Scenic Group is raising the stakes in luxury small-ship cruising, spotlighting two milestones that set the pace for its growth: the 2026 debut of Emerald Kaia and the first sparks of Emerald Raiya’s build ahead of her 2027 launch.
When Emerald Kaia departs Larnaca on 4 April 2026, 128 guests will be on board for an 11-day voyage that blends ancient wonders with contemporary luxury. A private concert at Ephesus sets the scene, while the timing brings travellers into the heart of both Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Easter celebrations.
The line-up is heavy with headline experiences: the Cave of the Apocalypse on Patmos, Bodrum’s Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, guided tours of Delos and hands-on DiscoverMORE options from volcanic hikes to Turkish cooking and wine tastings. Downtime comes at sea, with space to explore the ship’s new Observation Sun Deck, cabanas and spa pool.
Emerald Raiya build begins
Emerald Raiya is already taking shape. Her steel cutting in Vietnam on 20 August 2025 marked the official start of construction, celebrated by Scenic Group executives and shipyard partners.
“We are delighted to celebrate another milestone in the journey of Emerald Cruises as the build of Emerald Raiya begins in Vietnam,” Glen Moroney, Chairman and Founder of Scenic Group, said.
“This is a testament to the innovation at Scenic Group and the dedication of our team at MKM Yachts and our valued shipbuilding partners.”
With Emerald Raiya set for June 2027 and Emerald Xara on the cards for 2028, Scenic Group’s yacht calendar is locked in. Bookings are open through 2028, giving agents a long runway to capture demand in the fast-expanding yacht market.
Emerald Cruises operates across both rivers and oceans, with eight Star-Ships sailing in Europe and one on the Mekong in Southeast Asia. Its first ocean-going yacht, Emerald Azzurra, launched in 2022, followed by sister ship Emerald Sakara in 2023. With Emerald Kaia joining in 2026 and Emerald Raiya in 2027, the fleet continues to expand into warm-water regions including the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Caribbean and Indian Ocean.
KARRYON UNPACKS: More small-ship capacity means agents can tap into a growing luxury niche. With bookings open until 2028, there’s a long runway to lock in forward sales for clients seeking exclusive yacht experiences.
