LUXE Serendipity magazine

As Emerald Cruises prepares to welcome guests on board Emerald Kaia for her
maiden voyage on 4 April 2026, the luxury superyacht is now completing the final
stages before entering service.

Having already captured wide interest since her initial reveal, Emerald Kaia’s
The upcoming 11-day inaugural sailing from Limassol to Athens signals the start of a
landmark year for the brand, as she embarks on a dedicated Mediterranean season
exploring the region’s most alluring coastlines.

Purpose-built for just 128 guests, Emerald Kaia brings a new level of contemporary
yacht cruising to UK travellers, with expansive outdoor spaces, Missoni-designed
interiors, the reinvented signature restaurant La Cucina featuring an open kitchen,
and the intimate eight-seat Night Market Grill dining experience*. Following her
Mediterranean debut, she will continue her journey through the Red Sea and Suez
Canal later in the year, before spending winter 2026/27 sailing the Seychelles and
Indian Ocean.

As the Scenic Group celebrates its 40th anniversary, the naming of Emerald Kaia
also marks a heartfelt moment for the company and its people. In recognition of their early three decades of service, Kim Scoular, Director of Operations, and Ray
Gilbert, Senior Software Engineer, has been appointed as Emerald Kaia’s
Godparents. Their selection reflects Scenic Group’s enduring values, celebrating the
people whose dedication shapes the guest experience.

Kim began her career in reservations before becoming a global Tour Director and
now leads operations across the river and yacht fleets, while Ray has been
instrumental in building and supporting the company’s global digital infrastructure
since 1998. Both will officially christen Emerald Kaia during a special ceremony in
Venice this June, representing the thousands of colleagues whose passion continues to elevate Scenic Group’s award-winning river and ocean journeys.