Until now, Emerald Cruises has been known for its award-winning river cruise collection, offering exceptional value cruising in Europe and Southeast Asia. Since the March 2022 launch of Emerald Azzurra, a new era of luxury yacht cruising has dawned.

While some cruise lines focus on building mega-liners, Emerald Cruises specialises in stylish, small-ship cruising. Emerald Azzurra is the first of two luxury yachts, with identical sister yacht Emerald Sakara set to debut in 2023. Gleaming white against the brilliant blue skies of the sparkling Mediterranean, the head-turning design resembles a spectacular luxury yacht.

With a maximum of just 100 guests on board, these luxury yachts are small enough to dock within reach of fascinating local historical and cultural sites. In Croatia, the yacht lands guests in the heart of some of the Mediterranean’s oldest towns, where just a short stroll leads to a guided tour of Rovinj Old Town or time in Zadar listening to the unique music of the Sea Organ.

At 110 metres long, Emerald Azzurra is large enough to ensure a supremely comfortable cruise with all the amenities you could wish for. La Cucina is the main restaurant with the option to dine indoors or alfresco on the Terrace. Enjoy delicious buffet breakfasts and lunches, and fine à la carte dining in the evening with a choice of locally inspired cuisine, classics like grilled salmon or juicy steaks, and generous share plates.

Relaxed luxury is the vibe on board. The Amici Bar & Lounge is a welcoming space with comfortable low sofas, think velvets and satins, and marble coffee tables. The bar serves a wide range of cocktails and beers, and is the place to meet fellow guests and swap stories of the day’s adventures, while the Observation Lounge is a cosy space in which to play board games or gaze on the far-reaching views.

The Sky Deck, the top deck, features the Sky Bar. With 360-degree views, it’s the ultimate spot for unwinding with a sundowner and taking in every angle of the breathtaking scenery, such as when cruising into Kotor Bay in Montenegro.

The Spa offers indulgent massage and spa treatments and a wellness program with complimentary infra-red sauna, yoga and Pilates classes. And, of course, there’s a well-equipped gym. Top tip: Do make time for a quick workout so you can enjoy the guilt-free desserts every day.

All meals are included – complimentary wine and beer is served with lunch and dinner – along with tipping and gratuities, and Wi-Fi. A number of guided tours are included on each itinerary. DiscoverMORE optional tours are also available for guests to tailor the cruise to their own interests. EmeraldPLUS cultural experiences are also included. Active guests will love the included EmeraldACTIVE program, where hikes, bike tours and paddleboarding are available. There are even GoCycle ebikes available for use in ports. Emerald Cruises has truly thought of everything.

Emerald Azzurra is custom-designed for warm-water coastal cruising. The luxury yacht offers a number of eight-day cruises, many of which can be combined into longer 15-day cruises. Epic cruises of 19 days or longer are also available on selected dates. Popular destinations include the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. And new for 2023 are Caribbean cruises.

Want to see more about Emerald Cruises luxury yachting? Visit and watch escape.com.au/EscapeTo. This interactive digital TV program has a 16-minute episode completely dedicated to Emerald Cruises 8 Day French & Italian Rivieras with Corsica. Cruise from $6,595 per person for travel in 2024.