Our latest news

by Simon Carter

The last few months have been incredibly exciting for Emerald Cruises. From gaining a brand-new accolade (and what we predict will be the first of many for our fleet of luxury yachts) to developing our extensive range of itineraries and excursions, we’re well and truly on course for an exhilarating year ahead.

Towards the end of 2022, our groundbreaking luxury yacht, Emerald Azzurra, won the prestigious Cruise Critic Editors’ Pick award for ‘Best New Luxury Ship’. With this huge honour, we’re more excited than ever to invite you and fellow guests on board for an award-winning luxury yacht experience.

Our latest win brought back fond memories from 2014 when our first river-cruising Star-Ships, Emerald Sky and Emerald Star, won the ‘Best New River Ship’ award, and it has highlighted how important it is for us to continue to innovate while focussing on the small ship experience that we’re known for.

Outside of award wins, we’ve been busy with plans for our 2023 sailings. As summer draws ever closer, we’re looking forward to welcoming guests on board Emerald Azzurra’s sister yacht, Emerald Sakara, for her maiden voyage in the Mediterranean Sea.

And, due to popular demand, we’ve added additional dates to our cruises along the Douro River in Portugal, meaning you can now enjoy the Seasonal Delights of the Douro in December for a touch of warmer winter weather.

We have also been looking towards 2024, crafting brand-new itineraries and adding an array of new excursions to some of our most popular cruises. Keep an eye out for Rhine Castles and Moselle Vineyards launching next year (not to be missed if you’re a history buff or wine connoisseur), and for our extended Danube Explorer with Highlights of Budapest itinerary, where guests will enjoy a further two days exploring the beauty of the Hungarian capital. Both are available to book now, so don’t forget to check out our website and request a free Europe River Cruises 2024 brochure for all the details.

As the months roll on, we’re excited to see how the landscape of luxury cruising will continue to evolve, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you on board our award-winning Star-Ships and luxury yachts to join in on the adventure.

Influential Industry Advocate Named Godmother of Emerald Sakara

Kelly Craighead, President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), has been named godmother of Emerald Sakara

“I am honoured to have been chosen as godmother to Emerald Sakara in this esteemed maritime tradition,” said Kelly Craighead. “The name Sakara reflects my deep personal belief that positive thoughts manifest reality. The strong rebound of the cruise industry from the past few years- along with our commitment to a future of sustainable cruising - demonstrates the optimism that drives this industry forward. Additionally, Emerald Cruises’ Cherish the Planet ethos, built in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development goals, aligns with CLIA’s work around environmentally responsible tourism and protecting the destinations we visit.”

The naming ceremony will take place on 2nd December, 2023 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.