azzura yacht

First look: Emerald Azzurra, the first oceangoing yacht from Emerald Cruises

A cruise ship isn't my typical travel habitat. Instead, you'll usually find me trying to score award flights in Singapore Suites or figuring out when whale sharks will next be passing through La Paz for a friendly snorkel.

That's not to say I'm not intrigued by the ever-evolving panoply of amenities and activities cruise lines now offer, such as shipboard tattoo parlors , luxury spas and surf simulators . I just haven't gone out of my way to experience them.

However, when the opportunity arose to sail on Emerald Azzurra — the first oceangoing vessel from Emerald Cruises — I was on board, so to speak.

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To start, I was intrigued by the itinerary , running from Aqaba, Jordan, to Athens, Greece, which would take me to see several wonders of the ancient world.

Plus, the ship's small size (it accommodates just 100 passengers) and sleek design made it seem more like a high-tech yacht than a crowd-pleasing megaship. It even has a marina platform so passengers can snorkel, kayak and paddleboard right off the ship in certain destinations. Basically, it felt like my kind of cruise.

Here's what else my experience aboard Emerald Azzurra's second voyage entailed and what passengers can expect on future sailings.

A little background: From rivers to seas

Emerald Azzurra marks a new chapter for Emerald Cruises, which has been primarily a river cruise line since its founding in 2014. Emerald Cruises is part of Glen Moroney's Scenic Group, which also operates Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours.

My sailing was just the second for Emerald Azzurra, which was constructed in Vietnam's Ha Long Shipyard and delivered to Emerald in February of this year. Its maiden voyage took place in March on an itinerary titled, "Best of the Red Sea," ending in Aqaba where my fellow passengers and I would board.

Designed for an intimate guest experience, Emerald Azzurra is petite at 360 feet long, with six passenger decks and just 50 cabins. The scale, as well as its pronounced, aquadynamic prow, reminded me of nothing so much as a Russian oligarch's impounded yacht … minus the geopolitical implications, of course.

Emerald Azzurra is also representative of a new wave of luxurious yacht-like and expedition vessels that multiple lines are launching, including Silversea Cruises and the much-anticipated Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection . Emerald Azzurra and its forthcoming sister ship, Emerald Sakara, will carry just 100 passengers at most, however, which is around half the capacity of competitors' ships.

What's more, Emerald's sailings are priced more attractively than those on comparable vessels, starting below $4,000 per person on some itineraries. That's versus Mediterranean cruises from $6,800 per person with the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, for instance. Emerald's fares even include most excursions (there are a few optional DiscoverMORE experiences that require an extra fee). While you might not enjoy over-the-top amenities like butler service or on-demand caviar that some other luxury lines proffer, that price differential is likely to entice a fair number of prospective passengers who are price conscious but still desire a high-end experience.

Emerald Azzurra: Deck by deck

Although I enjoy fantastic flight experiences like Qatar Qsuites or Qantas business class , I still tend to see airplanes as simply a mode of transportation that gets you to your final destination.

On the other hand, a cruise ship feels more like a destination unto itself, sort of like a floating hotel, and I was eager to explore Emerald Azzurra's many features.

The guest decks run from levels 2 to 7, with the cabins spread across decks 3 to 6. Deck 3 is the "ground floor" of sorts, from which we would disembark and re-board at each port of call. It's where my fellow passengers and I were first welcomed aboard. We were shepherded past the reception desk and toward the bow into the bar and lounge area for COVID-19 tests and sparkling pineapple cocktails.

As we awaited our results, I scoped out the room, which was fitted with large booths and low tables on both sides for convivial gatherings over pre-dinner cocktails. Through the center, a hodgepodge of Saarinen-like tulip chairs, velvet ottomans and rounded loveseats were arranged in casual groupings around chrome-legged, marble-topped tables. Toward the far end, high Monarch-style stools flanked the cocktail bar.

The understated palette of silver and charcoal grays, limestone and taupe, along with the mirrored pillars and ceiling panels, gave the space a sophisticated but unstuffy ambiance that blended art deco and midcentury modern aesthetics with a splash of '70s glam thrown in.

Because some of the artwork and plants meant to decorate the walls had not arrived by our sailing, the room did look a little stark, but I imagine it felt a little livelier when those final touches arrived after my disembarkation.

Once we had our negative results, we were free to check into our cabins, enjoy a light buffet lunch at the main restaurant at the stern of Deck 3, La Cucina, or simply explore the ship.

Related: A beginner's guide to picking a cruise line

I took the opportunity to roam the decks for pictures while other passengers were settling in. I started at the Sky Deck on level 7, where there is a small outdoor bar and a jacuzzi at the front and various lounging and seating areas running along either side of deck. Other travelers were soon up here enjoying glasses of wine and beer while taking advantage of the sunshine.

Like the lounge, this area seemed a little bare, but it should be outfitted with a lush assortment of plants before long to give it a more garden-like feel.

From there, I took a set of stairs down to the pool deck at the back of level 6. There is a small infinity pool facing the stern with sun loungers, two round day beds and padded deep benches. Because the weather was not very warm during my trip and the crew actually had to drain the pool for some of the rougher parts of the sailing, I didn't actually use it, though I can imagine it'll be the place to hang on hot days this summer.

Just in front of the pool is the Aqua Café, which serves light bites, pastries and coffee throughout the day. We had lunch out here one sunny afternoon and it was delightfully warm and breezy.

Deck 5 comprises cabins (including the one I occupied). One level down from that, at the front of Deck 4, is an observation lounge that's kind of like a living room and library in one. Guests can serve themselves cappuccinos and other hot drinks from an espresso machine or fill up a glass with still or sparkling water, then settle into one of the cozy chairs with a travel or history book from the shelves. There are various games at the table, too, including chess and tic-tac-toe.

Back on Deck 3, I stopped by the reception desk to hand over my passport to the agents so they could take care of customs formalities at our upcoming ports. Heading toward the stern, I peeked into the small boutique that opens in international waters to sell items like Ray-Ban sunglasses, Frey Wille jewelry and Johnstons of Elgin cashmere scarves.

From there, it was a quick turn to the central axis of the ship, with a bank of two elevators and a stunning bifurcated staircase with glass balustrades, chrome railings and floating steps that hearkened to the grand staircases of golden age ocean liners.

The back half of this deck is taken up by the main restaurant, La Cucina, which serves buffet breakfast and lunch and a la carte dinner. Though our voyage was too cold and windy to take advantage of it, the restaurant has an expansive outdoor deck that should hopefully be open for dining under the stars while at anchor in the summer months, or for enjoying an early-morning coffee while steaming into port. You might also notice that the dining room looks slightly bare-bones, but more art and permanent tables are on the way (the crew reportedly raided the Amman Ikea store for temporary furnishings, including dining room tables, for this sailing).

For a ship this size, it felt like there were plenty of public areas in which to spend time, whether it was quietly reading in the observation lounge, sharing drinks with fellow travelers in the lounge, or finding a sheltered corner of the Sky Deck to take in the coastline as we approached various ports.

The cabin: Spare but elegant

Emerald Azzurra has 50 cabins, 44 of which have balconies .

Ocean-view rooms start at a mere 182 square feet and only have windows, while Balcony Suites, of which there are 36, range from a more sizable 285-306 square feet and have private balconies.

There are two larger Deluxe Balcony Suites with separate bedroom and living areas, two Terrace Suites with both a balcony and a private terrace, two Yacht Suites with their own large private terraces and two Owner's Suites, which measure up at 1,162-1,192 square feet including both indoor bedroom and living areas as well as large outdoor decks.

The specialty suites come with extra amenities that vary by category but include items like a welcome fruit platter and bottle of sparkling wine, a full minibar that's restocked daily, in-room coffee and tea-making accouterments and complimentary daily laundry.

I was lucky enough to be assigned one of the Terrace Suites and was immediately impressed by the size of both the interior space as well as the outdoor deck and the amount of natural light filtering in through the floor-to-ceiling glass doors on two sides of the cabin.

The outdoor furniture and pillows had not all arrived by the time of our sailing, so I stuck mostly to the lounge chair when enjoying the fresh air, but luckily the cabin itself was quite comfortable. I thought this was the biggest drawback of an early sailing — not being able to fully use the suite's terrace other than for a few minutes of sunshine here or there.

However, it appears that the outdoor furnishings arrived after my departure, and the line sent TPG an updated photo of the other Terrace Suite's deck to show what it should look like going forward.

You might notice a sloping wall to the side of the deck. That shields the terrace from a public staircase down to the third deck, which does cut down on the privacy, but I didn't see any passengers use it during our cruise, so I don't think that should dissuade anyone from booking this suite.

Much of the indoor footprint is taken up by the bed, which can be split into two twins, and is dressed in the same soft white, 600 thread-count linens you'll find on other Emerald and Scenic ships. You can also use a control to raise and lower the top portion of the mattress on either side.

To either side is a built-in set of shelves in light-colored timber for small items. There are also USB ports and power plugs plus a small, flip-out reading light. You'll notice a large empty space with a mirrored wall behind it between the bed and the balcony. After I disembarked, the crew met a shipment of furniture that included swivel chairs and footrests for the space, though it remained empty for my sojourn.

There is a work desk across from the bed, which also houses the minibar. The crew had left me a fruit platter with a dramatic glass cover plus a bottle of prosecco, though I was more interested in the electric kettle and the Illy espresso machine, which looked harder to use than it actually was. The cabin's phone, audio sets for our guided tours, carafes of water and two metal water bottles took up the rest of the desk.

Though small, the closet had enough space for all our hanging clothes and had several drawers for other apparel plus two bathrobes, two large umbrellas and a safe.

Across from it, the bathroom lies behind a mirrored door. Like many ship restrooms, this one is compact but efficiently laid out .

In addition to the toilet, there is a single sink, above which is a vanity that opens into a large cupboard and a smaller one for toiletries. Below it are drawers and shelves for more belongings as well as a provided hairdryer. The glass walk-in shower had both an enormous overhead rainfall showerhead and a higher-pressure hand-held one by Hansgrohe.

