Small ship cruising is bigger than ever, and one company specializes in yachts under two brands: Scenic and Emerald. But which is best for you? It is, you might say, like choosing between diamonds and, well, emeralds! They’re both gems, but which jewel-box yacht suits your personal travel taste and style best? Here's my comparison to help you choose.
Quick sidebar: recently, we were filming aboard the Scenic Eclipse on the French Riviera and were thrilled when her sister, the Emerald ship, sailed up alongside. It’s always touching when sister ships meet! We got our drone up in the air to capture this meaningful moment – and the exquisite lines of these sister ships side by side!
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Scenic Eclipse and Emerald yachts meet in Saint Tropez on the French Riviera
STYLE:
Even from the video, a couple of quick differences between Scenic and Emerald yachts stand out:
Sleek, Contemporary architecture and reflecting design, and completely opposite. Scenic’s gleaming and dramatic black hull and gold lettering contrast with Emerald Yachts’ all-white and chrome classic high-end yacht. Sailing into small harbours of high-end private yachts, Emerald ships fit right in.
Inside and out, both have a lot of mirrored and highly reflecting surfaces.
Scenic’s interiors make dramatic use of black glass and back-lit marble like a contemporary luxe private club, while Emerald yachts are the polar opposite, with lots of bright, shiny white, chrome with hits of cheerful pops of color.
Both are very modern in style, but Scenic’s dramatic design feels more formal, while Emerald’s has more of a relaxed, breezy, tropical feel.
FUNCTION:
It’s evident in the video that Emerald yachts are slightly smaller than Scenic Eclipse, with a corresponding difference in the total number of guests:
Scenic Eclipse can host up to 228 guests – still a very small ship! While Emerald yachts are home to just 128 guests – that’s 50 fewer staterooms!
But even more than size, Scenic and Emerald yachts differ in how they can operate:
Emerald yachts were conceived and designed as warm-water yachts, just as you imagine if I say ‘yachting:’ island hopping in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, with some exotic warm-water cruising to add flavor for ‘port collector’ cruisers. They are ideally suited to sail into smaller, off-the-beaten-track ports where big cruise ships can’t go, with the captain following good weather to let guests explore and experience the best of a warm water region.
Scenic Eclipse I and II are called by the cruise line ‘Discovery Yachts,’ and while they are elegantly at home in warm-water cruising destinations (like the Mediterranean, where we were able to film Scenic and Emerald sister yachts at anchor off the French Riviera), Scenic Eclipse are also among the most fully-enabled luxury expedition yachts at sea, with:
Ice-class hulls to allow them to sail in polar, Antarctic and Arctic waters
Stabilizers that smooth out rough seas so guests can explore some of the most remote regions of the world in comfort, regardless of heavy seas
EXPERIENCE:
Scenic Eclipse’s expedition toys and teams on expedition (as opposed to luxury yacht) sailings set her apart from her Emerald yacht sisters:
- 2 helicopters for heli-touring
- Submersibles to explore beneath the waves
- Zodiacs, kayaks and other nautical exploration tools that get guests onto the water or onto remote shores where there’s no port infrastructure
- Expedition teams supplementing the hotel staff onboard: experts in outdoor adventure and history, geology, nature and more, to guide guests in their explorations and provide them with information and insights into the land, sea and wildlife they experience from the ship.
- Marinas and marina toys: Both Emerald and Scenic yachts have marinas: decks at water level off the aft of the ship, allowing guests to get right out onto the water, either in a secluded, warm-water cove for a refreshing swim, a dive with a seabob underwater, or a paddleboard… or for Scenic Eclipse guests in the Antarctic: even a polar plunge!
- Restaurants: Scenic Eclipse’s nearly-double the number of guests and proportionately greater size give these yachts the space to offer up to 10 dining experiences, from Asian to French to Italian, continental cuisine, in suite dining and more, while guests on Emerald yachts have up to 3 dining experiences, which do not include in suite dining except for top suites. Both yachts have alfresco dining to enjoy eating outdoors on pleasant days.
- Butlers: as a ‘luxury’ cruise line – whereas the company classifies Emerald as ‘premium,’ Scenic’s guest experience includes all-suite accommodation, where everyone gets the luxe experience of a butler.
INCLUSIONS:
Overall, Scenic is classified as ‘luxury all-inclusive’, and Emerald as ‘premium ’, with fewer inclusions, allowing guests to choose which features and amenities you wish to pay for to enhance your cruise holiday.
Currently, Emerald fares include: “all port charges, all meals on board with accompanying beverages, complimentary Wi-Fi, and all gratuities on board and onshore. You’ll also benefit from a first-class English-speaking crew and enjoy tours led by knowledgeable, local guides.”
Scenic’s included beverages are throughout the ship – up to 9 lounges - and include your in-suite mini bar.
For shore excursions, Scenic offers a selection of included ‘Scenic Freechoice’ shore excursions, as well as ‘Scenic Enrich’ exclusive experiences, usually an evening on shore in a privately booked venue, while Emerald offers at least 1’ included shore excursion in every port.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Like choosing jewelry, it comes down to your taste, style… and what priorities you have.
Do you want the luxury expedition cruise of a lifetime? Ultra-luxury all-inclusive? You’ll want to look at Scenic Eclipse itineraries. But if you’re looking for a relaxed, warm-water, traditional yacht experience where you choose the amenities and excursions you want to pay for… then an Emerald Yacht might be your ideal choice.
A qualified travel expert can help match you to your perfect, next Scenic Eclipse or Emerald Yacht cruise.
START YOUR TRIP!
By: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist and expert.
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