Inaugural Season Preview: Emerald Kaia – Cruise Industry News

Set to become Emerald Cruises’ third mega yacht, the Emerald Kaia is currently under construction at the Halong Shipbuilding Company in Vietnam.

Cruise Industry News takes a closer look at the maiden season of the 100-guest vessel, which is scheduled to start in April 2026.

Maiden Voyage
Date: April 4, 2026
Length: 10 nights
Homeports: Limassol (Cyprus) to Piraeus (Greece)
Itinerary: Rhodes, Nisyros, Patmos, Delos, Mykonos, Spetses, Nafplio (Greece); Bodrum and Kusadasi (Turkey)

After repositioning to the Mediterranean, the Emerald Kaia is set to kick off its maiden season in Limassol on April 4, 2026.

Sailing to Piraeus, the open-jaw itinerary features visits to various destinations in Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. According to Emerald, the ten-night cruise is highlighted by visits to idyllic islands, UNESCO World Heritage sites and rugged landscapes.

Greece and the Adriatic featuring the Corinth Canal
Date: April 25, 2026
Length: 7 nights
Homeports: Piraeus (Greece) to Dubrovnik (Croatia)
Itinerary: Corinth Canal, Itea, Nydri, Parga and Corfu (Greece); Sarande (Albania); Kotor (Montenegro)

During most of its maiden season, the Emerald Kaia is set to offer itineraries that combine destinations in the Adriatic, the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.

As part of this seven-night cruise in late April, the ship sails from Greece to Croatia in an itinerary that features visits to Itea, Nydri, Parga, Corfu and Lotor. The itinerary is also highlighted by a transit of the Corinth Canal, as well as a stop in Albania’s Sarande.

Slovenia, Croatia and Italy
Date: June 13, 2026
Length: 7 nights
Homeport: Venice/Marghera (Italy)
Itinerary: Piran (Slovenia); Losinj, Senj, Krk, Opatija and Rovinj (Croatia)

In June, the Emerald Kaia is offering a port-intensive itinerary to Croatia and Slovenia, sailing roundtrip from Marghera, a port near Venice.

According to Emerald, the coastal cruise includes visits to stunning islands and towns, including Piran, Opatija and Rovinj. Sailing to off-the-beaten-path destinations in the region, the voyage also features a stop in Piran, Slovenia.

Adriatic and Croatia
Date: September 26, 2026
Length: 7 nights
Homeports: Dubrovnik (Croatia) to Venice/Marghera (Italy)
Itinerary: Split, Zadar and Opatija (Croatia); Piran (Slovenia)

Continuing its season in the Adriatic, the Emerald Kaia offers another itinerary to Croatia and Slovenia in late September. Sailing from Dubrovnik to Venice, the cruise includes visits to four destinations.

Highlights of the itinerary include a transit of Croatia’s Inside Passage, Emerald said, as well as a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Split.

Greece to Cyprus
Date: October 21, 2026
Length: 10 nights
Homeports: Piraeus (Greece) to Larnaca (Cyprus)
Itinerary: Delos, Mykonos, Patmos, Santorini, Kos and Rhodes (Greece); Bodrum and Antalya (Turkey); Paphos (Cyprus)

Set to spend its first winter season in the Indian Ocean, the Emerald Kaia starts its repositioning voyage with a ten-night cruise that sails from Greece to Cyprus.

According to Emerald, the itinerary features visits to some of the highlights of the Mediterranean, including Greece’s Athens, Mykonos and Santorini. Before ending in Larnaca, the cruise also sails to additional destinations in Turkey and Cyprus.