The tiling, which is made to look like deeply veined Calacatta marble, feels bright and clean and contrasts nicely with the colorfully patterned Missoni towels. What I appreciated most, however, were the upscale ESPA bath and skincare products the line stocks for guests to use, which are light on the skin and aromatic without being overpowering.

Although I wasn't able to snap photos of another passenger cabin , one traveler showed me hers in the Balcony Suite category. The interior felt just as large as the Terrace Suite thanks to some slightly different furnishings and placements, and the bathroom looked like my suite's, though the shower had just a single handheld shower head mounted on the wall.

Onboard amenities: Massages and a marina

I've already mentioned a few of Emerald Azzurra's amenities, like the top-deck jacuzzi and the rear-facing infinity pool. There is also a guest laundry where passengers can clean their own clothes, so passengers can pack light without worrying about running out of attire.

Deck 2 houses the ship's wellness area , which includes a gym equipped with Technogym cardio machines, some free weights and a multiuse weight machine. Passengers can also reserve private sessions for personal training, yoga, meditation and Pilates, ranging from $55 to $105.

There is a single-seat salon where guests can book manicures, waxes, eyebrow grooming, cuts and styling using Kitoko Arte products.

The spa has two treatment rooms and offers a range of treatments with ESPA products, such as the 60-minute intense regeneration facial for $175 and the 60-minute hot stone massage for $205, among other possibilities.

Though I did not personally indulge, my travel companion booked a combination massage and facial and practically melted into bed when he returned to the cabin that afternoon. I woke him up for an hour-long yoga session with the ship's personal trainer later that day (complimentary classes were available on several days of the sailing). After, we headed back to the spa for a 20-minute sit in the infrared sauna to loosen up.

One of Emerald Azzurra's main selling points, at least in my estimation, is that it has an onboard water sports marina of sorts.

Passengers will be able to enjoy more active pursuits such as snorkeling and kayaking in certain ports such as Korcula in Croatia and Parga in Greece (pending weather and final approval of the harbormaster, of course).

Though the itinerary I was on would not allow for this, I still got a tour of the equipment stowed down there, and some guests were able to borrow the complimentary Gocycle electric bikes in Kusadasi, Turkey. There was an active cycling tour offered in Rhodes, too, but that was after I had disembarked.

For travelers who, like me, need to keep up with a bit of work while on board, the ship offers free Wi-Fi and will eventually also feature premium, higher-speed packages for sale. The free version worked decently for things like emailing and internet browsing, but not quite well enough for uploading photos or videos. It also caused the television reception to cut out frequently, so hopefully, that will be fixed when the faster service comes online.

Dining and drinking: You won't go hungry

One of the elements of my cruise I was most impressed with was the culinary program . Although there is only one main restaurant plus the poolside cafe, the kitchen team kept things interesting throughout the cruise, with few repeats in the lunch buffets and the Mediterranean-inspired dinner menus.

Each day's breakfast buffet featured a variety of hot options including scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, different kinds of sausage and roasted mushrooms and tomatoes, plus a plethora of pastries, fresh fruit and various kinds of juices and smoothies.

Since I was in one of the specialty suites , I was also entitled to order breakfast as room service and took advantage of that on a few of the days when excursions started earlier. Like the buffet, the choices were extensive and included things like omelets, pancakes, waffles, bagels with smoked salmon and different coffee and tea selections.

At lunchtime, the servers would set out another wide-ranging buffet with mains such as seared filet of rockfish with beurre blanc; beef-lamb kofte with grilled halloumi; and herb-grilled chicken breast and shrimps in a creamy pumpkin sauce. There was also a small salad bar plus plenty of desserts like sorbet, ice cream, chocolate cake with raspberry drizzle and enormous cookies, including some excellent caramel toffee ones.

After a morning spent snorkeling in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, I spent the afternoon at Aqua Café and sampled some of the healthy flatbreads, including a Greek version with tomato, feta, onions and olive and another with lemon, ricotta and artichoke, both of which were flavorful and satisfying.

Dinner menus in La Cucina changed each evening and began with small dishes such as octopus-potato salad; tuna ceviche with mango, mint and lime; and shredded baked beets with apple and horseradish. Next would come a soup course, with choices such as sweet corn potage, hearty German lentil and smoked eggplant cream. There was always a pasta or risotto dish to share followed by a choice of a main course.

The standouts I tried included a succulent duck breast and leg confit with red cabbage praline; grilled beef tenderloin with black truffle butter and fondant potatoes; and filet of sole with tangy lemon-caper Sicilian sauce and ratatouille cream.

Even after all that food, I was always game for desserts like chocolate-passionfruit cake, a creamy deconstructed chocolate millefeuille and tiramisu.

For guests who favor consistency over novelty, there is also a roster of "always available" dishes that includes shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, spaghetti Bolognese, grilled salmon, chicken, steak and breaded eggplant.

The wines rotated each lunch and evening, too, with options like a Picpoul Blanc from the south of France, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo from Spain's Ribera del Duero and a French Cote du Rhone.

I was on the premium spirits package, so drinks at the lounge and the Sky Bar were included as well, and the bartending team made a delicious old fashioned and great Negronis. We would drop by for a nightcap after dinner to hear the ship's guitarist play.

The one food-related downside to cruising is that you don't get many opportunities to sample the cuisine of the various destinations you visit. And while the menus on board the ship were excellent, I would love to see the kitchen team incorporate more "local" dishes onto the menu, such as falafel after a day in Jerusalem, for instance, or ful medames for breakfast before a visit to the pyramids in Egypt.

Itinerary highlights: Petra and the pyramids

Of course, I didn't spend all my time poking around the ship, especially on an itinerary as action-packed with sightseeing as this one.

Among the most rewarding days of the journey was the first full one, during which we remained docked in Aqaba. From there, we took buses two hours in each direction to visit the ancient Nabatean desert city of Petra, with its famous treasury building carved into a red rock face.

Two days later (with a stop in Sharm El-Sheikh in the meantime), we docked in Ain Sokhna, Egypt, and boarded buses for the trek around the outskirts of Cairo to see the pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx before a riverfront lunch in the city.

Cruising through the Suez Canal was an interesting experience that also provided some much-needed downtime, since we remained on the ship, and the next day brought us to Ashdod, Israel, from which we set off to explore the Old City of Jerusalem.

We spent another afternoon visiting ancient settlements along Cyprus's south coast before disembarking in Antalya, Turkey, which has a beautiful, pedestrianized old city chock full of Ottoman villas. The cruise went on to visit Kusadasi, Turkey, as well as Rhodes, Santorini and Athens in Greece.

Although many of the excursions required a substantial amount of time in transit, it felt more than worthwhile for the opportunity to see breathtaking wonders like Petra and the pyramids as well as to visit new (to me) places like Cyprus.

Being in the care of the ship's activities team also meant that customs processes, COVID-19 testing (in Israel) and my early disembarkation were all handled smoothly, with little to no effort on my part. Plus, since the excursions were included in the cruise fare, venturing out was that much more enjoyable.

One note on sailing for folks who are a little more motion-sensitive: Given Emerald Azzurra's relatively small size, you could feel the movement of the ship and some significant pitching in heavier seas. So, if you have issues with seasickness, you might want to consider whether a larger vessel might suit you better. This was also the reason the crew had to drain the infinity pool at one point since, otherwise, the water would have sloshed over onto the deck.

Working out the kinks

As you might expect from any early sailing on a new ship, there were a few kinks that Emerald will have to work out.

First and foremost was the fact that the ship didn't have all its permanent furnishings aboard when we embarked, including chairs and tables for the cabins' balconies, which, understandably, upset several of my fellow sailors. The crew's uniforms only arrived a day before I disembarked, too.

However, my contacts at the cruise line have told me that all the furniture is now aboard, assembled and set out, as is all the artwork and much of the greenery, so hopefully the experience on sailings going forward will feel more comfortable and consistent.

Although the Wi-Fi worked fine for my needs, hopefully, faster service will soon be available so that it will be easier to keep up with things back home or to research upcoming ports of call in detail by going online.

The excursions on my specific itinerary required a lot of time in tour buses and some fairly complicated logistics, some of which was related to COVID-19, and some of which was not. For instance, passengers were woken at 5 a.m. for COVID-19 tests to enter Israel on that day of the cruise due to changing conditions. A few days earlier, we sat on buses waiting to exit the port in Ain Sokhna en route to the pyramids for nearly 90 minutes as some snafu was ironed out. Both instances curtailed our time visiting the sights and certain activities had to be excised from the schedule. As the ship visits various ports again and again, though, hopefully, some of these rough patches will resolve into smoother sailing.

Finally, a few crew members tested positive for COVID-19 just two days into the sailing. They were isolated in the crew quarters, the crew was required to wear masks at all times after that, and passengers were asked to monitor their own health for any symptoms. Luckily, the crew members recovered, no one else fell ill and it did not impact our itinerary, but it could have been much worse had more people been exposed.

Though this is not unique to Emerald, it's something to be aware of if you intend to cruise with any line in the coming months.

Why I'd sail again

Logistical whitecaps aside, I wouldn't hesitate to cruise with Emerald again for a few reasons.

Even without all its furnishings, Emerald Azzurra was a stunner, with spacious, comfortable cabins, beautiful public areas and high-end touches like the full-service spa, Missoni textiles and ESPA products that made the experience feel luxurious .

My itinerary from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean included stops at fascinating sites. I'd be curious what some of the ship's Mediterranean itineraries — especially those that allow for use of the marina deck — are like.

More than anything, though, the service was truly excellent. Every crew member we interacted with was a pleasure to see and speak with every day, from the friendly staff at reception to the assiduous servers in the lounge and restaurant (as well as the ones who carefully toted our in-room breakfast to us), not to mention Martina, our cabin steward, who took care of everything from cleaning the stateroom to refilling our water carafes and stowing our luggage.

Many of them accompanied us on excursions and we enjoyed chatting with them at the sights and attractions we visited. Each of them knew all the passengers by name within a day or two, which also gave the experience a friendlier, more casual feel. I heard from many of my other passengers how impressed they were by the crew — so it wasn't just my experience.

The uniqueness of Emerald Azzurra, its intimate size and high-end amenities, the intriguing itinerary and the friendliness of the crew all combined to make this a memorable sailing, and one I would have no trouble recommending to others.

