Emerald Sakara

The 2023-built Emerald Sakara cruise ship is a superyacht with max passenger capacity 100. This is the second of two newbuilds in the Emerald Cruises fleet, as well as the company's second ocean-going vessel - with sisterships Azzurra (2022) and the larger Kaia (2026).

Sakara was constructed in Vietnam (by Halong Shipbuilding Company/HLS in Ha Long City). HLS 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.

The vessel (IMO number 9948827) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311001261) and registered in Nassau.

Inaugurated in August 2023 (postponed from February), Sakara is Emerald Cruises' 11th boat, having as fleetmates 9x riverboats and the sisterships Azzurra and Kaia.

The superyacht Emerald Sakara has max passenger capacity 100 (plus 76 crew/staff).

The vessel features a sleek, megayacht design (hull and superstructure), premium accommodations (ultra-modern hotel amenities), spacious restaurants, a large wellness complex (gym, infrared sauna, spa, massage rooms), two tender boats (used for passenger debarkation and embarkation in tender ports / without docking facilities), two Zodiacs (large-capacity motorized boats for coastal and inland expeditions), aft Marina platform (for launching watersports activities - swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, etc), a large infinity pool (with a stern-facing glass front), a dedicated pool deck (aft location, oval-shaped pool, sunbathing area with padded loungers, open-air Bar).

Emerald Sakara also carries its own electronic bikes (Gocycle brand) from the premium manufacturer Karbon Kinetics Ltd (2002-founded by Richard Thorpe/McLaren Cars design engineer).

Emerald Waterways is a new (2014-established) river cruise shipping company and brand owned by Scenic Group (Scenic Tours Australia). Emerald Waterways riverboats are well-known as some of the best on the market newbuild ships with premium facilities and superb services provided by professionally trained staff and crew.

On February 1, 2020, Emerald Waterways introduced the new brand "Emerald Yacht Cruises". It officially started operations in 2022 (February) with the inauguration of the Azzurra superyacht, which was initially planned for July 2021.

The yacht's name (Sakara) is a Sanskrit word that means “thoughts become things”. Also similarly sounds Saqqara (Sakkara/Saccara) - the Egyptian kings' and royals' necropolis at Ancient Egypt's capital city Memphis/Menefer.

Decks and Cabins

Of all Emerald Sakara staterooms (50 total), 88% (44) are with a step-out balcony - excluding only Deck 3's Oceanviews (with windows).

Standard Balcony cabins are sized 29 m2 (310 ft2, including the veranda). The cabin balcony access is via floor-ceiling sliding glass doors. The veranda is furnished with two deckchairs and a small table.

The ship's largest passenger accommodations are the two Owner Suites (on Pool Deck 6) each sized 111 m2 (1195 ft2, including a large terrace). The smallest are the six Oceanview cabins (forward on Deck 3) each sized 19 m2 (205 ft2).

The boat has 7 decks, of which 6 are passenger-accessible and 4 with cabins.

Two Lifts (midship Elevators) interconnect all decks.

All staterooms are with contemporary design, luxurious en-suite bathrooms (WC, shower, single-sink vanity, hairdryer, premium toiletries, bathrobes, slippers), twin beds (convertible to double / Queen-size, Egyptian cotton linens, quality pillows), bedside cabinets (with recessed lights), wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), mirrored writing desk (dressing table with chair), sofa, coffee table with chaise lounge chairs, mini-bar (refrigerator), phone, smart HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system / Internet, movies-on-demand), free Wi-Fi, individually controlled air-conditioning, bottled water (daily restocked), umbrella (used on land tours).

Bonus amenities (suite-only perks) include a walk-in closet, pillow menu, Welcome Gifts (bottle of champagne and fruit platter / upon arrival), mini-bar (daily restocked), coffee machine, tea-making facility, free laundry (2 items daily for Yacht Suites and Terrace, and 4 items daily for Owner Suites). Both Owner Suites additionally receive free room service (in-cabin dining) with served pre-dinner canapes and after-dinner sweets.

Shipboard facilities

The onboard food offering features local cuisine specialties (based on the visited ports along the current itinerary) and gourmet dishes (prepared with the freshest, locally sourced produce). The ship has 3 restaurants and 3 bars (lounges), including the pool deck's lounge. Breakfast and lunch buffets and a la carte dinners are served at Reflections Restaurant (full-capacity Dining Room on Deck 3).

Adjacent to the restaurant (aft) is The Terrace - an outdoor lounge that doubles as an alfresco dining venue (weather permitting). Onboard dining is complimentary and inclusive of beverages - soft drinks, beer and wine (by the glass) are waiter-served and free at all lunches and dinners.

Horizon Bar Lounge is the largest and serves as the main lounge. The Observation Lounge is a small indoor venue with bow-location (Deck 4).

On Pool Deck (deck 6) is located The Cafe (outdoor lounge served by its own bar).

