well as some environmentally conscious features, and they're both very spacious ships. But their biggest differences are weighty, like where they sail and what the cost is. While the Emerald Azzurra is gorgeous and high-end, the Scenic Eclipses oozes luxury.

Spoiler alert: Emerald Cruises yachts are a lower price point than the ultra-lux brand, 6-star Scenic Eclipse. About 50% less money. And the Emerald Azzurra sails in warm waters, while the Scenic Eclipse was built for cold water cruising, like in the Arctic.

Our conclusion wasn't revolutionary: they're both incredible products. But the precise options and differences onboard make it truly interesting to deep-dive into both lines. What you would like really depends on what type of experience you're looking to have, and at what cost. You can't go wrong with either.

As could be expected, the Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara is a great value for the investment. And that's truly what you're doing when you sign up for either yacht cruise: investing in an experience. We like that the Emerald Cruises yachts (Azzurra and Sakara) are smaller than the Eclipse and Eclipse II.

But then again, the Scenic yachts has some great restaurant options we'd love to try and a spa we can definitely see ourselves relaxing in. Also, we love Polar Regions. Like Northern Norway . Sigh. Choices, choices.

Questions We Sought to Answer for the Emerald Azzurra and Scenic Eclipse

We aim to answer deeper questions you may have floating around your head that came to mind for us, like:

• Where are they sailing? And for how many days?
• What's the decor on each of the ships?
• Are the staterooms and suites sizable? (As any cruiser usually wants to know!)
• What amenities are available on the ships?
• Exactly how much does the Scenic Eclipse cost? And is it worth the extra money?

Let's get to it.

Cruise Itineraries

Though offerings and itineraries are likely to change a little bit here and there over time, we'll discuss the current offerings projected until 2024.

Both ships offer incredibly different experiences, heading to very different regions. The Emerald Azzurra and Sakra go to typically warmer waters and some smaller ports. The Scenic Eclipse is “Where Luxury Meets Discovery.”

It is for travelers seeking destinations that are less visited due to the remoteness of their locations and the gear needed while you're there. Two great examples are Antarctica and the Sea of Cortez.

Emerald Azzurra

This ship focuses on Europe, the Middle East (like Dubai ), and the Caribbean . It will be sailing the Adriatic, Mediterranean, and Red Seas. During winter, the ships head to the Caribbean.

European countries include places like Croatia, Greece, Slovenia , Italy,   Spain's Costa Brava, the French Riviera, and Israel on various itineraries. Cruises usually last between 8 to 12 days.

Scenic Eclipse

The Eclipse puts a lot (but not all) of its focus on Scandinavia, including Norway, Iceland, and Greenland. (Call us biased, but we love the itinerary that goes from Oslo to Tromso !) It's also made for “Polar Region” cruises to Antarctica, which is the coveted seventh continent avid travelers look to check off their bucket lists.

It also sails to Central and South America, Scotland, Alaska and British Columbia, the west coast…and more. Itineraries are usually between 9 to 20 days.

Ship's Physical Length

We were surprised to learn the Scenic Eclipse is longer than the Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, by 190.1ft (almost 58m). Why does this matter? It means that the Eclipse Azzurra could have an advantage that money can't buy on the Scenic Eclipse: it can go into smaller, more intimate ports.

This potentially means it can visit some really cool locations other ships cannot physically access. (Then again, the Azzurra isn't built for cold waters like the Eclipse is, so there are ports the Eclipse can go to the Azzurra can't. “Advantages” might be in the eye of the beholder then.)

Perhaps the Scenic Eclipse's length was designed to be small enough to navigate the waters and large enough for stability purposes in the Arctic.

Emerald Azzurra: 360.9ft (110m)

Scenic Eclipse: 551ft (almost 168m)

Common Areas, Deck by Deck

The Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakra are smaller ships than the Scenic Eclipse and Eclipse II. They also have fewer decks. Emerald Cruises yachts have six decks the public can access (which are technically decks two through seven), while the Eclipse has eight.

• Deck 7: Smallest, top deck, containing the Sky Bar, called the “Sky Deck”
• 6: Pool cafe and lounge area
• 5: Panorama deck with open viewing
• 4: Observation deck, with a lounge area, open viewing, and guest laundry
• 3: Reception area, outdoor terrace, gift shop, Reflections Restaurant, and Horizon Bar & Lounge
• 2: Wellness deck, with spa, sauna, hairdressers, and the marina deck

• Deck 10: Plunge pool and sun terrace
• 9: Guest suites
• 8: Helicopter hangars and helipad, guest suite
• 7: Fitness and pool deck (indoor, outdoor, and plunge), guest suites
• 5: Restaurants, Observatory, and Observation Terrace
• 4: Restaurants and theater

Guest Capacity on the Yacht Cruise Ship Emerald Azzurra Compared to the Scenic Eclipse

The Scenic Eclipse can hold more than double the guest count of the Emerald Azzurra. This makes sense, given it has over double the room count and is a larger ship.

There is a 100-guest maximum on the Azzurra. Guest to crew ratio is a little better than 2:1, because there are 64 crew members.

The Eclipse has a 228-guest maximum and 200 in Antarctica. When it sails to Antarctica, 16 extra crew members are on board the Scenic Eclipse for the season. The guest-to-crew ratio is 1:1, with a butler assigned to each suite.

