Emerald Cruises' first custom-built superyacht Emerald Azzurra successfully completed sea trials, conducted by Captain Jonathan Edwards and Marine Operations Manager Robert O’Leary, together with ~100 specialized crew, contractors, and shipyard staff onboard.
The sea trials were in Ha Long Bay (Vietnam), departing Ha Long Shipyard on November 20 (at 6 am), and were successfully completed within 48 hours.
Azzurra will shortly undergo final outfitting (interior/exterior), as well as complete the training of the onboard teams before the maiden voyage on January 28, 2022 (8-day "Best of the Red Sea" itinerary roundtrip from Aqaba Jordan).
Offering an ultra-luxury "small-ship cruise" experience, the superyacht has max passenger capacity 100 (plus 64 staff/crew), 7 decks and 50 staterooms, of which more than 80% have step-out balconies.
Glen Moroney, Founder & Chairman, Scenic Group (shipowner and parent company of Emerald Cruises and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours) commented that during Emerald Azzurra’s sea trials, all design parameters had been exceeded, "including speed, noise, vibration and overall comfort and maneuverability whilst sailing.”
The boat's Master (Captain Edwards) added he was delighted with the great teamwork that had been achieved in constructing "not just the most elegant vessel on the seas but one that can live up to the high standards we have all grown to expect from Emerald Cruises.”
Emerald Azzurra is the first of two newbuilds in the Emerald fleet, as well as the company's first ocean-going vessel - followed by the sistership Sakara (2023). Azzurra was built by Halong Shipbuilding Company (Ha Long City) which was contracted to build the hull and install all the yacht's machinery, while the interior fit-out was managed by a separate project team.
Azzurra is Emerald Cruises' 10th boat, having as fleetmates 9x riverboats and the sistership Sakara.
The vessel (IMO number 9903504) is Bahamas-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered in Nassau.
The ship design features a sleek "megayacht" hull and superstructure, top-luxury cabins with modern hotel amenities, premium restaurants, large wellness complex (gym, sauna, spa, massage rooms), two tender boats (used for passenger debarkation/embarkation in tender ports / without docking facilities), two Zodiacs (large-capacity, high-speed boats used for coastal cruising and landings), aft marina platform for watersports activities (swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking), large infinity pool (with a glass front), dedicated pool deck (with stern location, round-shaped pool, sunbathing area with padded loungers, open-air Bar).