Emerald Azzurra

Emerald Azzurra cruise ship is a yacht-type vessel with max passenger capacity 100. The ship is the newest in the Emerald Waterways fleet, as well as company's first ocean-going. The vessel is currently under construction in Vietnam, being built by Halong Shipbuilding Company (HLS) in Ha Long City. HLS was contracted to build the hull and install all the yacht's machinery, while the interior fit-out will be managed by a separate project team.

The 7-deck high superyacht Emerald Azzurra accommodates up to 100 passengers plus 68 crew. Ship's design features sleek "megayacht" hull and superstructure, top-luxury cabins with modern hotel amenities, premium restaurants, large wellness complex (gym, sauna, spa, massage rooms), two tender boats (used for passenger debarkation/embarkation in tender ports / without docking facilities), two Zodiacs (large-capacity, high-speed boats used for coastal cruising and landings), aft marina platform for watersports activities (swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, kayaking), large infinity pool (with a glass front), dedicated pool deck (with stern location, round-shaped pool, sunbathing area with padded loungers, open-air Bar).

Emerald Waterways is a new (established 2014) river cruise shipping company and brand owned by Scenic Group (Scenic Tours Australia). Emerald Waterways riverboats are well-known as some of the best on the market newbuild ships with premium facilities and superb services provided by professionally trained staff and crew.

On February 1, 2020, Emerald Waterways introduced the new brand "Emerald Yacht Cruises". It officially starts operations in 2021 (July) with the inauguration of the yacht Emerald Azzurra. The superyacht has as namesake the cruiseferry GNV Azzurra (1980-built).

Cabins

Of all Emerald Azzurra staterooms (48 total), nearly 90% are with a step-out balcony - excluding only Deck 3's Oceanview cabins (with windows). Standard Balcony cabins are sized 29 m2 (310 ft2, including the veranda). The cabin balcony access is via floor-ceiling sliding glass doors. The veranda is furnished with two deckchairs and a small table.

The ship's largest passenger accommodations are the two Owner Suites (on Pool Deck 6) each sized 111 m2 (1195 ft2, including a large terrace). The smallest are the six Oceanview cabins (forward on Deck 3) each sized 19 m2 (205 ft2).

All staterooms are with contemporary design, luxurious en-suite bathrooms (WC, shower, single-sink vanity, hairdryer, premium toiletries, bathrobes, slippers), twin beds (convertible to double / Queen-size, Egyptian cotton linens, quality pillows), bedside cabinets (with recessed lights), wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), mirrored writing desk (dressing table with chair), sofa, coffee table with chaise lounge chairs, mini-bar (refrigerator), phone, smart HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system / Internet, movies-on-demand), free Wi-Fi, individually controlled air-conditioning, bottled water (daily restocked), umbrella (used on land tours).

Bonus amenities (suite-only perks) include walk-in closet, pillow menu, Welcome Gifts (bottle of champagne and fruit platter / upon arrival), mini-bar (daily restocked), coffee machine, tea-making facility, free laundry (2 items daily for Yacht Suites and Terrace, and 4 items daily for Owner Suites). Both Owner Suites additionally receive free room service (in-cabin dining) with served pre-dinner canapes and after-dinner sweets.

Shipboard facilities

The onboard food offering features local cuisine specialties (based on the visited ports along the current itinerary) and gourmet dishes (prepared with freshest, locally sourced produce). The ship has 3 restaurants and 3 bars (lounges), including the pool deck's lounge. Breakfast and lunch buffets and a la carte dinners are served at Reflections Restaurant (full-capacity Dining Room on Deck 3). Adjacent to the restaurant (aft) is The Terrace - an outdoor lounge that doubles as alfresco dining venue (weather permitting). Onboard dining is complimentary and inclusive of beverages - soft drinks, beer and wine (by the glass) are waiter-served and free at all lunches and dinners.

Horizon Bar Lounge is the largest and serves as the main lounge. Observation Lounge is a small indoor lounge with bow-location (Deck 4). On Pool Deck (deck 6) is located The Cafe (outdoor lounge served by its own bar). Sky Bar (Deck 7) is an outdoor poolside bar the serves with beverages and light snacks Sky Deck's sundeck area (with Jaccuzi / spa pool).

Emerald Azzurra cruise prices are inclusive of return flights (economy-class, from London Heathrow Airport), transfers (airport, and to/from the ship), port fees, airport taxes, all onboard meals, select drinks, onboard tipping (gratuities), shore excursions, enrichment program (lectures, media presentations, live performances), watersports (equipment and activities). Ashore, passengers enjoy the complimentary EmeraldPLUS cultural program (professionally guided tours) and EmeraldACTIVE program (guided bicycle tours). Additionally, Emerald Yacht Cruises customers can book optional shore excursions (by company's DiscoverMORE program) which come at extra cost.

Itineraries

While certified for unrestricted passenger shipping operations in all regions (except polar), Emerald Azzurra is custom-designed to navigate in warmer climates, like Southern Europe's Mediterranean (Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea) and Red Sea, offering mega-yacht cruising experience. The vessel's smaller size (and water draft) allows it to visit ports that larger ships can't access. Emerald Yacht Cruises program for 2021 groups 47 different itineraries to destinations like Italy (and Ligurian Riviera), Spain (Costa del Sol), France (Cote d'Azur), Greece (Greek Islands, Cyprus, Crete), Adriatic Sea's Dalmatian Coast (Croatia, Montenegro), Malta, Turkey, as well as Egypt, Israel, Jordan.

The yacht's inaugural cruise itinerary program (2021) includes:

• 8-day "Cyprus, Turkey and Greece Delights" itinerary from Limassol (Cyprus) to Piraeus-Athens, visiting Paphos, Fethiye, Bodrum, Kusadasi, Mykonos Island, Santorini Island. Prices start from GBP 3285 pp (EUR 3880 / USD 4290 pp).
• 8-day "French and Italian Rivieras with Corsica" itinerary from Civitavecchia-Rome to NIce, visiting Porto Ercole, Bonifacio (Corsica), Calvi (Corsica), Portoferraio (Italian Riviera), Portofino (Italian Riviera), Menton (French Riviera). Prices start from GBP 2965 pp (EUR 3500 / USD 3870 pp).
• 12-day "Ancient World Wonders" itinerary from Limassol to Aqaba (Jordan), visiting Haifa-Tel Aviv, Ashdod-Jerusalem, Alexandria (Egypt), Sharm el-Sheik (Egypt). Prices start from GBP 5245 pp (EUR 6190 / USD 6850 pp).

Emerald Yacht Cruises sells fly-cruise deals which are ATOL-protected (Air Travel Organiser's Licence) and ABTA-protected (directly booked flights with non-ATOL airlines).

In August 2020, Scenic Group (shipowner) contracted Viking Crew (part of the Dover UK-based Viking Maritime Group Ltd) as the vessel's crew managing company. Viking Crew is responsible for the Emerald Azzurra yacht's crew recruitment, management, deployment and placement, including officers and staff-crew from the onboard Engine, Hotel and Deck departments. Viking Crew was also contracted for the crew management of the superyachts Scenic Eclipse 1 (2019) and Scenic Eclipse 2 (2022).