emerald yachts

Our luxury yachts

Discover our pair of award-winning luxury yachts; Emerald Azzurra, Emerald Sakara and Emerald Kaia.

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A new way to cruise

Join us on board our brand-new luxury yachts, as we explore everything that they have to offer. Sun yourself on the Pool Deck or even go for a dip. Enjoy a bite in one of our eateries, and experience complete relaxation in the Elements Spa^.  ^At additional cost

Introducing our groundbreaking yachts

Why sail on an Emerald Cruises luxury yacht?

At Emerald Cruises, your enjoyment comes first. Every aspect of our superb yachts is designed around you, from the contemporary accommodation and social spaces to our crew’s attentive level of service. Sail with small cruise ship experts.

Award-winning luxury

Our fleet of yachts are your home away from home, boutique floating hotels that provide guests with luxurious surrounds, a wealth of amenities, and unique innovations such as the spectacular Marina Platform and state-of-the-art infrared sauna.

Small ship yacht cruising expertise

Emerald Cruises specialise in providing a small cruise ship experience. You’ll notice how measured guest numbers, an excellent staff-to-guest ratio, and the purpose-driven design and layout of our yachts offer you a comfortable and luxurious yacht cruise experience.

In the heart of the action

Our luxury yachts are custom designed to sail into smaller ports and harbours. This allows our fleet to dock in in the heart of fascinating port towns, meaning you’ll enjoy a more in-depth cruise that takes you closer to the action.

Contemporary suites & staterooms

Escape to your private sanctuary of serenity. With our range of suites and staterooms, there’s a cabin option to suit all preferences and budgets, whether you need plenty of space to stretch out or you’re longing for cosier accommodation.

A wealth of generous inclusions

Your yacht cruise should also provide complete peace of mind. This is why we cover port charges, all meals on board with accompanying beverages, complimentary Wi-Fi, and cover all gratuities on board and onshore. You’ll also benefit from a first-class English-speaking crew, and enjoy excursions led by knowledgeable, local guides.

Our yacht fleet

Emerald azzurra, emerald sakara.

Discover fine dining on board

Enjoy the most delectable dishes in the opulent surrounds of the La Cucina Dining. Let the tastes of freshly sourced ingredients on your palate, and enjoy complimentary beverages with each meal.

Unwind or catch up with friends in our on board social spaces

From the chilled and relaxed vibe of the Amici Bar & Lounge to the open-air surrounds of the Pool Deck and the serene Observation Lounge, you’ll find plenty of spaces on board to enjoy the company of new-found friends or to take a moment for yourself.

Explore our innovative yachts

Take in stunning vistas from the Observation Deck. Swim under the sun in the infinity-style Aqua Pool or take a leisurely dip in the Spa Pool. Unwind in the innovative infrared sauna and, on selected days, enjoy swim stops off the Marina Platform.

Find your sanctuary of serenity

The suites and staterooms on board our yachts are modern sanctuaries with inspired décor and contemporary designs. Enjoy all the amenities you’d expect from a world-class hotel including luxury ESPA toiletries, Wi-Fi, and a queen or twin-sized bed.

Discover exciting destinations across the world

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Emerald Cruises

History, review, itineraries, ships, deck plans, news.

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Emerald Cruises fleet

Emerald kaia.

Emerald Sakara

Emerald Azzurra

Adriatic Princess 2 yacht

Adriatic Princess yacht

Emerald Luna

Emerald Harmony

Emerald Destiny

Emerald Liberte

Emerald Radiance

Emerald Sun

Emerald Dawn

Emerald star.

Emerald Sky

Review of emerald cruises.

Scenic Group (shipowner) is the parent company of three travel brands - Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours , Evergreen Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises (Emerald Waterways and Emerald Yacht Cruises).

Company history

Fka "Emerald Waterways", Emerald Cruises (emeraldcruises.com) is a Scenic Group-owned travel brand and an affordable river cruise line established in 2013 and operational since 2014. The company is a division (subsidiary/brand) of the Australian cruisetour operator Scenic Tours .

The parent company Scenic Group offers a huge variety of leisure travel deals - from 5-star luxury riverboat cruises to land tours and coach travel excursions in Australia, Europe, and the USA. Scenic Group's river cruise brand "Emerald Waterways" is known on the Australian market as "Evergreen Waterways".

In early-2020, Scenic Group established "Emerald Yacht Cruises" as a separate (from Emerald Waterways) brand specializing in premium yachting vacations. The new brand was inaugurated in 2022 with the newbuild 100-passenger superyacht Emerald Azzurra . Scenic's yacht brand operates itineraries in Europe's southern seas (Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean, Black Sea) and also in the Red Sea (Arabian Gulf/Dubai) and Indian Ocean (Seychelles). Azzurra's sistership Emerald Sakara was inaugurated in 2023 August. The similarly designed but larger Emerald Kaia is currently scheduled for inauguration in April 2026.

On March 9, 2021, was officially announced the merger of Scenic Group's brands "Emerald Waterways" (EmeraldWaterways.com) and "Emerald Yacht Cruises" (EmeraldYachtCruises.com) into a single brand - "Emerald Cruises" (EmeraldCruises.com).

Emerald Waterways as a cruise line debuted with 2 top-luxury riverboats - Sky and Star. In 2015, the second pair of sisterships joined the fleet - Dawn and Sun. The 5th boat was scheduled for launch in 2016 (Emerald Belle), but a construction yard fire accident postponed the launch for 2017. The boat's name was also changed to "Emerald Destiny", joining the 2017-inaugurated boats Liberte and Radiance.

Overall, the company has raised the bar within the budget river cruising market. The brand is positioned somewhere between the 3- and 4-star cruise lines. It competes with renowned brands like Avalon Waterways and Viking Cruises by boasting less expensive fares and innovative design touches.

The following YouTube video provides information regarding Emerald Waterways ships' general onboard amenities and services on the company's "Star-Ship" class boats. It provides information on onboard activities and amenities, along with the boats' best deck plan features.

One of the new river cruise companies, Emerald targets the European inland waterways cruising market exclusively. The line operates the following Scenic Tours-owned riverboats:

• Emerald Luna (2021)
• Emerald Harmony (2019) - Mekong River cruises in Cambodia and Vietnam
• Emerald Belle (2016) was damaged by fire during construction and replaced by Emerald Destiny (2017)
• Emerald Liberte (2017) - cruises in France (on Saone and Rhone rivers)
• Emerald Radiance (2017) - cruises on Douro River in Portugal
• Emerald Sky (2014)
• Emerald Star (2014)
• Emerald Sun (2015)

Emerald Waterways ships have some of the best crew-to-guest ratios for European riverboats. One of the best fleetwide innovations is the dual-purpose area - the brand's signature "pool cinema" complex) located Deck 3 aft on the "Star Ships". The area transforms from a heated indoor pool (with a retractable roof) at daytime into a cinema at night - a unique river cruise ship feature. The second impressive feature is Emerald's balcony stateroom that transforms into a conservatory with a button touch.

The rest of the innovations are fairly standard on newbuilds in the modern era of European river cruising. Among those are the private balconies for the majority of cabins, good-sized suites, and open-air alternative dining spots. The alfresco dining area at the bow of the ships provides informal alternative dining options for breakfast and lunch, but most meals are served in the Reflections Restaurant - the riverboat's main dining room.

Next YouTube video is about shipboard dining options.

