The executives at Emerald Cruises have orchestrated new ship launches in the past, but certainly none that faced all the challenges of the recent debut of Emerald Azzurra. The introduction of this striking new cruise ship was affected by a perfect storm of forces way beyond the cruise line’s control.
Indeed, when we boarded the ship in Aqaba, Jordan, the decor felt a bit spartan, and we soon learned most of the furnishings and artwork were still in shipping containers stuck in limbo due to the global supply chain crisis. But, as the 11-night “Treasures of the Red Sea and Ancient Greece” cruise progressed, many of the missing items and fittings were delivered, so that by the end, the ship looked magnificent.
Meanwhile, early in the cruise, several staff members were sidelined by COVID-19; but fortunately, after being isolated and testing negative, they were able to return to their duties after a few days.
The ship’s Observation Lounge is a cozy space for guests.
Credit: 2022 Emerald Cruises
External hurdles and startup issues aside, the sparkling, 100-guest Emerald Azzurra is a unique and fetching ship — with a long bow and wedge-shaped superstructure that is reminiscent of a super yacht. The vessel is the first ocean-going ship for Emerald — a sister brand of Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours — which has been a popular staple in European and Mekong river cruising since 2013. It will be joined by the identical Emerald Sakkara next year.
Emerald Azzurra has six decks. Unique onboard features include a gorgeous topside bar; a large whirlpool overlooking the bow; an infinity wading pool; an indoor/outdoor cafe at the stern; and a marina platform adjoining a “garage” stocked with a trio of private tenders, a Zodiac, kayaks, parasails and more.
Aside from the stylish hardware, great food and fantastic tours, what truly impressed me most was the attentive and efficient service.
The ship’s long bow houses two spacious open-air observation platforms, which are ideal for scenic cruising and up-close wildlife encounters.
Like Emerald’s river ships, Emerald Azzurra’s chic interior has a minimalist mid-century modern feel featuring tasteful artwork that stands out in a backdrop of muted color schemes, polished steel and mirrored surfaces. The Amici Lounge and La Cucina Restaurant — the latter of which has an outdoor terrace that will prove extremely popular in warmer climes — comfortably accommodate all guests in one sitting. In addition, the ship offers a cozy Observation Lounge with a selection of reference books and board games, along with a boutique, a small gym and a spa area.
Staterooms and suites range from the 1,193-square-foot Owner’s suites — with a huge forward-facing terrace, a separate bedroom and living room, a walk-in wardrobe and a bathroom with a tub and shower — to 204-square-foot Oceanview staterooms with a picture window. There are also a pair of aft-facing Terrace and Yacht suites that measure between 648 and 721 square feet and feature spacious wrap-around verandas that overlook the ship’s wake; a pair of 403-square-foot Deluxe Balcony suites that have separate living rooms and bedrooms, along with a side-facing balcony; and 303-square-foot Balcony staterooms, with either a queen or two twin beds, that have a narrow balcony with two chairs and a small table.
There are two Terrace suites on the Emerald Azzurra.
Credit: 2022 Emerald CruisesAll accommodations come with Espa brand toiletries, a large flat-screen television with an infotainment system, complimentary Wi-Fi access (high-speed is available for a fee), individual climate control, a minibar and more. Emerald also provides rechargeable headphones for use on tours.
The cuisine on my sailing was excellent, with breakfast and lunch buffets and full-service dinners that included white and red wines. When I wanted a pick-me-up, the Aqua Pool Cafe was the perfect spot, with its genuine espresso machine (there is also one in the Amici Bar) and friendly baristas. The Aqua Cafe also had a broad selection of pastries, muffins, smoothies and healthy “shots” in the morning, as well as sandwiches, cookies, gelato and made-to-order flatbreads. In addition, caffeine lovers had access to self-service espresso machines in the Amici Bar and Observation Lounge, along with a wide assortment of teas and cookies.
The Amici Bar is popular with passengers.
Credit: 2022 Emerald CruisesAside from the stylish hardware, great food and fantastic tours, what truly impressed me most was the attentive and efficient service. There was always a staff member ready to step in and deliver all those little touches that make a ship — or a super yacht — feel like a home.
The Details
Emerald Cruises
