Emerald Cruises has some enticing new offerings for the 2023 luxury yacht cruising season. The first major announcement is that the renowned cruise company is for the very first time adding the Indian Ocean to its list of destinations, and in addition to this, they’ve released details of where the Emerald Sakara will be heading to in its inaugural season.
In 2020, we were looking forward to 2021 for obvious reasons. Incredibly, although we’re still in 2021, we now find ourselves looking forward to the mouthwatering travel opportunities that will be coming our way in 2023! Although the travel landscape is now considerably clearer than it has been over the past 18 months, many of us are still waiting for clearer skies before heading off and what could be better than the Seychelles?
The lure of some magnificent weather and a good amount of high-end luxury will be strong among many of our readers. Fortunately, Emerald Cruises have got you covered. Their brand new ship, the Emerald Sakara’s maiden voyage, will be to the topical charms of the Seychelles. It will be an eleven-day cruise that will take guests on a round-trip from Victoria, Mahé Island, the country’s capital.
The itinerary will also take in the islands of Sainte Anne, Cousin, Praslin, Grande Soeur, Curieuse, La Digue and Aride – all of which are in the Seychelles. The cruise marks the launch of the new superyacht and Emerald Cruises first sailing in the Indian Ocean.
Highlights of Emerald Sakara’s maiden voyage
The itinerary includes an exploration of Sainte Anne Marine National Park, with its pristine sandy beaches, coconut trees, crystal-clear waters, polychromatic coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity.
In addition to this, there will be an orientation of Cousin Island, which, thanks to conservation efforts, has become one of the most significant nesting sites in the world for turtles. A discovery of Aride Island, a nature reserve, hosting one of the most substantial seabird populations in the Indian Ocean.
Emerald Sakara departs on the 23rd of February 2023, and prices for the 11-day yacht cruise start from £4,340 per person.
Four further itineraries for 2023
Alongside the new Indian Ocean sailing, four other itineraries will depart for the first time in 2023 – including two new itineraries in the popular Black Sea region. Both sailing from Athens to Istanbul, the 15-day Mykonos, Gallipoli & Essence of the Black Sea visits Mykonos (Greece), Çanakkale, Istanbul, Bartin, Sinop, Trabzon (all Turkey), Batumi (Georgia), Sochi (Russia), Odessa (Ukraine), Sulina (Romania), Varna and Nessebar (both Bulgaria).
While the 22-day Discover the Greek Islands, Turkey & the Black Sea itinerary sails the same as above, with additional days sailing the Aegean Sea with calls at Patmos (Greece), Kuşadasi, Bodrum (both Turkey), Rhodes and Amorgos (both Greece). Prices for the 15-day yacht cruise start from £6,125 per person departing 17 June 2023 on board Emerald Sakara.
The 12-day Ancient Wonders of the Red Sea & Mythical Greece will be setting sail from Saudi Arabia. This destination was recently added to the Emerald Cruises portfolio for 2022 sailings and will take guests from Jeddah to Athens, calling at AlUla, Duba, Aqaba (Jordan), Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt), Ain Sokhna (Egypt) and Agios Nikolaos (Greece) en route.
The highlights of this cruise include a stop in the ‘Pearl of the Red Sea’, Duba, and a guided tour with included lunch to Jordan’s famous archaeological site of Petra. Prices start from £5,270 per person departing 4 April 2023 on board Emerald Sakara.
On the 21-day Discover the Red Sea, Holy Land, Turkey & Greece journey, guests will sail from Aqaba (Jordan) to Athens, calling at Hurghada, Ain Sokhna, Alexandria (all Egypt), Ashdod, Haifa (both Israel), Limassol (Cyprus), Paphos, Rhodes (both Greece), Bodrum, Kuşadasi, Çanakkale, Istanbul (all Turkey), Volos and Ermoupolis (both Greece) along the way.
Guests will enjoy a visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza, a Nile felucca cruise and a concert at Apollo theatre in Emourpolis; all included for £9,435 per person departing 25 January 2023 on board Emerald Azzurra.
All prices include return UK flights, transfers, all on board meals, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi and a selection of excursions with knowledgeable local guides.
Both of Emerald Cruises’ custom-built superyachts feature balconies on 88 per cent of cabins, a large infinity pool, spa, gym and marina platform – with a number of marina toys available such as paddleboards and snorkelling equipment. Each superyacht has a maximum guest capacity of 100, with a crew of 64, providing unparalleled levels of service.
Guests booking before 30 November 2021 can save up to 15 per cent with Emerald Cruises’ Earlybird Fares, and those paying for their cruise in full 12 months prior to departure will save an additional 10 per cent.
For more information and to book, visit www.emeraldcruises.co.uk.
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