Welcome home, Kelly! You recently cruised on Emerald Sakara. What was she like?
Where to begin? From the moment we stepped onboard, and gratefully accepted a flute of Champagne from the smiley concierge Max, we were made to feel instantly welcome. I could feel the stresses of normal life melt away within those first minutes. I couldn’t wait to explore the elegant vessel that is Emerald Sakara.
For an intimate ship, she offered a variety of amenities and space. With only 100 guests, there was no queuing for food/drinks or even the tender boat! The decor is sleek and modern with a stylish lounge that doubles up as an evening retreat to enjoy live music. A pool and cafe sit to the aft with stunning views and a further warm and welcoming Jacuzzi is situated to the forward where you can enjoy a cocktail (or two) and views of destinations yet to be travelled to. She boasts all-suite accommodations and we were lucky enough to secure a balcony on the 5th deck, complete with a complimentary mini-bar, the most comfortable beds you can imagine and a spacious and chic shower room.
What are the main differences between traditional ocean cruising and yacht cruising?
Yacht cruising is far more intimate than what you experience on traditional ocean liners and due to the size of the ship, she is able to dock directly in the harbour, allowing for smaller ports of call to be explored. The level of service surpasses expectations as staff know you by name (and even remember your drinks order).
As previously mentioned, there is no queuing at dinner, minimal waiting times for drinks at the bars and immediate embarkation when returning from any shore excursions.
Another notable difference is the value for money. Where I have been greeted with final invoices when disembarking other cruises, everything you could imagine is incorporated into the price you originally pay for an Emerald Yacht Cruises voyage. From an included comprehensive all-inclusive drinks package to gratuities, Wi-Fi and shore excursions, there really is only a cheeky spa gift to yourself that you’d need to dig out your purse for.
Could you tell us about your itinerary? What was your favourite port of call and why?
We boarded in Málaga, Spain and enjoyed a slow sunny afternoon by the Jacuzzi. From there, we sailed by night and stopped each day in Cartagena, Palma - Majorca, Mahon - Menorca, Bonifacio - Corsica - and Civitavecchia, Italy.
My favourite port was easily Bonifacio in Corsica, for a number of reasons. The scenery was absolutely mesmerising from the tendered Emerald Sakara - white cliff tops surrounded us, accompanied by vibrant blue skies and turquoise waters. It’s at this port we got to experience a tender and, again, there was no waiting around to board.
The town itself was significantly elevated from the dock and I enjoyed an uphill (and somewhat challenging) climb to the peak where you are instantly rewarded with breathtaking views of the harbour, the town itself and wrap-around sea views below. We also treated ourselves to a gelato pit-stop and the cherry flavour was très bien!
What was the food like onboard? Do you have a favourite restaurant?
My favourite restaurant was La Cucina on the terrace which was situated outside to the aft of the ship. We enjoyed the most incredible sunsets from our dining table each evening, accompanied by a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a daily changing menu, inspired by the port we had visited during the day.
Breakfast and lunch consisted of a hot buffet complete with fresh fruit and salad selections each day. In addition, you could order from the á la carte menu at breakfast which I absolutely took advantage of – the cinnamon toast and pancakes were divine!!
Lastly, why should our customers choose Emerald Yacht Cruises?
I cannot recommend them enough as a brand. The execution was faultless, from well-organised shore excursions that immersed you into the culture of each port to enjoying a slow afternoon by the pool with a good book, Aperol spritz in hand and the background chat of fellow guests discussing newfound commonalities.
It was clear that many guests left the ship with more friends than they had started with and the comradery was infectious! Every single staff member was friendly and accommodating and the day of disembarkation was a sad one. I cannot wait to see the brand-new Emerald Kaia in action come 2026!
