Emerald Cruises floats out its first ocean ship

Emerald Cruises first ocean-going ship, the Emerald Azzurra, was floated out this weekend at the Halong Shipbuilding Co. in Vietnam.

The 100-passenger ship is set to debut in January 2022. The yard will now commence the completion of its interior,  said Glen Moroney, chairman of the Scenic Group, which includes Emerald Cruises.

“We can’t wait for past river cruise guests and new customers alike to join us onboard our very own ocean-going yacht in 2022,” Moroney said.

The Azzurra will have 50 cabins, 88% with an outdoor balcony, Emerald said. The ship, which Emerald calls a super-yacht, will have a wellness center with a spa, gym and sauna; three tenders and a Zodiac for shore landings; three onboard dining venues; and a marina platform for snorkeling, paddleboarding or swimming.

The Azzurra is slated to launch on Jan. 28, 2022, with an eight-day Best of the Red Sea itinerary roundtrip from Aqaba, Jordan. The ship will also offer Mediterranean cruises in summer 2022.

Emerald Waterways currently has nine branded Star-Ships offering river cruises in Europe and on the Mekong and a chartered river ship on the Volga River in Russia.