Emerald Sakara

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

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

The vessel (IMO number 9948827) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311001261) and registered in Nassau.

Inaugurated in August 2023 (postponed from February), Sakara became Emerald Cruises’ 11th vessel, joining 9 riverboats and the sisterships Azzurra and Kaia. She accommodates up to 100 passengers with a crew/staff of 76.

The yacht features a sleek megayacht design with premium accommodations, spacious restaurants, a large wellness complex (gym, infrared sauna, spa, massage rooms), two tender boats (for embarkation and debarkation at tender ports), two Zodiac boats (for coastal and inland expeditions), an aft Marina Platform (for watersports such as swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking), a large infinity pool with a glass stern, and a dedicated pool deck (oval-shaped pool, sunbathing area with padded loungers, and open-air bar).

Emerald Sakara also carries electronic bicycles (Gocycle brand) from Karbon Kinetics Ltd (founded in 2002 by Richard Thorpe, former McLaren Cars design engineer).

Emerald Waterways is a relatively new river cruise company and brand established in 2014, owned by Scenic Group (Scenic Tours, Australia). Emerald Waterways riverboats are recognized among the best newbuilds on the market, offering premium facilities and excellent service from highly trained staff and crew.

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

The yacht’s name (Sakara) is a Sanskrit word meaning “thoughts become things.” The name also resembles Saqqara (Sakkara/Saccara), the necropolis of Egyptian kings and royals near Ancient Egypt’s capital Memphis (Menefer).

Decks and Cabins

Of all Emerald Sakara staterooms (50 total), 88% (44) feature step-out balconies, with the exception of Deck 3’s Oceanview cabins (with windows only).

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

The largest accommodations are the two Owner’s Suites (on Pool Deck 6), each measuring 111 m² (1,195 ft², including a large terrace). The smallest are the six Oceanview cabins (forward on Deck 3), each measuring 19 m² (205 ft²).

The ship 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 with Egyptian cotton linens and quality pillows), bedside cabinets (with recessed lights), wardrobe, electronic safe (in 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 with Internet and movies-on-demand), complimentary Wi-Fi, individually controlled air conditioning, daily restocked bottled water, and umbrella (for shore excursions).

Suite-only perks include a walk-in closet, pillow menu, Welcome Gifts (bottle of champagne and fruit platter on arrival), daily restocked mini-bar, coffee machine, tea-making facility, and free laundry (2 items daily for Yacht and Terrace Suites, 4 items daily for Owner’s Suites). Owner’s Suites additionally enjoy complimentary room service with pre-dinner canapés and after-dinner sweets.

Shipboard Facilities

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

Adjacent to the restaurant (aft) is The Terrace, an outdoor lounge that doubles as an alfresco dining venue (weather permitting). Dining is complimentary and includes beverages: soft drinks, beer, and wine (by the glass) are free and served at all lunches and dinners.

The Horizon Bar Lounge is the largest onboard venue and serves as the main lounge. The Observation Lounge (Deck 4, bow) is a smaller, indoor forward-facing lounge.

On Pool Deck (Deck 6) is The Café, an outdoor lounge with its own bar. The Sky Bar (Deck 7) is an outdoor poolside bar serving drinks and light snacks to Sky Deck’s sundeck area, which features a Jacuzzi/spa pool.

On Wellness Deck (Deck 2) are the Medical Center (Infirmary with 24-hour duty physician and nurses), Beauty Salon (hairdresser studio), Elements Spa, three sauna rooms (including an infrared sauna), and a Fitness Center equipped with professional training machines. Aft are the Marina Deck (sundeck with seating), the Marina Platform (for watersports), and the Garage (storage for watercraft and equipment). Also aft are the yacht’s 3 tender boats and 2 Zodiac RIBs.

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

Emerald Yacht Cruises’ fares include return economy flights (from London Heathrow), transfers (airport and ship), 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 benefit from the complimentary EmeraldPLUS cultural program (professionally guided tours) and EmeraldACTIVE program (guided cycling tours). Optional shore excursions are available at extra cost under the DiscoverMORE program.

Emerald Yacht Cruises offers ATOL-protected fly-cruise packages (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) and ABTA protection (for direct flight bookings with non-ATOL airlines).

Itineraries

While certified for unrestricted operations worldwide (excluding polar regions), Emerald Sakara is custom-designed for warm-weather cruising, including Southern Europe’s Mediterranean (Adriatic and Aegean Seas), the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean (Seychelles). Her smaller size and shallow draft allow access to ports unavailable to larger ships.

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

Sakara’s inaugural season was initially scheduled for February 2023 but was postponed to August 2023.

• The original maiden voyage was planned for February 25, 2023, with a 7-day “Tropical Charms of Seychelles” roundtrip from Victoria, Mahe Island, visiting Sainte-Anne, Cousin, Praslin, Grande-Soeur, Curieuse, La Digue, and Aride.
• Bookings opened on September 28, 2021, with a total of 32 scheduled Seychelles departures for the 2023 season.

In October 2022 it was announced that from November 2023 the yacht would be deployed in the Caribbean, homeporting in St John’s, Antigua. The 7-night roundtrip “Eastern Caribbean and Grenadines” itinerary included Martinique (Saint-Pierre), St Vincent and the Grenadines (Bequia, Tobago Cays, Mayreau), St Lucia (Soufriere), and Guadeloupe (Terre-de-Haut).

The inaugural 2023 season was completely rescheduled, with Sakara first deployed in the Mediterranean (August–November) before repositioning to the Caribbean (November 2023–March 2024).

The Maiden Voyage (August 5) was a 7-day Mediterranean cruise from Athens to Rome (Piraeus–Civitavecchia). The first Transatlantic crossing began on November 7 (12 days, Lisbon to St John’s, Antigua, without port calls). The first Caribbean voyage departed on November 18 (6 days) from Antigua. The yacht also offers roundtrips from San Juan, Puerto Rico, with the “West Indies Island Hopping” itinerary.