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Our fleet of yachts are boutique floating hotels that provide guests with luxurious surroundings, a wealth of amenities, and unique innovations such as the spectacular Marina Platform and state-of-the-art infrared sauna.

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Emerald Azzurra

Cruise line Emerald Yacht Cruises (Emerald Cruises)

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Emerald Azzurra current position

Emerald Azzurra current location is at Caribbean Sea (coordinates 13.47038 N / -61.28162 W) cruising at speed of 14 kn (26 km/h | 16 mph) en route to TOBAGO CAYS. The AIS position was reported 4 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Emerald Azzurra

Emerald Azzurra current cruise is 7 days, one-way from Marigot to Bridgetown , themed as "Easter". Prices start from USD 7620 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 30 Mar, 2024 and ends on 06 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Emerald Azzurra

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Emerald Azzurra Itineraries

Emerald azzurra review, review of emerald azzurra.

The 2022-built Emerald Azzurra cruise ship is a superyacht with max passenger capacity 100. This is the first of two newbuilds in the Emerald Cruises fleet , as well as the company's first ocean-going vessel - followed by the sistership Sakara (2023). Azzurra is Vietnam-built (constructed by HLS-Halong Shipbuilding Company in Ha Long City ). HLS was contracted to build the hull and install all the machinery, while the yacht's interior fit-out was managed by a separate project team.

Azzurra is Emerald Cruises' 10th boat, having as fleetmates 9x riverboats and the sistership Sakara.

The vessel (IMO number 9903504) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311001053) and registered in Nassau .

The superyacht Emerald Azzurra has max passenger capacity 100 (plus 76 crew/staff), sleek "megayacht" design (hull and superstructure), top-luxury accommodations with modern hotel amenities, premium restaurants, large wellness complex (gym, sauna, spa, massage rooms), two tender boats (used for passenger debarkation and embarkation in tender ports / without docking facilities), two Zodiacs (large-capacity, high-speed RIB boats used for coastal cruising and landings), aft Marina platform for watersports activities (swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking), large infinity pool (with a glass front facing the stern), dedicated pool deck (with stern location, oval-shaped pool, sunbathing area with padded loungers, open-air Bar).

Emerald Azzurra also carries its own electronic bikes (Gocycle brand) from the premium manufacturer Karbon Kinetics Ltd (2002-founded by Richard Thorpe/McLaren Cars design engineer).

Emerald Waterways is a new (established 2014) river cruise shipping company and brand owned by Scenic Group ( Scenic Tours Australia). Emerald Waterways riverboats are well-known as some of the best on the market newbuild ships with premium facilities and superb services provided by professionally trained staff and crew.

On February 1, 2020, Emerald Waterways introduced the new brand "Emerald Yacht Cruises". It officially starts operations in 2022 (February) with the inauguration of the yacht Emerald Azzurra, which was initially planned for July 2021.

The superyacht has as namesake the cruiseferry GNV Azzurra (1980-built).

Decks and Cabins

Of all Emerald Azzurra staterooms (50 total), 88% are with a step-out balcony - excluding only Deck 3's Oceanviews (with windows). Standard Balcony cabins are sized 29 m2 (310 ft2, including the veranda). The cabin balcony access is via floor-ceiling sliding glass doors. The veranda is furnished with two deckchairs and a small table. The ship's largest passenger accommodations are the two Owner Suites (on Pool Deck 6) each sized 111 m2 (1195 ft2, including a large terrace). The smallest are the six Oceanview cabins (forward on Deck 3) each sized 19 m2 (205 ft2).

The boat has 7 decks , of which 5 are passenger-accessible and 4 with cabins. Two Lifts (midship Elevators) interconnect all decks.

All staterooms are with contemporary design, luxurious en-suite bathrooms (WC, shower, single-sink vanity, hairdryer, premium toiletries, bathrobes, slippers), twin beds (convertible to double / Queen-size, Egyptian cotton linens, quality pillows), bedside cabinets (with recessed lights), wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), mirrored writing desk (dressing table with chair), sofa, coffee table with chaise lounge chairs, mini-bar (refrigerator), phone, smart HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system / Internet, movies-on-demand), free Wi-Fi, individually controlled air-conditioning, bottled water (daily restocked), umbrella (used on land tours).

Bonus amenities (suite-only perks) include a walk-in closet, pillow menu, Welcome Gifts (bottle of champagne and fruit platter / upon arrival), mini-bar (daily restocked), coffee machine, tea-making facility, free laundry (2 items daily for Yacht Suites and Terrace, and 4 items daily for Owner Suites). Both Owner Suites additionally receive free room service (in-cabin dining) with served pre-dinner canapes and after-dinner sweets.

Shipboard facilities

The onboard food offering features local cuisine specialties (based on the visited ports along the current itinerary) and gourmet dishes (prepared with the freshest, locally sourced produce). The ship has 3 restaurants and 3 bars (lounges), including the pool deck's lounge. Breakfast and lunch buffets and a la carte dinners are served at Reflections Restaurant (full-capacity Dining Room on Deck 3).

Adjacent to the restaurant (aft) is The Terrace - an outdoor lounge that doubles as an alfresco dining venue (weather permitting). Onboard dining is complimentary and inclusive of beverages - soft drinks, beer and wine (by the glass) are waiter-served and free at all lunches and dinners.

Horizon Bar Lounge is the largest and serves as the main lounge. The Observation Lounge is a small indoor venue with bow-location (Deck 4).

On Pool Deck (deck 6) is located The Cafe (outdoor lounge served by its own bar).

Sky Bar (Deck 7) is an outdoor poolside bar that serves beverages and light snacks to Sky Deck's sundeck area (with Jacuzzi/spa pool).

Emerald Yacht Cruises Emerald Azzurra's prices are inclusive of return flights (economy-class, from London Heathrow Airport), transfers (airport, and to/from the ship), port fees, airport taxes, all onboard meals, select drinks, onboard tipping (gratuities), shore excursions, enrichment program (lectures, media presentations, live performances), watersports (equipment and activities).

Ashore, passengers enjoy the complimentary EmeraldPLUS cultural program (professionally guided tours) and EmeraldACTIVE program (guided bicycle tours). Additionally, Emerald Yacht Cruises customers can book optional shore excursions (by the company's DiscoverMORE program) which come at extra cost.

Emerald Yacht Cruises sells fly-cruise deals which are ATOL-protected (Air Travel Organiser's Licence) and ABTA-protected (directly booked flights with non-ATOL airlines).

Itineraries

While certified for unrestricted passenger shipping operations in all regions (except polar), the yacht Emerald Azzurra is custom-designed to navigate in warmer climates, like Southern Europe's Mediterranean (Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea), Red Sea (Arabia) and Indian Ocean (Seychelles), offering a unique superyacht cruising experience. The boat's smaller size (and water draft) allows it to visit ports that larger ships can't access.

Emerald Cruises' yachts offer seasonally (in spring and fall) cheap Transatlantic crossings between the Caribbean and Europe (RepositionCruises.com).

Emerald Yacht Cruises'/Azzurra's program for 2021 had scheduled 47 different itineraries to destinations like Italy (Ligurian Riviera), Spain (Costa del Sol), France ( Cote d'Azur ), Greece (Greek Islands, Cyprus, Crete), Adriatic Sea's Dalmatian Coast (Croatia, Montenegro), Malta, Turkey, as well as Egypt, Israel, Jordan.

Azzurra's inaugural cruise itinerary program was originally scheduled for 2021 and included:

• 8-day "Cyprus, Turkey and Greece Delights" itinerary from Limassol (Cyprus) to Piraeus-Athens , visiting Paphos , Fethiye , Bodrum , Kusadasi , Mykonos Island , Santorini Island . Prices start from GBP 3285 pp (EUR 3880 / USD 4290 pp).
• 8-day "French and Italian Rivieras with Corsica" itinerary from Civitavecchia-Rome to NIce , visiting Porto Ercole , Bonifacio (Corsica) , Calvi (Corsica) , Portoferraio (Italian Riviera) , Portofino (Italian Riviera) , Menton (French Riviera) . Prices start from GBP 2965 pp (EUR 3500 / USD 3870 pp).
• 12-day "Ancient World Wonders" itinerary from Limassol to Aqaba (Jordan) , visiting Haifa-Tel Aviv , Ashdod-Jerusalem , Alexandria (Egypt) , Sharm el-Sheik (Egypt) . Prices start from GBP 5245 pp (EUR 6190 / USD 6850 pp).

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, the ship's inauguration was rescheduled from 2021 to 2022. The Maiden Voyage departed on March 11, 2022 (instead of July 31, 2021, and January 28, 2022) out of Aqaba.

The 8-day itinerary (themed "Best of the Red Sea", roundtrip from Aqaba) visited Egypt (Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh) and Israel (Eilat). Prices started from USD 3315 pp (Oceanview) and USD 3770 (Balcony) with double occupancy.

In April 2021 were announced Emerald Azzurra's Black Sea itineraries for 2023.

• (August 5, 2023) 15-day itinerary "Mykonos, Gallipoli and Essence of the Black Sea" (from Piraeus-Athens to Istanbul) visits Greece (Mykonos), Turkey (Canakkale, Bartin, Sinop, Trabzon), Georgia (Batumi), Krimea Russia (Sochi), Ukraine (Odesa), Romania (Sulina), Bulgaria (Varna, Nessebar). Prices started from EUR 9340 / USD 11000 per person with double occupancy, with early-booking discount USD 2130 per cabin.
• (July 29, 2023) 22-day itinerary "Discover the Greek Islands, Turkey and the Black Sea" is an extension of the 15-day "Black Sea" itinerary, with additional call ports in Greece (Patmos), Turkey (Kusadasi, Bodrum), Greece (Rhodes, Amorgos). Prices started from EUR 13480 / USD 15870 pp, with early-booking discount USD 4900 per cabin.

In August 2021 were announced two new Red Sea itineraries for 2022 (both Suez Canal transits) visiting ports in Greece, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia.