Emerald Waterways cruise deals inclusions

Emerald Waterways river cruise tour deals are inclusive of:

• some flights (depending on market and special offers)
• all transfers (to and from the ship)
• guided sightseeing/shore excursions, also city tours
• gourmet dining, all meals onboard (and some ashore)
• (top suite cabins only) pre-dinner canapes, after-dinner sweet treats
• unlimited tea and coffee
• bottled water (in all cabins / replenished daily)
• free drinks (wine, beer, soft drinks, espresso, cappuccino) with every meal
• complimentary bicycle
• free Internet / WiFi access
• live onboard entertainment
• all onboard and excursion gratuities
• impeccable service

In July 2020, the "Emerald Waterways" brand was officially launched in Australia, where Scenic Group originally operated river cruises via the "Evergreen Cruises and Tours" brand.

In July 2021 officially started operations the brand "Emerald Yacht Cruises". Announced on February 1, 2020, the new brand is served by two 110-m long, 100-passenger superyachts - Azzurra (2022) and Sakara (2023).

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, Scenic Group's travel entities suspended passenger operations (land tours, yachts, riverboats) by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 14, 2020, through late-July 2021.

Scenic Group's fleetwide travel operations resumed in August 2021, including the riverboats in Europe, Asia (ship Harmony) and Egypt (ship Movenpick MS Hamees).

With rebooking, Scenic Group provides an FTC (Future Travel Credit) for all canceled departures. To each of the canceled cruise bookings (river or ocean itineraries) is provided 110% FTC (for the booking's full value), to rebook and travel by December 31, 2022. To all booked land tours (including Egypt cruisetours) during the suspension period is provided 100% FTC (for the booking's full value), to rebook and travel by December 31, 2022.

Scenic's FTC is valid for travel departures through to December 31, 2022. The FTC can be applied to any existing booking within the Scenic Group travel companies (Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Evergreen Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises) and also when rebooking future travel. The FTC is fully transferrable to another customer.

Upon the expiry of the Scenic FTC voucher (on December 31, 2022), unable to travel customers may request a 100% cash refund (equal to the amount paid). All customers with a booking that departs from July 1, 2020, and customers considering a booking after July 1st, have the option to transfer their booking (up to 30 days prior departure) to an alternate date without a fee. Scenic will waive all cancellation fees with the booking value applied as an FTC and we will review the timing for the full payment when rebooking. Please note, if you choose to cancel there may be third-party fees applicable, which will be at the customer's own expense. This policy applies to all Scenic Group's travel brands.

Itinerary of Emerald Cruises

Besides its owned fleet, Emerald Waterways also charters ships with deployment in the Adriatic Sea (yachts Adriatic Pearl, Adriatic Princess , Swallow, Lastavica), Nile River Egypt (hotel ship Movenpick MS Hamees ), Volga RIver Russia ( MS Nizhny Novgorod ).

Vacation travelers wishing to explore Southeast Asia while experiencing a level of luxury style should check out the new Mekong River itineraries of Emerald Waterways.

A signature 16-day itinerary on the purpose-built Mekong Navigator riverboat explores Vietnam and Cambodia along the Mekong River. In addition to the 16-day river cruise tour from Hanoi to Siem Reap , Emerald Waterways offers an 8-day "Magnificent Mekong", 12-day "Mekong Discovery" and 19-day "Vietnam and Cambodia Explorer" B2B itineraries .

Owned by the Austria-based company Lueftner Cruises, this luxurious ship is often charted by large European river cruise companies, including Uniworld , Emerald Waterways, Haimark Travel, Vantage Deluxe World Travel, Saga .

Family river cruises 2023 Rhine and Danube

In February 2023 were announced two family voyages on Danube and Rhine departing in July 2023.

• (departure July 17, 2023) 8-day "Family Rhine River Cruise" (boat Emerald Luna) from Basel was promo-priced from US$2770 pp (4-person family deal).
• (departure July 15, 2023) 8-day "Family Danube River Cruise" (boat Emerald Dawn) from Budapest was promo-priced from US$2545 pp (4-person family deal).
• Pricing was inclusive of savings, onboard gratuities, port charges, shore excursions, airport-ship-airport transfers, all meals, wines and beers by the glass (with lunch and dinner), soft drinks (for the children).

The voyages were kids-friendly (allowing boarding of children 10 to 18 years old) and with discounted pricing for booking two adjacent staterooms (50% off the second cabin).

Emerald Yacht Cruises

In July 2021 was planned for inauguration the company's new brand "Emerald Yacht Cruises".

Announced on February 1, 2020, the new brand started with two 100-passenger superyachts ( Emerald Azzurra /2022, and Emerald Sakara /2023). In April 2024 was announced the third yacht - Emerald Kaia , slated for inauguration in April 2026.

The custom-designed ships operate in warmer climates, including Southern Europe's Mediterranean (Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea), the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean (Seychelles).

Emerald Yacht Cruises 2021 program grouped 47 different itineraries to destinations in Italy (Ligurian Riviera), Spain (Costa del Sol), France ( Cote d'Azur ), Greece (Greek Islands, Cyprus, Crete), Adriatic Sea's Dalmatian Coast (Croatia, Montenegro, Albania), Malta, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Jordan.

In March 2021 was announced Azzurra's 2023 program. In addition to voyages in the Adriatic, Aegean, Mediterranean, Red seas, the collection included two Black Sea itineraries.

• The 15-day " Mykonos , Gallipoli and Essence of the Black Sea" voyage ( Piraeus-Athens to Istanbul ) visited Mykonos before the Black Sea ports in Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey. Prices started at USD 8100 per person with double occupancy. Departures were scheduled for August 5 and 19, 2023.
• The 22-day "Discover the Greek Islands, Turkey and the Black Sea" itinerary included more Greek islands ( Amorgos , Patmos , Rhodes ) plus Turkey's Bodrum and Kusadasi-Ephesus . Early booking promo prices started from USD 11820 pp, with departures scheduled for July 29 and August 19, 2023.

"Epic Voyages 2023" were two expanded/ B2B voyages combining several shorter itineraries.

• The 26-day "Discover Gems of the Mediterranean Coastlines" itinerary visited Western and Eastern Mediterranean ports, including on the French and Italian rivieras (between Villefranche-sur-Mer/Nice  and Civitavecchia-Rome) before Sicily and the Ionian Sea to Greece. The last leg was roundtrip from Piraeus-Athens. Earlybird booking promo fares started at USD 13910 pp.
• The 22-day "Discover the Pearls of Croatia, Greece and Turkey" itinerary started with a Greek island and the Turkish coastline before the Adriatic ( Dubrovnik , with call ports in Montenegro and Albania). Followed northbound cruising along the Dalmatian Coast and debarkation in Venice . Earlybird fares started at USD 13840 pp.

In August 2021, to Azzurra's 2022 schedule were added two new itineraries, both visiting Saudi Arabia and transiting the Suez Canal .

• The 10-day "Mysteries and Treasures of the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia" voyage (from Limassol Cyprus to Jeddah Saudi Arabia ) visited Egypt (Giza's Great Sphinx and the Pyramids, from Port Said ), Sharm El-Sheikh Egypt , Aqaba-Petra Jordan , Dubai UAE , Al Wajh Saudi Arabia .
• The 12-day "Ancient Wonders of the Red Sea and Mythical Greece" itinerary (from Jeddah to Athens) visited Al Wahj (optional tour to AlUla), Dubai, Aqaba, Sharm-el Sheik, Ain Sokhna (the closest beach resort to Cairo ), Crete, Santorini , ending in Piraeus-Athens . From Sharm El-Sheikh were offered a glass-bottom boat tour (at Naama Bay), a Felucca boat tour (on Nile River), bus tour to Giza's Pyramids.

