Emerald Cruises has officially launched its third luxury superyacht, Emerald Kaia, and our Marketing Manager, Blake, was fortunate enough to experience her inaugural sailing through Turkey and the Greek Islands. After completing sea trials in Asia, Kaia made her way to the Mediterranean to begin her very first season welcoming guests on board.
If you’re considering sailing on the Emerald Kaia, you can explore our latest Emerald Yacht deals here, or get in touch with our team of Tour + Cruise specialists to start planning your journey. You can also read more about the launch of Emerald Kaia here. Keep reading to find out about Blake’s experience on the world’s newest super-yacht, the Emerald Kaia.
I boarded in Bodrum, Turkey, and from the moment I stepped onboard, I was greeted with a glass of champagne and a genuinely warm welcome from both the Captain and crew. It immediately felt different to a traditional cruise. With a maximum of 120 guests on board, everything feels calmer and much more personal.
Embarkation & First Impressions of the Emerald Kaia
As you walk up to the beautiful Emerald Kaia Superyacht, your first impression is simply “Wow!” She is intimate in size, but at the same time, her 7 storeys make her large enough to be very impressive. While her sleek body shape and black and white exterior are striking to the eye, and look incredibly elegant, docked up against the backdrop of the Mediterranean. I boarded the yacht around midday and was able to access my suite almost immediately, which set the tone straight away. There was no waiting in crowded terminals or sitting around for hours with hand luggage; it was seamless from the moment I arrived.
Once I had settled into my room, I actually stepped back off the yacht and spent the afternoon exploring Bodrum, which is something you rarely get the chance to do on embarkation day. I wandered through the town, grabbed a late lunch, and returned to the yacht feeling like I’d already made the most of day one.
The late departures (often 10 to 11pm) completely change the rhythm of the trip. It allows you to enjoy each destination properly, without constantly watching the clock, and that was something I really appreciated throughout the journey.
My Suite – Balcony Suite (Deck 5)
I stayed in a Balcony Suite on Level 5, and it quickly became a really comfortable base for the week.
Walking into the room for the first time, I was greeted with a welcome note, champagne, macarons, desserts, local Turkish delights, and Easter chocolates. It felt like a genuine welcome, and it immediately set a high tone for the experience.
The room itself is bright, modern and thoughtfully designed. The king bed was incredibly comfortable, and after long days exploring, it was something I really looked forward to returning to.
One thing I noticed quickly was how practical the space is. There’s a large built-in cabinet with plenty of storage, a minibar that’s restocked daily, a coffee machine, kettle, and a well-positioned vanity area that I ended up using quite a bit.
The wardrobe space was generous, with robes, slippers, a safe, and even umbrellas, which came in handy. I also appreciated the number of international and USB charging points throughout the room. Between phones, cameras and other devices, I was never short on places to plug in.
The lounge area was comfortable, and it was a nice spot to sit, relax, and just take a break between activities. The balcony, while small, was large enough for a table and two chairs, and it was a lovely spot to soak in the views in the privacy of your own room.
The bathroom was equally well thought out. Great water pressure, plenty of storage, and a really impressive range of amenities. There were multiple moments during the trip where I realised I’d forgotten something, only to find it already provided in the drawer.
Another practical feature I really appreciated was the laundry offering on board. During the cruise, I was advised that I could have a number of items laundered and pressed each day (this will depend on your room level and onboard inclusions), but what stood out most was the self-service laundry available to all guests. I used this during the trip and found it incredibly easy and convenient. The space is equipped with modern washers and dryers, as well as irons and steamers, making it simple to freshen up clothes throughout the journey.
Dining & Food
Food is a huge part of any cruise, and on Emerald Kaia, it felt like there was always a good balance between quality, variety, and flexibility.
La Cucina (Main Restaurant)
La Cucina quickly became my go-to for most meals. The space itself is beautiful, and I especially enjoyed sitting out on the back deck when the weather was nice. La Cucina is open for breakfast and lunch with buffet-style dining and has an à la carte menu for dinner.