According to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) , only 100 passengers can be ashore at a time, with a ratio of staff to visitors at 1:20. (One guide to every 20 guests in Antarctica.) The guest count of 200 on a Scenic Eclipse sailing makes it easy to divide the ship into two groups that can both visit at the same time.

IAATO also regulates how many ships visit per day. Only ships with 500 passengers or less are allowed to land in Antarctica . And ships with 200 guests or less can land multiple times per day.

That's not a concern for the Scenic Eclipse but still interesting to learn. Due to their maximum passenger count of 200 people in Antarctica, all passengers can go ashore on the continent at once, in groups of 100 per group.

Yacht Cruise Stateroom Options and Suite Sizes 

Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara have 50 rooms across four decks, versus the Scenic Eclipse I and II's 114 rooms across five decks. However, the Scenic Eclipse suites start at almost double the size of Emerald Azzurra's smallest room.

Additionally, all the rooms on the Scenic Eclipse have a sizable balcony, while 88% of the rooms on Emerald Azzurra have one.

There are staterooms and suites ranging in size from 182 to 1,192 ft² on the Azzurra. The only option without a balcony is an Oceanview room.

Here are the Emerald Azzurra staterooms, listed in order from smallest to largest:

• Size: 182-204ft²
• Deck 3, bow/front
• Total onboard: 6
• Size: 285-306ft² (103-102ft² larger than the Oceanview)
• Decks 4 and 5, Panorama and Observation decks
• Total onboard : 36
• Size: 382-403ft², each with its own private balcony (7-97ft² larger than the Balcony Stateroom)
• Deck 6 , Pool deck
• Total onboard: 2
• Size: 648-669ft² including outdoor balcony (266ft² difference from the Deluxe Balcony Stateroom)
• Deck 5 , Panorama deck, stern/back
• Size: 700-721ft² including balcony (52ft² larger than the Terrace Suite)
• Deck 4,  Observation deck, stern/back
• Size: 1,162-1,192ft² including balcony, separate bedroom and lounge areas (462-471ft² larger than the Yacht Suite)

The suites range in size from 344 to nearly 2,640ft². All include a balcony.

Here are the Scenic Eclipse suites, listed from smallest to largest:

• Size: 344-366ft²
• Decks 5 and 6,  midship (Deck 5: some restaurants and observation areas; Deck 6: spa)
• Total onboard: 8 (4 per deck)
• Size: same dimensions as the Verandah Suite, simply in different locations that make it “deluxe”
• Decks 5 and 6 , mostly midship
• Total onboard: 32
• Size: 409-430ft² (65ft² larger than the Verandah and Deluxe Verandah Suites)
• Decks 5 and 6 , bow/front
• Total onboard: 20 (14 on Deck 5, 6 on Deck 6)
• Size: 495-538ft² (86-108ft² larger than the Grand Deluxe Verandah Suite)
• Deck 8 , Helicopter deck, bow/front
• Total onboard: 4
• Size: 1,130ft² with a curved balcony (approx. 613ft² larger than the Spa Suite)
• Deck 6 , Spa deck, bow/front
• Size:  1,184ft² with a curved balcony (54ft² larger than the Grand Panorama Suite)
• Deck 8, Helicopter deck, bow/front
• Size: 2,099ft² (915ft² larger than the Panorama Suite)
• Deck 9 , bow/front (Deck 9 is all suites, no guest amenities or common areas)
• Size: 2,637ft², private Jacuzzi – a combination of an Owner's Penthouse Suite and Spa Suite, with extra amenities (538ft² larger than the Owner's Penthouse, since a Spa Suite is being added to the Owner's Penthouse Suite by an adjoining door)
• Deck 9, bow/front
• Total onboard: 1 or 2, depending on how it's booked as two rooms conjoin to become this two-bedroom penthouse when booked

Onboard Amenities

The Emerald Azzurra provides fewer amenities onboard. However, the Scenic Eclipse sails for longer periods of time. This means guests are looking for more to do onboard the Eclipse. Thus, it's nice it has extra amenities for them to enjoy.

Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara

The Azzurra has a wellness center with a spa and gym. There are also three tenders and two Zodiac boats for guests to get ashore for unique experiences. A marina platform makes it easier for guests to gracefully enter the water for snorkeling and paddle boarding.

The main lounge area makes it easy to relax indoors, free from the elements. And an indoor/outdoor observation terrace area gives guests prime viewing over the bow of the ship as they sail.

We love that there's a Jacuzzi on the Sky Deck! Sail into the French Riviera from the top deck in a swimsuit, holding a cocktail. Just how we envision sailing to Nice, France, in our dreams!

Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II

We said it before, and we'll say it again: this ship was built for L-U-X-U-R-Y.

It has a spa just shy of 6,000ft². A “sanctuary,” if you will, complete with its own pool. Do you enjoy yoga? There's a room dedicated to yoga! Cooking? Cooking classes are available to guests, along with special culinary c ruise programming that brings celebrity chefs on board. There's a fitness area to work off those calories from their ten restaurants, too!

There is also a beautiful observation area with a library, comfy chairs, and scopes for viewing the scenery closer up (like we needed in Yellowstone National Park ). There is an outdoor observation area too if you want to feel the wind on your face with the scenery.

There are Zodiacs onboard to take guests ashore and a submarine. A SUBMARINE , people! How cool! If the water isn't what a guest is craving, maybe the air is. So guests can hop aboard one of their two helicopters. (Helicopter and submarine excursions incur an additional fee.)