• (February 14, 2022) 10-day itinerary "Mysteries and Treasures of the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia" (Limassol Cyprus to Jeddah Saudi Arabia ) visits Port Said-Cairo Egypt , Suez Canal (transit on Day 4), Sharm El Sheikh Egypt , Aqaba-Petra Jordan , Duba-Tabuk Saudi Arabia , Al Wajh-AlUla Saudi Arabia . Prices started from EUR 4190 (USD 4930) per person with double occupancy.
• (March 18, 2022) 12-day itinerary "The Ancient Wonders of the Red Sea and Mythical Greece" (Jeddah to Piraeus-Athens Greece) visits Al Wahj-AlUla, Duba-Tabuk, Aqaba-Petra, Sharm El Sheik, Sokhna-Cairo Egypt , Suez Canal (transit on Day 8), Agios Nikolaos Crete Greece , Santorini. Prices started from EUR 4995 (USD 5880) pp.
• As a promo offer, all bookings made by September 30, 2021, received complimentary "Premium Drinks Package" (unlimited beers, wines by the glass, soft drinks, cocktails). In addition, all full-paid bookings received "Super Earlybird" 10% discount - on cabin categories A-B-S-SA.

In February 2022 was announced that starting in January 2023, the superyacht will be homeported in Doha Qatar . The program was based on 7-night/8-day roundtrips visiting UAE (Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Dubai) and Oman (Khasab, Six Senses Zighy Bay Resort). Optional 3-day pre- and post cruisetours in Qatar are also offered.

In Oct 2022 was announced that starting in November 2023, the boat will be homeported in Bridgetown Barbados . The program (Nov 25 thru Jan 6, 2024) was based mainly on 7-day roundtrip itineraries themed as "Grenadines and Grenada Adventure", "Discover Eastern Caribbean and Grenadines", "Eastern Caribbean with St. Barths".

Emerald Azzurra - user reviews and comments

Photos of emerald azzurra.

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Other Emerald Yacht Cruises cruise ships

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Emerald Azzurra Wiki

In August 2020, Scenic Group (shipowner) contracted Viking Crew (part of the Dover UK -based Viking Maritime Group Ltd) as the vessel's crew managing company. Viking Crew is responsible for Emerald Cruises yachts' crew recruitment, management, deployment and placement, including officers and staff-crew from the onboard Engine, Hotel and Deck departments. Viking Crew was also contracted for the crew management of the superyachts Scenic Eclipse 1 (2019) and Scenic Eclipse 2 (2022).

The vessel has volume 5175 GT-tons and DWT-Deadweight 1125 tons. The registered shipowner and management company is EWO1 LTD (2019-incorporated, Naxxar Malta-registered).

Emerald Azzurra was launched/floated out from drydock at Halong Shipbuilding on December 6, 2020.

In mid-November 2021 were announced the names of the ship's Master (Captain Jonathan Edwards, between 2003-2020 employed by Holland America Line ) and Hotel Director (Petros Zarpanely).

The 2-day sea trials were conducted in Ha Long Bay and successfully completed on November 20-22nd. Followed final outfitting works (interior/exterior) and training of the onboard staff.

The yacht Azzurra was officially delivered to Emerald Cruises on February 8, 2022, and left Ha Long Shipyard heading to Aqaba (Jordan).

In early-May 2022 was announced the name of the ship's godmother - Sarah Wikevand. She is the Managing Director of ROL Cruise UK (1995-founded by Peter Beadles as "Reader Offers Ltd") - one of the UK's largest travel agencies, with 120+ employees.

Emerald Azzurra's christening ceremony was on May 28, 2022, held dockside in Port Venice (Italy) . The naming ceremony was attended by Glen Moroney (Scenic Group's Founder and Chairman) and his wife Karen Moroney (also company's Director of Project Design), David Winterton (Emerald Cruises' Brand and Marketing Global Director), local dignitaries. Being unable to attend the event, Sarah Wikevand was represented by Rosie Cairns (ROL's Joint Managing Director).

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2022

Next table shows the inaugural itineraries that were originally planned for Azzura.

The Maiden Voyage was scheduled for January 28th but was eventually postponed to March 11th.

7-day "The Best of the Red Sea" itinerary

Followed the 10-day repositioning to the Mediterranean.

Next table shows the inaugural 7-day Arabian Gulf/Red Sea cruise out of Qatar.

Next is the 7-day "Marvels of the Red Sea" itinerary (in Feb 2023) roundtrip from Jordan.

Inaugural itineraries 2021 (CANCELED)

Next tables show some of the planned for 2021 and later canceled voyages on Emerald Azzurra.

(OLD MAIDEN VOYAGE) 7-day from Limassol to Athens

21-day from Venice to Rome

10-day "Charms of Greece and Turkey" itinerary

11-day "Aegean Gems" itinerary

6-day "Cyprus and Israel Delights - Inaugural" itinerary

7-day "Holy Land at Christmas Time" itinerary

17-day Repositioning (Limassol to Aqaba)

Hot Topic: Surprise Cruise Reveal Ideas

Emerald Azzurra Cruise Review: Onboard Yacht Experience

Sailing on an Emerald Cruises yacht is fabulous. Our Emerald Azzurra Cruise Review will bring you onboard into the cabins, lounge area, top deck spaces (hot tub and pool included!), and dining spaces. 

We’ll tell you what we loved about the ship , what to beware of before you book so you can have the best experience on Emerald Cruises yacht ships like us, and what to expect in terms of ship movement if you are concerned about motion sickness.

While we sailed on Emerald Azzurra, Emerald Sakara is a sister ship that is expected to be very similar to sailing on Azzurra. So whether your vacation calendar brings you onboard Emerald Azzurra or Emerald Sakara, this information will be vital to maximizing your trip enjoyment.

Disclosure: We thank Emerald Cruises for hosting us. This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase  at no cost to you , which helps keep our content free. We only recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Emerald Azzurra Review Overview

You are in awe as soon as you see the ship come into view when you arrive at the port for embarkation. “Can you believe that's our ship?” is a sentiment many Emerald Azzurra guests share. The sleek, modern yacht is a beauty, and its multitude of features makes you fall further in love with the yachting lifestyle onboard.

We felt relaxed and well taken care of the entire time we sailed on Emerald Azzurra. There is a maximum of 100 passengers and 64 crew onboard. With a passenger-to-crew ratio like that, you'll surely feel attended to. The cruise was lovely, as were the other guests.

And truthfully, it didn't even feel like that many people were on board! Dan was only ever sharing the gym with one person. And I was in the infrared sauna solo more than once.

The food was outstanding, the drinks divine, and the scenery and itinerary phenomenal. There was always an evening activity planned that we could go to or skip, and we could do an excursion in the ports or explore on our own.

Our Top Picks for Emerald Azzurra Yacht Cruise Highlights

A few things really wowed us during our cruise:

Emerald Azzurra Review: Common Areas and Spaces, Deck by Deck

There was a multitude of spaces onboard to enjoy, from bow to stern.

It's important to know what Emerald Cruises calls the decks on the cruise ship deck place in case you're trying to figure out what number the “Emerald Deck” is, for example:

• Deck 2 : Wellness Deck
• 3 : Emerald Deck
• 4 : Observation Deck
• 5 : Panorama Deck
• 6 : Pool Deck
• 7 : Sky Deck

Below, we'll share what each deck contains.

Deck 2: Wellness Area (Fitness, Infrared Sauna, Elements Spa, and Beauty), Marina Platform, and Tender Boats

Wellness area.

The Wellness Area is home to Elements Spa, which has the following:

Marina Platform and Tender Boats

If you are interested in swimming in the ocean while the ship is moored or playing with the marina toys, the Marina Platform is where you'll want to be. It's also where you will go if you need to take tender boats to get to shore.

We didn't have the opportunity to experience the Marina Platform during our cruise because it was too cold to go in the ocean, and because we never moored; we were always docked next to land.

However, we've experienced the fun of one and water toys onboard other cruise ships, like Kontiki Expeditions , and know what a joy it is!

We also never needed to tender to shore. Thus, we didn't experience Emerald Azzurra's tender boats.

Deck 3: Reception, Amici Bar & Lounge, Boutique Azzurra, and La Cucina Restaurant

The reception area is a simple two-desk station with seating across from it in case you need to rest before embarking or disembarking the ship. Thanks to the minimal number of guests onboard, you never really had to wait to talk if you needed to talk to a crew member there.

Amici Bar & Lounge

The ship's main bar and lounge connect to the reception area. This multi-purpose room is, at first glance, the primary place to get beverages, whether at the self-serve coffee, tea, and water station area or the bar, tended by bartenders.

However, it's actually a multi-purpose area. Port talks are given here during the day, the future cruises sales desk is here, and it is an entertainment area at night.

Boutique Azzurra

A lovely on-board shopping boutique has mostly jewelry for sale with some apparel. It's open while sailing, with hours posted in the daily program.

La Cucina Restaurant

La Cucina restaurant is at the aft of the ship. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating allows guests to have options of where to dine, depending on the weather.

The beautiful space is decorated with a mixture of round and rectangular tables, booth seating and chairs, and some high tops. Assorted green foliage is placed around the interior dining room to make it an oasis.

Deck 4: Observation Deck and Laundry

Observation deck.

One of the most peaceful places on the yacht is the Observation Deck. This relaxing nook is located toward the bow of the ship. We suppose you could say it's the closest thing Emerald Azzurra has to a library or game room.

Most of the time, guests could be found quietly reading in the space's comfy chairs. Other times we saw some people playing cards there or on their computers.

There is also a coffee and water station in the Observation Deck, which is one of two onboard. The other is in the Amici Bar & Lounge on Deck 3.

Laundry Room

As avid travelers, we're often on the road for many weeks at a time. Yet, we're minimal packers. This is why having an incredible self-serve laundry room on a cruise ship is such a treat.

Luxury cruise ships often only have the option to send your laundry out for the crew to do. But a true luxury and treat is a laundry room like Emerald Azzurra has. It's indeed welcomed and such an asset onboard. There are several washers pre-loaded with detergent, dryers, an ironing station, and a steamer for guests to use.

We were glad that we happened to have dryer sheets with us because we like to use them in a dryer, and they don't have them onboard.