Breakfast became a bit of a routine for me. I’d usually start with a coffee, order eggs how I liked them, and take my time easing into the day. It never felt rushed, which I really appreciated.
For coffee, I found myself ordering through the wait staff most mornings and slowly dialling in my preferred order. What stood out most was the service. Early in the cruise, the team noticed I preferred almond milk, and without me asking, they went out and purchased it for me for the rest of the journey. It’s a small detail, but it’s exactly the kind of thing that makes a big difference.
Dinner in La Cucina felt a bit more elevated, with a rotating à la carte menu and attentive service. One night in particular, the crew put on a large buffet-style dinner with multiple stations inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, and it ended up being one of the more fun and social evenings onboard.
Solea Bar & Bistro
Solea is located off the main pool deck and was great for more relaxed meals, especially on days when I’d been out exploring and didn’t feel like a longer dining experience. This dining space is open for later breakfasts, lunch and dinner.
I found myself stopping in here for a late breakfast from time to time or an easy lunch by the pool. The menu is more casual with salads, burgers and pizzas, but elevated, with beautiful fresh ingredients.
The Night Market
The Night Market is a more intimate dining experience, limited to just 8 guests, and it offers something quite different to the rest of the dining onboard.
On the evening I attended, the focus was Filipino cuisine, which was something completely new for me. You are seated directly facing the chef, which creates a unique atmosphere and is a more private dining experience compared to the main restaurant.
I really enjoyed the concept and the opportunity to do something a little different.
Lounges & Bars
The Amici Bar & Lounge became a bit of a central meeting point throughout the trip. Whether it was for morning briefings, a quiet drink in the afternoon, or evening entertainment, I found myself passing through here multiple times a day.
It’s a comfortable space with lots of different seating areas, and I liked that you could always find a quiet corner if you wanted to relax.
The Sky Bar was easily one of my favourite spots onboard. I spent a few afternoons here enjoying a cocktail and taking in the views, and it was also a great place to end the night. The bartender here was fantastic with extensive cocktail knowledge which made the experience even better.
The Observation Lounge & Deck offered something a bit quieter and has an internal room with bookshelves, lounges and conversational tables. Out on the front deck, there are comfortable day beds and a hot tub. It’s a perfect space to slow things down, read, or just take in the scenery.
One of my favourite moments of the entire trip happened here. While docked in Patmos, we had a live singer do a performance at sunset on the forward Observation deck, with drinks flowing and everyone gathered together. It was one of those simple but really memorable travel moments.
Shore Excursions
The shore excursions were another standout part of the experience, and something Emerald does really well, especially on a smaller yacht like Kaia.
Onboard, excursions are structured under the EmeraldDISCOVERY program, which is designed to give you a mix of included experiences and optional extras depending on how you like to explore.
There are three main types of excursions:
- EmeraldPLUS – These are included experiences that are a bit more unique or exclusive
- EmeraldACTIVE – Also included, and more suited to guests wanting a more active or immersive experience
- DiscoverMORE – Optional excursions available at an additional cost for something more in-depth or specialised
I found this structure really easy to follow, and what I liked most was the flexibility. Because there are fewer guests onboard, I was often able to decide what I wanted to do the day before, rather than needing to pre-book everything months in advance, like you would on a larger ship.
One moment that I genuinely won’t forget was the private EmeraldPLUS evening experience at Ephesus, which was free for all guests. After visiting the site during the day, we returned in the evening once it had closed to the public. The ruins were beautifully lit, and we were welcomed with canapés, wine and champagne before taking our seats in the amphitheatre for a live classical performance.
It was one of those experiences that’s hard to put into words. Sitting there in such an iconic location, with no crowds, just our small private group and live music, felt incredibly special and is something I’ll remember for a long time.
