Hollywood FL (June 2023) – For the first time ever, Scenic Group will see three of its ocean-going yachts—Emerald Azzurra, Emerald Sakara and Scenic Eclipse II—sailing in the warm waters of the Caribbean this fall. The region is a new destination for all three yachts, and travelers will have a wealth of options when it comes to itineraries, amenities, and excursions.
“While we certainly love that these yachts sail all over the globe, we’re thrilled to have them close to home in the beautiful Caribbean this fall and winter, giving North Americans the opportunity to experience them without the need of an overseas flight,” said Ken Muskat, Managing Director for Scenic Group US. “Whether guests choose to explore the Caribbean onboard one of our state-of-the-art,100-guest luxury yachts from Emerald Cruises, or on the newly-launched 228-guest Scenic Eclipse II with her 10 dining experiences and onboard sub and helicopter, they will get to see a more intimate side of the Caribbean. All our yachts moor in small harbors and hidden coves, allowing our guests to feel they’re in a secluded paradise.”
Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara will both homeport in the Caribbean during the 2023 and 2024winter seasons beginning in November, 2023, giving travelers plenty of options to choose from. Twelve distinct itineraries ranging from eight to 19 days will take guests to picture-perfect islands in the Grenadines, British and US Virgin Islands, Eastern Caribbean and West Indies, as well as ports in Puerto Rico, Panama, Costa Rica and Colombia. Highlights include the eight-day Eastern Caribbean with St. Barths between Bridgetown, Barbados and Marigot, St. Martin, exploring some of the most intimate ports in the Leeward and Windward islands. This part of the Caribbean has a distinctly European air, and the itinerary offers visits a new port each day. For those looking to visit some of the most stunning beaches in the Caribbean, the eight-day West Indies Island Hopping itinerary round trip from San Juan, Puerto Rico is an ideal choice. Culebra, Puerto Rico is well known for its pristine beaches and its active reef is ideal for snorkeling. In Vieques, guests can choose between exploring the quaint coastal town of Esperanza with its lovely waterfront or booking a kayaking excursion in the famed Bioluminescent Bay.
Scenic Eclipse II will make her debut in Caribbean in mid-October, offering an 11-day Bermuda and the Bahamas sailing from Portland, ME to Nassau. For those looking to get a taste of Scenic Eclipse II while she’s in the Caribbean without the commitment of longer sailings, Scenic is also offering a five-day Taste of Bermuda, a five-day Bermuda Escapade, and a three-day Taste of Bahamas options. From there, Scenic Eclipse II will embark on the nine-day Caribbean Sunsets: Turks & Caicos Islands to Jamaicasailing between Nassau and Montego Bay, with ports of call in off-the-beaten-track destinations like Egg Island and Little Inagua Island—home to 1,000 Bahamians and 80,000 West Indian flamingos— to name a few.
Both Emerald Cruises yachts are warm water ships, ideal for island hopping around the Caribbean and into Central America. Modern, luxe suites and staterooms range from 185 to 1,185 square feet—all but six of which feature large balconies. The open-air infinity pool is surrounded by lounge chairs and day beds ideal for relaxing and enjoying a cocktail from the nearby Aqua Café. A wellness deck complete with spa, infrared sauna and gym allows guests to keep focused on their health goals, while the top deck Sky Bar offers the ideal spot to watch the sun set over the Caribbean Sea. Located on the yacht’s stern, a marina platform boasts water toys galore—kayaks, standup paddleboards, snorkel equipment, SEABOBs and a giant trampoline are available to guests when the platform is deployed. The extra-spacious La Cucina dining room specializes in fresh, seasonal cuisine with seating indoors as well as on the adjacent terrace, while the warm and welcoming Amici Lounge is a friendly place to gather and enjoy live music in the evenings.
Guests onboard Scenic Eclipse II in the Caribbean can indulge in all she has to offer including ten distinct dining venues to satisfy any culinary craving. The 5,290 ft2 Senses Spa features saunas and temperature-controlled plunge pools; a steam room with aromatherapy, experience showers and an integrated ice fountain; a KLAFS custom salt therapy lounge with heated beds; an ocean-view lounge with color light therapy; dedicated male and female wellness areas; and the realizing Vitality Pool. Private cabanas, ample seating, an outdoor pool and the indoor/outdoor Sky Bar make the Sun Deck ideal for relaxing and gives guests beautiful views for sail away parties. A well-equipped gym and dedicated yoga/Pilates studio offer additional wellness opportunities and the state-of-the-art theatre provides space for entertainment and lectures. Scenic Eclipse II has 114 all-verandah suites range in size from 345 ft² to 2,659 ft², giving guests ample room to spread out and relax. All guests enjoy butler services which deliver luxury touches from in-suite drinks and dining to coordinating dinner and spa reservations to personalized attention.
These Emerald Cruises and Scenic fares displayed on the website are inclusive of the 2-for-1 fare savings and are reflected as a per-person rate in a double-occupancy cabin. Both lines are also offering free roundtrip airfare, (or an air credit of up to $4,000 per couple for Emerald Cruises and $2,000 per couple for Scenic) when full payment is made 10 months prior to departure or for bookings made inside the 10-month deadline, within 30 days of booking or 90 days prior to departure – whichever is soonest.
Scenic Group, which includes Emerald Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Mayflower Cruises & Tours and Evergreen Tours, has grown over its 37-year history to include award-winning, river and ocean cruises and handcrafted land journeys that take guests to many of the world’s most fascinating destinations covering all seven continents. Since 2008, Scenic has set the benchmark for truly all-inclusive, five-star river cruises in Europe and Southeast Asia. In 2019, Scenic introduced Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yacht™, a 228-guest ultra-luxury ship, and plans to deliver a second yacht of the same category, Scenic Eclipse II, in 2023. Emerald Cruises has nine branded Star-Ships offering river sailings in Europe and on the Mekong. In March 2022, Emerald Azzurra was launched and is the first yacht under the Emerald Cruises brand – a 100-guest superyacht that will sail the warm waters of the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Black and Red seas, to be followed in 2023 by its sister, Emerald Sakara.
Scenic can be found on Twitter at @ScenicLuxury, on Facebook as ScenicCruises and on Instagram as Scenic.luxurycruisestours, while Emerald Cruises can be found on Twitter at @emerald_cruises, on Facebook as EmeraldCruisesGlobal and on Instagram as @EmeraldCruises.global.
Additional information on these and other cruises, brochures and reservations can be obtained via travel advisors; or in the US: www.scenicusa.com, phone (844) 788-7985, [email protected]; or www.emeraldcruises.com, phone (844) 428-8389, [email protected]. Brochures can also be downloaded directly from the websites.