Emerald Azzurra

The 2022-built Emerald Azzurra cruise ship is a superyacht with max passenger capacity 100. This is the first of two newbuilds in the Emerald Cruises fleet, as well as the company's first ocean-going vessel - followed by the sistership Sakara (2023). Azzurra is Vietnam-built (constructed by HLS-Halong Shipbuilding Company in Ha Long City). HLS was contracted to build the hull and install all the machinery, while the yacht's interior fit-out was managed by a separate project team.

Azzurra is Emerald Cruises' 10th boat, having as fleetmates 9x riverboats and the sistership Sakara.

The vessel (IMO number 9903504) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311001053) and registered in Nassau.

The superyacht Emerald Azzurra has max passenger capacity 100 (plus 70 crew/staff), sleek "megayacht" design (hull and superstructure), top-luxury accommodations with modern hotel amenities, premium restaurants, large wellness complex (gym, sauna, spa, massage rooms), two tender boats (used for passenger debarkation and embarkation in tender ports / without docking facilities), two Zodiacs (large-capacity, high-speed RIB boats used for coastal cruising and landings), aft Marina platform for watersports activities (swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking), large infinity pool (with a glass front facing the stern), dedicated pool deck (with stern location, oval-shaped pool, sunbathing area with padded loungers, open-air Bar).

Emerald Azzurra also carries its own electronic bikes (Gocycle brand) from the premium manufacturer Karbon Kinetics Ltd (2002-founded by Richard Thorpe/McLaren Cars design engineer).

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 2022 (February) with the inauguration of the yacht Emerald Azzurra, which was initially planned for July 2021.

The superyacht has as namesake the cruiseferry GNV Azzurra (1980-built).

Decks and Cabins

Of all Emerald Azzurra staterooms (50 total), 88% are with a step-out balcony - excluding only Deck 3's Oceanviews (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).

The boat has 7 decks, of which 5 are passenger-accessible and 4 with cabins. Two Lifts (midship Elevators) interconnect all decks.

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 Yacht Cruises Emerald Azzurra's 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 the company's DiscoverMORE program) which come at extra cost.

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).

Itineraries

While certified for unrestricted passenger shipping operations in all regions (except polar), the yacht Emerald Azzurra is custom-designed to navigate in warmer climates, like Southern Europe's Mediterranean (Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea), Red Sea (Arabia) and Indian Ocean (Seychelles), offering a unique superyacht cruising experience. The boat's smaller size (and water draft) allows it to visit ports that larger ships can't access.

Emerald Yacht Cruises program for 2021 had scheduled 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.

Azzurra's inaugural cruise itinerary program was originally scheduled for 2021 and included:

• 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).

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, the ship's inauguration was rescheduled from 2021 to 2022. The Maiden Voyage departed on March 11, 2022 (instead of July 31, 2021, and January 28, 2022) out of Aqaba.

The 8-day itinerary (themed "Best of the Red Sea", roundtrip from Aqaba) visited Egypt (Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh) and Israel (Eilat). Prices started from USD 3315 pp (Oceanview) and USD 3770 (Balcony) with double occupancy.

In April 2021 were announced Emerald Azzurra's Black Sea itineraries for 2023.

• (August 5, 2023) 15-day itinerary "Mykonos, Gallipoli and Essence of the Black Sea" (from Piraeus-Athens to Istanbul) visits Greece (Mykonos), Turkey (Canakkale, Bartin, Sinop, Trabzon), Georgia (Batumi), Krimea Russia (Sochi), Ukraine (Odesa), Romania (Sulina), Bulgaria (Varna, Nessebar). Prices started from EUR 9340 / USD 11000 per person with double occupancy, with early-booking discount USD 2130 per cabin.
• (July 29, 2023) 22-day itinerary "Discover the Greek Islands, Turkey and the Black Sea" is an extension of the 15-day "Black Sea" itinerary, with additional call ports in Greece (Patmos), Turkey (Kusadasi, Bodrum), Greece (Rhodes, Amorgos). Prices started from EUR 13480 / USD 15870 pp, with early-booking discount USD 4900 per cabin.

