Emerald Cruises Has a New Superyacht Coming: Emerald Kaia
The new Emerald Kaia superyacht will carry up to 128 passengers. (Rendering courtesy of Emerald Cruises)
Emerald Cruises is adding to its fleet of luxury yachts with a new superyacht-style cruise ship called Emerald Kaia, which will debut in 2026.
I cruised on the first ship in the Emerald Cruises yacht fleet, Emerald Azzurra, and fell in love with the 100-passenger ship and all the wonderful things that this kind of ocean cruising offers. Since then, Emerald has added Emerald Sakara — and next is Emerald Kaia, with a number of new spaces and amenities.
Video recap of our cruise on Emerald Azzurra
Emerald Cruises’ Emerald Kaia is designed to offer an intimate experience — carrying up to 128 passengers to small ports that large ships can’t reach. The first season features itineraries in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic Seas, as well as cruises to the Red Sea and Seychelles.
This new ship carries 28 more people and essentially is an enhanced and expanded design compared with the first two yachts in the Emerald Cruises’ fleet.
The highlights include an indoor/outdoor Sky Deck, new dining experiences with private and al fresco options, an expanded gym with opportunities for open-air workouts and luxurious accommodations.
The superyacht experience is a little different than a standard luxury cruise or even an expedition small-ship cruise. It feels like a hybrid of the two for me.
I was able to enjoy a great deal of adventure and wellness activities alongside wonderful chances to relax and fully embrace the views, joy of sailing and spectacular service and cuisine.
From the moment you step onboard the ships, you feel the warm embrace of the attentive staff and contemporary elegance of the charming spaces.
The Sky Deck offers 5,500 square feet of space complete with an enclosed Sky Bar and Lounge. This is where you can chill out in a cabana by the Spa Pool.
Active travelers will enjoy the chance to get in workouts in the expanded gym that offers an outdoor workout space.
The ship also features Elements Spa, complete with an infrared sauna, where you can get a range of massages and other treatments.
Emerald Kaia features exquisite dining options. The restaurant La Cucina has an expanded al fresco La Cucina Terrace, and cruisers can savor gourmet dishes prepared in the glass-enclosed kitchen, ensuring every meal is a feast for all the senses. Kaia offers a new dining experience, the Night Market Grill, an Asian-style private dining experience.