- Ultra-luxury cruise line Emerald Cruises announces its third ocean-going ship will debut in 2026.
- The all-inclusive ship, which Emerald calls a “yacht,” could accommodate up to 128 people.
- Emerald, known for its river cruises, is investing more in its maritime activities.
In recent years, the mainstream cruise industry’s larger-than-life mega-ships – equipped with noisy water parks and more dining options than you could eat in a week – dominated the spotlight.
But in the ultra-luxury cruise market, it’s the opposite. The smaller and more exclusive the ship, the better. So much so that Emerald Cruises’ next ocean ship, launched in 2026, does not plan to accommodate more than 128 travelers.
We are a long way from Royal Caribbean’s new cruise liner that can accommodate 7,600 passengers. And the price difference is just as significant: nearly $250 per night on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas versus more than $720 per night on the upcoming ultra-luxury Emerald Kaia.
“When people think of cruising now, they automatically think of these big ships,” Robert Castro, vice president of marketing for Scenic Group, Emerald’s parent company, told Business Insider. “There’s a market for it, but we’re in a unique position.”
businessinsider
