Entering service in January 2022, about six months behind schedule due to the pandemic, the Emerald Azzurra will be the first ocean-going cruise ship built specifically for Emerald Waterways, part of the Scenic Group, which primarily offers European river cruises. The ship marks the company's entry into the ocean-going cruise segment.
The Emerald Azzurra is also unique, as it is the first luxury cruise ship built in Vietnam. Ha Long Shipbuilding Company was contracted to construct the hull and equip all the machinery for the Emerald Azzurra, while the interior outfitting was handled directly by the Emerald Cruises project team.
The ship's steel cutting ceremony was held at the shipyard on December 7, 2019, and the structure is largely complete and has been moved to complete structural and mechanical work and proceed with interior outfitting.
“We are incredibly excited to see the Emerald Azzurra successfully launched into the water to continue with the next stage of its construction, the completion of the interior,” said Glen Moroney, Founder and Chairman of the Scenic Group. “Once again, Emerald Cruises is looking to the future with a game-changing vessel at a time when small-ship experiences are gaining popularity. We look forward to welcoming our guests aboard our very own ocean-going yacht in 2022.”
Designed to cruise the waters of the Adriatic Coast, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean, the ship will accommodate 100 passengers in 50 suites and cabins, most with private balconies, and will offer all the comforts of a modern cruise. There will be three different restaurants along with an onboard wellness center that includes a spa, gym, and sauna. The yacht also features three tenders and a Zodiac, as well as a platform at the stern for snorkeling, paddleboarding, or swimming.
The Azzurra will launch on January 28, 2022, with an eight-day round-trip Red Sea itinerary from Aqaba, Jordan. The ship will also offer Mediterranean cruises in the summer of 2022.
