Life on the river A river cruise of Europe takes you through the heartland of the continent, telling the story of a history as old as it is diverse. As you cruise along some of Europe’s most iconic waterways, you’ll witness Mother Nature at her finest, alongside engineering at its most impressive.
Emerald Radiance, Douro River, Portugal Top gate opened
What is a lock? Europe’s waterways aren’t only distinctive because of their history; but also because of the terrain that can make navigation more challenging. Water locks, akin to an elevator, raise and lower ships to overcome the variations in water levels. The Rhine–Main–Danube Canal; for instance, boats 16 locks, some as deep as 100 feet and reaching a height of over 1,300 feet.
Top gate closed
Lock area
Upper level Ship enters the lock
Water flow
Lower level Water flow
Top gate closed
Lock area, water level rises
Top gate closed Upper level Water flow
Navigating a lock Our Star-Ships have been engineered with locks in mind, designed to fit perfectly with inches to spare. Your captain is trained for such manoeuvres, but sometimes water levels don’t cooperate and, on occasion, this can lead to lock closures or difficulties passing under bridges when water levels are too high or too low. We always have a plan in place to handle navigation issues in a timely and efficient manner, with minimal disruption to your journey. 106
Lower level Water flow
Top gate closed Ship leaves the lock
Top gate opened Upper level Water flow
Lower level Water flow
For more information on life on the river visit emeraldcruises.com/lifeontheriver