The laundry room even has a seating area, but it's easy enough to set a timer on your phone to remind you to switch your laundry over to the dryer or retrieve it when it's done. That way, you can enjoy the yacht while your clothes get clean, which is exactly what we did!

If you prefer, you can request your clothes be laundered. There is a bag provided in each stateroom closet with a laundry form.

Deck 5: Emerald Azzurra Aqua Pool and Cafe, and Navigation Bridge

Aqua pool and cafe.

What's a yacht without a pool? This great area is at the aft of the ship. The Aqua Cafe and Pool are right next to each other, which is convenient if you want to station yourself in the area for a few hours – drinks and snacks are at your disposal at the cafe.

What's also nice about this area is that some seating is covered and shaded from the sun, while others are not. This allows guests to choose from multiple seating areas based on their liking.

Yacht Navigation Bridge

A highlight of being on Emerald Azzurra is visiting the Navigation Bridge at your leisure. The officers and Captain were very welcoming and friendly, speaking to us for several minutes to explain the equipment.

A really cool time to visit the bridge, where there is an open-door policy and seating for guests to comfortably observe, is when the ship is docking. Below is a photo of the officers and Captain making sure the ship docks correctly in Naples, Italy.

Deck 6: Emerald Azzurra Hot Tub, Sky Bar, and Bathroom

Deck 6 has one of our favorite Emerald Azzurra onboard amenities: the hot tub. The oval-shaped hot tub can easily fit ten people. Surrounding areas provides comfort in the form of booth seating and lounge areas. Additional seating areas are scattered around deck 6 and provide intimate spaces to read, take a nap, or enjoy the sunshine.

The Sky Bar is on Deck 6. It was a convenient place to get drinks if we wanted to be outside; this area often had the best sweeping port views. It was also where a mixology class was taught while we were sailing one day.

For guests' convenience, a bathroom with a shower is located on this deck for rinsing off after a dip in the hot tub before going back to your room.

Emerald Azzurra Staterooms

Emerald Azzurra has 50 staterooms, including two of each of the following suite categories for a total of eight onboard suites: Owner's Suites, Yacht Suites, Terrace Suites, and Deluxe Balcony Suites.

We outline the square footage of the different staterooms here , and you can view the architectural layout of the room on the Emerald Cruises website .

All staterooms on Emerald Azzurra have balconies except for the six Oceanview Staterooms at the forward of the ship on deck 3. There are eight suites onboard.

We were in room 404, a Balcony Suite on Deck 4.

Our bedroom had a king-size bed, a love seat, and a chair with a small table that perfectly fit a computer, iPad, or drink. There was also a desk we could work out where the Quiet Voxe devices for tours were and the cruise ship phone. Small reading lights next to each side of the bed were adjustable so you could angle them to your liking.

Next to that were light switches for the room so you could shut the room lights once you were cozy in bed, ready to sleep, a USB port, and outlets.

You don't need an outlet converter for your plugs to work on Emerald Cruises; they've smartly designed their outlets to fit multiple countries' electrical prongs. However, depending on your plans and hotels, you may need one before or after your cruise.

Our favorite European outlet converter

➤ This European seven-in-one travel plug converter is the favorite we've ever owned.

We bought one to start and quickly regretted not buying two the first time. Do yourself a favor and buy the two-pack from the get-go.

We loved the shelves on each side of the bed as well as the headboard that created more shelving. Emerald Cruises smartly designed this area: the top of the headboard was depressed, so it created a small safety guard around whatever items you placed there. That way, they wouldn't roll off if the ship tilted. Emerald Azzurra is a moving ship, after all.

Closet Storage and Drawers

We were awestruck by how much storage space there was in our stateroom. We could hardly fill it up! There was plenty of hanging space in the closet, special pull-out drawers for plenty of pairs of shoes, closet drawers for clothes, and more drawers in the dresser near the mini-fridge.

There was also an umbrella in the closet and a digital safe. We appreciated that Emerald Cruises provided a laundry basket too. This was helpful for us because we took advantage of doing our laundry ourselves in the onboard laundry room . After a week of cruising, we simply took the basket to the washers and dryers for one last wash before disembarking.

Our bathroom was spacious, with an abundance of storage space. Pull-out drawers and a vanity mirror opened to reveal additional storage in two compartments. That's where I placed my toiletries that were in my Stasher bag . 

One side of the cabinet had plenty of shallow-depth shelves with an outlet inside. The other part of the mirror had a slender section that opened to reveal additional storage. The compartments mimicked the width of the drawers beneath the sink, where there was more storage. (Storage, upon storage, and more storage!)

Hand lotion and liquid hand soap were next to the sink.

The shower was luxurious and as warm or cold as you wanted the temperature. It had a removable shower head to hand-hold it, and the ship provided shampoo, conditioner, and body gel. There was also a shower rail inside if you needed to hold onto something should the ship become a little rocky. (Which happens with any yacht cruise ship.)

We want to note that we had to beware of the water leaking out of the bottom of the shower. It was slippery, and we quickly learned to use the floor mat towel to soak up the water that had left the shower and somehow stretched to the bathroom door.

We thought it may have just been our cabin, but we realized it wasn't unique to our room when a fellow passenger revealed she had the same water-running issue on the bathroom floor after showering. That aside, the bathroom was still great. 

The balcony was a highlight of our Emerald Azzurra yacht stateroom.

We cruised in March, when it's a bit colder on the Mediterranean Sea than during peak summer season. However, we couldn't resist putting on long sleeves to enjoy a coffee outside, especially given how utterly comfortable the balcony seats were! They were sincerely the most comfortable balcony seats we'd ever sat on.

The cabin steward removed the cushions each evening and placed them in the room so they wouldn't get wet overnight. This was perfect for us because it meant they were dry each morning, ready to use.

In-Room Drinks and Snacks

Regardless of category, all staterooms on Emerald Azzurra have a coffee machine and tea kettle. We never used ours because the coffee machine on deck 4 was right near our stateroom. We preferred hopping over there for morning coffee, but it was a nice option to have in-room if we change our minds.

There were also two bottles of water that the steward refilled daily. Nevertheless, there were water stations near the coffee machines if we ran out or wanted carbonated water.

We had a miniature fridge in our room that we hardly opened because we simply went to the nearest bar if we wanted beer, wine, or mixed drinks.

Small jars of snacks in the room – like wasabi peas and nuts – were priced per jar at an additional cost. We go into detail about snacks, drinks, and food onboard here .

Onboard Entertainment

There was a nightly activity onboard every day. For instance, there were two nights of trivia (a crowd favorite). Another evening our Cruise Director, who went to school for musical theater, sang for the guests.

One special night, while docked in Sicily, a traditional Sicilian dance and singing group came onboard to entertain. It was fabulous! These close-up enrichment programs are part of why we love luxury, small-ship cruising.

Time of Year to Sail

We sailed on Emerlad Azzurra through the western Mediterranean Sea from the end of March into the first week of April. There were disadvantages to traveling this time of year on board the yacht and advantages to the timeframe in port.

Disadvantage onboard: The only real drawback to sailing in late March and early April – which is true for pre-season and post-season shoulder times – is using the exterior spaces. We were incredibly lucky with gorgeous weather in Europe every day in the 60s, with the sun shining. That said, it's always cooler on the water.

Despite the sun, which we were grateful for, it was often way too cold outside to enjoy Emerald Azzurra's outdoor spaces. This was especially true when the ship was sailing when the wind made the temperature colder than when it was docked.

A couple of days when we were docked, the weather allowed us to have lunch on the outside terrace of La Cucina restaurant. On the Pool Deck and Sky Deck, some guests bundled up and snuggled under towels to relax on one of the lounge chairs in the sunshine.

We went in the hot tub, but it was too chilly to enjoy for more than 15 minutes. And we were not brave enough to test the pool temperature, but it sure looked gorgeous! We know that even an indoor pool is cold on small ships from experience, like sailing on Emerald Sky . Braving the outdoor pool was not in the cards this trip!

Next time we book an Emerald Azzurra or Emerald Sakara yacht cruise, we will wait a couple more weeks to sail so we can fully enjoy the hot tub and pool if we're traveling in Europe. Alternatively, if you want to sail during early spring or fall, it's a great time to cruise the Caribbean.

Pro in ports: It was so nice to be visiting before peak season in ports. Inevitably, tourists flock to Mediterranean regions during summer. This includes places like Greece, Croatia, Italy, and nearby countries.

Best time to Vacation on Emerald Cruises Yachts

Best time of year for mediterranean cruises.

In our opinion, the best time of year to sail on Emerald Azzurra or Emerald Sakara in Europe is late April to early May, before peak tourist season in the Mediterranean. Or alternatively, fall from the last week of September to early October in that area.

Best Time of Year for Caribbean Cruises

The great thing about Caribbean cruise itineraries with Emerald Cruises is that they only offer itineraries in this region of the world during ideal times to sail the Carribean Sea. Generally speaking, they offer Caribbean yacht cruises from November through March.

Emerald Azzurra Itineraries

Emerald Cruises offers plenty of itineraries aboard their yachts. You can vacation in Europe like we did and sail on the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. You can also sail the Americas on a Caribbean yacht cruise or one in Central America. To maximize your sea days, choose a Transatlantic sailing.

Caribbean and Central America

Explore destinations from the Grenadines to St. Vincent and Barbados in the Caribbean with Emerald Cruises yachts. Head to St. Barth's on an Eastern Caribbean itinerary, stopping at St. Lucia, Antigua, and Martinique.

Explore Costa Rica and Panama's lush and adventure-filled port towns in Central America.

Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea

Discover historic towns and iconic city centers throughout Europe as you travel from port to port in the lap of luxury. Can you imagine pulling into port on a yacht in Nice, France?! Envision it, and then book your cruise to make it a reality!

Emerald Cruises yachts sail the French and Italian Rivieras on the Mediterranean. They also cruise along the Adriatic Sea, visiting Croatia and Italy before ending in France.

Alternatively, uncover Greek and Italian destinations as we did on an Ionian Sea itinerary.

Emerald Azzurra Ionean Sea Adventure

Our Mediterranean journey on Emerald Azzurra was a dream come true. We knew Emerald Cruises would take us to the best ports (including some we never heard of until this cruise) and have wonderful tour guides. Both turned out to be true.