Guests can shop in a pretty swanky-looking boutique that's sure to make them want to take home a few Scenic Eclipse branded souvenirs. Then they can wear them to the beautiful indoor theater too!

Excursion Offerings

Emerald Cruises yachts and Scenic yachts sail to different parts of the world right now so comparing excursions is like comparing an apple to an orange. Notwithstanding, they both have stellar options for excursions included in the cost of the cruise. Both also have opportunities for upgrades.

Guests will enjoy included EmeraldPLUS cultural experiences and a range of included EmeraldACTIVE excursions. They can book additional DiscoverMORE excursions if they choose when available. One thing to note, that's a bit different from Emerald Cruises River Cruises , is that fewer tours are included. This is purposely designed to allow guests more free time to roam the ports they visit.

Tours are included on the Scenic Eclipse. There are often multiple options in a port for a “choose your own adventure of sorts” for a “Discovery” tour or a “Freechoice” tour. There's also a third option to “Enrich,” sometimes, that is mostly to attend intimate concerts or performances.

The Scenic Eclipse has a submarine, the Scenic Neptune, onboard. It can dive to 980 feet deep, with room for six guests plus the pilot. As we mentioned, there are also two helicopters on board. Both experiences are available for an extra cost.

Dining and Beverages for the Scenic Eclipse and Emerald Azzurra Yacht Cruises

The dining options of the Emerald Azzurra feel much more like a traditional river cruise as opposed to the Scenic Eclipse, which has created myriad, distinct dining experiences.

Reflections Restaurant is the main dining area on board, serving all meals. Horizons bar and lounge is the common area where guests can enjoy snacks, cocktails, tea, and coffee. You can't make reservations, so it's nice they aren't necessary anyway. There's also a pool cafe with food offered between meals, available for purchase.

• Beer and wine are included with lunch and dinner.
• State-of-the-art coffee machines and tea stations are available 24/7 (which we very much enjoyed on our Emerald Azzurra cruise ).
• Extra: Liquor and any drinks outside meals. Available on an individual basis or as an upgraded Platinum Package for drinks.

Eight dining options are available on the Eclipse, including Asian fusion, French, and Italian cuisines. Reservations are recommended for each restaurant, with the exception of Elements, where you can just show up.

Food:  

• Elements: Italian, including steak and seafood
• Koko's: Asian fusion restaurant and sake bar
• Sushi @ Koko's: authentic Japanese experience
• Sushi @ Koko's: private dining with a teppanyaki grill
• Azure Bar & Cafe : open all day (and Azure Bar & Cafe: dedicated cooking school)
• Yacht Club : poolside grill, buffet, and bar
• Lumière : contemporary French fine dining and champagne bar
• *Chef's Table @ Elements : invitation-only degustation dining
• There's also Room Service available 24 hours

Koko's is considered three different dining experiences. Koko's and the part of Sushi @ Koko's that doesn't serve teppanyaki are next to each other. Guests can order sushi at either. Teppanyaki, though right next to the other two Koko's, is a different experience with its own menu.

*So, how do you get invited to the Chef's Table @ Elements? Guests are invited depending on how full the cruise is. And the longer the cruise, the better the odds are all guests will be invited during some point of the sailing. The priority of invitation goes to guests who booked higher category suites.

• Eight spacious bars and lounges are found on the Scenic Eclipse, some of which overlap with the restaurants. While we don't have a list of each one, we know there's a dedicated whiskey bar in the lounge, a bar inside Elements, and another inside Lumière focused on champagne. There is one in Azure Cafe as well.

Vibe and Decor of the Ships

They're both modern and lux in design, but you can tell simply from looking that there's an extra, upscale touch of luxury on the Scenic Eclipse.

Emerald Azzurra has a contemporary design. The color palette is neutral tones, leaning towards white, grey, and black.

Karen Moroney, who is also co-owner of the Scenic Group, handpicked items for the ship. She takes care of all design choices, including furniture and art.

The Eclipse is ultra-modern and contemporary, with lush finishings from carpets to windows. It seems like no expense was spared on the furniture and wall treatments. The color palette of the Scenic Eclipse is earth tones, with greys, tans, and black tones. (And pops of color here and there.)

The Scenic Eclipse has three custom art installations from the famed British Graffiti Artist Carl Hush. They were installed while the ship was in Rotterdam. Though Hush usually takes three weeks to finish a piece, he had just two days onboard in port to do so. And the results are stunning.

Three original Mitch Gobel paintings are on board; he's a native Australian artist, which is also the mother country of the Scenic Group. The three locations of his original paintings are the Spa Suite Lounge, Owner's Penthouse, and Scenic {whiskey} Bar.

There are 124 of Gobel's prints in the guest suites. His creations are colorful and inspired by organic shapes, invoking a sense of nature.

Environment and Technology of the Yacht Cruise Options

As the cruise industry grows, so does the concern for the environmenta l impact of ships on our oceans. We already knew the Scenic Group was environmentally conscious, but it became even more apparent during the Australian brushfires.

This Australian-based company donated $345,000 USD to the continent's relief efforts. That being said, building ships with the environment in mind is increasingly important as their fleet grows.

Emerald Cruises Yacht Ships

Something we appreciated onboard Emerald Azzurra was the commitment to no single-use plastic. This included not having plastic straws and giving guests refillable water bottles.

They also use a lot of the same water treatment technology Scenic Eclipse has. The Emerald Harmony river cruise ship in Asia has championed this, complete with refillable water bottle stations.

