Emerald Cruises Expanding With New Ships and Seine River Sailings

Emerald Cruises announced a significant expansion for 2027 with the addition of two new superyachts and one new European river ship to its fleet, which will be the brand's first entry into the Seine River in France. 

Emerald Cruises will celebrate the launch of Emerald Kaia and Emerald Astra in April 2026, followed by the new Emerald Raiya and Emerald Xara in 2027. The new superyachts will offer all-suite accommodations, a large Sky Deck, a swim-up marina platform, a spa and fitness area, multiple dining venues and more. The ships offer space for 128 guests. 

The Emerald Raiya will debut in winter 2026, sailing in the Seychelles during the winter season before heading to the Eastern Mediterranean in summer 2027, before it returns to the Seychelles for its second winter season. 

Due to the Emerald Raiya's season in the Seychelles, the Emerald Kaia ship will be redeployed to the Caribbean in the winter of 2026. Those already booked for the Seychelles itinerary aboard this ship will be contacted about transferring their booking to the Emerald Raiya. 

Emerald Xara will debut in the summer of 2027 to sail itineraries in the Mediterranean. It'll sail in the Mediterranean for its first season before heading to the Caribbean for its winter season. 

Select voyages for Emerald Yacht Cruises will open for booking in June 2025. 

"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. "It's a powerful extension of our boutique superyacht portfolio. We look forward to sharing the full itinerary and booking details for our new yachts in June 2025."

Rendering of the Emerald Lumi, which will be the first Emerald ship to sail the Seine in 2027. (Photo Credit: Emerald Cruises)

Emerald Cruises will launch its first Seine River river ship in 2027. The Emerald Lumi is a purpose-built ship for the Seine. It will take travelers from Paris to Normandy with round-trip sailings, overnights and extended stays in certain ports, French cuisine onboard and regional onboard programming. 

"The Seine is a natural evolution for Emerald Cruises," said Glen Moroney, chairman and founder of Scenic Group. "It's a river rich in romance, history and culinary heritage – everything our guests love. We're excited to bring our distinctive Emerald Cruises experience to France with this beautifully designed ship." 

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