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    Ultra-Luxury Cruise Line’s New 128-Guest ‘Yacht’ for Wealthy Travelers

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    Ultra-Luxury Cruise Line’s New 128-Guest ‘Yacht’ for Wealthy Travelers

    Over the last few years, the mass-market cruise industry’s larger-than-life mega-ships — outfitted with loud waterparks and more dining options than you could eat in a week — have dominated the spotlight.

    But in the ultra-luxury cruise market, it’s been the opposite. The smaller and more exclusive the vessel, the better. So much so that Emerald Cruises’ next ocean-based ship, launching in 2026, plans to accommodate no more than 128 travelers.

    It’s a far cry from Royal Caribbean’s new 7,600-guest cruise liner. And the price difference is just as steep: almost $250 per night on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas versus more than $720 per night on the upcoming ultra-luxury Emerald Kaia.

    “When people think of cruising now, they automatically think of these large ships,” Robert Castro, the vice president of marketing for Scenic Group, Emerald’s parent company, told Business Insider. “There’s a market for that, but we’re in a unique position.”

    If you’re familiar with river cruises, Emerald might ring a bell.


    Emerald Sakara

    Emerald launched Emerald Sakara in 2023.

    Scenic Group

    The cruise line, owned by Scenic Group, only offered river cruises for its first nine years.

    But lately, its biggest growth and investments have been in oceans, not rivers.

    In 2022 and 2023, the Switzerland-based company launched its first two ocean cruise ships, which it calls “yachts.” Each accommodates a maximum of 100 guests. And so far, they’ve been hits, with the cruise line experiencing record-high bookings in 2023.

    Yes, the ships look like yachts. And yes, they’re marketed as such.


    rendering of Emerald Kaia yacht

    Emerald’s travelers, who fall in the “40 plus” age range, skew younger than the guests with its sister cruise line, Scenic. Its upcoming ship, Kaia, is shown in a rendering.

    Scenic Group

    But because Emerald’s vessels operate group itineraries, they still technically count as cruise ships, albeit really nice ones.

    So instead of paying hundreds of thousands of dollars a week to charter a yacht, as is traditional with these high-end vessels, travelers can spend less than $800 a day for a traditional cruise on said yacht-like ship.

    While it’s not nearly as exclusive, it sure is a hell of a lot cheaper, “bringing the charter yacht experience to reach for people who would never even imagine,” Castro said.

    Like traditional cruise ships, Kaia would have amenities like a spa, two lounges, and three dining options.


    rendering of Emerald Kaia yacht

    Compared to Emerald’s previous two ships, Kaia, shown in a render, would have a larger top deck, gym, and marina. Its ceilings would also be 10 feet tall — a foot taller than its predecessors.

    Scenic Group

    The top deck would also have a cabana and bar-lined pool, one of three swimming holes on the ship.

    But unlike its mass-market competitors, Kaia would have an open-air marina that would give travelers direct access to the water.


    rendering of marina on Emerald Kaia yacht

    The marina, shown in a render, would have an interior lounge and water toys like stand-up paddleboards and water scooters.

    Scenic Group

    Water platforms are typically only common on yacht-marketed ships, such as Emerald’s, Ritz-Carlton’s, and, someday, Four Seasons’.

    This means guests on the upcoming Kaia could dip in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Aegean seas — as is included in its 2026 and 2027 itineraries — without disembarking the ship.


    aerial rendering of Emerald Kaia yacht

    Unlike the industry’s biggest vessels, Kaia, shown in a render, could fit into ports most mega-ships can’t go.

    Scenic Group

    According to the cruise line, Emerald Kaia’s future itineraries include an 11-day sailing from Cyprus to Greece and a 20-day one from Seychelles to Kenya.

    Its cheapest itinerary is currently an eight-day roundtrip Seychelles vacation in 2027, starting at $5,055 per person.

    As an all-inclusive cruise line, amenities like alcohol, WiFi, and excursions would be included in the base fare. However, unlike all-inclusive competitor Regent Seven Seas, guests must pay for their flights to and from the ship.

    To compare, itineraries of the same length on Regent’s Seven Seas Grandeur and Ritz-Carlton’s Ilma would be $36 cheaper and $120 more expensive, respectively, per day.


    rendering of marina and gym Emerald Kaia yacht

    Emerald Kaia, shown in a render, would accommodate 128 guests and 92 crew.

    Scenic Group

    But the fares aren’t stopping travelers from gravitating toward Emerald. Before it unveiled Kaia, its parent company announced a record number of bookings in January — up 67% compared to its previous record in January 2020.

    Castro said about 20% to 35% of its guests are American, typically well-acquainted with luxury travel.


    rendering of gym on Emerald Kaia yacht

    The rest of Emerald’s travelers are typically Canadian, European, Australian, and British. Emerald Kaia is shown in a render.

    Scenic Group

    The company’s goal has been to increase its number of American customers. So far, it’s working and is now “on track to be Emerald’s No. 1 market,” Castro told BI.

    The new vessel is being built at a great time for the cruise line.


    rendering of Emerald Kaia yacht

    Castro said cabins for its upcoming winter itineraries in the Caribbean are “off to a very healthy start” and are being booked earlier than usual. Its upcoming Kaia is shown in a render.

    Scenic Group

    Strong demand, compounded by a small fleet of small ships, has led to fewer available cabins for its upcoming summer Mediterranean cruises.

    Several of these sailings are now fully reserved. The cheapest remaining fares start at $4,570 per person for an eight-day November sailing from Athens, Greece, to Dubrovnik, Croatia.

    It’s great news for Emerald as it considers a future with more ocean “yachts.” “The sooner we fill the ships, the sooner we start building new ones,” Castro said.

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