In August 2021 were announced two new Red Sea itineraries for 2022 (both Suez Canal transits) visiting ports in Greece, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia.

• (February 14, 2022) 10-day itinerary "Mysteries and Treasures of the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia" (Limassol Cyprus to Jeddah Saudi Arabia) visits Port Said-Cairo Egypt, Suez Canal (transit on Day 4), Sharm El Sheikh Egypt, Aqaba-Petra Jordan, Duba-Tabuk Saudi Arabia, Al Wajh-AlUla Saudi Arabia. Prices started from EUR 4190 (USD 4930) per person with double occupancy.
• (March 18, 2022) 12-day itinerary "The Ancient Wonders of the Red Sea and Mythical Greece" (Jeddah to Piraeus-Athens Greece) visits Al Wahj-AlUla, Duba-Tabuk, Aqaba-Petra, Sharm El Sheik, Sokhna-Cairo Egypt, Suez Canal (transit on Day 8), Agios Nikolaos Crete Greece, Santorini. Prices started from EUR 4995 (USD 5880) pp.
• As a promo offer, all bookings made by September 30, 2021, received complimentary "Premium Drinks Package" (unlimited beers, wines by the glass, soft drinks, cocktails). In addition, all full-paid bookings received "Super Earlybird" 10% discount - on cabin categories A-B-S-SA.

In February 2022 was announced that starting in January 2023, the superyacht will be homeported in Doha Qatar. The program was based on 7-night/8-day roundtrips visiting UAE (Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Dubai) and Oman (Khasab, Six Senses Zighy Bay Resort). Optional 3-day pre- and post cruisetours in Qatar are also offered.

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 Emerald Cruises yachts' 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).

The vessel was launched/floated out from drydock at Halong Shipbuilding on December 6, 2020.

In mid-November 2021 were announced the names of the ship's Master (Captain Jonathan Edwards, between 2003-2020 employed by Holland America Line) and Hotel Director (Petros Zarpanely).

The 2-day sea trials were conducted in Ha Long Bay and successfully completed on November 20-22nd. Followed final outfitting works (interior/exterior) and training of the onboard staff.

The yacht Azzurra was officially delivered to Emerald Cruises on February 8, 2022, and left Ha Long Shipyard heading to Aqaba.

In early-May 2022 was announced the name of the ship's godmother - Sarah Wikevand. She is the Managing Director of ROL Cruise UK (1995-founded by Peter Beadles as "Reader Offers Ltd") - one of the UK's largest travel agencies, with 120+ employees.

Emerald Azzurra's christening ceremony was on May 28, 2022, held dockside in Port Venice (Italy). The naming ceremony was attended by Glen Moroney (Scenic Group's Founder and Chairman) and his wife Karen Moroney (also company's Director of Project Design), David Winterton (Emerald Cruises' Brand and Marketing Global Director), local dignitaries. Being unable to attend the event, Sarah Wikevand was represented by Rosie Cairns (ROL's Joint Managing Director).

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2022

Next table shows the inaugural itineraries that were originally planned for Azzura.

The Maiden Voyage was scheduled for January 28th but eventually postponed to March 11th.

7-day "The Best of the Red Sea" itinerary

Followed the 10-day repositioning to the Mediterranean.

Next table shows the inaugural 7-day Arabian Gulf/Red Sea cruise out of Qatar.

Next is the 7-day "Marvels of the Red Sea" itinerary (in Feb 2023) roundtrip from Jordan.

Inaugural itineraries 2021 (CANCELED)

Next tables show some of the planned for 2021 and later canceled voyages on Emerald Azzurra.

(OLD MAIDEN VOYAGE) 7-day from Limassol to Athens

21-day from Venice to Rome

10-day "Charms of Greece and Turkey" itinerary

11-day "Aegean Gems" itinerary

6-day "Cyprus and Israel Delights - Inaugural" itinerary

7-day "Holy Land at Christmas Time" itinerary

17-day Repositioning (Limassol to Aqaba)

Godspeed!