Emerald Cruises Marks Dual Milestones

Emerald Cruises Marks Dual Milestones with the Launch of Emerald Kaia and Successful River Trials of Emerald Astra 

Vancouver, BC, April 8, 2026- Emerald Cruises is pleased to announce the launch of Emerald Kaia after a successful transit through the Red Sea and Suez Canal. The next generation superyacht has cruised from Limassol Cyprus on its inaugural voyage. The maiden sailing also follows the recent successful river trials of Emerald Astra, the new Emerald Star-Ship which is set to join the fleet on the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers in May 2026. 

Glen Moroney, Chairman & Founder of Scenic Group, said, “The launch of Emerald Kaia and the upcoming inaugural sailing of Emerald Astra in May mark important milestones for Scenic Group as we celebrate 40 years of innovation in travel. As the only cruise company that designs, builds, and operates our own ships, we continue to set new benchmarks in luxury yacht and river cruising. Driven by technical excellence and a commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience.” 

Emerald Kaia blends Emerald Cruises’ signature relaxed luxury with new levels of design sophistication. A curated collection of contemporary art and bespoke interior finishes, featuring Tom Dixon, Missoni, Freifrau, Paola Lenti and Kettal, elevates the aesthetics of the onboard spaces. While expansive outdoor areas invite guests to rejuvenate and feel more connected to the coastline during days at sea. 

James Griffiths, General Manager of Oceans Operations at Scenic Group said, “Emerald Kaia represents the next evolution of Emerald Yacht Cruises with more space, enhanced wellness, innovative dining concepts, and a considered yacht experience. All designed to deliver the intimate, relaxed atmosphere our guests love. Seeing her in operation and welcoming our first guests is the most rewarding proof that this evolution in our fleet is the right one.” 

Unique Culinary Experiences 

The Emerald Kaia dining venues include a thoughtfully curated selection of experiences. The signature restaurant, La Cucina, features an open-plan kitchen, for guests to connect more closely with the chefs while enjoying additional indoor and alfresco seating. The new Soleá Bar & Bistro, located beside the Vitality Pool, serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in an elegant yet relaxed setting, open for à la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner with panoramic sea views. While the intimate Night Market Grill is an immersive private dining experience for up to eight guests, celebrating flavours inspired by local markets of Asia. 

Wellness at Sea 

The reimagined Wellness Deck provides a holistic approach to relaxation, featuring KLAFS salt therapy lounges, a cold plunge pool, and a spacious spa offering an array of luxurious treatments and therapies. Guests can move seamlessly between fitness spaces, the Marina Platform, and a self-serve refreshments area designed for calm and connection. 

Contemporary Comfort & Design 

Spacious suites with floor-to-ceiling windows create a light-filled, personal haven. New interconnecting suites have been introduced to enhance flexibility for families and groups, balancing privacy with shared space - a thoughtful reflection of Emerald Cruises’ guest-centric design philosophy. 

Emerald Kaia embodies the brand’s commitment to delivering authentic, luxurious journeys at sea, combining the sophistication of yacht cruising with the warmth and ease that guests have come to love. She will be joined by sister yachts Emerald Raiya in 2027 and Emerald Xara in 2028, expanding the fleet to five, alongside Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, with sailings across the Mediterranean, Seychelles, and Caribbean. 

Emerald Astra River Trials 

The debut of Emerald Kaia coincides with the recent successful river trials of the newest Emerald Star-Ship, Emerald Astra, which will join the fleet in May 2026, bringing the fresh design philosophy of the new Emerald Cruises look to Europe’s iconic rivers. An additional two river ships, Emerald Lumi on France’s Seine River and Emerald Nova in Portugal’s Douro Valley, will mark the next phase of the brand’s continued river expansion in 2027. 

About Emerald Cruises & Scenic Group  

Founded in Australia, Scenic Group has established a strong presence in Canada, with its head office located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company employs over 80 people across the country, including an all-Canadian Contact Centre dedicated to supporting both travel advisors and guests. By leveraging global expertise alongside a local presence, Scenic Group is able to deliver high-quality service and support tailored to the needs of Canadian travellers.   

For 40 years, Scenic Group has redefined luxury travel, gaining global acclaim for its award-winning river cruises, intimate yacht experiences, and meticulously curated land journeys. With a portfolio of renowned brands – Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises & Tours, and Mayflower Cruises & Tours – Scenic Group delivers transformative experiences that provide unparalleled access to the world’s most breathtaking destinations across all seven continents and over 100 countries. 

Emerald Cruises & Tours continues to expand its fleet of innovative ships on Europe and Asia’s rivers and coastlines of the Mediterranean, Caribbean and beyond. Emerald Kaia joined Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara to further enhance the luxury yacht cruising fleet, with itineraries across the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Caribbean and Central America, Seychelles and Indian Ocean. Additionally, Emerald Astra, debuting in May 2026 as the 10th Emerald Star-Ship in the river fleet, will elevate Emerald’s renowned river cruising experience. Looking ahead to 2027, the 11th Emerald Star-Ship, Emerald Lumi, will mark the brand’s first sailing on the Seine River, offering roundtrip cruises from Paris. The fleet will further grow with Emerald Raiya (2027) and Emerald Xara (2028), offering new boutique superyacht itineraries in warm-water destinations. 

From 2028, Scenic Group will further enrich its ultra-luxury portfolio with the launch of Scenic Ikon, the new Scenic Discovery Yacht designed to take guests deeper into remarkable regions including the Mediterranean and Antarctica, with state-of-the-art technology, immersive exploration, and the hallmark Scenic all-inclusive ultra-luxury experience.  

As Scenic Group celebrates 40 years of pioneering luxury travel, this new chapter underscores its enduring commitment to innovation and craftsmanship. Together with its growing river, yacht and tour portfolio, Scenic Group’s four decades of expertise ensure that every journey – whether on river, ocean, or land – brings moments of wonder and creates memories that last a lifetime. 

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For media inquiries, please contact:   
Andrea Mancini, PR & Media Relations   
Email: ScenicGroupCA@casacom.ca