Emerald Cruises’ younger fleet of luxurious superyachts is poised to take issues to the following stage with Emerald Kaia. The glossy 393-foot yacht will enter service in 2026 with a capability of 128 company served by 92 crew members. It is going to be a bit larger than its predecessors, the Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara. The yacht is sufficiently small to go to thrilling areas that may’t accommodate bigger vessels. The all-inclusive pricing makes cruising with Emerald very reasonably priced.
Life-style Group Editor-in-Chief Kevin Gale obtained the lowdown in regards to the ship from Ken Muskat, Managing Director Scenic Group USA | Scenic Luxurious Cruises & Excursions | Emerald Cruises, who works together with his group in Hollywood.
The Emerald Kaia ship is already producing a buzz, so it’s not too quickly to consider reserving journeys for its inaugural season earlier than costs enhance.
Emerald’s success with current ships has been attracting youthful, working-age cruisers past the stereotype of retired vacationers, Muskat says. They need to be energetic, get social and benefit from the distinctive locations and experiences that Emerald affords.
“We all saw what happened during COVID and nobody wants to be locked away again and told that they can’t go somewhere,” Muskat says. “So, people are taking advantage of these opportunities now to get out there.”
Here’s a transcript of the interview with Muskat, which has been edited for readability and brevity.
You actually appear to be aiming for the very best expertise in cruising.
We’re very, very excited in regards to the launch of Kaia as a result of she joins her two sister ships, Azzurra and Sakara, in what we imagine is really a category of their very own. There’s actually nothing else on the market prefer it for the patron to have the ability to e book that’s extremely luxurious. On this case, 128 company and the guest-to-crew ratio is sort of one-to-one, with 92 crew.
However most significantly, every other small ships are sometimes older ships, whereas ours are model new. They began popping out in 2022 and 2023 and Kaia debuts in 2026. So, that brings this subsequent era of extremely luxurious ships to a complete ‘nother stage.
We’re additionally very enthusiastic about the truth that we’ve made plenty of enhancements to her versus her sister ships.
We’ve made a 50 % measurement growth on the wellness space and the spa space in the primary deck. We’ve elevated the ceiling peak as much as 10 toes. So, lots of people assume a few of these smaller luxurious ships really feel small when, in actuality, the wonder in regards to the Emerald superyachts is that they actually really feel large if you’re inside — excessive ceilings, all home windows, large open suites, large open lounge areas. You actually really feel such as you get the advantages of an attractive large cruise ship in a really small, ultra-luxury superyacht that nearly feels prefer it’s fully non-public, all for your self. We made plenty of different enhancements, together with the culinary features. After all, the good thing about these ships is that they get to go to distinctive ports that bigger ships can’t go to, which actually brings you the exclusivity and the distinctiveness of them. We don’t actually imagine there may be competitors on this space.
The chairman and founding father of Scenic, Glen Moroney, says that the Kaia builds on the power of the Sakara and the Azzurra. Discuss that evolution.
We’re all the time listening to visitor suggestions. Within the cruise trade, you construct one ship and then you definately be taught what issues you could possibly do higher or enhance upon. We actually pushed the design components because it pertains to making the most of all areas onboard the ship. This ship is a little bit bit longer, a little bit bit wider, and it permits us to do some distinctive issues. We convey more room to lodging, 50 % bigger well being, wellness and spa areas, distinctive options just like the expanded Sky Deck and the modern Marina Deck. The statement Solar Deck is totally unimaginable and there are some new culinary experiences, together with the New Evening Market Grill, which the opposite ships don’t have.
I like how The Sky Deck and the Sky Lounge meld the skin and the within.
It is a central focus for daytime and nighttime exercise. A variety of it in the course of the daytime is simply round relaxation and leisure and having fun with the surroundings, having fun with the ocean; at nighttime, it turns into a serious leisure hub the place you could possibly watch the sundown and have drinks and benefit from the leisure. One of many issues that we’re actually enthusiastic about is the mixing of the indoor and out of doors. We like folks to nonetheless really feel very related with the ocean after they’re outdoors. You might be on a superyacht crusing in a number of the most original lovely areas on this planet. To have this capacity to be inside and have the posh lounge expertise and the bar expertise, simply step a couple of steps away and have this outdoors space with the lounge chairs and the Jacuzzi space and the leisure that now we have up there actually brings that connection to the ocean. It permits us to work in all-weather environments and permits us to supply the posh expertise inside after which extra of an off-the-cuff and lounge-y and ocean expertise on the skin. It’s the very best of each worlds.
I did some analysis on the that means of Kaia and located it had the that means of pure life, within the sea. How was the identify chosen?
The identify of the ship often comes from our proprietor, Glen, and his spouse, Karen. It means precisely that: pure life, the ocean. It’s additionally strolling away with extraordinary reminiscences that we offer. It’s a true once-in-a-lifetime expertise. It’s a pure expertise. You’re related with the ocean and also you’re going to stroll away with reminiscences which can be like nothing you’ve ever had earlier than.