This ship was designed as a powerhouse for the Arctic. It navigates freezing cold waters filled with glaciers, for Pete's sake! There's so much to admire about the technological advancements of the Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II, not just for the environment but also for the advancement of the cruise community as a whole.

It has the highest ice class rating a passenger ship can receive. (Polar Class 6 if that means anything to you – it doesn't for us, but we know it sounds great!) It also has stabilizer fins that are 50% larger than standard for greater ship stability.

That, combined with its GPS system, allows for stationary positioning without dropping an anchor. And what if polar bears were under the water by an anchor when it dropped? Oy vey! We're grateful this technology exists so the Scenic Eclipse can be anchor free when necessary.

Price and What's Included with the Yacht Cruises

There's a huge difference in price, which we acknowledged at the start of this post. Yet we left this topic for last because, as the Cruise Critics Awards go, Emerald Cruises has once again produced an incredible value for the investment.

And Scenic has impressed with an award-winning luxury ship in the Eclipse. The Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse IIcost comes in at about twice the cost of the Emerald Azzurra or Emerald Sakara, per day.

Mostly everything is included on both ships. The main difference is the Scenic Eclipse, and Scenic Eclipse II include premium spirits, while the Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara include beer and wine during meals unless a couple upgrades.

Both include taxes, port charges, gratuities, and WiFi. (And we always travel with our Solis Hotspot for offshore WiFi access when we're on excursions in port.) Spa treatments are extra.

There are also opportunities to save money with Early Bird Booking Specials on both brands' sites. And often, flights and transfers are included, too, so be sure to sign up for their emails to catch a good promo. Because no matter how much or how little money you have, everyone loves a good deal!

• WiFi on up to 10 devices
• Lightweight and pocket-sized
• Works in popular port cities worldwide

By our calculations, you can expect to spend between $400 to $550 on average per day. The variables are if you upgrade to a drinks package for $67 per person per day and if you add on optional excursions.

Expect to invest around $4,000 per person for an Emerald Cruises yacht vacation not including any available sales or discounts, like during Wave Season or what a travel agent may be privy to.

This makes an 8-day sailing approximately $3,200 to $4,000 total, depending on the itinerary and current promotions.

It seems most itineraries, whether 9 or 13 days, come in at about $1,000 per day. For example, there are two 13-day cruise options, one for $12,100 and another for $15,000. The difference in price is due to the destinations they go to.

A longer itinerary is for a 20-day cruise, which is approximately $17,000. There's also a 38-day cruise for just under $32,600. (So there's a little saving on longer itineraries for the increase in days!) Submarine and helicopter excursions are available for an additional cost.

Final Thoughts

The future of these yacht cruise lines is bright. They offer really unique opportunities for guests to be “yachters,” even if only for a sailing. (Or a few if you love it enough to sail again.) And how many people can say they've sailed aboard yachts if you're not Warren Buffett? Or Jimmy Buffett , for that matter.

Their destinations are inspiring. And amenities and services are guest-focused.

While the Emerald Azzurra is wonderful for sailing warm waters and going to climates with higher temperatures and palm trees, there's a real appeal in the Scenic Eclipse, which sails to destinations most people only dream about exploring.

If your bank account and dream travel list favor the Scenic Eclipse, it may be worth checking out a shorter sailing to see if you like it. And if you do, commit to a longer cruise for the future.

When the Scenic Eclipse was announced, founder Glen Moroney mentioned there were plans to build a second ship. And if Emerald Cruises' success is any indication of the future of Emerald Yacht Cruises, we anticipate more ships will be announced for the future too.

Cruising soon and interested in yachts? Also check out:

• Emerald Azzurra Cruise Review: Onboard Yacht Experience
• Awesome Cruise Gift Ideas for Cruise Fans & People Going on a Cruise
• OMEGA Sailing Bracelet Review: Premium Accessory for Everyday Wear

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Luxury River Cruises

Introducing emerald kaia, luxury yacht cruises, luxury cruises & destinations, find a cruise.

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Popular destinations  

Discover the world with emerald cruises.

Whether you’re travelling to unspoilt islands or bustling metropolises, our fleet of river-cruising Star-Ships and ocean-going luxury yachts guarantee an unparalleled voyage. Enjoy modern exploration, pairing authentic adventures with inimitable luxury. 

Experience a great tapestry of culture cruising the rivers of Europe and Southeast Asia and the world’s oceans

Our featured itineraries

Danube Delights

Discover Europe’s most popular river cruises

Mediterranean Enchantment

Explore the Mediterranean by luxury yacht

8-Day Majestic Mekong Cruise

Explore vibrant Vietnam & Cambodia by river

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The Emerald Star

• 100 guests for plated dining service seated on one level. An additional 40 guests can be seated on the second deck. 140 guests total
• 130 guests seated on both decks for buffet service
• 200 guests for a reception style event
• Features two indoor dining salons, ample exterior deck space to enjoy the views, two elegantly styled bars, large picture windows, and an overhead sound system   

*Each vessel is subject to availability

Here's a peek onboard Emerald Sakara and some of its inaugural destinations

Luxury river cruises 

Relax on an award-winning river cruise through Europe or journey to Southeast Asia along the Mekong River. 

• Previous page

Explore the extraordinary on a luxury river cruise

Embark on a river cruise to unveil majestic wonders and explore exhilarating cultures. Broaden your horizons by touring the beautiful destinations that dot the riverbanks, learn more about the local way of life, and sample the finest wine and cuisine. 