Sky Bar (Deck 7) is an outdoor poolside bar that serves beverages and light snacks to Sky Deck's sundeck area (with Jacuzzi/spa pool).

On Wellness Deck (deck 2) are located the Medical Center (Infirmary served by a resident physician and nurses on 24-hour duty), Beauty Salon (hairdresser studio), Elements Spa, 3x Sauna Rooms (including an Infrared Sauna), and the Fitness (Gym Room fitted with professional training equipment. Aft is the Marina Deck (sundeck with seating) and the Marina Platform (for launching watersports activities) and the Garage (for watercraft and equipment). Also aft are stored the yacht's Tender Boats (3x) and the Zodiacs (2x).

Zodiacs are large-capacity, high-speed RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) used for coastal cruising, navigation on inland waterways and expedition landings.

Emerald Yacht Cruises Emerald Sakara's prices are inclusive of return flights (economy-class, from London Heathrow Airport), transfers (airport, and to/from the ship), port fees, airport taxes, all onboard meals, select drinks, onboard tipping (gratuities), shore excursions, enrichment program (lectures, media presentations, live performances), watersports (equipment and activities).

Ashore, passengers enjoy the complimentary EmeraldPLUS cultural program (professionally guided tours) and EmeraldACTIVE program (guided bicycle tours). Additionally, Emerald Yacht Cruises customers can book optional shore excursions (by the company's DiscoverMORE program) which come at extra cost.

Emerald Yacht Cruises sells fly-cruise deals which are ATOL-protected (Air Travel Organiser's Licence) and ABTA-protected (directly booked flights with non-ATOL airlines).

Itineraries

While certified for unrestricted passenger shipping operations in all regions (except polar), the yacht Emerald Sakara is custom-designed to navigate in warmer climates, like Southern Europe's Mediterranean (Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea), Red Sea (Arabia) and Indian Ocean (Seychelles), offering a unique superyacht cruising experience. The boat's smaller size (and water draft) allows it to visit ports that larger ships can't access.

Emerald Cruises' yachts offer seasonally (in spring and fall) cheap Transatlantic crossings between the Caribbean and Europe (RepositionCruises.com). Emerald Yacht Cruises also offers full ship charters for corporate and private clients.

Sakara's inaugural season was initially scheduled to start in February 2023, but was eventually postponed for August 2023.

• The boat's first voyage was scheduled to start on February 25, 2023. The 7-day "Tropical Charms of Seychelles" itinerary (roundtrip from Victoria, Mahe Island) was planned to visit the islands Sainte-Anne, Cousin, Praslin, Grande-Soeur, Curieuse, La Digue and Aride.
• Bookings were opened on September 28, 2021.
• Sakara's 2021-announced inaugural 2023 season included a total of 32x Seychelles departures.

In Oct 2022 was announced that starting in November 2023, the boat would be deployed in the Caribbean with homeporting in St John's Antigua. The 7-night roundtrip from Antigua ("Eastern Caribbean and Grenadines Cruise" itinerary) visited Martinique (Saint-Pierre), St Vincent and The Grenadines (Bequia/Port Elizabeth, Tobago Cays, Mayreau), St Lucia (Soufriere) and Guadeloupe (Terre-de-Haut).

Sakara's inaugural season (2023) was entirely changed as the ship was deployed first in the Mediterranean (August through November) then in the Caribbean (Nov 2023 through March 2024).

The Maiden Voyage (Aug 5th) was a 7-day Mediterranean itinerary from Athens to Rome (Piraeus-Civitavecchia).

The first Transatlantic crossing started on Nov 7th (12-day from Lisbon to St John's Antigua) and is without any call ports.

The first Caribbean voyage departed on Nov 18th (6-day itinerary) from Antigua. The yacht also offers homeporting in/roundtrips leaving from San Juan Puerto Rico with the "West Indies Island Hopping Cruise" itinerary.

Inaugural cruise schedule (2023 Seychelles/canceled)

Next are listed the departure dates of Emerald Sakara's canceled program (2023) announced in 2021.

