We understand that you have invested a lot in your Emerald Cruises holiday, and our river cruise guarantee is designed to give you peace of mind and allow you to enjoy your time on board, safe in the knowledge that you are covered in the event of anything not considered typical or usual to river cruising.

Emerald Cruises have partnered with a global insurance company, to offer river cruise travel insurance for the first time.

On every Emerald Cruises European river cruise, you will automatically be covered from the commencement of your cruise for any delays or cancellations that occur due to unforseen circumstances. There's nothing extra to pay, we automatically cover you in the price of your cruise.

WHAT IS CLASSED AS AN UNFORESEEN EVENT?

A complete halt to your itinerary where the ship is unable to sail and we are unable to deliver your on shore excursions except by way of coach rides of greater than 3 hours each way
Where we have the ability to accommodate you on another Emerald Cruises Star-Ship due to high/low water but your itinerary is delayed more than 24 hours
If there is a mechanical breakdown on the ship that results in it not being able to continue the cruise and there are no alternative ships available
If due to industrial action we are not able to pass through a lock and your cruise can not continue

In these circumstances, depending on the level of your Tour and the specific circumstances, you will be paid up to a maximum amount for each full 24 hour period from the start of the delay or cancellation up to a maximum of GBP £4000 (or seven consecutive 24 hour periods) or the originally scheduled end date of your tour, whichever is the lesser.

WHAT IS CLASSED AS A NORMAL DISRUPTION AND IS THEREFORE NOT COVERED?

• If high water levels prohibit the sailing of the ship for an afternoon but we are able to make it under the bridge that evening and deliver you to your scheduled disembarkation place the following day
• If we swap ships due to high/low water and the ship swap takes less than 6 hours to complete
• If we embark/disembark the ship less than 100 kilometres from your scheduled point of embarkation
• If we have to make alternate arrangement for any itinerary activities. For example, if due to prevailing conditions we are not able to attend Melk Abbey and we select a replacement of similar quality, this will not constitute an event of delay.

WE WILL NOT PAY FOR CLAIMS ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM:

• Minor or typical delays experienced on the Cruises;
• Pandemic, war, invasion, act of foreign enemy, hostilities (whether war be declared or not), Civil War, rebellion, revolution, insurrection or military or usurped power;
• Any loss or expense with respect to Cuba or a specially designated person, entity, group or company on the Specially Designated List or which if reimbursed or paid by Us would result in Us being in breach of trade or economic sanctions or other such similar laws or regulations;
• Any nuclear reaction or contamination, ionising rays or radioactivity;
• Any Goods and Services Tax (GST) liability or any fine, charge or penalty You are liable for because of a failure to fully disclose to Us Your input tax credit entitlement for the premium.

Please note that Emerald Cruises are not liable for COVID-19 and other pandemic related issues such as quarantines, delays, lockdowns, repatriation expenses, loss of touring, loss of inclusions, border closings or location entry requirements or restrictions, etc. We strongly recommend guests obtain travel insurance to cover such costs and risks as well as any others resulting from Force Majeure Events.

YOUR INCLUDED RIVER CRUISE COVER

This may be enacted in the event of a deviation to compensate you for any changes to your itinerary.  

Emerald Cruises is committed to open and transparent communication. Should information about potential issues be available prior to your departure we will notify you and allow you to make an informed decision about your travel plans.

Should the impact happen during your cruise, you will be notified by your Cruise Director on board that River Cruise Cover has been enacted. Once your cruise is complete, we will review the total number of days that were disrupted and provide you with a letter upon your return home with the amounts that can be claimed and details of the claims process. 

We appreciate that you’ve invested a lot of time and funds for your holiday with us, so we want to ensure that we provide you with peace of mind when traveling with Emerald Cruises.

THE RIVER CRUISE COVER

If Your Cruise is delayed or cancelled after You have commenced Your Cruise and before you have disembarked and completed Your Cruise due to:

1. mechanical breakdown;
2. riots;
3. strikes;
4. civil commotion;
5. river or canal lock damage or closure;
6. adverse weather conditions; or
7. natural disasters;
   

What does an itinerary deviation look like? How could it impact my trip and how might I be compensated?

A deviation can be a quick, minor inconvenience, a prolonged change or an extended disruption depending on the circumstances.
 
A minor disruption may include:
 
In the event that a ship can’t pass through a section of the river (due to water levels, a closed lock or river obstruction, for example), we use coaches to transfer you from your original Emerald Cruises Star-Ship to a new Star-Ship on the other side of the obstruction. These “ship swaps” are performed with the least impact possible with your Cruise Director accompanying you onto the new ship with your belongings to ensure the remainder of the cruise is as enjoyable as possible. You will be accommodated in a suite of the same type and value; should this not be possible you will be compensated the difference in the value of the suites.
 
A prolonged disruption may include:
 
Using coach transfers to the included sightseeing locations, while continuing to be accommodated on your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. A prolonged disruption may also require us to continuously cruise without stopping for touring. Under the Emerald Cruises River Cruise Cover you will be compensated between £50-£100 per person per day of the disruption should we not be able to fulfil the sightseeing listed in the itinerary.
 
An extended disruption or major impact to your itinerary:
 
In the event of an extended disruption, accommodation off ship will be in local hotels with all meals provided. To the best of our ability we will ensure the hotels are of similar standard to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. Meals will be included, however, alcoholic drinks and amenities such as butler service, may or may not be included. Cruising will be undertaken by coach. As we understand this experience will not be same as being on board the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, under the River Cruise Cover you will be compensated based on the suite category booked, between £150-£400 per person per day for up to seven days. Alternatively, a full refund for the remainder of the cruise should you choose to disembark and end/finish your journey.

Exclusions

We will not pay for claims arising directly or indirectly from:

1. Consequential loss of any kind including loss of enjoyment or any financial loss not specifically covered in the Policy;
2. Pandemic, war, invasion, act of foreign enemy, hostilities (whether war be declared or not), Civil War, rebellion, revolution, insurrection or military or usurped power;
3. any loss or expense with respect to Cuba or a specially designated person, entity, group or company on the Specially Designated List or which if reimbursed or paid by Us would result in Us being in breach of trade or economic sanctions or other such similar laws or regulations;
4. any nuclear reaction or contamination, ionising rays or radioactivity;
5. any Goods and Services Tax (GST) liability or any fine, charge or penalty You are liable for because of a failure to fully disclose to Us Your input tax credit entitlement for the premium;

 Examples of what is classed as a normal disruption and is therefore not covered:

• If high water levels prohibit the sailing of the ship for an afternoon but we are able to make it under the bridge that evening and deliver you to your scheduled disembarkation place the following day.
• If we swap ships due to high/low water and the ship swap takes less than 6 hours to complete
• If we embark/disembark the ship less than 100 kilometres from your scheduled point of embarkation
• If we have to make alternate arrangement for any itinerary activities. For example, if due to prevailing conditions we are not able to attend Marksburg Castle and we select a replacement of similar quality, this will not constitute an event of delay.

Please note that Emerald Cruises are not liable for COVID-19 and other pandemic related issues such as quarantines, delays, lockdowns, repatriation expenses, loss of touring, loss of inclusions, border closings or location entry requirements or restrictions, etc. We strongly recommend guests obtain travel insurance to cover such costs and risks as well as any others resulting from Force Majeure Events.