Explore the world’s rivers in luxury

The Emerald Cruises experience

A luxury river cruise should showcase the best of each extraordinary destination and provide everything you need to have the most pleasurable and relaxing time. The Emerald Cruises experience is designed to ensure your journey is as enjoyable as possible. 

Our river cruise destinations

The river experience

Plan your journey

Our special offers

Getaway video hub

Watch Getaway now to discover our beautiful river cruises through the Provence and Burgundy  region of France. Cruise on board the luxurious Emerald Liberte and be inspired for your next river  journey.

Featured Itineraries

Sensations of Lyon & Provence

Discover the magic of France by river

Secrets of the Douro

Explore the charms of Portugal by river

Jewels of the Rhine

Discover Europe’s most popular river cruises

Danube Delights

8-Day Majestic Mekong Cruise

Explore vibrant Vietnam & Cambodia by river

Splendours of Europe

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Moscow (Russia)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Russia Rivers

Local Time 2024-04-26 03:08

Moscow is a Volga River cruise port, Russia's capital and largest city (population over 12,2 million, metro 17 million). Moscow City covers a total area of approx 2610 km 2 (970 mi2). By population, the city is ranked the world's 14th largest. Moscow is one of the Russian Federation's all 3 federal cities - together with St Petersburg and Sevastopol .

Being Russian Federation's capital, Moscow is a major economic, political, scientific and cultural center, as well as Europe's biggest city.

According to Forbes 2013, Moscow has been ranked as the 9th most expensive city in the world by Mercer and has one of the largest urban economies, being ranked as an alpha global city according to Globalization and World Cities Research Network. It is also one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world according to MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index. Moscow is the northernmost and the coldest megacity and metropolis on the Earth. It's home to Ostankino Tower, the tallest free-standing European structure; the Federation Tower, the tallest European skyscraper; and the Moscow International Business Center. 

Moscow is situated on Moskva River in the Central Federal District of European Russia, which makes it the most populated inland city in the world. Moscow city is well known for architecture, particularly its historic buildings like Saint Basil's Cathedral. With over 40% of its territory covered by greenery, it's one of the greenest capitals and major cities in Europe and the world. Moscow is the seat of power of the Russian Government, being the site of Moscow Kremlin, a medieval city-fortress that is now the residence of the President of Russia. Moscow Kremlin and Red Square are among the several World Heritage Sites in the city. 

Moscow has 2 passenger terminals, North River Terminal (Rechnoy vokzal) and South River Terminal. The regular ship routes and cruises along Moskva and Oka rivers are used mostly for entertainment. North River Terminal (1937-built) is currently the main hub for long-range routes along the river. There are 3 freight ports that serve Moscow.

In late-July 2021 the city announced plans to incorporate a fleet (unspecified number) of fully electric passenger ferries into its public transportation network from summer 2022, the goal being to reduce the dependence on cars.

• The boats are designed with length ~22 m (72 ft), passenger capacity 42, modern amenities (Wi-Fi, USB charging points, tables for working commuters), spaces for storing scooters and bicycles.
• Moscow Transport confirmed that two routes (with max daily capacity ~16,000 passengers) have already been mapped out.
• Passengers will be able to pay via bank cards, the city’s Troika card (smart card for travel by any public transportation) or biometric payment cards. Those with monthly/yearly public transit tickets will use the boats at no extra cost.
• The new electric ferry service is up to 5 times faster (in comparison to other city public transports) and ~2 times faster than by car.

Moscow cruise terminal

Moscow's cruise terminal is called North River Terminal or River Station  ("Rechnoy Vokzal" / "речной вокзал").

The terminal was opened in 1937 and is one of 2 passenger terminals (the other being South River Terminal) of the city's river transport. North River Terminal is the main hub for long-range (including cruise) shipping routes. 

South River Terminal (above photo) was opened in 1985.

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Moscow - user reviews and comments

13 European Rivers and Waterways to Cruise

Michael Runkel / robert harding / Getty Images

The number of river cruise ships sailing in Europe has been rapidly growing for most of this century, and river cruises continue to be a very popular way to see cities and towns inaccessible to ocean-going ships. 

Today, travelers can cruise over a dozen different rivers in Europe. Most river cruise lines sail similar itineraries and include shore excursions in each port of call. The price differential between the river cruise lines is usually due to the level of service, cabin size, and onboard amenities.

This article explains some of the differences in the 13 primary cruise ship rivers and their itineraries. Although each river is discussed individually, note that many river cruise itineraries cover more than one river. For example, if someone has about 3 to 4 weeks of vacation time and enough money, they can sail all the way between Amsterdam and the Black Sea on the same ship. River cruise lines offer other combinations, but they involve moving on land from one river to another.

The Danube River: Central Europe

TripSavvy / Lauren Breedlove 

The source of the Danube River (Donau in German) is in the Black Forest of Germany, and it flows almost 1,800 miles east through central Europe towards the Black Sea, passing through or touching the border of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine. 

River cruises sail the length of the navigable Danube between Regensburg and the Black Sea, but most itineraries focus on one of the two most spectacular sections—either between Passau and Budapest  or between Budapest and Bucharest. The navigable Danube has 19 locks, with 15 of them between Regensburg​ and Vienna. 

