we enjoy river cruises and have found emerald offer far superior service to others.the cabins are spacious kept pristine clean with regular changes of towels and linen.The ship is welcoming as are all the staff.embarkation is smooth and well organised as is disembarkation. Dining is a pleasurable experience with all needs catered for any request for variation to the menu is given with no problems.Shore excursions are not the best thing as too little free time given and certain guides feeling they need to talk all the time!!! To be swamped with too much information is not helpful!!The staff could not be improved on always smiling helpful and obliging.the entertainment special acts was at the time when we had returned from trip and needed to shower and change for dinner.We would have liked to be informed of activities going on in places visited but were told after returning from trip which was too late.We have already booked another river cruise with this company which shows how good we think they are!!!