Hear from our global director of brand and marketing, David Winterton, as he reflects on all that’s ensued since our last edition of EmeraldEXPLORER and looks ahead to the exciting things to come.
Emerald Azzurra wins Cruise Critic Editors’ Pick award for ‘Best New Luxury Ship’.
I’m delighted to share that, following the 2022 Cruise Critic Editors’ Pick awards, our luxury yacht Emerald Azzurra, has won the ‘Best New Luxury Ship’ award. Following a series of accolades for our river cruising Star-Ships, the editors of the independent review website have declared us as the winners of this prestigious award for our groundbreaking first luxury yacht.
Since her maiden voyage across the Red Sea in March of 2022, Emerald Azzurra has continued to impress, leading Cruise Critic editors to state that “Emerald Cruises has staked its claim in the world of luxury cruising”.
Emerald Harmony recommences sailing
Those who’ve sailed the majestic Mekong River with us may very well be familiar with the Oudong Monastery and the traditional Buddhist blessings guests receive from the resident monks.
As Emerald Harmony recommenced her sailing, our team were lucky enough to receive the traditional blessing as we welcomed local monks aboard.
A befitting way of celebrating Emerald Harmony’s return to the Southeast Asian waterways.
Emerald Harmony
Cochem, Moselle Valley
2024 Europe river cruising
I’m thrilled that with the release of our ‘Europe River Cruises 2024’ brochure, details of our new itineraries are now available.
In September of last year, I headed to the Moselle River to attend a film shoot in support of our new Rhine Castles & Moselle Vineyards itinerary.
Having sailed this breathtaking European riverway, stopping in spellbinding locations along the way, I know what an extraordinary addition to our European collection this new itinerary will be.
Emerald Luna Christening
July 2022 saw us christen the latest addition to our fleet of Europe Star-Ships, Emerald Luna. Members of the team from across the globe headed to Amsterdam, The Netherlands, for the ceremony. We were also joined by Vanessa McGovern, Emerald Luna’s godmother, who smashed the ceremonial champagne bottle over the ship, as well as Monic van der Heyden (representing Cruise Port Amsterdam), Johan Kaasjager (from Den Breejen Shipyard), and the Dean of Saint Nicholas Basilica, who led the ceremony. Despite a little rain, a fantastic day was had by all!
Emerald Luna’s christening, Amsterdam
Halong Shipyard, Vietnam
We’re looking ahead to Emerald Sakara’s float-out
With the success of our first luxury yacht Emerald Azzurra, it’s no surprise that we’re all looking forward to the second in our ocean-going fleet, Emerald Sakara, taking to the waters. With her float-out from the Halong Shipbuilding Company in Vietnam scheduled for Spring this year and her maiden voyage occurring in the coming months thereafter, we don’t have long to wait until we welcome guests aboard.
Sakara is a Sanskrit mantra meaning ‘thoughts become things’—and soon, Emerald Sakara shall turn ocean voyaging dreams into an unforgettable cruising reality.
I look forward to catching up with you all again in our next issue. Until next time,
