What will be the world’s largest cruise ship when it launches in January 2024 has already proven popular. Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas is a mammoth 365 metres long, weighing some 250,800 tonnes. She’s capable of carrying 5610 passengers and 2350 crew across 20 decks, watering and feeding them across 20 bars and restaurants, and entertaining them with the largest waterpark at sea. There are seven swimming pools and nine whirlpools for more sedate aquatic amusements.
Deckside on the xxEmerald Sakara.
Royal Caribbean says advance bookings have been brisk since opening in October last year.
But at the other end of the size scale, cruise lines including Scenic are launching not just smaller ships, but vessels they term “yachts”, as they bear more resemblance to the luxury private superyachts of the rich and famous that idly tour the Mediterranean, than they do to the mega-ships. And their popularity is very much on the rise.
Emerald Cruises has just introduced the sister ship to Emerald Azzurra, their award-winning “yacht” launched last year.
Scenic Group, the parent of Emerald, says there’s been a strong response to the yachts from Australian customers, with Scenic chairman Glen Moroney adding his belief that the launch of Emerald Sakara is a testament to the growing popularity of such cruise ships. “Being able to add Emerald Sakara nearly a year after we launched Emerald Azzurra speaks volumes about how well our yacht cruising program has been received by guests,” he says.
Small but perfectly formed … the Emerald Sakara.
Emerald Sakara is a sleek, glamorous-looking vessel of 110 metres length, carrying 100 guests and a crew of 76. There’s an emphasis on personalised service with plenty of space for all, fine dining and lots of onboard toys for watersports as well as bikes for land excursions.
She and her sister yacht feature luxurious touches such as outdoor furniture from esteemed Belgian design house Tribu and Italy’s coveted Gervasoni; lighting by global design giant Tom Dixon, and an interior furniture collaboration between Germany’s Freifrau and Italy’s famed Missoni.
Stretch out poolside.
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