After cruising through Cambodia and Vietnam on the Mekong with Emerald Cruises and sailing the Mediterranean aboard the stunning Emerald Azzurra, I’ll admit I’m a little biased.
Emerald has become one of my favourite cruise brands, consistently delivering the kind of relaxed luxury that feels effortless rather than overdone.
So when Emerald Cruises unveiled its newest luxury superyacht, Emerald Kaia, I couldn’t wait to learn more.
This month Australian audiences caught their first glimpse of the next-generation yacht during two special episodes of Getaway, showcasing Emerald Kaia’s inaugural voyage through the Greek Islands and Türkiye.
Filmed during the yacht’s first Mediterranean season, viewers experienced destinations including Santorini, Mykonos, Gallipoli and Istanbul while getting an inside look at Kaia’s beautifully designed suites, the stylish new Sky Bar, Night Market Grill and the intimate onboard atmosphere shared by just 128 guests.
Speaking with Anthony Laver, Scenic Group’s General Manager of Sales & Marketing for Australia and Asia Pacific, it’s clear Emerald Kaia represents far more than simply another new ship.
“We’ve really created a unique class of yacht,” Laver says.
“The whole idea is that with only 128 guests, it genuinely feels like you’re travelling aboard your own private superyacht. We’ve taken everything guests loved about Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara and elevated the experience even further.”
That feeling of exclusivity is something I experienced first-hand aboard Emerald Azzurra.
Despite sailing with more than 100 fellow guests, the crew somehow remembered everyone’s names, favourite drinks and dining preferences within days. Rather than feeling like passenger number 87, you genuinely feel like you’re among friends.
According to Laver, that’s exactly what today’s luxury travellers are seeking.
“Australians are sophisticated travellers,” he says. “We travel a long way to reach Europe or destinations like the Seychelles, so we want experiences we simply can’t have on larger cruise ships.”
Those experiences include slipping into tiny fishing villages, secluded bays and hidden beaches inaccessible to traditional cruise ships.
Rather than arriving alongside several thousand passengers, guests can explore destinations with minimal impact on local communities.
Wellness has also become a defining feature of Emerald Kaia.
The yacht features an expanded wellness concept with an indoor-outdoor gym suspended above the ocean, a redesigned pool deck complete with water jets, multiple outdoor dining venues and an upgraded marina platform where guests can kayak, paddleboard and swim directly from the yacht.
Laver says one of Emerald’s greatest strengths is creating authentic connections with each destination.
“We source as much local produce as possible,” he explains. “Our chefs shop in local markets for fresh seafood and vegetables. With only 128 guests, that’s something you simply can’t replicate on a much larger ship.”
It’s a philosophy I’ve witnessed myself, from unforgettable local flavours served on the Mekong (including crickets and bugs) to fresh Mediterranean cuisine aboard Azzurra. Those authentic touches create memories that last long after the cruise ends.
Emerald Kaia will spend her inaugural season exploring the Mediterranean before sailing to the Seychelles from December through March 2027, where her shallow draft allows access to remote islands, pristine lagoons and secluded anchorages few cruise ships can reach.
Looking ahead, Emerald Cruises’ luxury yacht fleet continues to grow, with Emerald Raiya arriving in 2027 and Emerald Zara following in 2028.
Especially exciting for Australian travellers is the future arrival of Emerald Zara, which is expected to cruise Australia’s Kimberley and the South Pacific, bringing Emerald’s signature relaxed luxury much closer to home.
If Emerald Azzurra was impressive – and it certainly was – Emerald Kaia appears to have taken everything guests loved and refined it once again.
After hearing Anthony Laver describe what’s next for the brand, one thing is certain: luxury yachting is no longer just for billionaires. It’s becoming one of the most exciting and accessible ways to explore the world.
I’m happy to volunteer to test the waters for the Aussies. I mean, someone has to and 2028 isn’t that far away.
