Emerald Cruises’ newest yacht Emerald Kaia prepares for launch

As Emerald Cruises prepares to welcome guests on board Emerald Kaia for her maiden voyage on 4 April 2026, the luxury superyacht is now completing the final stages before entering service.

Emerald Kaia - Godparents

Having already captured wide interest since her initial reveal, Emerald Kaia’s upcoming 11day inaugural sailing from Limassol to Athens signals the start of a landmark year for the brand, as she embarks on a dedicated Mediterranean season exploring the region’s most alluring coastlines.

Purposebuilt for just 128 guests, Emerald Kaia brings a new level of contemporary yacht cruising to UK travellers, with expansive outdoor spaces, Missonidesigned interiors, the reinvented signature restaurant La Cucina featuring an open kitchen, and the intimate eightseat Night Market Grill dining experience*. Following her Mediterranean debut, she will continue her journey through the Red Sea and Suez Canal later in the year before spending winter 2026/27 sailing the Seychelles and Indian Ocean.

As the 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 three decades of service, Kim Scoular, Director of Operations, and Ray Gilbert, Senior Software Engineer, have been appointed as Emerald Kaia’s Godparents. Their selection reflects Scenic Group’s enduring values, celebrating the people whose dedication shapes the guest experience.

Kim began her career in reservations before becoming a global Tour Director and now leads operations across the river and yacht fleets, while Ray has been instrumental in building and supporting the company’s global digital infrastructure since 1998. Both will officially christen Emerald Kaia during a special ceremony in Venice this June, representing the thousands of colleagues whose passion continues to elevate Scenic Group’s awardwinning river and ocean journeys.

Before reaching the Mediterranean, Emerald Kaia successfully completed her sea trials in Halong Bay, Vietnam, a major milestone confirming her performance, manoeuvrability, and seaworthiness in open water. Conducted from the Scenic Group shipyard, the trials delivered excellent results and allow the team to progress confidently through the final commissioning phase ahead of delivery.

Emerald Kaia

Featuring a new Observation Sun Deck with an additional Spa Pool, updated wellness facilities including an indoor/outdoor gym, and newly expanded suite and stateroom layouts, the yacht is now in the final stages of outfitting before she joins 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, blending relaxed luxury with warm water exploration, designed for guests seeking a more intimate cruising lifestyle travel, the sophistication of contemporary yacht design and the personalised service for which the Scenic Group is renowned.

For more information, visit emeraldcruises.co.uk or call 0161 516 6895.