With Emerald Sakara, Scenic Yacht Cruises introduced in 2023 a new Indian Ocean island destination - the Seychelles. The 7-day itinerary (titled "Tropical Charms of the Seychelles"/roundtrip from Victoria, Mahe Island) visited the islands Sainte-Anne , Cousin , Praslin , Grande-Soeur , Curieuse , La Digue and Aride .

In August 2022 was opened for booking the 2023-2024 yacht cruise schedule listing both ships ( Azzurra and Sakara ). Regions included Caribbean and Central America, Transatlantic crossings, new/maiden call ports in Europe (Mediterranean and Adriatic). The program (winter 2023-2024) featured 15 new Caribbean islands and countries.

• (departure November 24, 2023) 10-day "Grenadines and Grenada" itinerary (roundtrip from Bridgetown Barbados ) visited Tobago Cays, Bequia Island, Saint Vincent, Union Island, Mayreau Island, Carriacou Island. Fares started from GBP 4805 per person.
• 10-day "Coastal Adventures - Costa Rica and Panama" itinerary from Puerto Caldera/Puntarenas (Costa Rica) visited Curu and Isla Tortuga, Quepos, Golfito, Isla Cebaco, Darien NP, San Jose Island, and Panama City . Fares started from GBP 5200 pp.
• 11-day "Highlights of Spain, Morocco and Italy" itinerary from Tenerife visited Arrecife/Lanzarote (Canaries), Casablanca (Morocco), Gibraltar UK, Malaga (Spain), Cartagena (Spain), Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Spain), Mahon/Menorca (Balearic Spain), Bonifacio (Corsica France), and Civitavecchia-Rome, with fares from GBP 5550 pp.

Emerald also scheduled three Atlantic Ocean crossings (RepositionCruises.com), including a 13-day from San Juan Puerto Rico to Santa Cruz de Tenerife Canary Islands , with fares from GBP 4895 pp.

Emerald Kaia ship's schedule for 2026 (inaugural season) was announced in April 2024. The program listed only 8x voyages (opened for booking on April 10th) and is based entirely on the 14-night/15-day "Discover the Best of the Croatian Coast" itinerary. These voyages leave roundtrip from Dubrovnik's Port Gruz  (departures May 2, Aug 8, Aug 22, Sep 26) and from  Venice  (departures Jun 20, Aug 1, Aug 15).

Kaia's Maiden Voyage departs roundtrip from Dubrovnik on May 6th, 2026. The 15-day voyage starts with an overnight in Dubrovnik and visits Split Croatia (Day 3-4/overnight), Zadar Croatia (Day 4), Opatija Croatia (Day 5), Piran Slovenia (Day 6), Venice Italy (Day 7-8/overnight), plus Croatia's ports Rovinj (Day 9), Sibenik (Day 10), Trogir (Day 11), Vis (Day 12), Hvar (Day 12-13/overnight), and Korcula (Day 14), ending in Dubrovnik.

2024 Europe river cruise itineraries

In March 2023 was announced Europe 2024 river cruise program featuring a selection of Epic Voyages (multi-river itineraries up to 23 days in length) and two new European itineraries.

The new 10-day "Danube Explorer and Highlights of Budapest" voyage visits ports in 5 countries and includes a host of locally-focused experiences. The itinerary allows tourists to visit a farm in Passau Germany (for a Bavarian brunch), enjoy an onboard Slovakian performance in Bratislava , and an onboard dinner with a folklore show in Budapest Hungary . Also are offered bus tours to Veste Oberhaus and Bratislava Castle, as well as 6 EmeraldACTIVE hiking and biking tours. An extended stay in Budapest allows touring the UNESCO-listed downtown, exploring the city's nightlife, visiting one of its baths, and enjoying a culinary tour of the Grand Market.

Emerald's second new European itinerary in 2024 is the 11-day "Rhine Castles and Moselle Vineyards" visiting ports in 4 countries. While cruising in Germany, tourists can enjoy tours to the Reichsburg Castle in Cochem and the Marksburg Castle in Koblenz as well as a hiking tour to Landshut Castle Ruins (above Bernkastel ). Rhine's vineyards are featured in Emerald's tour/tasting at Schloss Johannisberg (in Rudesheim ) and the bus travel to the Alsace Wine Route complete with a tasting in Strasbourg .

In Emerald's two new Dutch ports of call - Utrecht and Nijmegen , is offered a canal cruise and a visit to the UNESCO-listed windmills of Kinderdijk .

Emerald's four Epic Voyages in 2024 range in duration between 15-23 days. These B2Bs combine some of the brand's best-selling itineraries into back-to-back/longer vacations, either on the same boat or with a short flight/bus travel to embark on a new boat halfway through.

Next YouTube videos are official releases that review the company's signature river cruise destinations:

Danube River

Douro River

and Asia (Vietnam and Cambodia)

Emerald Cruises related cruise news

VIDEO: First steel cut for Emerald Cruises’ newest ship, Emerald Kaia

Construction on Emerald Cruises’ newest vessel - the Emerald Kaia superyacht, has entered a key phase with the commencement of hull...

Emerald Cruises unveils 6 Caribbean yacht itineraries for 2025

Emerald Cruises will operate 6 upscale Caribbean itineraries aboard its yachts, Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, in 2025. These 8-day voyages...

Emerald Cruises schedules exotic Caribbean itineraries (winter 2024-2025) for two superyachts

Emerald Cruises has unveiled new Caribbean itineraries for the superyacht Emerald Azzurra, scheduled for winter 2024-2025 season. These routes will...

Scenic Group adds a new superyacht and upgrades riverboat fleet

Scenic Group recently introduced a new 128-passenger superyacht for its subsidiary Emerald Cruises, designed to blend increased capacity with an...

Scenic Group unveils next-generation luxury superyacht: Emerald Kaia

Scenic Group has introduced the Emerald Kaia, the latest addition to Emerald Cruises' luxury yacht fleet, marking a new era of ocean travel. With a...

Emerald Cruises introduces 16-day Safari and Seychelles Expedition

Emerald Cruises unveils an enticing 16-day "Safari and The Seychelles" expedition, now open for booking with sailings available from December 2024 to...

Emerald Cruises celebrates official christening of luxury yacht Emerald Sakara in San Juan, Puerto...

Emerald Cruises marked a significant maritime event with the official christening of their newest superyacht - Emerald Sakara, in a special ceremony...

Emerald Cruises opens bookings for 2024-2025 Mekong River season

Emerald Cruises has unveiled their 2024-2025 Mekong River season aboard the intimate Star-Ship Emerald Harmony, navigating in Cambodia and Vietnam...

Emerald Sakara departs Piraeus/Athens on inaugural voyage

Emerald Cruises' newest superyacht, Emerald Sakara, embarked on her inaugural voyage on August 5th, out of Port Piraeus/Athens Greece. The boat was...

Scenic Cruises' superyachts (Azzurra, Sakara, Eclipse 2) deployed in the Caribbean in 2023

Scenic Group has announced that 3 of its superyachts - Emerald Azzurra, Emerald Sakara, and Scenic Eclipse II, will be sailing in the Caribbean...