Inaugural Cruise Schedule 2023 (Seychelles – canceled)

Listed below are the departure dates of Emerald Sakara’s canceled 2023 program (announced in 2021):

• (Feb 25, Mar 4, Mar 11, Mar 18) 10-day “Tropical Charms of the Seychelles” (roundtrip from Victoria-Mahe)
• (Apr 4) 11-day “Ancient Wonders of the Red Sea and Mythical Greece” (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Piraeus-Athens, Greece)
• (Apr 15) 7-day “Mediterranean Enchantment” (Athens to Dubrovnik, Croatia)
• (Apr 22, Aug 19, Oct 7) 7-day “Croatian Coast and Best of the Adriatic” (Dubrovnik to Venice, Italy)
• (Apr 29, Aug 26, Oct 14) 7-day “Croatian Coast and Best of the Adriatic” (Venice to Dubrovnik)
• (May 6, Sept 2, Oct 21) 7-day “Highlights of Southern Italy” (Dubrovnik to Civitavecchia-Rome)
• (May 13, Oct 28) 7-day “French and Italian Rivieras with Corsica” (Rome to Nice, France)
• (May 20) 7-day “French and Italian Rivieras with Corsica” (Nice to Rome)
• (May 27, Sept 9) 7-day “Ionian Sea Adventure” (Rome to Athens)
• (Jun 3, Jun 10, Jul 15, Sept 16, Sept 23) 7-day “Greek Islands and Turkish Coastlines” (roundtrip from Athens)
• (Jun 17) 14-day “Mykonos, Gallipoli and Essence of the Black Sea” (Athens to Istanbul, Turkey)
• (Jul 1) 14-day “Mykonos, Gallipoli and Essence of the Black Sea” (Istanbul to Athens)
• (Jul 22, Sept 30) 7-day “Mediterranean Enchantment” (Athens to Dubrovnik)
• (Jul 29) 7-day “Mediterranean Enchantment” (Dubrovnik to Athens)
• (Aug 5) 7-day “Ionian Sea Adventure” (Athens to Rome)
• (Aug 12) 7-day “Highlights of Southern Italy” (Rome to Dubrovnik)
• (Oct 21) 17-day “Discover Western Mediterranean” (Dubrovnik to Lisbon)
• (Oct 28) 10-day “Charming Mediterranean” (Rome to Lisbon)
• (Oct 28) 7-day “French and Italian Rivieras with Corsica” (Rome to Nice)
• (Nov 7) 11-day “Ocean Voyage Lisbon to St John’s” (Transatlantic relocation crossing)
• (Nov 18, Dec 16) 7-day “Eastern Caribbean and Grenadines” (roundtrip from Antigua/St John’s)
• (Nov 25, Dec 9, Dec 30) 7-day “Hidden Charms of the Caribbean” (roundtrip from Antigua)
• (Nov 18, Dec 9, Dec 23) B2B/14-day “Discover the Caribbean in Depth” (Antigua roundtrip)
• (Dec 2) 7-day “West Indies Island Hopping” (roundtrip from San Juan, Puerto Rico)

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 Scenic Cruises yachts’ crew recruitment, management, deployment, and placement, including officers and staff from the Engine, Hotel, and Deck departments. Viking Crew was also contracted to manage the crews of the superyachts Scenic Eclipse 1 (2019) and Scenic Eclipse 2 (2022).

Emerald Sakara’s physical construction began with the keel-laying ceremony on October 27, 2021, at Halong Shipyard (Ha Long City, Vietnam). The yacht was launched/floated out of drydock on April 25, 2023.

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, Naxxar, Malta).

In April 2023, it was announced that Emerald Sakara’s godmother would be Kelly Craighead (President and CEO of CLIA/Cruise Lines International Association). Craighead also serves as Vice Chair and Executive Director of the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation (CICF, founded in 1998), which supports programs that improve the quality of life in communities frequently visited by cruise ships.

The ship’s first Masters were Captains Jonathan Edwards (who captained Emerald Azzurra in 2022) and James Griffith.

The christening ceremony took place on December 9, 2023, dockside at San Juan, Puerto Rico, at Pier 4 East Cruise Terminal. The event was led by godmother Kelly Craighead and attended by Glen Moroney (Scenic Group’s owner), Ken Muskat (Scenic Group’s Managing Director USA), along with travel agents, trade partners, international media representatives, and embarking passengers.

The final set of sea trials was successfully conducted on July 2-3, 2023, and on July 6 (20:30 UTC) the ship departed Vietnam (Halong Shipyard) on a relocation voyage (via the Suez Canal) to Europe. The voyage included bunkering stops for supplies and fuel at Port Klang, Malaysia (July 12), Suez Canal transit (July 28-29), and arrival in Piraeus-Athens on July 31.

Inaugural itineraries 2023

Below are Emerald Sakara’s inaugural cruise itineraries by homeports and destinations/regions.

(MAIDEN VOYAGE) 7-day “Ionian Sea Adventure” from Athens to Rome

(homeporting in Athens) 7-day "Greek Islands and Turkish Coastline" itinerary

(inaugural Caribbean voyage) 7-day "Eastern Caribbean and Grenadines Cruise" itinerary

(inaugural) 7-day "Hidden Charms of the Caribbean Cruise" itinerary

(inaugural) 7-day "West Indies Island Hopping Cruise" itinerary

The 7-day itineraries "Hidden Charms of the Caribbean" and "Eastern Caribbean and Grenadines" are combinable into the 14-day B2B/back-to-back cruise "Discover the Caribbean in Depth".

Godspeed!