Scenic Group, leaders in luxury river and ocean yacht cruising, has announced that work has officially commenced on its highly-anticipated, next-generation superyacht, Emerald Kaia, the latest addition to Emerald Cruises luxury yacht fleet.
The first sheets of steel for the hull of Emerald Kaia were officially cut on Thursday, 22 August in Vietnam following an intimate ceremony at Halong Shipbuilding Company with key notable figures present including Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, General Director of the shipyard and Mr. Ivo Skelin, General Manager Nautical and Technical – Asia Scenic Group. This milestone marks exciting progress for the construction of Emerald Kaia, reaffirming Emerald Cruises’ pioneering spirit in luxury yacht cruising. A keel-laying ceremony is expected to take place in three months.
“We are thrilled to announce construction has begun on Emerald Kaia, following the cutting of the first steel in Vietnam. 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,” said Glen Moroney, Chairman and Founder of Scenic Group.
Sailing to some of the most captivating destinations and coastlines from April 2026, Emerald Kaia will offer unrivalled luxury ocean yacht experiences, from the Mediterranean and Adriatic to the Aegean Seas and the Seychelles Islands.
As the latest innovation in the Emerald Cruises portfolio, Emerald Kaia aims to redefine luxury at sea with its exceptional amenities, offering unparalleled experiences for travellers on board. Spanning 120m, the ship will feature increased capacity to accommodate 128 guests. Blending luxury with adventure, every detail has been crafted to ensure a journey that is not only impressive but truly immersive.
At the heart of Emerald Kaia is its state-of-the-art new enhancements and larger spacious areas. These include a reimagined Sky Deck offering private cabanas and a new internal Sky Lounge, providing a luxurious open-air experience for guests to take in the expansive scenic views. The popular Marina complemented by a new Marina Lounge now offers a wider range of water sports activities. At the front of the ship, the Observation Sun Deck features a Spa Pool and sun lounges, providing guests more options to relax while on board.
Watch the ceremony via: Here
Culinary enthusiasts will be delighted by the diverse dining options on board Emerald Kaia. These include the new Night Market Grill, an Asian-style grill concept that can accommodate up to eight guests (at an additional cost), and a larger terrace for guests to enjoy al fresco dining at La Cucina restaurant.
For those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, the expanded Elements Spa will offer a full menu of treatments dedicated to nurturing the mind, body and spirit. Emerald Kaia will also offer an impressive Gym with an outdoor platform for indoor/outdoor activities, complemented by panoramic ocean views, creating an inspiring workout environment.
On board guests can look forward to all the premium inclusions of an Emerald Cruises journey, including all onboard meals, complimentary all-day beverages, selected shore excursions, exclusive EmeraldPLUS cultural experiences, EmeraldACTIVE activities, WiFi, airport transfers, tipping and gratuities.
The new 2024-2027 Cruise Planner from Emerald Cruises is now available, offering the full collection of Mediterranean, Caribbean and Seychelles Islands cruises across the fleet. For those wishing to book an experience on board Emerald Kaia, bookings are now open for the 8-day Adriatic cruises, from €5.645 per person* twin share.
For more information visit https://www.cruise-vacations.co.za
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Facebook: @cruisevacationssa
Twitter : @cruisegsa*Please note that Cruise Vacations is the officially appointed representatives in Southern Africa for a range of award-winning ocean and river cruise lines.For more information or to book one of these cruises please contact:
Gaynor Galbraith Neill, Managing Director, Cruise Vacations Tel: +27 11 5140564
About Emerald Cruises
Emerald Cruises, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, excels with nine Star-Ships that navigate the rivers of Europe and the Mekong. 2022 saw the advent of Emerald Azzurra, the first luxury yacht under the Emerald Cruises banner, sailing the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Caribbean, and Central America, followed by Emerald Sakara in 2023. The fleet will be further enhanced with the introduction of Emerald Kaia, promising a new era of luxury yacht cruising in 2026.
The brand offers innovatively-designed ships, outstanding service and a focus on active shore excursions and wellness through their signature EmeraldACTIVE program. Emerald Cruises was recognised in the 2023 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards as a favourite river cruise line and voted the #1 small ship cruise line for their fleet of luxury ocean yachts.
Emerald Cruises is part of Scenic Group, which includes Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Mayflower Cruises & Tours, and Evergreen Tours in Australia. Emerald Cruises can be found on Twitter at @emerald_cruises, on Facebook as EmeraldCruisesGlobal and on Instagram as @EmeraldCruises.global.