Passau to Budapest River Cruise

This Danube River cruise covers some of central Europe's most gorgeous river scenery in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Wachau Valley , plus it stops in three of the continent's most fascinating capital cities— Vienna , Bratislava , and Budapest . Other ports of call include towns like Linz (for tours to Salzburg), Melk , Krems, or Durnstein.

Most ports are marvelous walking destinations, and river ships stop right in the heart of the town and include a walking tour and free time to explore. 

Budapest to Bucharest

Travelers love this river cruise itinerary because it gives them the opportunity to visit eastern European countries where travel for North Americans has just become very popular and accessible in this century.  The citizens of Hungary, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria welcome tourists and love to share their corner of the world with travelers.

As the Danube continues its way to the Black Sea, travelers first explore amazing Budapest, with most ships spending either one or two days at the dock to allow their guests adequate time to see the city. The ship next stops in Kalocsa , the "Paprika Capital of the World", before moving on to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is one of Europe's oldest cities and still carries remnants of the destruction of its last war in the 1990's.  As the ship moves downriver, guests explore a Roman archaeological site, museums of ancient history, the Iron Gates of the Danube, and miles of lovely scenery. Most of the river ships do not sail all the way to the Black Sea, but end at a small town near the Romanian capital of Bucharest.  Passengers are bused between the river and Bucharest, and the cruise tour includes time to see the city.

The Main River: Germany

The Main River (pronounced "mine") in Germany is the longest river that lies entirely in Germany. It flows west and joins the Rhine River near Mainz. The Main River is 327 miles long, but only 246 miles are open to traffic, and this navigable section of the river has 34 locks. The Main River cruise ports of call are Bamberg , Wurzburg , Wertheim , and Miltenberg . Each of these towns features interesting history, walking tours, and picturesque streets and architecture. 

Most river cruise travelers primarily see the Main River as a link between the Rhine and Danube Rivers. However, ships could not sail from the North Sea to the Black Sea until the Main-Danube Canal was completed in 1992, and it took 32 years of construction. Ships pass through 16 locks on the 106-mile transit of the canal. The Main-Danube Canal starts near the Danube River near Regensburg and travels north by Nuremberg to Bamberg. River cruise ships often feature day-long tours of Nuremberg while their ship passes through several of the locks, saving time for everyone.

The locks of the Main-Danube Canal (and elsewhere on the Danube and Main Rivers) are important to cruise travelers because the size of the locks dictates the size of river ships. Anyone who wonders why a river ship is so narrow will understand when they see the size of the locks. The low bridges over these same rivers control the height of the river ships. 

The Rhine River: Switzerland to the Netherlands

The source of the Rhine River is in Switzerland, and it flows over 800 miles generally northwest before dumping into the North Sea near Rotterdam in the Netherlands. River ships sailing only on the Rhine move between Basel, Switzerland (near the border of France, Germany, and Switzerland) and Amsterdam. The Rhine has 12 locks, 10 of which are downstream from Basel. All 10 of these are between Basel and Mainz where the Main River joins the Rhine. 

The cruise between Basel and Mainz features stopovers at Strasbourg and Heidelberg. Many visitors find Strasbourg particularly interesting since part of the city is in France and the other (across the Rhine) is in Germany. Heidelberg is not quite on the river but is very nearby. This university town is lively, and the city has a marvelous castle. 

The Rhine River cruise region between Mainz and Koblenz is one of the most scenic in Europe. The breathtaking castles lining the Upper Middle Rhine Valley make it a traveler's favorite. Many people take a European river cruise just to see these magnificent old castles. The Loreley (Lorelei) Rock is also found along this section of the river. Cruise travelers have many opportunities to see the "castles on the Rhine" since they are also included on cruises between Amsterdam and Danube River ports or on Moselle/Rhine/Main/Danube River cruises.

One cute town with lots to offer Rhine River cruise travelers is Rudesheim , which is between Mainz and Koblenz. It offers a fun "party" street, a mechanical musical instrument museum (way more fun and interesting than it sounds), a cable car to the top of a hill with great views of the river and surrounding vineyards, and a giant German monument. 

Another popular stopover on the Rhine River is at Cologne , Germany. As river ships approach the city, the huge cathedral soon comes into view, and a visit to the cathedral and its square is a popular site in the city.

The only other stop for most ships sailing the Rhine River towards Amsterdam is at Kinderdijk to see its 19 windmills, most dating back to the 18th century. Along with tulips, windmills are an iconic symbol of the Netherlands, and the most picturesque are at Kinderdijk.

The Moselle River: France, Luxembourg, and Germany

The Mosel (German) or Moselle (French) River begins in France and passes through Luxembourg and Germany before flowing into the Rhine River at Koblenz. The Moselle has 28 locks, but only 12 are on the section of the river used by river cruise ships. The Moselle is 255 miles long, but river cruises only sail on the last 100 miles before it enters the Rhine. 

The Moselle River is one of Europe's most scenic, with a river valley that twists and turns as it makes its way towards the Rhine. The hillsides are covered with vineyards, most growing grapes for Germany's famous Riesling.  Ports of call include Cochem, Bernkastel, and Koblenz. All three of these towns are delightful to explore, and ships dock near the town centers. A highlight of Cochem is its spectacular castle , and cruise ship guests all love the views of the river from its towers. 

Some of the river cruise lines' most innovative itineraries include the Moselle River. For example, Moselle River cruises often start in Luxembourg or in Trier , Germany. However, cruise lines sometimes include a few days in Paris before the cruise begins and then transport guests to the ship via the TGV train from Paris to Metz or Remich and then on to Trier via bus. It's an exciting way to start a cruise! 

