- Emerald Cruises plans to launch two more ocean-going yachts by 2027 and a sleek river ship that will sail in Europe.
One of the top small-ship cruise lines in the world just announced an ambitious expansion plan for the years ahead with three new vessels.
Emerald Cruises, which operates the popular luxury yachts Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, says it will build two more similar-sized, ocean-going vessels in the coming years. That’s on top of a planned yacht, Emerald Kaia, that’s scheduled to launch in 2026.
“This is a transformational moment for Emerald Cruises,” Glen Moroney, chairman and founder of Scenic Group, which oversees Emerald, said in a statement to Travel + Leisure.
All three of the forthcoming ocean yachts will accommodate 128 guests in a variety of suites, with plenty of open-air spaces on board and a service style that’s both polished and relaxed.
T+L’s detailed review of the existing Emerald Sakara, for example, notes that the ship “feels at times like a private yacht, with no lines and no crowds, and outstanding service from a highly experienced crew.” Its “minimalist rooms recall the stripped down aesthetic of Miami Beach or Mykonos, Greece, with pops of color from Missoni Home accents.”
One enticing feature is a water sports platform, stocked with seabobs, kayaks, and other swim toys, which can be deployed in the warm-water destinations that are a calling card for Emerald.
“Our guests have been asking for more—more destinations, more seasons, more ways to explore—and this expansion is our answer,” Ken Muskat, president of Scenic Group, USA and LATAM, told T+L. “We’re seeing an incredible surge in demand for intimate, design-forward yachts, that are not only the newest and most modern of this size, but that offer the exclusivity of a private escape with the amenities of a luxury resort.”
The forthcoming ships will offer cruises across the Caribbean, as well as the Mediterranean and in the Seychelles.
“We look forward to sharing the full itinerary and booking details for our new yachts in June,” Muskat shared.
Also on tap for Emerald is another river ship, which marks the company’s first vessel on the Seine River in northern France. Emerald Lumi will operate round trips from Paris, starting in 2027, on trips that will visit the cities of Honfleur and Rouen, as well as destinations in Normandy. This will bring the total number of Emerald river ships in Europe to 11.
The major investment comes as interest in small-ship cruise vacations is booming, according to numerous experts surveyed by T+L.
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