Sleek, sparkling Emerald Kaia waited expectantly at the dock in Limassol, the vibrant port on the south coast of Greek-speaking Cyprus. A passerby might have mistaken her for a billionaire’s extravagant private yacht.
But no, Kaia, Emerald Cruises’ luxurious superyacht, sat awaiting her maiden voyage. My husband and I were about to fulfill a long-held dream — to sail the islands of the Mediterranean.
The family-owned Scenic Group, which includes Emerald Cruises, is the only cruise company to design, build, and operate its own ships. Today, the 40-year-old Australian conglomerate, with a Canadian head office in Vancouver, has a fleet of 13 river, ocean, and expedition vessels. Emerald Kaia ushers in a new era in luxury yachts.
From Cyprus, the 11-day itinerary took us to the Eastern Mediterranean’s historic and picturesque islands, en route to Athens and the Acropolis. Emerald Kaia, with capacity for 128 guests, was able to reach charming ports that could not accommodate large ships. And lineups to get off and on the ship never occurred.
Ultra-Modern Comforts on Emerald’s Superyacht
Luxurious Emerald Kaia features contemporary amenities, like paddle boards, and state-of-the-art features that add immensely to guests’ comfort. At top, the superyacht makes a stop on its maiden voyage earlier this year. (Emerald Cruises photo)
The first day at sea gave us time to unwind, to explore the ship and marvel at the luxurious, unpretentious, on-board atmosphere. Relaxing on the Observation Sun Deck or lounging in the cabanas provided a perfect setting to appreciate the sweeping coastlines of Greece and Turkey, as well as the Mediterranean’s sparkling waters.
History came to life when we landed at the Old Town on Rhodes. Wandering through the maze of narrow, cobbled streets with their ancient fountains, hidden courtyards and centuries-old buildings, we were awed by the layers of civilization — Gothic archways, Ottoman mosques, and Byzantine churches. About 2 miles (3 kilometers) of thick stone walls built by the Knights of St. John in the 14th and 15th centuries, surround what the UNESCO World Heritage Site committee considers one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns. Tucked between these ancient marvels, we found private homes, trendy boutiques, tiny cafés, and lively tavernas.
Not fans of throngs of summer tourists or sweltering heat, we found April was the ideal time to visit. Spring was underway. Early mornings were cool enough for a sweater. By midday, the temperature warmed to 60 to 77 Fahrenheit degrees (15 to 25 Celsius). The route to Athens crisscrossed the Mediterranean and Aegean seas with stops at ten ports, including an opportunity to dip into the Turkish coastline at Bodrum. A cluster of white buildings hugging the coastline welcomed us to each port. But each island had its own distinctive personality, intriguing history, myths, and legends. Each day brought new adventures.
Turkish Delights on the Mediterranean Sea
The sleek and sophisticated Amici Bar & Lounge will make you feel like you’re in a big-city hot spot while cruising aboard Emerald Kaia. (Emerald Cruises photo)
Stretching along the sun-drenched southwestern Aegean coast, Bodrum (aka the St. Tropez of Turkey) is the country’s most renowned international resort. For the first stop on Emerald Kaia’s maiden voyage, Emerald Cruises organized a memorable evening. The 2,300-year old Great Theatre of Ephesus provided the backdrop. At the grand, open-air Roman remains carved into the hillside, thousands once gathered for performances and public ceremonies.
As dusk settled over the remains of the ancient city, we climbed onto steep rows of marble seating for an exclusive presentation. Members of the string quintet took their places at the base of the theatre, beneath the open sky. From the first hauntingly beautiful notes, the remarkable acoustics became evident. The music filled the setting with warmth and life, a performance impossible to separate from the majestic ruins.
For me, the evening became more than a concert. It was a rare moment of connection with the ancient world, where we shared a few unforgettable hours in one of history’s greatest theaters, listening to music beneath the same stars that once shone over the citizens of Ephesus centuries ago.
Cruising Through the Best of the Greek Isles
Like many of the Greek Islands, Patmos is blessed with a pristine harbor surrounded by white-washed buildings and horizons that provide spectacular sunsets. (Adrian Brijbassi file photo for VacayNetwork.com)
Mykonos, the mythical birthplace of the gods Apollo and Artemis, savors its reputation as the playground of the Greek Islands, thanks to its luxury hotels, designer boutiques and glamorous atmosphere. In the 1960s, Jackie Onassis’s many visits put the island on the world tourist map.
By contrast, Patmos, a tranquil little island, accessible only by boat, is steeped in religious history. Towering over the capital Chora, the 11th-century Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian — another UNESCO World Heritage site, worth the hillside climb. Nearby, we toured the humble Cave of the Apocalypse, now a pilgrimage destination where, according to local legend, St. John wrote the book of Revelation.
MORE GREEK ISLES: Patmos Is Heavenly
Spetses is a small cosmopolitan island with 18th-century architecture, glittering blue coves and pine-covered hills. Cars are prohibited. Almost everything is within walking distance and easy to explore on foot. Anyone who prefers to ride can opt for a bike, scooter, or horse-drawn carriage.
While you can certainly dine ashore, Emerald’s superyacht features all-inclusive fare that incudes fine dining, beverages at lunch, dinner, and throughout the day, tips, port fees, and shore excursions. Each morning, we looked forward to a two-to four-hour tour. Mostly on foot. Some days, we enjoyed lunch at little cafés, then, explored on our own. Other days, we returned to enjoy the ship.
Life on Board Emerald Kaia
Sky Bar on Emerald Kaia provides a glam spot to unwind after shore excursions in the Mediterranean. (Emerald Cruises photo)
Emerald Kaia is the first of three “next generation yachts” in Emerald Cruises fleet. The low key, superyacht concept feels more like a private ship than a traditional cruise liner. The vibe? Intimate, upscale, and relaxed.
As you might expect, the décor is contemporary. Clean lines and a palette of subtle neutral colors made lively and bright with chrome and glass. Our compact balcony suite included everything we needed and nothing we didn’t. The outer glass wall opened onto a balcony for two — the perfect nook to enjoy the passing scenery as we sailed.
La Cucina, the signature restaurant, built around a bright open-kitchen offers delicious meals with buffet-style at breakfast and lunch and table service for dinner. Open seating gave us an opportunity to get to know other (mainly Australian, American, and Canadian) guests. Reservations (with an additional fee) are required for the eight-seat Night Market Grill for a multi-course tasting menu based on the dishes of the region.We sat at a bar and watched the chef prepare one after another Middle Eastern delights.
Tips for Staying Ship shape at Sea
The timeless Acropolis is one of the destinations Emerald Kaia passengers will have a chance to explore. (Anna Hobbs photo for VacayNetwork.com)
The law requires the presence of a doctor on board every commercial sea-going cruise ship. The last place you want to be on any cruise is in sick bay. With that in mind, I asked Dr. Juan Pablo Pularin, Emerald Kaia’s doctor, who had been sailing with Emerald Cruises for a year, to share tips on how to keep healthy while on the sea-going adventure.
“Wellness at sea begins before you leave home,” he told me. “Get a detailed, written description of any medical condition plus a medication list from your doctor. Don’t be like the guest who said he had forgotten ‘the little white pill that I take for my heart.’ Check vaccine recommendations for your destination and make sure all are up to date.”
With Emerald’s focus on healthy, active, and relaxing travel, Kaia includes a well-equipped indoor/outdoor gym, a salt therapy lounge, and a cold plunge. Early risers can participate in a daily exercise class. For total relaxation, the spa offers an array of luxurious treatments and therapies.
From a long-held dream to breathtaking reality in eleven days. With Athens and the Acropolis waiting.
