Emerald Cruises & Tours Marks Dual Milestones in Yacht Fleet Expansion

Emerald Cruises & Tours has marked a major milestone in the expansion of its luxury yacht fleet, celebrating two key achievements last week: the float-out of Emerald Kaia and the keel laying of Emerald Raiya.

These events highlight Scenic Group’s continued commitment to innovation and strategic growth, with three new super yachts set to join the fleet by 2028.

Emerald Kaia Launch Ceremony
On November 10, 2025, Emerald Kaia made its first entry into the water at the shipyard in Halong Bay, Vietnam. The ceremony welcomed dignitaries including Mr. Ivo Skelin, General Manager, Design & Development Projects for Scenic Group. This milestone brings the vessel closer to its highly anticipated inaugural sailing through Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey in April 2026. Following its maiden voyage, Emerald Kaia will spend the summer exploring coastlines from Italy to Montenegro, Albania, Croatia, the Greek Islands, and the Corinth Canal, before repositioning to the Seychelles from December 2026 through March 2027.

Emerald Raiya Keel Laying
That same day, Emerald Raiya reached a defining stage in its construction with its official keel laying ceremony. Set to debut in June 2027, the yacht will launch in the Eastern Mediterranean and Seychelles. Another sister vessel, Emerald Xara, will join the fleet in April 2028.

“The launch of Emerald Kaia and the keel laying of Emerald Raiya mark significant milestones for Emerald Cruises and our expansion,” said Scenic Group Founder & Chairman Glen Moroney. “Each has been thoughtfully designed by our team at MKM Yachts to deliver a distinctive luxury experience for up to 128 guests, meeting the growing demand for yacht-style cruising in the Mediterranean, Seychelles, and Caribbean.”

Scenic Group’s growth is further emphasized by the recent announcement of Scenic Ikon, set to join the Scenic Discovery Yachts fleet in April 2028, along with new river cruise additions: Emerald Astra, debuting on the Rhine, Main, and Danube in May 2026, and Emerald Lumi, launching on France’s Seine River in 2027.

The Emerald Yacht Cruising Experience
The new yachts will join Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, expanding the Emerald Yacht Cruises fleet to five vessels by 2028. Designed to host up to 128 guests, Emerald Kaia, Emerald Raiya, and Emerald Xara will offer a blend of relaxed luxury and immersive adventure, featuring spacious layouts alongside curated culinary, wellness, and marina experiences.

Highlights include:

• An expanded Sky Deck and enhanced Observation Sun Deck featuring an indoor/outdoor bar and additional Spa Pool
• Private cabanas offering peaceful retreats with sweeping sea views
• Spacious accommodations, including Owner’s Suites with private terraces and Spa Pools, plus interconnecting suite options
• A variety of al fresco dining venues, from the Aqua Pool Café and La Cucina Terrace to the new Night Market Grill*, an intimate private dining space for up to eight guests