This was our fifth cruise with Emerald - you can tell we are fans! - so it was just wonderful being back on an Emerald river cruise. We had only 68 passengers on board which made it feel very intimate. Everyone wore their masks while moving about the boat, including visits to the buffet, so we all played our part in keeping each other safe. We had to show our double vaccination certificate and proof of "fit to fly" before being allowed on the boat and were tested a couple of times while on board to comply with guidance from two of the countries we visited.

The food was up to its usual very high standard, the cabin was kept immaculately clean and all the crew/staff were so pleased to see us and to be working again. They are so well trained that you are made to feel valued and nothing is too much trouble. We had a couple of hiccups with the cruise itself but Emerald had back-up measures in place and kept us fully informed all along the way. We could not fault them at all and our planning our sixth cruise for the not too distant future. A big "thank you" to everyone on Emerald Destiny for making our return to travel perfect.