Emerald Yacht Cruises
Parent company: Scenic Group
PremiumSee how Emerald Yacht Cruises describes itself vs how we list it
What to say on a call
Best for
- 1Small superyachts (100 guests on Azzurra/Sakara, 128 on the newer Kaia/Raiya/Xara class) can access marinas and small ports large ships cannot
- 2Fare includes a la carte/fine dining, selected complimentary drinks, and handpicked included excursions; optional DiscoverMORE tours cost extra
- 3Fleet grows to 5 yachts by 2028: two 100-guest Azzurra-class yachts plus the next-generation 128-guest Kaia class (Kaia 2026, Raiya 2027, Xara 2028)
Payments & cancellations
Final payment
Per cruise lineSources differ
Emerald's US Yacht Cruise Terms (clause 3.9) set final payment at 90 days before departure; the yacht offers page gives 120 days on Full Fares and 150 on Select Fares. We show the fare terms; confirm at booking.Yacht offers (fare terms) Yacht Cruise Terms120 days prior to departure (Full Fare); Select Fare 150 days; Preferred Fare 10 months prior (or within 30 days of booking if inside 10 months)
Final payment due 120 days before departure on Full Fares (150 days on Select Fares; Preferred Fares 10 months prior, or within 30 days of booking when booked inside 10 months).
Deposit
Per cruise line20% of the Journey Price (or another amount given at booking), due within 7 days of booking
The Booking Deposit is 20% of the Journey Price, or another amount Emerald gives at the time of booking (Yacht Cruise Terms, definitions). It must be paid within 7 days of booking unless Emerald agrees otherwise in writing, or Emerald may cancel the booking (clause 3.3). Deposits are non-refundable except as required by law or under the Flexible Booking / Penalty Relief plans (clause 3.7). Some fare terms are stricter, so confirm at booking.
Cancellation penalties
Per cruise line120+ days: loss of deposit; 119-91 days: 50%; 90 days or less: 100% (per guest)
If you cancel for any reason before the Journey Departure Date, the cancellation fee per Guest is: 120 days and over before departure, loss of the Booking Deposit; 119 to 91 days, 50% of the Journey Price; 90 days or less, 100% of the Journey Price. Changing the departure date or a Guest's name counts as a cancellation (clauses 3.12 and 4.7). Airline and other third-party cancellation fees may also apply. Booking Deposits are not refundable and not transferable to other Journeys or Bookings, except as required by law or under the Flexible Booking Plan or Cancellation Penalty Relief Plan (clause 3.7). Bookings paid with a Future Travel Credit: cancelling more than 90 days out costs 100% of the Journey Price, re-issued as a Future Travel Credit valid for 24 months (clause 4.8); cancelling within 90 days costs 100% and the Future Travel Credit is forfeited (clause 4.9).
Onboard extras & packages
Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.
- Gratuities (standard rooms)
- IncludedPer cruise line
- Gratuities (suites)
- IncludedPer cruise line
- Drink package
- Selected complimentary drinks includedPer cruise line
- Premium drink package
- Extra beverage packages sold on board; price not published
- Soda package
- Included (soft drinks complimentary throughout the day)Per cruise line
- Non-alcoholic package
- Included (soft drinks complimentary throughout the day)Per cruise line
- Wi-Fi (basic)
- Included (complimentary Wi-Fi in public spaces, cabins and suites)Per cruise line
- Wi-Fi (premium)
- Included (all onboard internet at no additional charge)Per cruise line
- Specialty dining package
- Included (a la carte and fine dining on board)Per cruise line
- Specialty dining (avg per meal)
- IncludedPer cruise line
- Fitness classes
- IncludedPer cruise line
- Spa / thermal pass
- Not yet verified
- Air program
- Air credit up to $3,000 per guest with Preferred Fares (US residents); or up to $1,500 extra savings insteadPer cruise line
- Other fees & perks
- Handpicked shore excursions are included per the official inclusions page; an optional 'Flexible Booking Plan' ($200 for yacht cruising) and 'Penalty Relief Program' ($395 pp per cruise) are separately purchasable booking-protection add-ons, not fare inclusions.Per cruise line
Accessibility & special needs
- How to tell the cruise line
- Guests or their travel agent must tell Emerald at booking about any accommodation needed for a disability, medical condition or diet; accessible room requests must also be made at booking and depend on availability. Per cruise line
- Wheelchairs & scooters
- Guests with a disability are welcome if they or a companion can give all the help they need. Some decks may lack elevator access, doors and corridors may be too narrow for standard wheelchairs, and wheelchair users cannot be carried on boarding ramps, which may be steep. Per cruise line
- Medical equipment & pregnancy
- Emerald's ocean yachts have an onboard medical center, staffed according to the destination. Per cruise line
Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing, service animals, guests of size. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.
Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium
Loyalty program
Scenic & Emerald RewardsPer cruise line
- 1Gold — Entry level
- 2Diamond — 15,000 Status Points
- 3Emerald — 30,000 Status Points
- 4Chairman's Club — 50,000 Status Points (invitation-only)
Guests may say
“Scenic & Emerald Rewards”
Officially shared program: Scenic & Emerald Rewards spans both Scenic and Emerald brands (ocean, river, and yacht products), confirmed via the joint program name and shared URL structure on both emeraldcruises.com and scenic.com.
Military & veterans
US military personnel, veterans and first responders get $150 per person off Emerald river and yacht sailings with proof of current or past service; US residents only.
The page's body text also mentions families and offer code USFIRST; the offer terms cover only US military personnel, veterans and first responders. Proof type not specified.
How military rates work → PremiumAirport transfers
Emerald yacht itinerary pages list 'Airport transfers to and from the ship' among the included features.
Which ports: Varies by itinerary; see each itinerary's inclusions.
What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.
Cruise family
Scenic Group
Loyalty between brands: Scenic & Emerald Rewards (launched Feb 2026) is one shared program across Scenic and Emerald yacht, river, and land journeys, plus Mayflower.
See the whole family →Good to know
Included vs. optional excursions
Per cruise lineEach yacht cruise includes excursions, EmeraldPLUS experiences and EmeraldACTIVE activities; DiscoverMORE excursions are optional at extra cost, bookable on board or through reservations.
Marina Platform toys and e-bikes included
Per cruise lineWater toys on Marina (swim-stop) days and e-bikes are complimentary.
Dress code is informal
Per cruise lineCasual clothing; dinner is informal, guests may dress up a little for Welcome and Farewell Dinners.
Onboard currency is US dollars
Per cruise lineThe yachts run on USD (river Star-Ships in Europe use euros).
Suite laundry perk
Per cruise lineTerrace Suite and Yacht Suite guests get two items laundered per day; Owner's Suite up to four; other categories pay for laundry.
Lifts to every deck
Per cruise lineUnlike the river Star-Ships, the yachts' elevators serve all seven decks including the Sky Deck, which helps guests with limited mobility (a companion is still advised for excursions).
Fleet
- Ships
- 3 yachts sailing (Emerald Azzurra, Emerald Sakara, Emerald Kaia)Per cruise line
- Newest ship
- Emerald Kaia (launched April 2026)Per cruise line
- Ship classes
- Azzurra-class (Azzurra, Sakara, ~100 guests), Next-generation class (Kaia, Raiya, Xara, ~128 guests)
Coming soon
All new ships- Emerald Raiya2027 · Eastern Mediterranean Now sellingPer cruise line
- Emerald Xara2028 · Asia Not yet on salePer cruise line
Where they sail
Learn these regions
Last full review: 28 Sep 2026·Last updated: 26 Oct 2026
A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.
"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.
Something wrong or missing?
"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.
"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.