Issues & trends

Emerald to welcome yac ht

The Scenic Group has begun construction of a new 100-passenger superyacht, set to operate under its brand new cruise brand, Emerald Yacht Cruises.

The 110m- Emerald Azzura, which is currently being built at the Halong Shipbuilding Company (HLS) in Ha Long City, Vietnam, will be able to sail all ocean regions except polar, but is custom-designed to cruise the waters of the Adriatic Coast, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, offering an intimate, boutique cruise option that can access smaller ports and harbours due to its compact size.

The launch of Emerald Azzura will be Australia’s first taste of the Emerald Cruises brand, which forms part of Scenic Group’s Emerald Waterways portfolio.

“Emerald Waterways has been operating awardwinning river cruises since 2014,” said owner and Chairman of the Scenic Group Glen Moroney. “The launch of Emerald Yacht Cruises and the stunning new Emerald Azzurra are a logical extension of the Emerald Cruises portfolio, adding intimate yacht cruising to its Emerald Waterways river cruise offering,” he added. Guests will have the chance to choose from a range of accommodation, all of which have been designed with a modern feel, ensuite bathrooms and quality finishes. Suites start from 28m2, with more than 88% featuring a balcony.

Dining options include the Reflections Restaurant, which offers a-la-carte dinner along with sumptuous breakfast and lunch buffets. Guests will also have access to a range of complimentary sommelier-paired wine, beer or soft drinks to wash down their meals.

Also available is the yacht’s special marina platform, where paddleboards and snorkelling equipment can be accessed, along with three tenders and two Zodiacs ready to take passengers to shore for a range of Emeraldplus, EMERALDACTIVE, and Discovermore excursions.

Emerald Azzura will launch in July 2021.