Emerald Cruises To Add Three Ships, Expanding River & Ocean Fleets

Emerald Cruises is planning for an epic 2027, with two ships planned for its ocean fleet and one for its river. The river ship will represent the line’s first-ever Seine River itineraries, set to debut in 2027.

According to the line, these additions reflect its “forward-thinking deployment strategy designed to fuel continued growth in the luxury travel sector.”

“This is a transformational moment for Emerald Cruises,” said Glen Moroney, chairman and founder of Scenic Group (parent company of Emerald Cruises). “From our first yachts to today’s growing fleet, our vision remains clear: to deliver curated, experiences in some of the world’s most captivating destinations – both by ocean and river.”

Emerald’s New Superyachts

Following the debut of Emerald Kaia in 2026, Emerald will introduce two additional next-generation superyachts in 2027 – Emerald Raiya and Emerald Xara. Both all-suite ships will feature the same sleek design as their sister ship, with enhancements shaped by direct guest feedback. Like Emerald Kaia, both will be slightly larger than the line’s original superyachts with capacity for 128 guests rather than 100.

Emerald Raiya will debut in the Seychelles in winter 2027, then sail the Eastern Mediterranean in summer 2027, before returning to the Seychelles in winter 2027/28.

Emerald Xara will launch in the Mediterranean in summer 2027, then head to the Caribbean for the winter 2027/28 season.

As a result of Emerald Raiya’s deployment to the Seychelles, Emerald Kaia will be redeployed to the Caribbean beginning winter 2026/27. Guests currently booked on Kaia for the Seychelles itinerary during that season will be contacted in May 2025 about their sailing being transferred to Emerald Raiya.

“These new sailings allow us to expand the guest experience into more warm-weather seasons, offering even more ways to enjoy our incomparable superyacht product – from the Seychelles to the Caribbean,” said Ken Muskat, president of Scenic Group, USA and LATAM. “We look forward to sharing the full itinerary and booking details later this year.”

Emerald’s New River Ship & Seine Itinerary

Also in 2027, Emerald will add a new river cruise ship, designed specifically to sail the Seine River.

Emerald Lumi will be the line’s first foray onto the Seine River. It will sail from Paris through Normandy and beyond, offering Emerald’s signature contemporary design and spacious suites. The onboard and shoreside experience will be tailored to sailing in France with French-inspired cuisine, wine pairings, onboard programming highlighting art and regional storytelling, and locally curated excursions.

“The Seine is a natural evolution for Emerald Cruises,” said Moroney. “It’s a river rich in romance, history, and culinary heritage – everything our guests love. We’re excited to bring our distinctive Emerald experience to France with this beautifully designed ship.”

The launch of Emerald Lumi follows the debut of Emerald Astra in 2026, the 10th Star-Ship in the brand’s European fleet.

Yacht Bookings Open Early for Charters, Groups

As part of Emerald’s growth strategy, the line is opening up select voyages in its 2027/28 Emerald Yacht Cruises program in June 2025 to provide advisors with early access and planning support for group cruises and charters.

“There’s rising demand for private charters, celebrations, and curated group journeys – especially on our yachts,” explained Muskat. “By releasing deployment details early, we’re helping our partners secure the best product for their most discerning clients.”