The Moselle River is included on river cruise tours between Paris and Prague , Amsterdam and Basel, or Paris to Budapest. 

The Elbe River: Germany

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

The Rhine and Danube Rivers are the most popular rivers to cruise in Germany, but those who are fascinated by 20th-century history or by Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation will love an Elbe River cruise between Prague and Berlin . The 680-mile long Elbe has seven locks, but five are in the Czech Republic upstream from where river cruises embark in Melnik and the other two are downstream from where the ships disembark at Magdeburg for the drive to Potsdam and then Berlin. The Elbe eventually flows into the North Sea near Hamburg. 

Elbe River cruise tours include hotel stays in Prague and Berlin, two of Europe's great cities. Most of the cruise is in eastern Germany, and cities like Dresden , Meissen, and Wittenburg all have their own special charm. After being almost completely destroyed during World War II and now rebuilt, Dresden is a marvelous city to visit, with one of the world's great museums. Meissen has its fine porcelain, and Wittenburg has Martin Luther and the Reformation. Seeing the improvements in these eastern German cities since the reunification of the country in 1990 is impressive.

The Elbe River is often shallow, so cruise lines sailing the Elbe use smaller ships with a shallower draft for these cruises. 

The Seine River: France

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

Almost all Seine River  cruises sail roundtrip from Paris, heading downstream and north towards Le Havre and Honfleur, where it enters the English Channel. The 483-mile river has 34 locks, but 29 are upstream from Paris.  Paris is a beautiful city and a perfect place to begin a French river cruise vacation.

Ports of call visited between Paris and the sea might include Vernon, Les Andelys, Conflans, and Mantes-la-Jolie.  Monet's famous  Giverny garden is near Vernon. A highlight for many travelers is an all-day excursion to the Normandy beaches of World War II .

Many river ships turn around near Rouen , which is 75 miles from the sea and navigable by ocean-going ships.  Others go 27 miles further downstream to Caudebec-en-Caux. Most cruise lines spend one or two nights in one of these two cities, which allows their guests to have a day on the Normandy beaches and to explore the charming coastal town of Honfleur. 

The Rhone River: France

France also has river cruises in the southern part of the country. One of these is a Rhone River cruise in the Provence region between Lyon and Arles or Avignon .  The 500-mile Rhone River has 13 locks, and 12 of these are between Lyon and where the Rhone empties into the Mediterranean Sea.  The source of the Rhone River is the Rhone Glacier in Switzerland. 

Some Rhone River cruise tours begin with a few days at a hotel in Paris and then include a transfer to Lyon to begin their cruise. It's not a surprise that many of the highlights of one of these cruises include food or drink. Wine and cheeses abound, and a tour of the Valrhona chocolate factory in Tournon is an unforgettable experience for all chocolate lovers. History buffs will love Avignon and its importance to the Catholic Church, and they'll also love exploring the walled-city of Viviers and the Roman Pont du Gard near Avignon.

Most river cruise lines have combination tours that include Rhone River cruises along with one on the Saone, Seine, or Bordeaux region of France. Extensions to Paris, Nice, or other cities in Provence or the French Riviera are also easily done. 

The Saone River: France

The 300-mile long Saone River is a tributary of the Rhone River, merging in Lyon. Since river ships can only sail about 80 miles upstream from Lyon through Macon up to Chalon-sur-Saone, cruises usually include time on the Rhone River also. Although the Saone has 51 locks, only 3 are impacted by river cruises.

Macon is a city in the south Burgundy region of France, so it has some fine wines and opportunities to taste them. This ancient city dates back to 200 BC, and the town also has several museums and historic attractions. Many of the interesting parts of the old city are on the Saone River. 

Chalon-sur-Saone  is also in Burgundy, and many local activities revolve around food and wine. 

Bordeaux Waterways: France

The fourth region of France with river cruises is Bordeaux , which is southwest of Paris. Ships explore the Bordeaux region on three rivers—the Dordogne, Garonne, and Gironde. The city of Bordeaux is the heart of the cruise, which primarily showcases the superb wines of the region.

These three rivers are not as scenic as those in other parts of Europe, primarily because they are subject to huge fluctuations with the tides (especially the Gironde). In addition, the land is very flat. The vineyards offer some beauty, but many cannot be seen from the rivers.

Some ocean ships can sail from the Atlantic Ocean up to the city of Bordeaux , but a bridge prevents them from going further. Bordeaux is a gorgeous French city and is fun to explore, even for those who don't like wine.

In addition to the city of Bordeaux, ports of call might include Cadillac, Libourne, Pauillac, Saint Emilion, and Blaye. Seeing the many famous vineyards  and wine cellars near Pauillac and Saint Emilion is memorable for all who love wine and historic cities. Travelers will have their friends talking if they take a selfie front of a Saint Emilion shop that sells bottles of wine for thousands of dollars each.

Some cruise lines even offer an optional tour to the city of Cognac, where guests have the opportunity to blend their own. Another fun activity is to go truffle hunting with a farmer and his dog (pigs aren't used anymore). 

The Douro River: Portugal and Spain

Until a few years ago, even experienced travelers did not know about the Douro River as a cruise destination . This 557-mile long river starts in Spain, but most of its navigable waters are in Portugal, and the river flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Porto. The Douro River has 15 dams that generate hydroelectric power, but only five are on the navigable section, and all of these also have locks to enable ships to go up and down the river. Because of its rapids, the Douro was once very dangerous for ships to travel, but it has always been used to transport valuable goods downstream. The first valuable was gold mined in the mountains, but wine eventually replaced the gold.

