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October 11, 2025

Scenic Group has marked an important new milestone with the ceremonial float-out of Emerald Astra, the latest Emerald Star-Ship in the Emerald Cruises fleet, held on 30 September 2025 at the company’s shipyard in Turnu Severin, Romania.

The event symbolized not only the birth of a new vessel but also the beginning of a new era for the Emerald Cruises & Tours brand, internationally renowned for its innovative approach to river travel, attention to detail, and contemporary elegance. With this launch, Scenic Group reaffirms its leadership in the luxury cruise segment and reinforces its commitment to delivering experiences that are increasingly sophisticated, sustainable, and in tune with the expectations of a discerning, cosmopolitan audience.

Set to officially debut in May 2026 along the Danube River, Emerald Astra represents the next generation of Emerald Star-Ships. The project combines design, comfort, and environmental awareness, pioneering a new concept of travel that blends luxury, sustainability, and technological innovation.

The ship’s interiors, now nearing completion, stand out for their contemporary and refined style, enriched with art installations created in collaboration with leading European galleries and partnerships with renowned design houses such as Missoni and Freifrau. Suites and staterooms will feature ESPA bath amenities, premium linens and pillows with an expanded pillow menu, as well as towels, mattresses, and toppers crafted by top European brands. Select suites will be further enhanced with Missoni fabrics and furnishings, a distinctive hallmark of Italian elegance.

Another notable innovation is the introduction of complimentary guest laundry facilities — a first for the Emerald Cruises fleet — which will later be extended to other European Star-Ships. Onboard, the Sun Deck has been completely redesigned, offering new furnishings and reimagined outdoor spaces that maximize panoramic river views.

Following Emerald Astra’s debut, Scenic Group will launch Emerald Lumi in 2027, which will sail the River Seine and continue the same design philosophy, confirming a consistent and ambitious development plan.

Scenic Group has also reaffirmed its commitment to continuous enhancement, ensuring that every sailing maintains the highest standards of quality, comfort, and innovation. At the end of each season, both Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises & Tours fleets undergo strategic refurbishments designed to refresh spaces and services while preserving the excellence of the onboard experience. For the Scenic Space-Ships, winter updates include new design details in the suites, luxurious European linens, and upgraded top-deck furnishings to create welcoming and contemporary open-air environments. Within the Emerald Cruises fleet, enhancements will focus on pool areas and the expansion of collaborations with Missoni and Freifrau, ensuring that the refined and modern style introduced by Emerald Astra becomes a defining feature across all Emerald Star-Ships in service.

During the ceremony, Scenic Group also announced the Godmother of Emerald Astra: Toni Day, a respected U.S. first responder and accomplished luxury travel advisor. The christening ceremony will take place in May 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, coinciding with the ship’s inaugural sailing along the Danube.

Toni Day perfectly embodies the values of dedication, resilience, and passion for exploration that define Scenic’s philosophy. Before entering the travel industry, she served more than 25 years with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), where she rose to the rank of EMS Deputy Chief. From 1980 to 2006, she worked as a paramedic, leading emergency teams through some of the most challenging moments in New York’s history. She was stationed at Ground Zero during the Rescue and Recovery phase following the September 11 attacks, an experience that shaped her life and deepened her commitment to community, compassion, and hope. In 2004, Toni founded Toni Tours, Inc., a boutique agency specializing in luxury ocean and river cruises. Over more than four decades in travel, she has personally visited over 120 countries across all seven continents, becoming one of Scenic Group’s top global partners and sellers. Today, she continues to actively support the travel community as Special Event Coordinator for the North Florida ASTA Chapter, and she has received numerous prestigious awards, including ASTA’s Barbara O’Hara Advocacy Award and Nexion’s Circle of Excellence for three consecutive years.

Ken Muskat, President of Scenic Group USA/LATAM, emphasized that Toni Day exemplifies the very best of the travel industry through her passion, dedication, and resilience. He highlighted her remarkable journey, first as a first responder and later as a successful travel advisor, noting how her leadership and service have inspired countless lives. Muskat expressed the Group’s deep honor in welcoming her as Godmother of Emerald Astra, celebrating her as part of the Scenic Group family.

For her part, Toni Day expressed heartfelt gratitude for the recognition, describing the appointment as both an honor and a meaningful responsibility. She explained that the ship’s name, “Astra,” derived from Latin and Greek meaning “stars,” reflects her personal belief in always reaching for the stars — whether serving her community or helping travelers explore the world. For Toni, Emerald Astra embodies the same spirit of resilience, hope, and adventure that has guided her life, making her role as Godmother not only an honor but a symbol of her deep connection to travel and inspiration.

With the launch of Emerald Astra and the announcement of its Godmother, Scenic Group renews and strengthens its vision of accessible, mindful, and innovative luxury, where every detail — from interior design to staff training — is crafted to create an authentic and transformative guest experience. The seamless integration of technology, art, comfort, and sustainability redefines the essence of river cruising, opening a new chapter in the Group’s history.

Stay tuned for the latest news, updates, and reviews of Emerald Cruises on Cruising Journal, featuring exclusive photos, videos, and special cruise offers.

Giorgia Lombardo

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