Emerald Cruises Launches 2027-2028 Yacht Cruising Collection
The season will feature 25 brand-new voyages, including the inaugural Mediterranean sailing of Emerald Raiya, and the line’s return to Central America.
The emerald Sakara in Saint Lucia. Photo: Emerald Cruises
Emerald Cruises has opened its 2027–2028 yacht cruising season featuring 25 brand-new voyages, including the inaugural Mediterranean sailing of Emerald Raiya, and the line’s return to Central America after a successful 2024 season.
With 170 departures across four luxury yachts and visits to more than 200 ports in 70 countries, this represents Emerald Cruises’ most expansive deployment to date.
What’s New for 2027–2028
Designed around what it sees as a growing desire for deeper exploration and authentic regional discovery, the new season enhances the signature Emerald Cruises experience with more overnight stays, access to smaller ports, and longer time ashore.
“This season reflects how Emerald Cruises is evolving to meet the desires of today’s traveller – offering more immersive, unexpected destinations and the kind of personalized yacht experience that’s increasingly rare in the industry,” said Lisa McCaskill, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Scenic Group Canada.
“With the debut of Emerald Raiya and the expansion of our warm-water sailings into the Seychelles and East Africa, we’re continuing to push boundaries – bringing our guests to new parts of the world in a way that feels effortless, elevated, and uniquely Emerald Cruises.”
Highlights of the 2027-2028 season include:
- The inaugural season of Emerald Raiya, launching April 8, 2027, with a 10-night sailing from Valletta to Athens.
- 25 new voyages across the fleet, with 19 new ports of call including Greece (Lesvos, Skiathos, Samos, Gythio, Katakolo), Italy (Pantelleria, Trapani, Arbatax, Sanremo and Ischia Island), Turkey (Kepez), Corsica, France (Saint Florent), Caribbean (Charlestown, Ponce), Costa Rica (Puerto Limón), Panama (Bocas del Toro), Portsmouth (Dominica), and more.
- Enhanced destination immersion, with more overnight stays, late-night departures, and a thoughtfully curated mix of short and long itineraries – many of which are combinable for extended journeys.
- A fleet strategically positioned across four regions: Mediterranean, Caribbean, Central America, and the Indian Ocean.
Emerald Azzurra: Adriatic Icons and Central American Wonders
Sailing through the Adriatic and East Mediterranean in spring and summer 2027, Emerald Azzurra will transport guests to ports such as Dubrovnik, Corfu, and Venice – where Emerald Cruises is one of the few cruise lines able to arrive and depart via the traditional passage past St. Mark’s Square.
Come winter, Emerald Azzurra transitions to the Caribbean and Central America, with voyages sailing between Barbados, Costa Rica, and Panama.
Emerald Sakara: Western Mediterranean Elegance and Laid-back Caribbean Charm
For those drawn to European glamour, Emerald Sakara will explore the Western Mediterranean in 2027, calling on Bonifacio, Porto Cervo, and the stylish shores of Saint-Tropez, Amalfi Coast, and Nice. A new itinerary through Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily includes lesser-known ports like Arbatax and Pantelleria Island – places rarely visited by larger cruise ships.
In winter, she sails the Caribbean, offering yacht-style island hopping between Sint Maarten, Barbados, and the British Virgin Islands, with stops in Gustavia, Charlestown (Nevis), and the colourful French-Caribbean enclave of Iles des Saintes.
Emerald Kaia: A Return to the Adriatic and the Heart of the Caribbean
Launching her 2027 season in Athens, Emerald Kaia will operate a mix of 7-night sailings between Venice and Dubrovnik, as well as select 9- and 12-night itineraries between Dubrovnik and Civitavecchia (Rome.
For winter 2027–2028, Emerald Kaia heads to the Caribbean, with new one-way itineraries from San Juan and Antigua. Guests can look forward to vibrant new island stops including Vieques, Montserrat, and Saint John, each offering an authentic sense of place and a slower pace.
Emerald Raiya: A Landmark Launch in the Eastern Mediterranean and Seychelles
The inaugural sailing – a 10-night journey from Valletta to Athens – sets the stage for a summer of deeply immersive exploration in the Eastern Med. These new itineraries spotlight off-the-radar gems like Lesvos Island, Katakolo, Delos, and Kepez.
In winter, Emerald Raiya turns south for her Red Sea and East Africa deployment. These sailings deliver bold exploration with all the comforts of a luxury yacht.The full 2027–2028 yacht cruise collection is now live here and available through trusted travel advisors.
