Introducing Emerald Star Liberty: A New Era in Luxury Self-Drive Boating Holidays

February, 2025. 2025 is poised to be a groundbreaking year for canal and river tourism, as travellers increasingly seek authentic experiences that connect them with nature, reduce screen time, and foster relationships with loved ones. Self-drive boating holidays perfectly align with these desires, offering a unique combination of freedom, tranquillity, and the excitement of exploring picturesque waterways at one’s own pace.

In response to the rising demand for luxury experiences, Emerald Star is excited to unveil its brand-new Luxury fleet, set to launch in 2025. Meticulously designed for couples and small families, the Luxury range promises premium comfort, ease of handling, and thoughtfully curated amenities. These boats, featuring bright and inviting spaces, are truly set apart from any other self-drive vessels available.

A recent agreement between Emerald Star and Groupe Beneteau, under their Delphia brand in Poland, will see Europe’s largest boat rental company invest over €100m into its international fleet over the next ten years. Of the 400 new Delphia boats slated to be built over the coming decade for Emerald Star, 100 will be made in the next three years, including at least 25 in 2025. These orders will be a combination of the current Horizon range, plus 34 of a premium new one to two cabin boat, aptly named “Liberty” which will be launched in 2025.

Cheryl Brown, Emerald Star’s Managing Director, said: “2025 is set to be an exciting year for Emerald Star as we continue to invest more in our fleet than any other operator. We’ve been working with Beneteau/Delphia for many years, designing and building our innovative Horizon fleet since 2016. Now we’ve created a brand-new boat which arrives on the waterways in 2025. Its design takes all the amazing characteristics from our Horizon boats and ‘supercharged’ them with even more comfort, luxurious features and thoughtful attention to detail.”

Every vessel in Emerald Star’s Luxury fleet will be equipped with exceptional features aimed at delivering premium comfort. Highlights include a spacious flybridge with a large BBQ hotplate and fridge, three well-appointed outdoor seating areas, airy cabins with memory foam mattresses, and thoughtful touches like a dishwasher and Nespresso® coffee machine.

With all holiday extras included—such as bicycles, boat cleaning, parking, and a grocery starter pack—Liberty aims to provide an all-inclusive luxury experience on some of Europe’s most stunning waterways. With prices starting from €3,000 for a week-long cruise, Emerald Star is catering to the luxury market without compromising accessibility. No prior experience is needed, only a sense of adventure.

The inaugural Liberty boat is scheduled to arrive in Castelnaudary, France, in February 2025, where it will undergo pre-service checks before welcoming its first guests onboard from 25 April 2025. From there, it will be available for cruising from selected Emerald Star bases in France, Germany, England, and the Netherlands.

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Liberty is also available for purchase through Emerald Star’s enhanced Ownership Programme, allowing boating lovers to experience the freedom of ownership. This hassle-free programme allows owners to invest in the new luxury model while enjoying a guaranteed 8% annual return for eight years and a 60% buyback option at the end of the term—offering even greater value than previous years. Owners can take advantage of an average of eight weeks of cruising per year across Emerald Star’s 17 stunning cruising regions in Europe and Canada, while Emerald Star handles all maintenance, mooring, and operational costs.

The programme also enables owners to generate a profit by making their investment work for them, creating both enjoyment and financial benefits.