Some of our favorite ports on the itinerary included Athens and Cephalonia in Greece and Sicily's charming city of Taormina.

Athens, Greece

We embarked on our Ionean Sea Adventure at the Port of Piraeus, which is a 15-minute drive from Athens. We came in a few days early so we could enjoy the city and learn more about Greek culture and history.

It was a joy to be able to visit the Acropolis, eat plenty of Greek salad, olives, and seafood, and drink Greek Mythos beers.

Cephalonia, Greece

Some of the most stunning water and coastline we've ever laid eyes on, anywhere, was in Cephalonia during our Emerald Azzurra cruise.

Gratitude overflowed when the bus made a special stop at a viewpoint to see Myrtos Beach. The milky turquoise blue water changes depending on the day's sunlight, yet our guide told us it's also breathtaking. Words could never adequately describe the view.

We were also treated to a short rowboat ride in Melissani Cave, with jaw-dropping jewel-toned water. It was like we were looking through topaz gemstones that shimmered in the sunlight.

Taormina, Sicily

Taormina is a coastal town that has incredible views of the Mediterranean. Not to mention, it was the location of season two of HBO's famous hit show, White Lotus. It was so much fun to be able to recognize the streets of Taormina that Dan and I saw in one or two of the episodes and see the outside of the White Lotus hotel in person.

The city has Roman roots and plenty to admire regardless of HBO fandom.

Far beyond our White Lotus thoughts was experiencing the city's energy for a few hours during an included walking tour organized by Emerald Cruises. Emerald Azzurra was docked at a Sicilian port nearby in Catania. Buses drove us 70 minutes north to Taormina.

The Taormina excursion was seamless, and we learned so much during our walking tour, which included tickets for a guided tour through the Ancient Theater of Taormina (Teatro Antico di Taormina). Without our guide, we would never have understood the meaning and legend behind the Sicilian ceramic heads or about Etna, the island's active volcano.

Our favorite part of our visit was the free time we had. We were grateful this was a schedule option, and we were still able to meet up with the group to take the bus back to the yacht. If you visit Taormina, getting “lost” in the streets and passageways there is a must. We had the best of the tourism world between our free time and guided tour.

Civitavecchia, Italy

It was such a dream to end our cruise in Civitavecchia, which is close to Rome. We decided to extend our vacation to explore this famous city on our own for a few days. It was easy to do thanks to the awesome location of our disembarkation port, just a quick train ride from Rome.

We saw all the hits, from the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, Victor Emmanuel II Monument in Piazza Venezia, to the Trevi Fountain. We also ate all the classics, from Cacio e Pepe to Pizza, which is how we know firsthand how on par the Emerald Azzurra pasta dishes are with the creations of Roman chefs !

Ready to Book Your Cruise or INquire?

Use our preferred travel advisors, bolds travel, because….

• They take away the hassle of travel planning : time spent on the phone with the cruise line could be time you spend doing other things.
• You don't pay them a dime : their service is free (this is because they get paid by the cruise line or destination).
• Their experience: They have decades of experience and attention to detail.

Included Excursions On Itineraries

Emerald Cruises includes an excursion option for their guests in most ports. On their yachts, there are options to pay for additional excursions as part of their DiscoverMORE programming.

For example, if you're in Sicily, you may have the opportunity to do a unique Godfather tour, visiting the movie's local filming locations for an additional fee per guest.

However, you don't have to do an excursion at all. One of the great things about the yacht cruise is that it takes you to incredibly pedestrian-friendly ports. If you get off the ship and want to explore on your own, you can.

You can also opt to ride one of the ship's “Gocycle” bikes at your leisure, included in the cruise fare. These state-of-the-art electric bicycles cost $5,499 each on Gocycle's website! So if you have ever wanted to test one out, it's a great opportunity to do so.

Ship Movement

When you sail on a yacht cruise ship , you feel the movement more than a river cruise ship , yet likely less than a sailboat or sailing cruise ship . This is why we always travel with anti-nausea solutions , including medication, motion sickness patches, Blisslets, and Non-Drowsy Dramamine or Bonine.

Motion Sickness Fixes

There were times when we hardly felt the ship's movement while sailing and other times when the water was a bit rougher, which affected us more.

But you'll enjoy the ship more when you're sailing if you're equipped with the right medications should motion sickness creep up on you. The Captain did a great job of doing his best to avoid rough routes and provide as smooth a cruise as possible, yet no matter how you slice it, when you cruise on a yacht, you'll be on an ocean contesting with Mother Nature.

Emerald Azzurra Yacht Cruise Cost

One of the best things about sailing on Emerald Azzurra is the cost. You get to feel like a celebrity on a yacht for a minimal cost! Emerald Cruises provides amazing value, just like their river cruises , regardless of whether you're on their river or yacht cruises.

The cruise line does not nickel and dime you. Nearly everything is included in your cruise fare unless you want to add DiscoverMORE excursions or upgrade to a drinks Platinum Package.

Airport transfers, port fees, taxes, and gratuities are included, as well as things like soft drinks, beer, and wine with lunch and dinner. Wifi is included onboard, as is the use of all the marina toys, including SEABOBs, paddleboards, and kayaks.

Cruises start from $3,675 per person or $7,030 per couple.

Read this next:

• Emerald Azzurra vs. Scenic Eclipse: Super Yacht Cruises
• Affordable All-Inclusive Yacht Cruise that lets you Vacation Like a Celebrity: Emerald Azzurra
• Emerald Cruises vs. Viking River Cruises: Who Wins?

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Emerald Azzurra

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This Gorgeous New 100-passenger Cruise Ship Is Like a Superyacht — but Affordable

In the eastern Mediterranean, one frequent cruiser discovers that, sometimes, the superyacht life can be surprisingly accessible.

Marco Argüello

Lounging on a daybed beside the dreamy infinity pool on the new Emerald Azzurra, avowed non-cruiser Mel Jennings was having a pinch-me moment. Not only was she at sea, on a sleek ship, off the coast of Egypt, but she was loving the low-key vibe.

“You hear ‘superyacht’ and you think wealthy people flaunting designer clothes,” she told me as we both soaked in the scene. “Most people here are down to earth — and have a sense of humor.”

That’s exactly the point. The 100-passenger Emerald Azzurra might best be described as a superyacht for the rest of us. The 361-foot vessel is built for warm-weather sailings in the Mediterranean, as well as the Adriatic and the Red Sea. But what really sets it apart are inclusive fares that start at less than $600 per person per day. It’s one of a kind in the world of luxury cruising, where prices are typically double or even triple that — at least until the planned summer launch of a nearly identical yacht, Emerald Sakara, which will sail in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

I got a firsthand look at the Azzurra in March 2022, on one of its very first sailings, from Aqaba, Jordan, to Athens: every inch of the vessel, it seemed, gleamed, with glass, mirrors, polished stainless steel, and Italian marble. The retro-chic pool, where I met Jennings, is surrounded by furnishings from Italian designer Paola Lenti, and the ship’s colorful zigzag-patterned towels and bathrobes are supplied by Missoni Home Collection. Swivel chairs and rounded Love sofas from the Dutch company Moooi gave me flashbacks to James Bond movies from the 1970s.

I felt a bit like a secret agent myself, what with all the water toys buzzing around the ship. When Azzurra is at anchor, passengers can take out kayaks, paddleboards, and Seabobs, handheld motorized watercraft for snorkeling or diving. Three hydro-jet speedboats, which get pushed out of the hull by a giant claw, serve as tenders for transport to shore. As on larger ships, passengers can choose from a variety of excursions: on my trip in the eastern Mediterranean, the choices included a tour of the ancient city of Petra and an e-bike ride around Kuşadasi, Turkey.

The onboard experience rivals that of more luxurious lines, such as Scenic, which, like Emerald, is owned by the Australian entrepreneurs Glen and Karen Moroney. They recruited experienced staff from other high-end cruise brands, and the result is a personable crew — they remember your name and are happy to share their own stories. (I met one acoustic guitarist, Pablo Briceño, who’s trying to make it big on Spotify.) Most of Azzurra’s cabins have balconies, and top staterooms, including the Owner’s and Yacht suites, have spacious terraces.

The food, which incorporates plenty of local ingredients, is excellent. I loved the healthy shots — blueberry smoothies one morning; a blend of watermelon, lime, chile, and cinnamon another — and fresh figs at the breakfast buffet; a chef carved portions of a giant line-caught tuna at lunch. At night, the buffet area of the restaurant La Cucina becomes an open kitchen, and passengers sit, indoors or out, at big tables that encourage conversation with new friends. (There are also some smaller tables for date nights.)

On my trip, most passengers preferred to be out of their cabins and socializing. Trivia contests — made more fun by the mix of American, Australian, and British passengers — were particularly popular. Emerald had scheduled a DJ’d dance party around the big whirlpool and Sky Bar on the top deck, but unseasonably chilly weather nixed that plan. If Olivia Newton John comes over the speakers, I imagine the Aussies go wild.

A version of this story first appeared in the December 2022/January 2023 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "All Decked Out."

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Azzura is a custom sailing yacht launched in 1998 by Jongert Yachts and most recently refitted in 2008.

Azzura measures 29.26 feet in length and has a beam of 6.70 feet. She has a deck material of teak.

Azzura has an aluminium hull with an aluminium superstructure.

Her interior design is by Peter Sijm.

Azzura also features naval architecture by Doug Peterson.

Performance and Capabilities

Azzura has a fuel capacity of 4,500 litres, and a water capacity of 3,000 litres.

Accommodation

Azzura accommodates up to 6 guests in 3 cabins. She also houses room for up to 4 crew members.

Other Specifications

Azzura has a hull NB of 397.

• Yacht Builder Jongert Yachts No profile available
• Naval Architect Doug Peterson No profile available
• Exterior Designer Doug Peterson No profile available
• Interior Designer Peter Sijm No profile available

Yacht Specs

Other jongert yachts.

96′ Jongert 3000M – “Azzura” (1998)

Charleston, South Carolina

Usd$ 3,950,000.