Discuss in regards to the all-inclusive facet of the Kaia.
We embrace all the pieces from airport transfers, breakfast, lunch and dinner on board. The Evening Market Grill is a little bit bit additional for a nominal charge as a result of it solely holds eight folks, however it’s an unimaginable different. The drink packages are new for us to be all inclusive. Drinks embrace a choice of wine, beer, cocktails, glowing wine, delicate drinks, juices and the mini bar. We even have state-of-the-art espresso machines and tea stations across the ship. As a result of we’re centered on sustainability, we’ve obtained our thermos that we offer in each suite that you would be able to refill with water, in lieu of plastic and single-use bottles
We additionally embrace the excursions with very educated guides, complimentary high-speed WiFi by way of Starlink, gratuities and the Go Cycle electrical bikes on board. So, not included are spa therapies or if you wish to actually improve to a considerably costly wine or alcohol. We like the power for folks to come back on board and never have to consider something and never should put down their card each time they need to get a drink.
What kind of pampering can your company count on?
For lots of people, pampering means simply go away me alone in my cabana up on the highest deck, let me really feel like that is my very own luxurious superyacht and convey me a drink each quarter-hour. For different folks, it’s throughout the precise facilities on board. The pampering additionally simply comes from the excellent service our crew supplies. There may be crew in all places caring for you to the extent that you just need to be taken care of.
We’ve stateroom attendants for the entire suites that everyone can simply get in contact with to get something accomplished. We’ve a concierge in the primary lounge space who can deal with something for you. We even have nice interactive TV on board within the suites. With solely 128 company, there’s by no means a line, by no means a time that you just’re on maintain on the telephone. It’s tremendous personable and tremendous simple to get no matter you want.
What’s behind making the wellness area 50 % larger?
We all know folks wish to indulge on our cruises and chill out and benefit from the culinary expertise and the beverage expertise and all of the locations we go to, however we additionally know that they need to have that steadiness with wellness. So, it’s vital for us to construct amenities that may give them that steadiness. Our spa may have a KLAFS Infrared Sauna, in addition to bigger spa remedy rooms for the health club. We’ve redesigned your complete feel and look of the health club. We’re going to supply this capacity to attach with the outside with a brand new indoor/out of doors exercise area. When the ship shouldn’t be in movement, the watertight door will open to create an open platform that permits you to go on the platform and do yoga or Pilates or stretching. Whenever you’re accomplished with that, you’ll be able to simply simply soar proper within the water. We additionally took the spa and health club space and related it with the brand new indoor lounge of the marina and the out of doors marina. It’s actually an excellent, nice setup.
The state room sizes appear to be larger as effectively.
The good factor about this ship is she is barely bigger than her sister ships, which permits us more room to play with. The suites are a few 10 % bigger ground plan than what now we have on a number of the different ships. This actually permits additional consolation in each the bed room, the loos and extra facilities. The bottom price balcony suites are 332 sq. toes, which is a really good measurement. The proprietor suite includes a Jacuzzi and measures as much as 1,200 sq. toes. We’ve obtained plenty of totally different classes in between. As a result of our ships are model new versus the competitors on this measurement, this enables us to say now we have a number of the largest suites at sea.
What is going to the eating space designs and delicacies be like?
La Cucina and the Evening Market Grill supply distinctive eating experiences that concentrate on high-end regional delicacies. La Cucina, which is the primary space, may have an open galley design. Our company like to see the cooks cooking. The Evening Market, which is kind of connected to La Cucina, is an eight- particular person venue. It can present an Asian-inspired eating expertise showcasing contemporary and unique flavors. Each venues are designed to foster a way of group and delight with the senses.
You do construct an excellent sense of group with all people on board. You’ll actually benefit from the culinary expertise with totally different menus each evening, totally different experiences. We even have the alfresco gentle refreshments up the place the pool is, accessible breakfast, lunch and dinner
How do reservations work on the restaurant?
We’ve obtained open eating occasions and you’ll are available everytime you need. We do suggest reservations, particularly for bigger teams simply to guarantee that we are able to get you in on the acceptable time. The Evening Market Grill does require reservations, which may be coordinated onboard.
What’s the gown expectation?
Very comfy. We’ve individuals who gown in a kind of nation membership, comfy apparel day and evening, whereas some folks select to get a little bit bit extra dressed up, however we’re in no way formal.
What areas of the ship are designed for leisure and having cocktails?
There’s all these little nooks and crannies the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from a drink and be completely relaxed, however a number of the larger areas are the Sky Bar and Spa Pool on the Sky Deck. These are nice for having fun with the daytime expertise and the sundown and the cabanas that now we have up there with a cocktail. We even have the Marina Lounge and the Statement Solar Deck. The Statement Solar Deck on this ship notably is a complete new idea and is basically going to be an excellent out of doors lounge area space day and evening, particularly if you’re seeing the solar go down, for drinks and lounging round and having fun with your fellow company. We even have the indoor major foyer lounge the place we’ve obtained an attractive bar and we do a variety of nighttime leisure there, actions and video games. That’s the place you’ll often discover a guitar participant or any person who could also be singing and offering some leisure. We additionally do this up on the Skybar and Sky Pool.
