Where it sits

This is the yacht equivalent of what Emerald does on the rivers. Contemporary ships, sensible inclusions, priced below the premium competition without being cheap.

You are not getting the finish of a Ritz-Carlton yacht or the equipment of Scenic Eclipse. You are getting a genuinely small, genuinely comfortable ship at a price that a family might actually consider.

For a lot of people the choice is not between Emerald Yachts and a luxury yacht. It is between Emerald Yachts and a large mainstream cruise ship for similar money, and framed that way it is a very interesting proposition.

What the small size gives you

A couple of hundred guests. Ports that big ships cannot enter. No queues, no crowds, no scramble for a sun lounger.

On a Mediterranean itinerary this transforms the trip. Rather than being disgorged with four thousand people into a small Greek town, you arrive with two hundred and the place still works normally.

It also means a relaxed onboard culture. No dress code to speak of, no assigned dining, no ceremony.

The marina

Like the other yacht products, there is a watersports platform at the back. Swimming, paddleboards, kayaks and additional watercraft on some itineraries.

This is the feature that makes yacht cruising worth it for families with older children. It is the one thing a big ship genuinely cannot replicate.

Weather-dependent, as always, but on a summer Mediterranean or Caribbean route you will get plenty of it.

The ships and cabins

Modern and bright, in the same design language as the river fleet. Most accommodation has a balcony and the suites are generously sized.

Public spaces include a pool, a lounge, a small spa and a couple of dining venues. It is not a ship with a lot of facilities and it is not trying to be.

Storage is decent and the bathrooms are a proper size, which on a ten day trip matters more than another bar would.

Inclusions and price

Meals, some drinks and wi-fi are typically included, with the exact package varying by fare and booking market. Excursions are generally extra.

Less inclusive than the luxury yacht operators, which is precisely where the price difference comes from. That is an honest trade rather than a hidden one.

Check what your specific market includes, because Emerald packages differ noticeably between booking regions for the same sailing.

Children on board

No kids club and not many children, which is the standard answer across this whole category. The relaxed atmosphere and the marina make it more workable than most for a family with teenagers.

For younger children this remains the wrong category, and a mainstream family ship will give them a much better week for less money.

If you have a fifteen year old who has outgrown the kids club and finds big ships tedious, this is a good place to look.

Who I would book on it

Families with older teenagers who want small-ship travel in the Mediterranean or Caribbean without a luxury fare.

Couples and small groups who want a yacht experience as a first step into the category.

Anyone who has done big-ship cruising, liked the format and disliked the crowds. This is the direct answer to that.

Questions people actually ask