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This New Yacht Is Sailing to Gorgeous, Lesser-known Ports in the Caribbean Sea — and I Was on Board With 'Below Deck's' Chef Ben

Emerald Cruises' new Emerald Sakara ship brings guests to smaller ports in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, with an onboard marina and the occasional Bravo-lebrity.

Paul Brady is the news director at Travel + Leisure and the brand's expert on cruise travel. He has been covering the travel industry for more than 15 years for outlets including Condé Nast Traveler , Skift , and The Huffington Post .

The Staterooms

Bars and restaurants, where emerald sakara sails, shore excursions, amenities and entertainment, family-friendly offerings, accessibility.

Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure

With a couple dozen guests looking on, chef Ben Robinson was showing how to slice and dice a fresh red snapper. “You kind of feel him — but you don’t fondle him,” said Robinson, the fan favorite from the Bravo reality show Below Deck, who’s always ready with a quip. As he pulled a perfect filet off the bone, he explained how to salt the fish and that there’s no more important relationship than the one you have with your fishmonger. “My advice is to always be friendly,” he noted. “I like to support my mom-and-pop [businesses]. If you become familiar with them, they’ll say, ‘Hey, I got this in this morning.’”

The cooking demo, which also featured a ceviche how-to and tips on knife sharpening, was one of many “Chef Ben” moments on my trip aboard Emerald Sakara . It’s the newest 100-passenger vessel from Emerald Cruises, which launched in the fall of 2023, a sibling vessel to the Emerald Azzurra .

During an eight-day voyage in March from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, the reality personality was definitely one of the star attractions. Robinson spent several evenings in the galley, creating special dishes such as a panko-crusted veal striploin stuffed with pesto.

He also hosted a well-attended Q&A about his life in the kitchen — and spent plenty of time connecting with fans, many of whom booked the trip specifically to chop it up with Below Deck alum.

“We definitely booked because of Ben,” said Shannon Welnel , a Montana-based travel advisor who had lots of praise for his cuisine — and the yacht-like atmosphere on board the 100-passenger ship. Other guests I spoke with admitted they hadn’t seen much Below Deck, but were intrigued by the chance to chill with a Bravo-lebrity.

Emerald Sakara

• With a max of just 100 passengers, Emerald Sakara feels at times like a private yacht, with no lines and no crowds, and outstanding service from a highly experienced crew.
• Minimalist rooms recall the stripped down aesthetic of Miami Beach or Mykonos, Greece, with pops of color from Missoni Home accents and a sleek-yet-functional bathroom with plenty of storage space.
• While this small ship has but one restaurant and one poolside cafe, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to meals, whether you’re hitting the breakfast or lunch buffet or choosing from the dinner menu.
• The onboard marina, which is open in favorable weather conditions, offers watersports and swimming off the stern of the ship.
• Easy to understand and mostly inclusive pricing covers meals, beverages at mealtime, many tours, and surprisingly speedy Wi-Fi.

The intimate-ship vibe was also one reason the chef wanted to hop aboard. “This definitely has more of a yacht vibe than any other [ship] I've been on,” Robinson told me one afternoon. “A hundred passengers is not a lot,” he said. “I've been on boats with 2,500 passengers, and you really do feel like you're anonymous. But here, the service is great, and you really are treated as an individual and someone important. And you kind of lose that on the big boats.”

While Robinson doesn’t have immediate plans to join another Emerald cruise, he told me that there were plenty of parallels between his life on megayachts and what the Sakara offers its guests. “It’s been incredible,” he said.

I had to agree. The Sakara certainly has much to offer, both in spite of its smaller size and because of it. While it’s available to book by the cabin, like any cruise ship, it still manages to feel at times like a private yacht, particularly when it sails to less-commonly visited ports such as Culebra, on Puerto Rico, or St. Bart’s. In the latter, we dropped anchor near Eric Schmidt’s yacht, Whisper , and had the whole day to explore the glitzy island and its capital, Gustavia. (After a drive around in the morning, I managed to catch the beautiful sunset from the lovely little Shell Beach, right in town.)

“The benefit of being on a small cruise ship like this one is that we can enter small ports and areas where others can’t,” said Robert Kuznin, the captain of Sakara , who previously worked with several cruise lines, including Paul Gauguin, Seabourn, and Virgin Voyages. “For example, when we dropped anchor in Esperanza Bay,” he explained about our stop at the island of Vieques, “there were only two meters under the keel — and that was the shallowest I’ve ever been!”

Courtesy of Emerald Cruises

The ability to go places that larger ships can’t was also on display one morning on St. Kitts, one of the final stops of my trip. It was still early in the morning, but already four mega-ships were docked in Basseterre, the island’s capital. Instead of tying up next to them on the busy cruise pier, we dropped anchor just off the beach in South Friar’s Bay, a long sweep of sand in the island’s southern reaches. There were no crowds to contend with, no paperwork hassles, no touts offering dodgy cab rides. A five-minute tender ride to the beach was all it took to meet our local guide. Time from leaving the breakfast buffet to our first stop? About 25 minutes. Even the most efficient mega-ship would struggle to make that happen — and they can’t drop anchor right off the one of the best beaches on the island. 

Other moments aboard Sakara felt like something out of Below Deck . One afternoon, I made my way to the yacht’s marina, a platform at the stern stocked with lounge chairs, refreshments, and water toys such as a floating trampoline and inflatable sea kayaks. I jumped off the stern into the Caribbean and then tried out the ship’s Seabob, a floating gadget that’s like a cross between a Jet Ski and an electric scooter.

As I continued my joy ride, I could see another vessel anchored just north of us. Turns out, it was David Geffen’s private yacht , Rising Sun . Of course, we were there first.

Here’s a closer look at all the amenities of the Emerald Sakara , which sails seasonally in coastal waters in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Laurent BENOIT/Courtesy of Emerald Cruises

Welcome to your starship: the stripped down, white-and-gray cabins on Sakara feel sci-fi chic, particularly when the accent lighting is switched on. They’re also, thankfully, spacious and super functional, with ample storage space (including a safe), a small minibar, a coffee station, and a clever headboard built-in that’s a great spot for your charging devices and water bottle. Most of the 50 rooms and suites have verandas; ocean-view staterooms are the exception. Bathrooms are just big enough, with plenty of storage, and are stocked with Espa products and a hair dryer. My cabin, 421, was a 300-square-foot balcony suite toward the aft of the ship on deck four: I never once heard noise from the surrounding cabins or in the hallway, though I did occasionally notice sounds and vibrations from the vessel, something that is common on even the largest of ships. A note on power plugs: my stateroom had U.S.-style outlets throughout as well as USB-A charging ports on either side of the bed, a nice touch.

Because Sakara is smaller than most cruise ships, it can’t compete on sheer volume of bars and restaurants. Still, the food on board is solid. La Cucina is the only true dining room, with both indoor and outdoor seating; it has somewhat limited hours compared to the round-the-clock dining options on bigger vessels. That being said, I certainly didn’t go hungry: a breakfast buffet is complemented by traditional à la minute options such as omelets and pancakes; lunch is also buffet style with a carving station. Dinner is more restaurant style, with options from an ever-changing daily menu plus always available classics such as Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, grilled salmon, and spaghetti bolognese on offer. (Many dietary restrictions and preferences can be accommodated.)

