Adriatic & Croatia
Venice, Dubrovnik and Kotor in a week, on ships small enough for the old harbors.
ResearchLines, ships and destinations, in detail
Cruise line
Emerald Cruises cruises
Two 100-guest yachts in the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Caribbean, plus a river fleet in Europe, at a sharper price than Scenic.
Emerald is Scenic's sister brand. Its two yachts, Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, carry around 100 guests each with mostly balcony suites and a marina platform; its river ships are contemporary and well priced. Less is included than at Scenic, and the fare is lower.
Emerald's yachts arrived in 2022 and 2023 and immediately gave us something we had lacked: a 100-guest yacht with balconies on most suites, a water platform and a modern feel, at a price comfortably below the Ritz-Carlton yachts or Ponant. The itineraries hop between small Adriatic, Greek and Red Sea ports in summer and the Caribbean in winter.
It is a contemporary, informal product. Service is friendly rather than polished, there is one main restaurant plus a grill, and the suites are smart but not large. For couples and small adult groups who want a yacht at a sensible price, it is a smart choice; for grandparents wanting butlers it is not.
What's included
- Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Wi-Fi
- One excursion in most ports
- Gratuities on the yachts
Ships
6 ships in the fleet. See the fleet, ship by ship
The ships
The Emerald Cruises fleet, ship by ship.
6 ships: 1 written up ship by ship (suites, dining, children, grandparents, accessibility, our verdict), a licensed photograph of each one we have pictured, the rest by name. Tell us which you are drawn to and we will say whether it is the right one for your party.
Emerald AzzurraPhoto: Pjotr Mahhonin · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Emerald Sakara
- Emerald Luna
- Emerald Dawn
- Emerald Sky
- Emerald Star
On board
On board with Emerald Cruises
Four honest notes, in our words, on the things people ask us about most.
- Suites
- Most of the yachts' suites have a balcony and run from around 28 square meters; Owner's Suites add a separate living room. River ships have Scenic-style balcony suites with a glassed-in sun lounge.
- Dining
- La Cucina is the main restaurant with a changing menu, plus the Aqua Cafe grill on the sun deck; wine and beer come with lunch and dinner. Food is good and simple rather than fine dining.
- Facilities
- A marina platform with kayaks, paddleboards and a swim zone in calm anchorages, a small pool on the sun deck, a spa cabin and a gym.
- Children
- No children's facilities on the yachts or river ships. Older teenagers who like the water enjoy the platform; younger children have little to do.
Who it's for
- Couples who want a yacht without the top-tier price
- Small adult groups who want to book a block of suites
- River cruisers who want a modern ship and good value
Who it isn't for
- Guests who want butlers, large suites and several restaurants
- Families with children
- Travelers who need a very stable ship; a 100-guest yacht moves in weather
Our promise
We will say no.
We do not recommend a cruise because it is expensive, and we do not put people on the wrong ship. If Emerald Cruises is not right for your party, we will tell you and suggest the one that is, even if it costs less or is sold by someone else. We are an advisor, not a booking engine.
Speak to a specialistNot sure Emerald Cruises is the right fit?
Tell us who's traveling and what matters most. We'll say honestly whether we'd book this line for you, or which one we'd choose instead.
Where they sail
Destinations
Caribbean
Winter sun for the whole family, on ships that make Christmas and half-term easy.
European Rivers
Rhine, Danube and Douro: a new town every morning, no sea days, everyone back for dinner.
Greek Islands
Small ships, island overnights, and a late season that runs into October.
Mediterranean
The easiest great cruise there is: short flights, famous ports, and a ship for every kind of family.
Where they take you
Explore the regions with Emerald Cruises
A sense of the places in the regions this line sails. These regional photographs are inspiration; the itinerary confirms your ports and ship.
Silversea's Silver Wind sailing the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro, with mountains rising behind the townPhoto: Gzzz · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Approaching Gustavia harbor, St Barts, red roofs and yachts in the CaribbeanPhoto: David Broad · CC BY 3.0 
The Hungarian Parliament on the Danube at Budapest, seen from the riverPhoto: Draceane · CC BY-SA 4.0 
The old harbor of Mykonos town, whitewashed houses along the quay, Greek islandsPhoto: Olaf Tausch · CC BY 3.0 
Port Hercule, Monaco, yachts moored below the hillside apartments of Monte CarloPhoto: Nick Karvounis nickkarvounis · CC0 
Regent's Seven Seas Explorer in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro, mountains rising on both sidesPhoto: Paavo01 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Have a budget in mind?
Tell us what you are looking for and the figure you have in mind. We will say what it buys on each line, and where the same money goes further.
Good to know
Emerald Cruises cruise FAQs
How does Emerald differ from Scenic?
Same owners, different tier. Scenic includes more (butlers, all drinks, all excursions, Scenic Eclipse's helicopters and submarine) and costs more. Emerald includes less, charges less and runs a more informal ship.
Plan your Emerald Cruises cruise with Blackbury Travel.
Suites we would book: A Balcony Suite midships on Emerald Azzurra; the Owner's Suite if you want a real living room.. Tell us who is traveling and when, and we will say which ship, which sailing and which deck, or whether another line would suit you better.