Emerald Cruises’ newest yacht Emerald Kaia prepares for launch | News
As Emerald Cruises prepares to welcome guests aboard Emerald Kaia for her maiden voyage on April 4, 2026, the luxury superyacht is now completing the final stages before entering service.
Emerald Kaia’s upcoming 11-day inaugural sailing from Limassol to Athens has generated a lot of interest since its initial unveiling and marks the start of a milestone year for the brand, as it embarks on a special Mediterranean season exploring the region’s most attractive coastlines.
Purpose-built for just 128 guests, Emerald Kaia brings a new level of contemporary yacht cruising to British travelers, with expansive outdoor spaces, Missoni-designed interiors, the reinvented La Cucina signature restaurant with an open kitchen and the intimate eight-seat Night Market Grill dining experience*. After her debut in the Mediterranean, she will continue her voyage through the Red Sea and Suez Canal later this year before spending the winter of 2026/2027 in the Seychelles and Indian Ocean.
As Scenic Group celebrates its 40th anniversary, the naming of Emerald Kaia also marks a heartfelt moment for the company and its people. In recognition of their nearly thirty years of service, Kim Scoular, Director of Operations, and Ray Gilbert, Senior Software Engineer, have been appointed Godparents of Emerald Kaia. Their selection reflects Scenic Group’s enduring values and celebrates the people whose dedication shapes the guest experience.
Kim started her career in the reserves before becoming global tour director and now leads the river and yacht fleet operations, while Ray has been instrumental in building and supporting the company’s global digital infrastructure since 1998. Both will officially christen Emerald Kaia at a special ceremony in Venice in June, representing the thousands of colleagues whose passion continues to take Scenic Group’s award-winning river and ocean voyages to the next level.
Before reaching the Mediterranean Sea, Emerald Kaia successfully completed her sea trials in Halong Bay, Vietnam, a major milestone that confirmed her performance, maneuverability and seaworthiness in open water. The tests, carried out from Scenic Group’s shipyard, produced excellent results and enabled the team to confidently progress through the final commissioning phase before delivery.
Featuring a new Observation Sun Deck with an additional spa pool, updated wellness facilities including an indoor and outdoor gym and a newly expanded suite and cabin layout, the yacht is now in the final stages of fit-out before joining sister yachts Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara in the growing Emerald Cruises fleet.
Emerald Kaia’s maiden voyage marks the beginning of an exciting new era for Emerald Cruises, combining relaxed luxury with warm water exploration, designed for guests seeking a more intimate cruising lifestyle, the sophistication of contemporary yacht design and the personalized service for which the Scenic Group is known.
For more information, visit emeraldcruises.co.uk or call 0161 516 6895.