• (Feb 25, Mar 4, Mar 11, Mar 18) 10-day "Tropical Charms of the Seychelles" (roundtrip from Victoria-Mahe)
• (Apr 4) 11-day "Ancient Wonders of the Red Sea and Mythical Greece" (Jeddah Saudi Arabia to Piraeus-Athens Greece)
• (Apr 15) 7-day "Mediterranean Enchantment" (from Athens to Dubrovnik Croatia)
• (Apr 22, Aug 19, Oct 7) 7-day "Croatian Coast and the Best of the Adriatic" (from Dubrovnik to Venice Italy)
• (Apr 29, Aug 26, Oct 14) 7-day "Croatian Coast and the Best of the Adriatic" (from Venice to Dubrovnik)
• (May 6, Sept 2, Oct 21) 7-day "Highlights of Southern Italy" (from Dubrovnik to Civitavecchia-Rome)
• (May 13, Oct 28) 7-day "French and Italian Rivieras with Corsica" (from Rome to Nice France)
• (May 20) 7-day "French and Italian Rivieras with Corsica" (from Nice to Rome)
• (May 27, Sept 9) 7-day "Ionian Sea Adventure" (from Rome to Athens)
• (June 3, June 10, July 15, Sept 16, Sept 23) 7-day "Greek Islands and Turkish Coastlines" (roundtrip from Athens)
• (June 17) 14-day "Mykonos, Gallipoli and Essence of the Black Sea" (from Athens to Istanbul Turkey)
• (July 1) 14-day "Mykonos, Gallipoli and Essence of the Black Sea" (from Istanbul to Athens)
• (July 22, Sept 30) 7-day "Mediterranean Enchantment" (from Athens to Dubrovnik)
• (July 29) 7-day "Mediterranean Enchantment" (from Dubrovnik to Athens)
• (Aug 5) 7-day "Ionian Sea Adventure" (from Athens to Rome)
• (Aug 12) 7-day "Highlights of Southern Italy" (from Rome to Dubrovnik)
• (Oct 21) 17-day "Discover Western Mediterranean" (Dubrovnik to Lisbon)
• (Oct 28) 10-day "Charming Mediterranean" (Rome to Lisbon)
• (Oct 28) 7-day "French and Italian Rivieras with Corsica" (Rome to Nice)
• (Nov 7) 11-day "Ocean Voyage Lisbon to St. Johns" (Transatlantic relocation crossing/RepositionCruises.com)
• (Nov 18, Dec 16) 7-day "Eastern Caribbean and Grenadines" (roundtrip from Antigua/St Johns)
• (Nov 25, Dec 9, Dec 30) 7-day "Hidden Charms of the Caribbean" (Antigua roundtrip)
• (Nov 18, Dec 9, Dec 23) B2B/14-day "Discover the Caribbean in Depth" (Antigua roundtrip)
• (Dec 2) 7-day "West Indies Island Hopping" (roundtrip from San Juan Puerto Rico)

In August 2020, Scenic Group (shipowner) contracted Viking Crew (part of the Dover UK-based Viking Maritime Group Ltd) as the vessel's crew managing company. Viking Crew is responsible for Scenic Cruises yachts' crew recruitment, management, deployment and placement, including officers and staff-crew from the onboard Engine, Hotel and Deck departments. Viking Crew was also contracted for the crew management of the superyachts Scenic Eclipse 1 (2019) and Scenic Eclipse 2 (2022).

Emerald Sakara's physical construction/assembly started with the keel-laying ceremony on October 27, 2021, held at Halong Shipyard (Ha Long City, Vietnam). The yacht was launched/floated out from drydock on April 25, 2023.

The vessel has volume 5175 GT-tons and DWT-Deadweight 1125 tons. The registered shipowner and management company is GMK CONSULTING LTD (2019-incorporated, Naxxar Malta-registered).

In April 2023 was announced that Emerald Sakara's godmother will be Kelly Craighead (President and CEO of CLIA/Cruise Lines International Association). Kelly Craighead is also the Vice Chair and Executive Director of CICF/Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation (1998-founded) which supports programs designed to improve the quality of life in communities often visited by cruise vessels.

The ship's first Masters were the captains Jonathan Edwards (who captained Emerald Azzurra in 2022) and James Griffith.

The christening ceremony was on December 9 (2023), held dockside in San Juan Puerto Rico, at Pier 4 East Cruise Terminal. The special event was led by the godmother Kelly Craighead and attended by Glen Moroney (Scenic Group's owner), Ken Muskat (Scenic Group's Managing Director USA), as well as travel agents, trade partners, international media representatives, and the embarking passengers.

The last set of sea trials was successfully conducted on July 2-3, 2023, and on July 6th (at 20:30 UTC) the ship left Vietnam (Halong Shipyard) on a relocation voyage (via Suez Canal) to Europe. The relocation itinerary included bunkering stops (for supplies and fuel) in Port Klang Malaysia (July 12), and Suez Canal transit (July 28-29), arriving in Piraeus-Athens on July 31st.

Inaugural itineraries 2023

Next are listed Emerald Sakara's inaugural cruise itineraries by homeports and destinations/regions.

(MAIDEN VOYAGE) 7-day "Ionian Sea Adventure" itinerary from Athens to Rome

(homeporting in Athens) 7-day "Greek Islands and Turkish Coastline" itinerary

(inaugural Caribbean voyage) 7-day "Eastern Caribbean and Grenadines Cruise" itinerary

(inaugural) 7-day "Hidden Charms of the Caribbean Cruise" itinerary

(inaugural) 7-day "West Indies Island Hopping Cruise" itinerary

The 7-day itineraries "Hidden Charms of the Caribbean" and "Eastern Caribbean and Grenadines" are combinable into the 14-day B2B/back-to-back cruise "Discover the Caribbean in Depth".

Godspeed!