Charleston, SC

Engine | Fuel

345-hp Mercedes | Diesel

Hull Material

USD$3,950,000

More Information

Boat Details

Make: Jongert

Model: 3000M

Length: 95.96 feet

Price: USD$3,950,000

Class: Deck Saloon

Hull Material: Aluminum

Beam: 22.21 feet

Boat Location: Charleston, South Carolina

Name: Azzura

• Fuel Type: Diesel

Description

1998 Jongert 3000M Azzura, designed by Doug Peterson and built by the Dutch shipyard Jongert, is a unique yacht which represents a stunning example of good design, full of innovative features and ideas. It’s no wonder that this vessel is recognized so widely in the yachting world. From concept to present day ownership, Azzura has been in the hands of owners, whose understanding and appreciation of the flexibility of everything that has been crafted into this stunning yacht, from her tall cutter rig, slim hull, attractive and functional freeboard, cavernous garage, ease of sailing to internal and external comfort, not forgetting the unique folding keel that allows entry to marinas and anchorages of which other vessels of this size only dream.

Go to https://sailazzura.com for more.

On deck the anchor fits snugly into the stem ensuring the foredeck remains uncluttered, winches are sensibly laid out around the base of the mast with adequate turning blocks for halyards and hoisting lines. The genoa and staysail halyards have adjustable hydraulic rams to increase or reduce halyard tension whilst under sail. The in mast furling main is a breeze to set or furl in from the helm position utilizing intelligently laid out controls. The headsails and boom can all be safely controlled from the aft deck area far from the owner guest areas, ensuring safety at all times. All three sails are new from the Doyle loft in November 2021. From the rear deck the huge garage can be entered via the deck hatch. The 4.2m, 14’ tender with 50hp outboard is swallowed up, along with the Bauer dive compressor, dive bottles, dive gear, several paddle boards, kayaks, water ski’s, wake board, towable toys, a paraphernalia of other service maintenance items, large tool box and shore power unit leaving a substantial amount of space for a host of other items should you require. The garage door can be lowered to provide a large bathing platform that yachts twice the size would be proud of. The access ladder from the aft deck and the bathing ladder are neatly stowed in the garage too.

Back at the helm station seating is laid out around the helm consul that bristles with instruments set up to provide all the information an astute sailor needs along with the B and G  7” touch screen multifunctional chart-plotter. At the helm the main engine can be started, stopped, boom raised and lowered, backstay tension adjusted, thrusters deployed and operated and autopilot controlled.

Moving forward into the sliding roofed wheelhouse, with its excellent all-round view, it houses two circles of practical contoured seating which wrap around a pair of tables on either side of the central walkway. This layout provides seating for at least eight guests with the starboard table also having an additional two-fold away seats that increase this capacity. Forward of this are the interior helm and navigation stations with comfortable seating that make passage making in inclement weather conditions so much safer and more bearable.

Again, there is a plethora of instrumentation and twin 19 inch B and G Zeus3 multifunctional touch screen displays supplemented by a further stand-alone PC based Navigational 19” Screen on the starboard side. The vessel can be steered, utilizing the joystick Segatron Autopilot from within the wheelhouse along with thruster deployment control. Engine Stop, Start throttle controls along with the keel, raising lowering switches are also situated in this area.

Entering, the fully air conditioned, accommodation via an elegant curved wooden motorized hatch, you make your way down the companionway steps to the light and airy main saloon, which is timelessly finished out in modern fabrics, twin sofas, arm chair and exquisite cabinetry. The glassware Royal Doulton bone china is housed in a perfectly formed cabinet that also houses the Television, which can be neatly stowed away when not in use. The saloon can also be used as an indoor dining area with a well-crafted expandable dining table situated to port with wrap around seating. Neatly hidden away is the bar, sink, ice maker small drinks fridge. The galley crew quarters are separated by a sensor controlled, pneumatic activated door. The galley is fully fitted out with Miele stove and oven, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine and tumble drier. Corian worktops provide space for food preparation along with two upright fridges, two upright freezers, a single underfloor freezer and deep bilge bin system for all food storage. The galley is fitted with a twin basin, one of which houses the Insinkerator and the other a separate Quooker brand hot tap for instant hot water. There are plenty of cupboards to house all the necessary galley essentials. To the port side is the crew seating and system control panel. Further forward are crew quarters consisting of two double bunk cabins, each with ensuite shower, toilet and sink.

Leading aft, down a flight of steps from the main saloon, takes you into the owner guest area along with the engine room entry point. From the passageway there are two guest cabins each with two full size single beds, each cabin having their own ensuite facilities. Further aft is situated the master cabin.

Again, wonderfully fitted out with a queen size double bed, drawers, storage underneath, in the center, twin seater couch to starboard, bookshelf, twin double wardrobes and two other cupboard units. To port is the spacious ensuite with large shower, with seat, vanity unit toilet.

Last major refit on Azzura was carried out at Vitters Shipyard in 2018 and 2019, too many items serviced, repaired, replaced to list. Please enquire with Broker (Dana Davidson).

Specifications

Speed & distance.

• Cruising Speed: 8 knots
• Max Speed: 12 knots
• Range: 1740 nm
• Length Overall: 95.96 feet
• Max Draft: 14.11 feet
• Beam: 22.21 feet
• Cabin Headroom: 6.56 feet
• Length at Waterline: 79.99 feet

Miscellaneous

• Windlass: Hydraulic Windlass
• Life Raft Capacity: 12
• Fresh Water Tank: 2 x 396.26 Gallons (Aluminum)
• Fuel Tank: 1 x 1347.28 Gallons (Aluminum)
• Holding Tank: 3 x 184.92 Gallons (Aluminum)

Accommodations

• Engine Make: Mercedes
• Engine Model: 183 V10
• Engine Year: 1998
• Total Power: 345 horse power
• Engine Hours: 2500 hours
• Engine Type: Inboard
• Drive Type: Direct Drive
• Propeller Type: 4 Blade
• Propeller Material: Bronze

Other Details

Hydraulic Folding Keel:

• Jongert Uniquely Designed External Folding Keel ( no loss of internal space ).
• The keel folds and becomes flat allowing the yacht access to shallow areas, 8 feet; then, when she is extended to her full depth in deep water, she sails nearly as well as a racing yacht
• Draft – Fully Down: 4.3 m
• Fully Retracted: 2.3 m See great youtube video showing vessel keel operation.

Hull and Deck

Aluminum hull with frequently welded frames in both hull and deck for superior strength. Unique aluminum painting system, inside the hull, protects the material from wasting and corrosive effects of other dis-similar metals. Exterior of hull was stripped of all paint and completely re-primed and repainted in 2019 at Vitters shipyard.

GROUND TACKEL

• Stem located Bruce anchor
• 100m 16mm chain
• Quick Chain Counter – CHC 1102M ( New Hand Controller 2022 )
• Spare Fortress – FX125 anchor
• Lewmar 5000 hydraulic windlass
• Extensive warps, lines & fenders
• Mast Base – Lewmar 77 (Hydraulic), Lewmar 66 (x3)
• Aft Deck – Lewmar 111 (Hydraulic x2), Lewmar 88 (Hydraulic), Lewmar 88 (x2)
• Lewmar 66 (x2), Lewmar 64 (x3)
• Hydromar Custom Captive Winch (under galley floor) – Serves as Outhaul for Main – HCW-3

SOME SUBSTANTIAL FEATURES

• Large Tender Garage : The garage stores has impressive geometry and is simply enormous. All water toys, dive gear, food, water, bicycles, oars, spares etc, may be stored in the garage. A hydraulically operated door lowers and forms a large beach or access island for getting guests and supplies easily aboard.
• Dockrider side boarding platform – Port side : This system is stored in the place it serves. It can be deployed by one person, and is built in to the boat, an incredible convenience.
• Seawalk Stern Passerelle – Hydraulic : Built in passarelle is easily deployed. Seldom seen are Passarelles built in to the hull in yachts below 130 feet.

Propulsion, Main Engine and Systems

• Mercedes MTU 183 V10 AA91 OM423, Non turbo 345 HP / 254kW at 2300rpm
• Cruising speed at 1850rpm / 8.5 knots
• Cruising range at 25L per hr / Minimum 1734nm
• Max speed at 2300rpm / 12 knots
• Gearbox is a ZF IRM310A
• Primary Fuel Filtration all engines Racor Double Units
• Propeller Four Bladed Fixed drives a generator that allows the boat, whilst sailing, to completely power the vessels lower voltage electrical systems. From the BVI’s to Newport, the shaft mounted generator allowed the boat to charge its batteries and keep refrigerators and systems completely charged, without the usage of the large ships generators.
• Two Northern Lights generators – Both new 2019.

Spars, Sails and Rigging

RIG and RIGGING :

• Mast – Nirvana Spars 3 spreader rig (aluminum) with In Mast Furling; Boom (aluminum) with hydraulic vang Reckmann Furlers RF90- 4 (Genoa) & RF90-3- (Staysail)- both with twin track
• Dual cylinder hydraulic backstays
• Aluminum R5 foils
• Main Doyle (new Nov 2021) Hydronet Radial Cut, 160.6sqm or 1728.84sqft
• Stay Sail Doyle, new Nov 2021, Hydronet Radial Cut, 83.11sqm (894.66sqft)
• Genoa Doyle (new Nov 2021) Hydronet Radial Cut, 213.77sqm (2301sqft)
• MPS (Date Unknown) 503sqm (5,412sqft)

Navionics, Communications

• VHF (Handheld) ICOM M25 (x3)
• VHF (Handheld – Floating) Standard Horizon HX3000 (x2)
• VHF DSC Sailor 6222 with remote handset at helm & (New 2021) handset in crew mess
• VHF Sailor 6248 with remote handset at helm
• Headsets (Bluetooth) Sena SPH10. (New 2021)
• Radar Simrad Halo Pulse Compression (Multiband)
• Autopilot Segatron (Complete Overhaul 2019)
• AIS Digital Yacht AIT3000 Class B AIS Transponder
• NavPC (Stand Alone) Optiplex 7050 64bit i7-7700CPU, Windows10 Pro, Operating TimeZero Navigator
• Satellite KVH3 & Fleet 150 Broadband
• Satellite Phone Iridium Extreme
• Loudhailer Raymarine Ray 430 with Auto Sound Signal Generator
• Instruments Integrated B&G Displays Zeus3 19”(x2), Vulcan 12R (x1),Zeus3 7”(x1), H5000 Race (x3), Triton2 (x9), Operating
• Navionics Software (All new 2018)
• Sirius WM4 Receiver (New 2020)
• Printer / Scanner HP Laserjet M29w & M28w (Wi-Fi Enabled)
• Wi-Fi Access Points (x6), Bullet Wi-Fi Aerial
• Cradle Point Cell module (New 2022)

Main Systems

Impressive systems compliment Azzuras self sustaining nature. She has large, frankly oversized systems by any measure. All of the systems have been thought thru with advanced engineering in mind and are superbly dependable.