On my voyage, chef Robinson put together several special plates, including what might’ve been the best dish of the week: a sesame-crusted seared yellowfin tuna with celeriac puree. The Below Deck star also put together a panko veal striploin roulade one night and, another evening, offered a citrus-cured hamachi with, in a touch of molecular gastronomy, “mango spheres.” Elsewhere on board, a poolside cafe, Aqua Café, has quick bites like burgers and flatbreads, as well as sweets and coffee pulled from a Cimbali espresso machine. The cocktails served in the Amici Lounge and the Sky Bar were consistently excellent, mixed by a talented team of pros who’ve previously worked on Seabourn ships and in some of Dubai’s top hotels. One weaker spot was the selection of wine on board: pours at mealtimes are included, but they didn’t rock my boat. A short list of “chairman’s wines,” available at extra cost, included a couple by-the-bottle finds such as 2013 vintage Cristal ($650) and some mid-tier Bordeaux and Burgundy options.

Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure

Though small, this ship isn’t an expedition yacht. Rather, it’s specifically designed for warm-weather coastal cruising, meaning it spends the lion’s share of its time in places such as the Caribbean and, in the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months, the Mediterranean. My trip aboard was spent entirely in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, where passages between ports were short and the seas were often calm. (We did occasionally encounter some swells of up to two meters, or 6.6 feet. I saw many guests wearing medicated patches to prevent motion sickness throughout the trip.) Sakara typically spends a season of several months in a given region, with a variety of cruise lengths offered, ranging from six to 24 days. In 2024, the ship will spend April through November in the Mediterranean. Sakara will return to the Caribbean at the end of the year, through April 2025.

Tours off the ship were a strong suit for Emerald, at least on my voyage. Most stops offered a variety of activities, ranging from a simple transfer to a nearby beach to a full-on, multi-hour tour. Usually, I found myself ashore with a very small group of folks — fewer than a dozen — and all the guides Emerald arranged were true pros. Passengers raved about a kayak paddle through the bioluminescent bay on Vieques, something I sadly didn’t try myself. I did, however, enjoy a short guided hike on the island of St. John, to the pristine beach along Salomon Bay, which was all but deserted. The organization of excursions felt flawless to me, thanks no doubt to the crew and shore excursion manager, Pilar Atencio. Worth a mention, too, were Atencio’s detailed briefings on what to expect each day. While these sorts of “port talks'' are common on ships of all sizes, they felt particularly useful on Sakara because of how intimate our groups were; many passengers made a point of attending the pre-dinner talks every night, for info on what to expect about our anchorage, historical background on each island, and detailed info about what each tour offering would entail.

Call it small but mighty: Sakara has all the essentials, which is a bit of feat for a ship this size. A cozy spa has wellness and beauty treatments, as well as a small hairstyling and facial studio; morning yoga and stretching are available on deck. The fitness center, with a few cardio machines, a Peloton bike, and a variety of weights and other gear gets the job done. The smallish pool and a top-deck whirlpool were lovely — though I spent most of my time in the ocean: the Sakara ’s marina deck is a key feature, and it was open several afternoons during my trip. It’s like the greatest pool party you’ve ever been to, complete with piña coladas, sea kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and a trampoline, right off the stern of the ship. It is, truly, as much fun as it sounds like, though it is subject to the whims of weather and ocean currents. Also available in some destinations are e-bikes from Gocycle, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis; during my trip, several guests gave them a spin on the island of Vieques. Sakara also carries a ton of snorkeling gear and beach towels, which passengers can borrow whenever they like. In terms of performances, this isn’t the vessel for Broadway-style shows, but guitarist Jamie Ferguson and voyage director Nathalie Millet added plenty of live music to the trip.

The youngest passengers I spoke with on my cruise were in their 20s — and they were traveling with their parents. Sakara is perhaps the perfect ship for families traveling with adult children, since it offers such a diverse array of activities to suit different tastes and activity levels, while visiting intriguing destinations. The ship is also intimate enough that everybody can gather easily for meals — or a swim off the stern — without fighting the crowds common on larger vessels. On the other hand, Sakara is probably not the best choice for families with younger children: there’s no kid-specific programming, and you’re likely to be the only ones aboard with little ones. “Emerald Cruises yachts are recommended for people aged 12 and up, and they must be accompanied by and share a cabin with an adult aged 18 or [older],” a spokesperson shared with T+L.

Sakara is probably best described as somewhat accessible: the ship has elevators to all decks and the crew was, on my trip, very accommodating to those with mobility challenges. There are handrails throughout, and bathrooms feature shower grab bars. That being said, several areas of the ship — the outdoor dining terrace, for example — require navigating at least one step even once you’ve reached the deck in question by elevator. “Due to the nature and size of the ships, wheelchairs and scooters are not allowed to be used on board,” a spokesperson told T+L. When the ship is at anchor, it’s only possible to go ashore by tender or Zodiac, both of which could be challenging for those with limited mobility. As Emerald’s FAQ explains: “Guests with limited mobility will require help from a companion, since the crew is limited.” Also of note: many announcements are made only by loudspeaker with no hearing-impaired alternative.

Seven-night sailings on Emerald Sakara start from $2,775 per person, and you can book at emeraldcruises.com .

Related Articles

Emerald Cruises Celebrates Steel-Cutting for New Ship, Emerald Kaia

E merald Cruises’ newest ship, the Emerald Kaia , reached a key construction milestone this month, as crews cut the first sheets of steel for the hull.

The luxury yacht is being built in Vietnam by the Halong Shipbuilding Company. Nguyen Tuan Anh, the shipyard’s general director, and Ivo Skelin, the general manager of Scenic Group’s nautical and technical division, were on hand to celebrate the milestone on August 22.

The cruise line expects to host a keel-laying ceremony in three months.

“Building on the spectacular success of the first two yachts in Emerald Cruises’ fleet, this pivotal expansion not only reflects the soaring interest and desire for luxury ocean yachts, however, also reinforces our commitment to setting new standards in maritime excellence,” says Glen Moroney, chairman and founder of Scenic Group, the parent company of Emerald Cruises and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours .

The 393-foot-long ship, which is slated to debut in April 2026, will be able to accommodate up to 128 guests. It will feature a reimagined sky deck with private cabanas, a new indoor/outdoor sky lounge, a marina and a marina lounge, an observation sun deck, a spa and fitness center and more.  

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Emerald (ex: Marion Queen)

• Amenities & Toys
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EMERALD YACHT CHARTER

50.39m  /  165'4   feadship   1990 / 2023.

• Previous Yacht

Cabin Configuration

Special Features:

• Expertly refit interior
• Numerous social spaces
• Vast exterior areas
• Massive collection of towable water toys

A pedigree Feadship refit to meet the needs of the modern charterer, Emerald is every inch the ideal luxury yacht

The 51.63m/169'5" motor yacht 'Emerald' (ex. Marion Queen) by the Dutch shipyard Feadship offers flexible accommodation for up to 12 guests in 6 cabins and features interior styling by Robert Knack International.

Built in 1990, Emerald boasts a multitude of decks ideal for relaxation and entertainment indoors or outdoors, ensuring guests will live la dolce vita on the open waters.

