Scenic Group has confirmed the addition of three new vessels to its river cruise fleet, marking a further stage in the company’s expansion program across its two cruise brands. The newbuilds will include one vessel for Emerald Cruises and two for Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours.
According to comments attributed to founder and chairman Glen Moroney, the decision to proceed with the additional ships reflects the company’s confidence in the sustained demand for its style of luxury river cruising.
The first of the new vessels, Emerald Nova, is scheduled to enter service in June 2027 on the Douro River. The ship will operate in Portugal alongside the existing vessel Emerald Radiance, offering two itineraries along the waterway.
Later that year, Scenic Aria will debut in September 2027, also on the Douro River. The vessel will join Scenic Azure and is expected to operate the company’s established signature itineraries in the region.
A third vessel, Scenic Spirit II, is scheduled to enter service in early 2028 on the Mekong River, operating voyages through Southeast Asia between destinations in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Sales have already opened for both Emerald Nova and Scenic Aria, while Scenic Spirit II is currently available for pre-registration ahead of its launch.
The new ships form part of a broader fleet development plan previously announced by the company. These projects include the introduction of Emerald Astra in May 2026, which will operate on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, and Emerald Lumi, scheduled to debut on the Seine River in 2027.
The expansion also extends to the company’s yacht segment. New vessels scheduled for introduction include Emerald Kaia in April 2026, followed by Emerald Raiya in 2027 and Emerald Xara in 2028. In addition, the ocean vessel Scenic Ikon is currently under construction and is expected to be delivered in 2028.
Moroney indicated that these projects represent the next stage of the company’s strategic fleet expansion. He also noted that the design and construction of the new river ships will be carried out by the company’s own shipbuilding division, MKM Yachts, allowing Scenic Group to apply its established design standards and technical expertise developed over four decades of operations.