Emerald Azzurra

The 2022-built Emerald Azzurra cruise ship is a superyacht with a maximum passenger capacity of 100. She is the first of two newbuilds in the Emerald Cruises fleet and the company’s first ocean-going vessel, followed by her sistership Sakara (2023).

Azzurra was built in Vietnam by HLS-Halong Shipbuilding Company in Ha Long City. HLS constructed the hull and installed all machinery, while the interior fit-out was managed by a separate project team.

She is Emerald Cruises’ 10th vessel, joining 9 riverboats and the sisterships Sakara and Kaia.

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

Emerald Azzurra has a maximum passenger capacity of 100, plus 76 crew and staff.

The vessel features a sleek megayacht design, luxury accommodations with modern hotel amenities, premium restaurants, a large wellness complex (gym, sauna, spa, massage rooms), two tender boats (for embarkation/disembarkation in tender ports), two Zodiacs (for coastal and inland expeditions), an aft Marina Platform for watersports (swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking), an infinity pool with a glass front overlooking the stern, and a dedicated pool deck with an oval-shaped pool, sun loungers, and an open-air bar.

She also carries electronic bikes (Gocycle brand) from the premium manufacturer Karbon Kinetics Ltd (founded in 2002 by Richard Thorpe, a former McLaren Cars design engineer).

Emerald Waterways, founded in 2014, is a river cruise company owned by Scenic Group (Scenic Tours, Australia). Emerald Waterways riverboats are regarded among the best newbuilds on the market, offering premium facilities and high-quality service provided by professionally trained staff and crew.

On February 1, 2020, Emerald Waterways introduced the “Emerald Yacht Cruises” brand, which officially launched operations in February 2022 with the inauguration of Emerald Azzurra, initially scheduled for July 2021.

The superyacht shares her name with the cruiseferry GNV Azzurra (built in 1980).

Decks and Cabins

Of all Emerald Azzurra’s staterooms (50 total), 88% (44) have a step-out balcony, with only Deck 3’s Oceanview cabins offering windows.

Standard Balcony cabins measure 29 m2 (310 ft2, including the veranda). Each veranda, accessed via floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, is furnished with two deckchairs and a small table.

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

The yacht has 7 decks, of which 6 are passenger-accessible and 4 have cabins.

Two midship elevators connect all decks.

All staterooms feature contemporary design and luxurious en-suite bathrooms (WC, shower, single-sink vanity, hairdryer, premium toiletries, bathrobes, slippers), twin beds (convertible to double/Queen-size, Egyptian cotton linens, premium pillows), bedside cabinets with recessed lighting, wardrobe, electronic safe (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 (replenished daily), and an umbrella (for shore excursions).

Suite-only perks include a walk-in closet, pillow menu, welcome gifts (bottle of champagne and fruit platter upon arrival), daily restocked mini-bar, coffee machine, tea-making facility, and complimentary laundry (2 items daily for Yacht Suites and Terrace Suites, 4 items daily for Owner Suites). Both Owner Suites also benefit from free room service, including pre-dinner canapés and after-dinner sweets.

Shipboard Facilities

Dining highlights local cuisine specialties (inspired by visited ports) and gourmet dishes prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The yacht has 3 restaurants and 3 bars (including the pool deck lounge). Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while dinners are à la carte at Reflections Restaurant (the main dining room on Deck 3).

Aft of the restaurant is The Terrace, an outdoor lounge that doubles as an alfresco dining venue (weather permitting). All dining is complimentary, including beverages such as soft drinks, beer, and wine (by the glass) at lunch and dinner.

The Horizon Bar Lounge is the largest and serves as the main lounge. The Observation Lounge, located forward on Deck 4, offers panoramic views. On Pool Deck (Deck 6) is The Café, an outdoor lounge with its own bar. Sky Bar (Deck 7) is a poolside bar serving beverages and light snacks to the sundeck area, which features a Jacuzzi/spa pool.

On Wellness Deck (Deck 2) are the Medical Center (Infirmary, staffed 24/7 by a physician and nurses), Beauty Salon, Elements Spa, 3 Sauna Rooms (including an Infrared Sauna), and Fitness Center with professional training equipment. Aft is the Marina Deck with seating, the Marina Platform for watersports, and the Garage for storing watercraft and equipment. Also aft are the yacht’s 3 tender boats and 2 Zodiacs.

Zodiacs are large-capacity, high-speed RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) used for coastal cruising, inland waterways, and expedition landings.

Emerald Yacht Cruises’ Emerald Azzurra prices include return flights (economy-class from London Heathrow), airport and ship transfers, port fees, airport taxes, all onboard meals, selected drinks, gratuities, shore excursions, enrichment programs (lectures, presentations, live performances), and watersports (equipment and activities).