Guest Accommodation

Emerald offers guest accommodation for up to 12 guests in 6 suites comprising a master suite, one VIP cabin, two double cabins and two twin cabins. There are 8 beds in total, including 2 king, 2 doubles and 4 singles. She is also capable of carrying up to 10 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht charter experience.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

On your charter, you'll find plenty to keep you busy and entertained, notably a deck jacuzzi, perfect to enjoy the scenery with your favourite drink in hand.

Emerald benefits from some excellent features to improve your charter, notably satellite communications, keeping you connected on any voyage. At night, guests can enjoy a mesmerizing light spectacle in the water thanks to underwater lights and whether you want to work, use social media or stream movies on board this yacht, you can with Wi-Fi connectivity. You can stay comfortable on board whatever the weather, with air conditioning during your charter.

Performance & Range

Built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, she offers greater on-board space and is more stable when at anchor thanks to her full-displacement hull. Powered by twin Caterpillar engines, she comfortably cruises at 11 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 14 knots with a range of up to 6,200 nautical miles from her 53,300 litre fuel tanks at 10 knots. An advanced stabilisation system on board reduces the side-to-side roll of the yacht and promises guests exceptional comfort levels at anchor or when underway.

Equipped with an extensive selection of action-packed water toys Emerald lets you and your guests turn the Mediterranean into your own private playground. Take to the sea on the Jet Skis offering you power and control on the water. In addition there are Jobe towable toys offering fun and adventure. Additionally, there are waterskis that are hugely entertaining whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro. If that isn't enough Emerald also features a seabob, wakeboards, kayaks, bikes, paddleboards. When it comes to Tenders, Emerald has you covered - with two tenders, including a 7m/23' Williams Jet Tenders.

Emerald and her crew are available for charter this summer for cruising within the Mediterranean. She is already accepting bookings this winter for cruising in the Caribbean.

Experience the magical places, food and experiences of the Mediterranean this summer from the luxury of your own motor yacht. Emerald, her captain and talented crew are ready to make sure that your yachting experience is like nothing else.

TESTIMONIALS

There are currently no testimonials for Emerald, please provide .

Emerald Photos

Amenities & Entertainment

For your relaxation and entertainment Emerald has the following facilities, for more details please speak to your yacht charter broker.

Emerald is reported to be available to Charter with the following recreation facilities:

• 1 x Lift3 Efoil
• 1 x 7m  /  23' Williams Jet Tenders 70
• 3.1m  /  10'2 Zodiac 310 Rescue Boat

For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

Emerald Awards & Nominations

• The World Superyacht Awards 2024 Refitted Yachts Nomination
• + shortlist

For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

APPROVED RYA WATER SPORTS CENTRE

Your family and friends could learn to use the water toys on your charter vacation onboard this luxury charter yacht. Motor Yacht Emerald is a certified RYA Training Centre yacht.

'Emerald' Charter Rates & Destinations

Summer Season

May - September

€210,000 p/week + expenses Approx $233,500

High Season

€240,000 p/week + expenses Approx $267,000

Cruising Regions

Mediterranean Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Turkey

HOT SPOTS:   Amalfi Coast, Calvi, Corsica, French Riviera, Mykonos, Sardinia

Winter Season

October - April

$210,000 p/week + expenses

$240,000 p/week + expenses

Caribbean Antigua, Saint Martin, St Barts

HOT SPOTS:   Virgin Islands

Charter Emerald

To charter this luxury yacht contact your charter broker , or we can help you.

To charter this luxury yacht contact your charter broker or

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Yacht Owner, Captain or Central Agents - Send us latest Photos, Charter Rates or Corrections Send Updates

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NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Specification

SEASONAL CHARTER RATES

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Live updates: Seven dead in 56m superyacht Bayesian sinking tragedy

Seven people have died in the Bayesian sinking disaster. These include the six missing people who were inside the yacht when it sank, as well as a seventh person who was located shortly after the disaster. The seventh person is understood to be the yacht's chef, Recaldo Thomas. The other six are:

• British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, once dubbed 'Britain's Bill Gates'
• Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, Hannah
• Morgan Stanley's chairman, Jonathan Bloomer
• Judy Bloomer, wife of Morgan Stanley chairman
• Chris Morvillo, a lawyer working for London-based law firm Clifford Chance
• Neda Morvillo, an American jewellery designer and Chris' wife

It is understood that the yacht was being used to celebrate Lynch's recent victory in a 13-year £8 billion fraud acquittal.

No one remembers the mast snapping before 56m superyacht Bayesian sunk, says crew

No one recalls seeing the mast snap on board the 56-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Bayesian which sank off the Italian island of Sicily on 19 August. The eyewitness account of a crewmember on board the vessel, which was obtained by BOAT International , said that the boat was struck by a freak weather event which led to the yacht heeling at around 20 degrees to starboard. As crewmembers were securing items, the heeling angle began to increase rapidly until the yacht started taking on water and sank rapidly.

The crewmembers who were up on deck were able to evacuate the yacht with minor injuries. The yacht is understood to have sunk in just twelve minutes, and it is believed that a "major ingress" of water from the top down would have caused the sinking, according to a captain who wishes to remain anonymous. This is based on the fact that no breaches have been reported in the yacht's hull, and the fact that the yacht should have been able to remain afloat with two flooded compartments.

"Very difficult to understand what could have overwhelmed a vessel of that size" says captain of sistership

The captain of the sistership to the sunken 56-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Bayesian has said it is "very difficult to understand what could have overwhelmed a vessel of that size" and called the 56-metre Perini Navi series "bulletproof".

David Hutchinson, captain of Rosehearty , said he had taken the yacht around the world multiple times and he had "total faith in the boat".  "We've been to Antarctica and Chile, and we've had her in 70 knots of wind," he says, and the vessel had never put them in a situation that felt unmanageable.

However, Hutchinson noted there were differences between Bayesian and Rosehearty ; notably, Bayesian's  74-metre mast, which would have been heavier and added increased windage. The yacht's layout was also different, with guest accommodation on Bayesian located further forward.

Live updates

• During a news conference on Saturday morning (24 August), prosecutors confirmed they are in the early stages of investigating a "crime hypothesis" of culpable shipwreck and manslaughter. Authorities also said the yacht likely sunk because of a downburst (powerful wind that descends from a thunderstorm), rather than a waterspout.
• A search and rescue for six missing people has concluded. The final missing person is understood to be Hannah Lynch. 
• According to Reuters, six bodies have now been found in the sunken yacht. These include Mike Lynch, a British technology entrepreneur who co-founded Autonomy Corporation and founded Invoke Capital, although Italian authorities have not confirmed this.  
• One person was found immediately after the yacht sunk, and this is understood to be the yacht's chef. 
• Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, and a one-year-old are among the fifteen people rescued along with Bayesian' s captain, James Cutfield.
• Another sailing vessel in the area, the 42-metre Sir Robert Baden Powell ,  stepped in to offer assistance in the initial rescue.
• Divers have been able to reach Bayesian' s sunken hull, which lies at 45 metres of depth about half a mile from the coast. The yacht had the largest aluminium masts of any sailing yacht on the water.
• Eyewitnesses in the area reported "hurricane" conditions off the coast but local weather websites did not indicate any severe squall, which suggests that the weather event was not forecast.
• At around 5am local time on 19 August, Bayesian was hit by bad weather and sunk.  The sailing yacht was anchored or idle at the time of the incident.

Built in Italy by renowned builder Perini Navi and delivered in 2008, the yacht's naval architecture was developed by Ron Holland Design while the interior design is by Rémi Tessier . She was formerly known as Salute and was last refitted in 2016. She was listed for sale earlier this year, according to BOATPro . The yacht had accommodation for nine guests and 12 crew.