For those who like a bit more independence or want to explore at their own pace, Emerald also offers complimentary e-bikes onboard, which you can hire in 3/hour blocks. I used these a couple of times during the trip and found them to be a really fun and easy way to get around.
In a few of the ports, I hired an e-bike for a few of hours and was able to cover much more ground than I would have on foot, exploring areas a little further out from the main town. It gave me a lot of flexibility; I could head back to the yacht when I wanted, relax for a bit, and then head back out again later in the afternoon or evening.
Pools, Spa, Gym & Wellness
The pool and spa areas were a big highlight for me.
I spent quite a bit of time in the large hot tub on Deck 7, especially in the afternoons and often alone with no other passengers in sight (a perk of one of these smaller yachts). Sailing in the Mediterranean spring meant it wasn’t always hot, so sitting in the warm water with a drink in hand and watching the coastline go by was a pretty perfect way to spend the afternoon.
The main pool area at the back of the yacht on deck 6 is also very well designed, with plenty of seating, cabanas and space to relax. What stood out most was how uncrowded everything felt. There were multiple times where I had an entire area almost to myself, which really adds to that yacht experience.
The gym and wellness centre on Deck 2 is also very well equipped with the latest Technogym equipment, including treadmills, bikes, weights and cable machines, more than enough to maintain a routine while travelling.
One feature I really liked was the outdoor water platform connected to the gym, where you can step out beyond the interior space and do a workout or even a yoga session right over the water. It’s a small detail, but a really unique touch that adds to the overall wellness focus of the yacht.
The spa area continues this theme, with facilities that are free to use at any time, including a dry sauna, infrared seats, a cold plunge pool and relaxation beds. For an additional cost, guests can make the most of the spa treatments on offer and relax with a massage or get their hair or nails done in the salon.
Marina Experience
The marina is one of the most unique and enjoyable features of yacht cruising, and something you really only get on ships of this size. On days when the yacht is anchored rather than docked, the back of the ship transforms into a water-level playground. The crew set up a range of water toys and inflatable equipment, creating a really relaxed and fun environment out on the ocean.
I took the opportunity to try the large inflatable slide, which runs from Deck 3 straight into the sea, and it was a lot of fun. There are also kayaks and a range of other water toys available, along with electric sea scooters/boards that allow you to move through the water with ease.
It felt like a floating beach club, where you could swim, relax, or just spend time out on the water at your own pace. It’s a completely different experience from traditional cruising and adds a more playful, spontaneous side to the journey.
Staff & Service
The service onboard was consistently excellent.
What stood out most to me was how quickly the staff learned names and preferences. By the second or third day, it felt like they already knew exactly how I liked things, whether it was coffee, drinks or dining preferences.
Everyone was friendly, approachable and genuinely seemed to enjoy what they were doing. It never felt forced.
For an inaugural sailing, I was expecting a few small hiccups here and there, but honestly, everything ran incredibly smoothly, which is a credit to the team onboard.
Final Thoughts of the Emerald Kaia
Emerald Kaia delivers a genuinely premium yacht cruising experience, and what stood out most to me was how easy and enjoyable everything felt from start to finish.
The smaller number of guests, late departures, and high level of service completely change the way you experience each destination. You’re not rushing, you’re not waiting, and you’re not competing with crowds.
Some of my personal highlights were exploring Bodrum on embarkation day, the private evening at Ephesus, relaxing in the spa areas in the afternoon, and those small moments like the sunset performance and drink on the forward Observation deck.
Emerald Cruises now has three luxury yachts in its fleet, with two more set to launch in 2027 and 2028, and if Kaia is anything to go by, the future of their yacht product is incredibly strong. You can explore our latest Emerald Yacht deals here.
As an Emerald Top Tier – Directors Level Agency, we are Australia’s leading specialists in Emerald Cruises, with exclusive offers and added value you won’t find elsewhere. If you’re considering an Emerald Yacht cruise, reach out to our experienced team of Tour + Cruise specialists here, and we’ll help you plan your next Emerald journey.