Ashore, guests enjoy the complimentary EmeraldPLUS cultural program (professionally guided tours) and EmeraldACTIVE program (guided bicycle tours). Optional shore excursions are available through the DiscoverMORE program at an additional cost.

Emerald Yacht Cruises offers ATOL-protected fly-cruise packages (and ABTA-protected flights booked directly with non-ATOL airlines).

Itineraries

Although certified for unrestricted global passenger operations (except polar regions), Emerald Azzurra is purpose-built for warmer climates, including the Mediterranean (Adriatic and Aegean Seas), Red Sea, and Indian Ocean (Seychelles). Her smaller size and shallow draft allow her to access ports unavailable to larger ships.

Emerald Cruises also offers seasonal Transatlantic repositioning voyages (spring and fall) between the Caribbean and Europe (RepositionCruises.com) and full-ship charters for corporate and private clients.

The 2021 program included 47 itineraries to destinations such as Italy (Ligurian Riviera), Spain (Costa del Sol), France (Côte d’Azur), Greece (Greek Islands, Cyprus, Crete), the Dalmatian Coast (Croatia, Montenegro), Malta, Turkey, as well as Egypt, Israel, and Jordan.

The inaugural cruise program, originally scheduled for 2021, included:

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

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

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

In April 2021, Emerald Azzurra’s Black Sea itineraries for 2023 were announced:

• (August 5, 2023) 15-day “Mykonos, Gallipoli and Essence of the Black Sea” from Piraeus-Athens to Istanbul, visiting Greece (Mykonos), Turkey (Canakkale, Bartin, Sinop, Trabzon), Georgia (Batumi), Russia (Sochi), Ukraine (Odesa), Romania (Sulina), Bulgaria (Varna, Nessebar). Prices started at EUR 9340 / USD 11000 pp, with early-booking discount of USD 2130 per cabin.
• (July 29, 2023) 22-day “Discover the Greek Islands, Turkey and the Black Sea” extended the 15-day Black Sea voyage, adding Greece (Patmos, Rhodes, Amorgos) and Turkey (Kusadasi, Bodrum). Prices started at EUR 13480 / USD 15870 pp, with early-booking discount of USD 4900 per cabin.

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

• (February 14, 2022) 10-day “Mysteries and Treasures of the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia” from Limassol to Jeddah, visiting Port Said-Cairo, Suez Canal (transit), Sharm el-Sheikh, Aqaba-Petra, Duba-Tabuk, and Al Wajh-AlUla. Prices started at EUR 4190 (USD 4930) pp.
• (March 18, 2022) 12-day “The Ancient Wonders of the Red Sea and Mythical Greece” from Jeddah to Piraeus-Athens, visiting Al Wajh-AlUla, Duba-Tabuk, Aqaba-Petra, Sharm el-Sheikh, Sokhna-Cairo, Suez Canal (transit), Agios Nikolaos (Crete), and Santorini. Prices started at EUR 4995 (USD 5880) pp.
• As a promotional offer, all bookings made by September 30, 2021, received a complimentary “Premium Drinks Package” (unlimited beers, wines by the glass, soft drinks, cocktails) and a “Super Earlybird” 10% discount on cabin categories A-B-S-SA for fully paid bookings.

In February 2022, it was announced that starting January 2023, Emerald Azzurra would be homeported in Doha (Qatar). The program featured 7-night/8-day roundtrips visiting the UAE (Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Dubai) and Oman (Khasab, Six Senses Zighy Bay Resort), with optional 3-day pre- and post-cruise tours in Qatar.

In October 2022, it was announced that from November 2023, the yacht would be homeported in Bridgetown (Barbados). The program (Nov 25 through Jan 6, 2024) featured 7-day roundtrip itineraries themed “Grenadines and Grenada Adventure,” “Discover Eastern Caribbean and Grenadines,” and “Eastern Caribbean with St. Barths.”

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

The vessel has a volume of 5175 GT and a deadweight of 1125 tons. The registered shipowner and management company is GMK CONSULTING LTD (incorporated in 2019, registered in Naxxar, Malta).

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

In mid-November 2021, the ship’s Master was announced as Captain Jonathan Edwards (employed by Holland America Line from 2003 to 2020), along with Hotel Director Petros Zarpanely.

Sea trials were conducted in Ha Long Bay from November 20-22, 2021, and were successfully completed. These were followed by final interior and exterior outfitting and onboard staff training.

The yacht was officially delivered to Emerald Cruises on February 8, 2022, and departed Ha Long Shipyard en route to Aqaba (Jordan).

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

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

Inaugural Cruise Itineraries 2022

The table below shows Emerald Azzurra’s inaugural itineraries originally planned.

The Maiden Voyage, initially scheduled for January 28, was postponed to March 11.

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.

Godspeed!

Inaugural itineraries 2021 (CANCELED)

The 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)