Emerald Cruises isn’t usually the first name that comes up when people think about luxury small-ship cruising. The Australian brand isn’t as well known by Americans, but really that should change. When people think of small cruise ships it’s more often Windstar, Seabourn, or Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection that dominate the conversation. Yet why sail with 400-900 people when you can travel with just 100 on a true super yacht!?!
Right now, there’s a private sale through Scott & Thomas Travel (aka me) offering up to 40% off select Emerald yacht sailings, and it materially shifts the value equation. These aren’t repositioning leftovers or filler itineraries either, these are prime Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Adriatic sea sailings where pricing has stayed stubbornly high across the board. There’s even the option to sail the Red Sea or Seychelles!
If you’ve been curious about yacht-style cruising but unwilling to pay Scenic Eclipse or Ritz-Carlton prices, this is one of the more compelling entry points I’ve seen. With pricing starting at just $3,733 for oceanview rooms or $4,723 for a balcony room you can save up to 40% while living like an Oligarch for 7-10 days.
What Emerald Yachts Actually Offer
Emerald’s ocean yachts, Emerald Azzurra, Kaia and Sakara, sit in a slightly different category than the ultra-lux expedition ships or the full-on luxury yacht brands.
- ~100 guests
- All-suite accommodations
- Open-air marina platform with waterslide
- A relaxed, contemporary feel. not overly formal, not trying too hard
- All inclusive with Open bar, wi-fi, staff gratuities, airport transfers, and excursions
This isn’t expedition cruising which I mostly get excited about. It’s also not ultra-luxury in the Silversea since. It’s more laid back, refund relax luxury like Explora Journey’s. You’re not going to get big shows at night, but instead local artist joining the Yacht to serenade you with local inspired music and cultural engagements. Instead of 900 passengers it’s 100! Emerald sits in a “lite luxury yacht” category. Competing with Seadreams, but honestly a class of their own.
Emerald Cruise Private Sale
Let’s be clear these aren’t publicly advertised discounts. I have a great relationship with Emerald cruises and this means I can offer huge savings on Emerald River and Ocean voyages. It’s not every sailing, but it’s a lot! Currently I have private pricing on 26 departures on Emerald Yachts in 2026 and 2027. Plus over 500 river departures during this time frame (Including popular christmas market cruises!)
As Emerald Cruises is owned by Scenic Cruises, I also have over 700 sailings on sail with Scenic too, Ask me for details
The up to 40% savings are available through advisor channels like Scott & Thomas Travel, not when you book direct.
More importantly, these discounts finally bring Emerald into a pricing tier where it outperforms larger ships on itinerary and experience, without creeping too close to true luxury pricing. You pay less than you ever would on Ritz, Seabourn, RSSC yet get more bang for your buck and stop in some ports that their ships are too big for!
All room types are on sale. From Oceanview to the Owner’s Suite. Contact me for pricing and more details.
| Itinerary Name | Cruise Nights | From | To | Departure Date | Oceanview |
| Hidden Gems of the Croatian Rivera | 7 | Dubrovnik | Venice | 7/18/2026 | 5XXX |
| Mediterranean Delights | 10 | Valletta | Valletta | 7/20/2026 | 5XXX |
| Adriatic Discovery | 7 | Venice | Venice | 7/25/2026 | 4XXX |
| Greek Islands & Turkish Coastline | 7 | Athens | Athens | 8/1/2026 | 4XXX |
| Athens to Istanbul Adventure | 7 | Athens | Istanbul | 8/8/2026 | 4XXX |
| Riviera Rendezvous | 7 | Nice | Nice | 8/22/2026 | 4XXX |
| Mediterranean Rivieras | 11 | Rome | Lisbon | 10/27/2026 | 7XXX |
| Holy Land & Pyramids with Suez Canal | 11 | Larnaca | Aqaba | 10/31/2026 | 7XXX |
| Wonders of the Red Sea | 9 | Aqaba | Cairo | 11/11/2026 | 4XXX |
| From Egypt to Saudi Arabia | 10 | Cairo | Jeddah | 11/20/2026 | 5XXX |
| Cruising the Leeward Islands | 7 | Sint Maarten | Sint Maarten | 12/13/2026 | 3XXX |
| Tropical Charms of the Seychelles | 7 | Mahé, Seychelles | Mahé, Seychelles | 12/27/2026 | 5XXX |
| Eastern Caribbean with St. Barths | 7 | Bridgetown | Sint Maarten | 1/30/2027 | 3XXX |
| Eastern Caribbean with St. Barths | 7 | Bridgetown | Sint Maarten | 2/27/2027 | 3XXX |
| Cruising the Leeward Islands | 7 | Sint Maarten | Sint Maarten | 3/6/2027 | 3XXX |
| Eastern Caribbean with St. Barths | 7 | Bridgetown | Sint Maarten | 3/27/2027 | 3XXX |
| Cruising the Leeward Islands | 7 | Sint Maarten | Sint Maarten | 4/3/2027 | 3XXX |
| Egypt to Cyprus via the Suez Canal | 10 | Cairo | Larnaca | 4/7/2027 | 6XXX |
| Cultures of the Mediterranean | 11 | Barcelona | Civitavecchia (Rome) | 5/2/2027 | 7XXX |
| Italian & ADR Icons | 12 | Civitavecchia (Rome) | Dubrovnik | 5/17/2027 | 9XXX |
| Hidden Gems of the Croatian Rivera | 7 | Dubrovnik | Venice | 5/29/2027 | 6XXX |
| Riviera Charm with Monaco Grand Prix | 9 | Nice | Civitavecchia (Rome) | 6/4/2027 | 7XXX |
| Unhurried Islands of the Mediterranean | 11 | Civitavecchia (Rome) | Valletta | 6/19/2027 | 8XXX |
| Yachting Sicily to Elba via the Amalfi | 10 | Valletta | Civitavecchia (Rome) | 6/30/2027 | 7XXX |
| Italian & Adriatic Icons | 12 | Civitavecchia (Rome) | Dubrovnik | 9/20/2027 | 8XXX |
| Malta, Sicily & Amalfi Coast | 9 | Civitavecchia (Rome) | Valletta | 10/25/2027 | 6XXX |
The Bottom Line
Emerald Cruises offers the opportunity to sail through amazing places and sceneries without the crowds. You get new nice yachts, great itineraries and now amazing pricing. With up to 40% off select 2026 and 2027 sailings, Emerald suddenly becomes one of the more compelling values in small-ship cruising.
If you are ready to plan your next escape, contact me to book you vacation. With private pricing available on Explora Journeys, Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Seabourn, Aurora Expeditions and others. You’re only doing yourself a disservice by booking direct and not using a a properly engaged travel agent.