The Douro River valley is spectacular as the river winds its way down the mountains toward the sea. Once ships leave Porto and sail upriver, the scenery changes rapidly as the river narrows and cliffs are steeper. Only a few small towns are visible, although vineyards fill the slopes. The region is settled, but there is not much to be seen by just walking from the ship. Buses are needed to take guests sightseeing and to visit the historical and cultural sites. This is an amazing river cruise destination, so don't let the bus time scare you.

Ships sail up the Douro from Porto to Spain, turn around, and sail back down. They are not allowed to sail at night, but different shore excursions are offered upstream and downstream, so it doesn't seem repetitive. 

Douro River ships are specifically built to sail this river and are smaller since they need to navigate the sharp turns in the river and the smaller locks. Some river cruise lines feature 7-day cruise-only vacations, embarking and disembarking their ships in Porto.  Others have cruise tours that include two or three nights in Lisbon, a transfer to Porto, and then a 7-day cruise. 

The Volga River and Other Russian Waterways

A cruise on Russian rivers and waterways between St. Petersburg and Moscow is the best way to see parts of Russia on a cruise. Many will travel to St. Petersburg on a Baltic cruise and are amazed at the beauty and fascinated by the history and culture of this great city. Some of these travelers want to learn more about Russia, and this river cruise itinerary fits the bill.

The Volga River, which is Europe's longest, is the major river on this cruise. Its source is in central Russia and it empties into the Caspian Sea. Ships sailing from St. Petersburg embark on the Neva River, sail through Lake Ladoga and then onto the Svir River, which joins with the Volga-Baltic Waterway before entering the Volga River. The Volga system features many reservoirs, so often ship passengers feel they are on an ocean rather than a river. The last body of water is the Moscow Canal, but thanks to the lock system, Moscow is connected with the Baltic Sea at St. Petersburg and the cities on the Volga downstream to the Caspian Sea. 

This cruise is usually 12-13 days and includes overnights (or more) in both St. Petersburg and Moscow . Other ports of call include small towns on the Svir River that are perfect for shopping, trying different kinds of vodka, or experiencing a Russian banya (sauna and bath house). Ships also stop at Kizhi Island to see traditional wooden homes and churches, and at historic towns down the Volga River like Yaroslavl and Uglich that provide a look at the culture and life outside of the major cities. 

The tour guides on this river cruise recognize that travelers are very interested about their lives in Russia, so they feature many lectures and free-flowing discussions on different topics while the ship is sailing. Since the cruise is only in one country, the entire focus can be on Russian food, drink, clothing, schools, churches, politics, and everyday life.  And, since Moscow is far inland, it's an unexpected treat to visit on a cruise. 

The Dnieper River: Ukraine

The 1,333-mile Dnieper River is Europe's fourth longest and sails from Russia through Belarus and Ukraine before flowing into the Black Sea. It has many hydroelectric dams and is very important to the Ukraine economy. 

Cruises sail between Kiev and Odessa, so the entire cruise is in the Ukraine. These two cities are so important over half of an 11-day cruise is spent there. Kiev is the capital of Ukraine and is one of Europe's oldest cities, offering many historic sites and a major cathedral. ​Odessa sits on the northern shore of the Black Sea, not far from where the Dnieper River enters the Sea. Unlike Kiev, Odessa was not founded until the 18th century by Russian Empress Catherine the Great.Today, it is a transportation hub and its beaches attract many tourists.  

Other Dnieper River ports visited on the cruise are Kremenchug, Dnipro, and Zaporozhye, which is the ancestral home of the Cossacks. It's not surprising that Cossack horsemen put on a show similar to the one in Puszta , Hungary since Cossacks settled both regions.

Due to the political unrest in the Ukraine, many river cruise lines have postponed running their ships on the Dnieper River. Viking River Cruises is the only major river cruise line that caters to English-speaking guests that currently has Dnieper cruises scheduled.

Spring Tulip and Windmill Cruises: Netherlands and Belgium

A river cruise in the Netherlands and Belgium encompasses parts of well-known rivers like the Rhine and lesser-known rivers such as the Issel, Nedderrijn, and Schelde (or Scheldt). Some of the cruises are also on waterways such as the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal or Ijssel Lake. 

A spring tulip time cruise in the Netherlands and Belgium is a marvelous cruise for flower lovers, but also for those who appreciate quiet villages, windmills, and history. Travelers fascinated by the power of water will enjoy learning about how the Dutch have reclaimed much of their land from the sea and also how they keep the sea from flooding that precious land. The waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium have about 40 locks, all of which are important for flood control rather than height differences. (Don't worry, river cruises don't pass through all of them.)

Many of these cruises are roundtrip from Amsterdam , and a day touring this famous city is often included in the tour before the ship sails. 

The best time to see the tulip fields and world-famous Keukenhof Gardens is from late March to mid-May, so river cruise lines operate at full strength during this time. Most of the ships that sail the waterways of the Netherlands are 7 or 8 days long, while those that sail around the Netherlands and Belgium are usually 10-14 days. 

A few cruise lines also sail the Netherlands and Belgium in the fall months, but you won't see any tulips blooming in the fields at that time of year. 

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