The pool, because it genuinely matters

Most Emerald ships have an indoor pool at the back with a retractable roof. In the evening they cover it and it becomes a cinema.

On any other river line, the answer to what a twelve year old does between the afternoon excursion and dinner is nothing. Here the answer is swim. That single fact moves Emerald up my list for families more than any brochure feature on any other river line.

It is not large and it is not a resort pool. It does not need to be. It is a pool, on a river ship, and your children will use it every single day.

What is included

Meals, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, at least one excursion in most ports, wi-fi, airport transfers on most itineraries, and gratuities are sometimes included depending on the market you book in.

What is not included is the all-day open bar and the full excursion programme that Scenic gives you. That is the price difference and it is an honest one.

For a family this trade often works well, because you are more likely to want the pool and the lower fare than the spirits at eleven in the morning.

The ships

Modern, bright and uncluttered. Clean lines, light wood, a lot of glass. If Uniworld is a Venetian palace, Emerald is a Scandinavian hotel.

Cabins are well laid out with good storage and most have a balcony of some description. The panoramic balcony cabins have the same drop-down window arrangement as the premium lines, which is worth paying for.

Lower deck cabins have the usual small high windows. The gap between decks in experience is significant and the gap in price is often modest. Go up.

Where they sail

The main European rivers, the Rhine, Danube, Main, Moselle, Rhone and Seine, plus the Douro in Portugal which is one of the most beautiful river itineraries in Europe and consistently underbooked.

They also operate in Egypt on the Nile, which is a genuinely extraordinary family trip and one I would recommend to anybody with children over about eight who have shown the slightest interest in history.

And there is a yacht operation, Emerald Yachts, which is covered separately under yacht and expedition travel. The river and the yacht products are different things sharing a name.

Children on board

No kids club, and the standard river demographic applies. But between the pool, the contemporary feel and the slightly lower price bringing the average age down a little, Emerald is one of the more workable river lines for a family that is not booking a dedicated family departure.

For families set on river cruising in a school holiday who cannot get onto a Tauck Bridges or Uniworld Generations sailing, this is where I look next.

Bring things for them to do. Every river ship requires this. The pool buys you an hour a day, not a week.

What I would watch out for

The included excursion in each port is usually one option rather than a choice, so if it does not suit you, you are buying an alternative or making your own arrangements.

Onboard programming is light. A musician in the lounge and not much else.

And check exactly what is included in your market, because Emerald packages differ noticeably between the American, British and Australian booking channels for the same sailing.

Questions people actually ask