Emerald Cruises & Tours has marked a pair of significant shipbuilding milestones as it continues to expand its luxury yacht fleet. Two key stages were reached this month with the float-out of Emerald Kaia and the keel laying of Emerald Raiya, developments that form part of Scenic Group’s broader plan to introduce three new superyachts by 2028.
Emerald Kaia took to the water for the first time on November 10th, 2025 at the Halong Bay yard in Vietnam, an event attended by company representatives and invited officials, including Scenic Group’s design and development leadership. With the hull now afloat, the vessel moves toward its inaugural season, scheduled to begin in April 2026 with voyages through Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey. Through the summer months it will range along the coasts of Italy, Montenegro, Albania, and Croatia, and take in the Greek Islands and the Corinth Canal, before shaping a course through the Red Sea to begin a Seychelles deployment from late 2026 into early 2027.
On the same day, Emerald Raiya advanced to its own first major construction milestone with the laying of its keel. The yacht is set to enter service in June 2027, beginning in the Eastern Mediterranean and later sailing for the Seychelles. A third sister, Emerald Xara, is expected to join the series in April 2028. Scenic Group’s founder and chairman indicated that the twin milestones represented a noteworthy step in the company’s expansion, adding that each yacht had been conceived by MKM Yachts to provide a refined yet intimate experience for no more than 128 guests, intended to meet rising interest in yacht-style cruising across the Mediterranean, Seychelles, and Caribbean.
These developments align with the group’s continuing fleet growth, including the forthcoming Scenic Ikon for the Discovery Yachts division, due in April 2028, as well as new river vessels: Emerald Astra, launching on the Rhine, Main, and Danube in 2026, and Emerald Lumi, destined for the Seine in 2027.
The new superyachts—Emerald Kaia, Emerald Raiya, and Emerald Xara—will complement Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, bringing the Emerald Yacht Cruises fleet to five vessels by 2028. Each is designed to offer a blend of spacious accommodations and understated luxury, supported by a range of dining, wellness, and marina amenities. Their design includes enlarged sky and observation decks, private cabanas with wide sea views, generous suites—including owner’s suites with terraces and spa pools—and a selection of al fresco dining venues from the Aqua Pool Café and La Cucina Terrace to a night-market-style grill and a private dining space for small groups.