The marina actually looks like it connects company to the water. The slide seems such as you simply plunge proper into the ocean.
The marina is an space that you would be able to go to each time the ship is anchored out at sea — that’s when all of the water sports activities can be found. We did add this slide, in order that’s a type of enhancements that company had been asking for and we wished to supply this unimaginable slide that goes from deck three all the way in which proper into the water. However we even have plenty of different water toys together with NautiBoys inflatable platforms, trampoline floats, Seabobs, paddleboards and kayaks. Seabobs are tremendous adventurous, battery-operated and you’ll dive down into the water and pop again up and go as quick as you need to go.
A variety of the large ships have to enter large ports that won’t have the very best water high quality. Sounds just like the Marina expertise affords not solely nice views, however nice water high quality.
Completely, 100%. You’re going to locations like St. Bart’s and Jost Van Dyke [an island in the British Virgin Islands] and a few distinctive ports in Puerto Rico that most individuals have by no means heard of. The water is unbelievably clear and delightful. Kaia goes to the Seychelles, so you’ll be able to solely think about what the water’s like there. So, the power to make use of these water sports activities and these locations which can be very a lot untouched, that large ships can not get to, is a complete different facet of the wonder. You go on the market in a kayak, sit there for a second, take a look at the ship and the environment and it’s simply breathtaking.
Inform us in regards to the solar deck.
The brand new statement solar deck on the bow is superbly designed. It is a area that we took full benefit of that we hadn’t taken full benefit of on the earlier ships. Due to the way in which the ship is constructed, it supplied a complete new area for us to have lounge chairs. We’ll have umbrellas when the ship’s not transferring to guard from the solar, tables, chairs and a leisure space. It’s nice for teams to get collectively. It’s nice for cocktail events, nice to simply hang around and skim a e book. It’s tremendous tranquil and stress-free. These ships do actually, rather well with teams, households and a few bigger events. The forms of furnishings that we’re going to be utilizing is simply excessive comfy and stress-free with the very best views you’re going to see wherever.
Do you will have a differentiation in your land excursions?
They’re all very distinctive and immersive. We’ve Emerald Plus and Emerald Lively packages and you’ll get pleasure from actions that go off the crushed path, resembling guided hikes, bike rides and cultural experiences. They’re all led by very educated native guides who present wonderful insights on the vacation spot, the historical past of the vacation spot and what you’re seeing, so that you’ve obtained a satisfying, enriching expertise. You’ve obtained the power to go off by yourself if you’d like, and also you even have the power to do some very unimaginable shore excursions that educate you fairly a bit about the place you might be. These may be as energetic or as passive as you need them to be.
What are a number of the preliminary locations?
She’s going to start her superyacht expertise within the Mediterranean and the Adriatic. 2026/2027 sailings embrace Greece, Italy, Croatia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the Seychelles. We’ve additionally added new itinerary choices, together with a brand new seven-night spherical journey to Venice, a seven-night to Istanbul and an Istanbul to Paros [an Agean Sea island] choice and new voyages crusing to Malta.
What kind of suggestions and buzz are you getting, together with bookings?
We introduced this a couple of months in the past and instantly the response from our journey agent companions was extremely robust. They’re very conversant in the Emerald Cruises model and like it. They had been tremendous excited to see Kaia and now take it to the following stage. Our company which have sailed with us on Emerald cruises, particularly those who have sailed on Azzurra and Sakara, gave us glorious suggestions and instantly began reserving. So, the demand has been thrilling and powerful.
Are you able to give our readers an thought of what it prices to sail the Kaia and are there some specials?
Pricing all the time fluctuates primarily based on time of 12 months, vacation spot and provide and demand. Pricing for the eight-day Tropical Charms of the Seychelles itinerary is starting at $5,055 per particular person and from $8,400 for the 13-day itinerary within the Seychelles.
We do supply recurrently two-for-one fares plus as much as $3,000 in flex credit score, which implies $3,000 that you need to use both in the direction of a reduction off the cruise worth or you’ll be able to put that in the direction of air to get all-inclusive air.
Now’s the very best time to e book as a result of the farther out you e book, the higher. Costs will probably be going up. I extremely encourage company to speak to their journey advisor or get onto our web sites to see the most recent promotions, which we may have for Black Friday and Cyber Week.
Go to emeraldcruises.com, join the e-newsletter and also you’ll get any of our affords, any of our promotions, all of our emails with the most recent and best data.
Are all of your cabins double occupancy or do you will have singles?
They’re all double occupancy. We do have promotions that enable for singles to come back with out having to pay 200 %. In additional circumstances chances are you’ll pay 145 % or 150 % so that you get a reduction.