BOAT International will update the story as it develops.

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MedallionNet Max Enhanced Connectivity Elevates Princess Cruises' New Epic Voyages

Powered by starlink, the new wi-fi tier ensures seamless connectivity across all journeys.

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (August 26, 2024) – Travelers around the world are taking advantage of flexible work arrangements and making the most of their time by combining vacation and work—in fact, 74% of Americans who work from home said they would consider taking a “workcation,” according to a recent Harris Poll data. With the recently announced MedallionNet Max, now is the time to book a longer voyage with Princess Cruises with the ability to stay persistently connected while exploring the world.

Available in Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, MedallionNet Max offers enhanced onboard Wi-Fi to meet the growing demands of today’s digitally connected travelers. While featured on all Princess voyages, it provides even greater flexibility on longer journeys, allowing guests to explore remote corners of the globe without fear of missing out, along with iconic ports, and historic landmarks on curated voyages from Princess, including World Cruises , Journeys Far & Away , Immersive Itineraries , and Ocean Crossings .

“Today’s travelers are increasingly drawn to longer, more immersive experiences, often in remote or bucket-list destinations, without wanting to disconnect from their digital lives,” said Terry Thornton, Chief Commercial Officer of Princess Cruises. “MedallionNet Max ensures that connectivity is never an issue, and when combined with the Princess Premier package, which offers unlimited beverages and specialty dining, it makes longer voyages not only feasible but incredibly rewarding.”

Created by the destination experts at Princess Cruises to point consumers to the unique itineraries within various destinations, Epic Voyages include four categories, offering flexibility and something for everyone:

World Cruises – 35,000 Nautical Miles into the World’s Wonders

For travelers who want to see the world in a whole new way – without the hassle of airport travel, constant unpacking and expensive meals – Princess is the perfect escort to cruise through the immensity of the planet, full of hidden treasures and adventure, making it accessible, tangible, less overwhelming and convenient. Plus, the camaraderie among guests with shared experiences in fascinating ports and a warm crew that gets to know their every need make this the ultimate epic voyage that every adventurer should embark on in their lifetime.

World Cruises sail through the Panama Canal, Hawaii & the South Pacific, Western and Eastern Mediterranean, Australia and Southeast Asia and even Africa.

Three ships – Crown Princess, Coral Princess and Island Princess – sail on World Cruises up to 116 days or divided into shorter segments. In total, 26 itineraries highlight the wonders of the world. World Cruises depart from Ft. Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Auckland, Brisbane or Sydney.

Journeys Far & Away – Multiple Epic Destinations

Journeys Far & Away are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts seeking an “off-the-grid” experience, wildlife lovers, adventurers and naturalists. Whether it’s experiencing the ultimate remote continent where 1,200 miles of dramatic landscapes appear in Antarctica, visiting Greenland - the world’s largest island full of scenic stunners, or discovering hidden gems like “Mystery Island” and Sopo’aga Falls in the South Pacific, guests enjoy multiple destinations on one voyage.

With itineraries ranging in length from 11 to 33 days, sailing on seven ships – Coral Princess, Discovery Princess, Emerald Princess, Grand Princess, Island Princess, Majestic Princess and Sapphire Princess – cruises sail to Southeast Asia, South America and Antarctica, South Pacific & Hawaii, Greenland and Canada.

Journeys Far & Away sail from Boston, Los Angeles, New York City and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Immersive Itineraries – Destinations in One Region

For the culturally curious, or those travelers inspired by history, these carefully crafted Immersive Itineraries are a go-to for an immersive and authentic experiential voyage. From the midnight sun in the Arctic Circle to the ancient landmarks and ruins in Rome, Marseille and Athens, to mesmerizing temples and shrines in Japan or the crystalline waters of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, these cruises feature multiple destinations in one region.

With itineraries from 17 to 31 days, cruises take guests to Alaska, Australia, Japan, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. The cruise line’s newest Sphere-Class ships – Sun Princess and Star Princess – both offer immersive itineraries through the Mediterranean. With 11 ships total, Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Diamond Princess, Emerald Princess, Grand Princess, Island Princess, Majestic Princess, Ruby Princess and Sky Princess also sail to these transformative regions.

Immersive Itineraries sail roundtrip from Adelaide, Athens, Barcelona, Brisbane, Fremantle (Perth), Melbourne, Rome (Civitavecchia), Seattle, San Francisco, Southampton (London), Sydney and Tokyo (Yokohama).

Ocean Crossings – Sailing the Oceans Blue from One Continent to Another

Like a true seafarer, Ocean Crossings weave the continents of the world together, calling to some of the most revered sites and cities, diverse cultures, cuisines and exotic destinations. Onboard, Princess guests enjoy a host of modern luxuries, personal and attentive service, award-winning cuisine, worldclass entertainment, amenities and more.

With Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific crossings, these voyages are the perfect prologue to a renowned Princess World Cruise and offer the perfect mix of sea days, a chance to see the awe-inspiring Northern Lights, and far-reaching destinations like Casablanca, Ponta Delgada (Azores) and Antigua.

With 26 itineraries, ranging in length from 13 to 24 days and nine ships – Caribbean Princess, Emerald Princess, Island Princess, Majestic Princess, Regal Princess, Royal Princess, Sky Princess, Star Princess and Sun Princess – guests cross hemispheres and travel through time east to west, and vice versa.

The new Star Princess, debuting in fall 2025, sails in October on a not-to-be-missed Iberian Passage crossing from Southampton to Ft. Lauderdale, offering ample time to explore and enjoy everything this exceptional vessel has to offer.

Ocean Crossings offer convenient domestic departures from Ft. Lauderdale, Honolulu, New York and Vancouver, BC. International departure ports include Barcelona, Southampton, Athens, Copenhagen and Rome.

Epic Voyages have been designed for the beautiful ships of Princess to be the stage for guests to look out and experience the great wonders of the world. Onboard, every voyage offers enrichment programming with destination-specific events, speakers, productions and various celebrations and indigenous entertainment.

More information about Epic Voyages , including special offers, can be found here .

All 16 ships in the Princess fleet offer well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities. 

No matter the cruise, Princess delivers a premium vacation with the line’s award-winning, signature Princess MedallionClass experience which offers unparalleled service and personalization. Guests booking can take advantage of inclusive packages like Princess Plus and Princess Premier which add popular amenities like WiFi, beverages, desserts, fitness classes, crew gratuities and more at an even greater savings of up 65% when the inclusive package amenities are purchased separately. 

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com.

Media Contacts

Contact information for members of the media

Negin Kamali, +1 661-753-1539, [email protected]

Briana Latter, +1 661-753-1538, [email protected]

About Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world’s most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

Additional media information is available at princess.com/news

Not a member of the media? 

Contact us at: 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or 1-661-753-0000

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From big brands to quirky independents, the city’s newest accommodations are luxurious in ways both quiet and not.