BOW THRUSTERS:

• Retractable Hydromar Bow Thruster model HBT DP 35, 48 horsepower. Retractable.
• Hydromar Stern Thruster HBT DP 20 27Hp Retractable

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM:

• Hydromar Custom Hydraulic System Main Engine PTO 32kW, 3 x 4 kW Electric PTO’s

GENERATORS:

• TWO Northern Lights Generators M944W3 26 kW 3 phase 50hz – New 2019. Many updates.

WATER MAKER:

• HEM 25 Water maker 4 Membrane / 240 Liters per hour

AIR CONDITIONING:

• The yacht is fully air conditioned with a Chilled Water Type Cooling system where cooled water is circulated thoroughout the yacht.
• Marine Air Dometic brand Chiller SCW108 Three Compressor 108,000 BTU
• Dometic Air Handling Units in accommodation New in 2019

TOILETS AND TREATMENT SYSTEMS:

• Hamann AG. Super Mini Waste Treatment Unit;
• Dometic Freshwater toilets New in 2019
• Bilge Ventilation System
• Freshwater NIBE Heater Element Tank ELK 213 New December 2020;
• Hotwater NIBE Storage Tank– SP120 New December 2020

Tank Capacities

• Fuel Diesel 4600 Liters, Additional 670 Liters reserve tank.
• Total 5170 Liters or 1365 US gallons
• Fresh Water Total 3000 Liters or 792 US gallons
• Black Total 700 liters or 185 US gallons
• Grey Total 1400 liters 370 US gallons
• Clean Oil Total 200 liters or 53 US gallons
• Dirty Oil Total 200 liters or 53 US gallons
• AC Systems: Voltage 380/220v 50Hz AC and 115v 60Hz AC.
• DC systems 24/12v DC
• Atlas Marine Shore Power Unit: ShorePOWER Classic 25kVA
• Output 220/380V 3 Ph, 50Hz. Rebuilt and fully serviced 2020
• Batteries (House) Master Volt 2v Gel Cells MVSV1250 (x12)
• (Start) Power Tec AGM 8A8D 12v 245Ah (x2)
• Battery Chargers (House) Master Volt Mass 24/100 3 phase (x4) (Start) Master Volt Magic 24/24-20
• Master Volt Inverter, Mass 24/5000 220v/50hz (x1); Master Volt Mass 24/2500 220v/50Hz (x1)
• Master Volt Mass 24/2500 110v/60Hz
• Shaft Drive Alternator Bosch 28v 70/140A
• Two large generators, new in 2019, note details in mechanical description.

Azzura was built for long distance cruising. Consequently she has impressive storage, and it is nearly everywhere. There is storage for mechanical parts, pillows and sheets, food, supplies. Truly innovative in the approach, the engineers and interior designers at Jongert looked everywhere for storage lockers and found exceptional spaces.

• Galley : Beneath the galley sole is a cavernous space that has been made into a dry storage bin system. Plastic Cases stow neatly allowing the chef to store large quantities of supplies.
• Aft Hallway : Between the two guest cabins, there is plentiful space with numerous closets for bed linens and other cabin items.
• ALARMS: Alarm System Located in galley various system alarms.
• FIRE hydrants located port mid-ship and foredeck
• Fire Extinguishers throughout vessel (Inspection All In date)
• LIFE RAFT: Two six person Viking life rafts mounted, one each side of the stern quarters with Hydrostatic release.
• LIFESLING Man Overboard Device repacked 2016
• Jon Buoy Man Overboard Device (New August 2022)
• Safety Harness 6 SOLAS
• Life Jacket(s) 2 Automatic Type in each Cabin plus additional ones in safety locker
• Fire Blankets in Galley.
• Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors throughout all accommodation.

Water Sports & Tender

Tender & other Accessories

• Novurania 4.2m with Evinrude 50Hp E-TEC (2 Stroke) (New 2018)
• Bauer Junior Dive Compressor
• Dive Bottles (x3)
• Wet Suits, BCD & Regulator
• Water Ski’s
• Paddleboards

Other Features

• Azzurra’s lifting keel allows access to shallow areas that other vessels of similar size cannot access due to their deep draft.  Azzura’s draft is 2.3m, or 8 feet, with keel up and 4.3m, 14 feet, with keel down.
• She has a cavernous Garage for tender, bicycles, and multitudes of other items such as dive equipment, water toys, tools, equipment and spares.
• The very large garage door acts as a huge swim platform for safe entry to and from the water along with a dock area for the tender to pick up & land guests. It also aids embarking equipment and supplies.
• A Passarelle is built into the transom for access when stern to.  A ‘Dock Rider’ is built into the port side of the hull allows side boarding access.
• Large cockpit layout.  Another enormous advantage. Seating allows for entertaining larger groups.
• Performance sailing along with stylish comfort, rare to find. Great sailing qualities, ease of handling while still safe, fast and comfortable.
• Manageable sail plan with minimum of crew. Hydraulic systems and decent layout of controls and winches allows guests to enjoy sailing experience with the maximum of safety.
• Two superbly comfortable Guest cabins, both with ensuite heads and stall showers.  Private, full beam Master cabin with large ensuite and two Crew cabins equally well fitted out, again both with their own ensuite heads. Captain’s cabin has the advantage of a work station, technical folder stowage and convertible single to double bunk.
• Salon is superbly delightful. Eating, entertaining, relaxing and television watching. Two large couches, recliner, coffee table, expandable dining table and bar with sink and ice machine make this area so versatile.
• Superb original build. One of best built as original owners representative attended entire build.
• First captain on the boat for 17 years. Current Captain has been onboard for nearly three years.
• Current Captain, former marine engineer, is very hands on in all areas of the vessel ensuring that quality of upkeep is of the standard (or higher) than the original yard set.
• During late 2018 and first half of 2019, an extensive refit undertaken at Vitter’s  – new decks, windows, paint all around, rig out, rigging tested, re-headed or replaced as required. Nirvana Spars painted and rebuilt. Fridges all maintained and refreshed. Massive maintenance of all systems, new generators, new Air Handlers, extensive interior refit – soft goods such as cushions, blinds, wool carpets all replaced. Refit of engine space and many of other spaces. Tanks cleaned and repainted as required. A number of Miele appliances replaced. Main engine removed and returned to Manufacturer for overhaul, new generators fitted.  Many pumps overhauled and bilge system remote operation valves fitted. Hydraulic sailing components serviced and overhauled. Steering system and rudder serviced.
• Engine room is a feat of engineering – in that it all makes sense. Compact layout and well insulated yet most serviceable items have good access.
• Siding Roof on Wheelhouse.
• US Duty PAID
• Designed to be easily maintained. Heavy lifting done by her current owner. Needs nothing to go offshore.
• Mercedes 183, 10 cylinder diesel. Powerful and quiet main engine. Super reliable and smooth.
• Storage spaces throughout vessel allows for substantial spares and stores.
• Hydraulic Passarelle in Transom BUILT IN. Port side boarding ladder for ease of boarding when side to.

Neither brokers nor owner offer warranty’s of any kind. It is the buyers responsibility to hire competent marine surveyors to assess the fit and fitness of the vessel. All inventory is stated on the listing and any item not listed should be considered excluded from the inventory of the vessel.

For additional information, please contact Dana Davidson +1 (401) 965-1684

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If you have any questions about the AZZURA information page below please contact us .

Luxury sailing yacht AZZURA was built by well-known Dutch Jongert in 1998, she was refitted in 2007. AZZURA measures 29 meters (95.1ft) and can accommodate 6 guests in 3 cabins.

S/Y AZZURA has an inviting interior; the salon is adorned in quality teak woods, fine white leather soft furnishings, azure blue carpeting and features the formal dining space on the port side and a cocktail lounge complete with settee and lazy boy recliner on the starboard.

AZZURA Specifications

Sailing Yacht AZZURA offers generous outdoor spaces, the guests cockpit is cleverly separate from the helm and offers an alfresco dining option and plenty of additional seating, by the helm there is more comfortable seating. AZZURA’s transom converts into a large swim platform which doubles as the yachts water toys garage door.

She has a beam of 6.77 meters (22.2ft) and a draft of 4.3 meters (14.1ft) which also folds up to 2.3 meters (7.54ft) for better shallow draft access, the yacht cruises at speeds of 9 knots with maximum speeds of 12 knots.

Yacht Accommodation

Sailing Yacht AZZURA accommodates 6 guests in 3 cabins.

Amenities and Extras

Azzura disclaimer:.

The luxury yacht AZZURA displayed on this page is merely informational and she is not necessarily available for yacht charter or for sale, nor is she represented or marketed in anyway by CharterWorld. This web page and the superyacht information contained herein is not contractual. All yacht specifications and informations are displayed in good faith but CharterWorld does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the current accuracy, completeness, validity, or usefulness of any superyacht information and/or images displayed. All boat information is subject to change without prior notice and may not be current.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

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AZZURA Yacht Layout & GA Plans

29.3m  /  96'2 | jongert | 1998 / 2008.

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NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

NOTE TO U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION

Due to the international and fluid nature of the yachting business and the fact there is no global central industry listing service to which all charter yachts subscribe it is impossible to ascertain a truly up-to-date view of the market. We are a news and information service and not always informed when yachts leave the charter market, or when they are recently sold and renamed it is not clear if they are still for charter. Whilst we use our best endeavors to maintain accurate information, the existence of a listing on this website should in no way supersede official documentation supplied by representatives of a yacht.

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