Inflatable slide, open-air gym and water toys: Inside new luxury yacht Emerald Kaia

Zoom down an inflatable slide into the Indian Ocean from the deck of a luxury superyacht. Bounce on a trampoline above the Adriatic. Work out in an open-air gym overlooking the Mediterranean before diving straight into the sea to cool off…

All this awaits travellers on Emerald Kaia, the new luxury yacht from Emerald Cruises’ parent company Scenic Group launching in April 2026.

The 128-guest vessel will become the third yacht in Emerald Cruises’ growing fleet, joining sister ships Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara. Designed to take the brand’s superyacht concept to the next level, it will feature larger suites, new dining experiences and expansive outdoor spaces for warm-water cruising across the Mediterranean and beyond.

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Design and suites

This next-generation luxury yacht combines increased capacity with an intimate atmosphere, accommodating just 128 guests while offering a range of enhanced onboard experiences.

Interiors will feature Missoni-designed styling throughout the yacht, while dining options include the reinvented La Cucina restaurant with an open kitchen and the intimate eight-seat Night Market Grill experience.

Standout design features include an expanded Sky Deck with a new internal Sky Lounge, creating a relaxed indoor–outdoor space with sweeping panoramic sea views. The Observation Sun Deck will also feature a spa pool alongside sun loungers for guests to unwind while taking in the scenery. All cabins and suites have also been enlarged by 10 percent, offering more spacious and contemporary living areas for guests.

Wellness, marina and onboard spaces

Wellness and leisure facilities have also been upgraded, including a redesigned gym, spa and wellness spaces, along with the Observation Sun Deck, Sky Deck cabanas and the Sky Bar. Guests can relax at the infinity-style Aqua Pool and enjoy light refreshments at the Aqua Café overlooking the sea.

The yacht’s refined marina area, complete with an interior lounge and expanded water sports equipment, blends luxury with adventure. Guests can also unwind at the Elements Spa, designed to nurture mind, body and spirit.

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Where will Emerald Kaia sail?

Emerald Kaia will explore a range of warm-water destinations, with itineraries across the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean Seas taking in ports in Greece, Croatia, Italy and Slovenia.

Many voyages focus on the Croatian coastline and Greek islands, with sailings between destinations such as Venice, Dubrovnik and Athens as well as routes through the Corinth Canal and along the Amalfi Coast.

Emerald Kaia’s compact size allows it to access smaller ports along sought-after coastlines; it’s even small enough to dock in the heart of Venice.

Following its Mediterranean debut, the yacht will also sail through the Red Sea and Suez Canal before spending winter 2026–27 exploring the Seychelles and Indian Ocean, with additional itineraries planned in the Caribbean.

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When will Emerald Kaia launch?

Emerald Kaia will officially launch on 4 April 2026, with an 11-day inaugural sailing from Limassol, Cyprus to Athens, Greece marking the start of its first Mediterranean season.

The yacht will be officially christened in Venice in June 2026, with Scenic Group employees Kim Scoular, Director of Operations, and Ray Gilbert, Senior Software Engineer, serving as godparents in recognition of their long service with the company.

Glen Moroney, Chairman and Founder of Scenic Group, commented: “Emerald Kaia, with its significant design and amenity enhancements, marks a pivotal expansion for our fleet. It builds on the strengths of Emerald Sakara and Emerald Azzurra, allowing us to offer unmatched superyacht experiences along the world’s most captivating coastlines.”

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Scenic Group is also expanding its wider fleet, announcing three new luxury river ships set to launch between 2027 and early 2028.

Emerald Cruises will introduce Emerald Nova on Portugal’s Douro River in June 2027, while Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours will launch Scenic Aria on the Douro in September 2027 and Scenic Spirit II on the Mekong River in Southeast Asia in early 2028.

The new vessels will join a growing lineup of ships across the Scenic Group brands, alongside previously announced projects including Emerald Astra launching in 2026 and Emerald Lumi arriving in 2027.

Combined with the launch of Emerald Kaia in 2026 and future yachts Emerald Raiya (2027) and Emerald Xara (2028), the expansion represents one of Scenic Group’s biggest periods of fleet growth in nearly a decade.

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