By Kate Maxwell

London is in its global hotel brand era: In the last year, it’s added a Raffles, a Peninsula and a second Mandarin Oriental; a Waldorf Astoria, a St. Regis and a Six Senses are on their way. This new guard is taking over historical icons and throwing up gleaming towers, and it’s upping the ante on amenities, too. A posh afternoon tea is no longer enough, it seems; now, five-stars come with signature scents, subterranean spas, museum-worthy art and long-stay residences. Rooftop bars, a rarity here a decade ago, are now seemingly obligatory (the one at the Emory wins for views, with everything from Big Ben to Battersea Power Station in its sights). But there’s still room for the occasional independent hotel, like the Broadwick, a maximalist love letter to the owner Noel Hayden’s hotelier parents and the creative Soho of the ’90s in which he came of age. “It’s a bit of a sensory overload,” Hayden says. Naturally, there’s a rooftop bar there, too.

Grand Hotel Bellevue

Paddington, an area short on upscale hotels, is a smart choice for French brand Lignée Hotels’ first property outside France. A decades-long regeneration, the new Elizabeth Line, linking Paddington to Heathrow and East London, and nearby attractions like Kensington Gardens and Little Venice make it a good base for exploring the capital. Grand Hotel Bellevue , whose sister hotels include the soignée La Maison Favart and Le Narcisse Blanc Hotel & Spa in Paris, occupies a five-story Victorian townhouse on elegant Norfolk Square. The Paris-based, Milanese architect Fabrizio Casiraghi has combined a bold, earthy color palette with bespoke furniture and antiques for the interiors, and collaborated with the American fashion designer Emily Adams Bode Aujla to design the hotel’s reception and Pondicherry Bar. A tribute to the duo’s love of India, the bar has bold yellow walls hung with tapestries featuring elephants and tigers; its cocktail list includes Masala Chai Iced Tea, with spiced rum and crème de pêche. The smallest, single rooms are designed to feel like boat cabins, with dark wood walls and brass light fixtures, while the 375-square-foot Grand Norfolk Suite has a free-standing tub, high ceilings and views of Norfolk Square. Bathrooms are stocked with products by perfumer-to-the-royals, Floris, and there’s a fitness studio with Nohrd equipment. Rooms from about $345 a night.

Raffles London at the OWO

The 120-room Raffles London , which opened in fall 2023, is a spectacular revival of the Old War Offices, a turreted, Edwardian Baroque icon in the middle of the city’s royal and political landmarks. The 760,000-square-foot stone-clad building served as the offices for leading politicians, including Winston Churchill, and was the birthplace for the British intelligence services MI5 and MI6 — it inspired Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Intricate mosaic floors, marble staircases, acres of oak paneling and eye-popping chandeliers have been meticulously restored, and a four-story, 27,000-square-foot subterranean Guerlain spa added. Near the entrance to the Whitehall Ballroom hangs the 1921 painting “Naval Officers of World War I” by Arthur Stockdale Cope, on loan from The National Portrait Gallery. Of the nine restaurants and bars, three overseen by the three-Michelin-star Argentine chef Mauro Colegreco, the must-visit is the Spy Bar, a speakeasy with the Aston Martin stunt car from “No Time to Die” (the OWO was featured in the 2021 film) as a centerpiece and Bond’s favorite cocktail, the Vesper Martini, on the menu. Rooms from about $1,440 a night.

A glass-and-steel box topped with sail-like structures on the edge of Hyde Park, Maybourne Group’s (Claridge’s, The Connaught, The Berkeley) first all-suite hotel, the Emory , unveiled earlier this summer, was designed by the late Richard Rogers, the architect of the Pompidou Center, and Ivan Harbour of the RSHP firm. The “quiet luxury” aesthetic is strong; the textured public spaces, with polished copper light fixtures, leather upholstery and Damien Hirst artworks, are by Remi Tessier, known for his private jet and yacht interiors, and include a trio of Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurants. The suites and 3,200-square-foot penthouse, by six additional designers, feature luxe materials like Calacatta viola marble and ash wood, and a palette of soft, neutral colors inspired by Hyde Park. The four-story, subterranean Surrenne spa hosts classes by Tracy Anderson. The Emory’s rate includes a private ride from the airport, a 24-hour personal assistant, breakfast and the contents of the not-so-mini bar, where you might find a jug of iced Pimm’s and English strawberries in summer. Rooms from about $2,100 a night.

Broadwick Soho

The passion project of the gaming entrepreneur Noel Hayden, who grew up making toast and performing magic tricks in his parents’ seaside hotel, Broadwick Soho is the wild card of London’s new hotel scene. Hayden’s brief to the interior designer Martin Brudnizki was “your eccentric godmother’s townhouse meets Studio 54.” The bell boys look circus-ready in leopard-print blazers; inside, there’s contemporary art everywhere, including works by Francis Bacon, Bridget Riley and Andy Warhol, many of them from Hayden’s personal collection. The hotel’s low-lit restaurant, Dear Jackie, named for Hayden’s mother, has red silk walls hung with hand-painted plates, patterned booths and refined Italian food — don’t miss the ricotta tortelloni with broad beans. The seventh-floor bar-restaurant, Flute, dials up the maximalism with cork walls and mirrored ceilings and has a wraparound terrace. Bedrooms are low-key in comparison, with a soothing palette of blues, greens and pinks, and Soho rooftop views from floor-to-ceiling windows — though bespoke brass cocktail bars in the shape of elephants bring a hint of kitsch to the suites. Rooms from about $790 a night .

Of the many pedigreed hotels that have landed in Chelsea in the past few years, none is as opulent as At Sloane, a sibling to Paris’s Hotel Costes, which opened in December. The hotel is a renovation of a 19th-century red-brick mansion designed by the architect Edwin Thomas Hall, who created the mock-Tudor Liberty department store. The interiors, by Francois-Joseph Graf, the designer of the toile de Jouy-decked La Mirande hotel in Avignon, France, mix monochrome hues with shades of crimson, graphic rugs, checkerboard tiles and textiles by Morris & Co and Pierre Frey. More than 1,000 black-and-white photographs of stars including the original Sloane Ranger, Princess Diana, line the stairs to the 30 guest rooms. There, timber paneling opens into secret walk-in wardrobes, minibars and exquisite bathrooms modeled on the ones Graf remembers from childhood stays at Claridge’s. On the building’s new sixth floor is a guests-only restaurant with turn-of-the-century furniture by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Edward William Godwin and Christopher Dresser, and shelves stacked with hundreds of Chinoiserie vases. Rooms from about $795 a night.

Mandarin Oriental Mayfair

Mandarin Oriental Mayfair , the brand’s second, smaller London hotel, opened in June in a new build with a contemporary, red-brick-clad townhouse exterior on Hanover Square, Mayfair’s first square when it debuted in the 1700s. An expanse of green Ming marble greets guests when they enter, a nod to the company’s heritage and nearby green spaces (Berkeley Square and Green Park are neighbors). The Asian influence continues in the 50 rooms and suites (there are also 77 private residences), with House of de Gournay hand-painted silk wallpaper; stone-colored furniture and rugs; and pops of emerald, maroon or turquoise on cushions and headboards. The Korea-born, Colorado-bred chef Akira Back has made his UK debut with a namesake restaurant — look out for his trademark ‘AB Tuna Pizza’, with umami aioli, tuna sashimi, micro shiso and truffle oil — and Dosa, a 14-seater, counter-style restaurant; a rooftop bar opens later this year. It wouldn’t be a Mandarin Oriental without a standout spa; this one has an 80-foot swimming pool and 22-minute treatments for guests short on time. Rooms from about $1,400 a night.

An earlier version of this article misidentified the bar on the roof of the Emory hotel in London; it is the Emory Rooftop Bar, not Bar 33.

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