kabarsula Onboard Emerald Kaia: Why small-ship luxury is winning over big-ship sceptics bandar SLOT INDONESIA
Complex Travel Group marketing manager Blake Hatton joined the inaugural sailing of Emerald Kaia through Turkey and the Greek Islands and shares his take on the ultra-luxe product.
I stepped aboard the Emerald Kaia and was handed a glass of champagne – exactly what I expected from a luxury cruise. What I didn’t expect was the captain himself coming over to welcome me aboard. After years of sailing traditional cruises, that personal welcome caught me off guard and set the tone for the entire trip.
We were in Bodrum, Turkey, booked to sail through to the Greek Islands for seven nights. At 120 metres long and only seven storeys high, the small ship can enter ports and small islands, creating a level of access and ease no big ship can match.
In most ports, the yacht docks close to the centre of town, so guests can simply walk off and explore. And with late departures (typically between 10-11pm), the rhythm of the trip slows, giving you ample time to explore during the day and finish with dinner before heading back to the ship.
The ship experience
Emerald Kaia hosts only 120 guests at a time. Within a day or two, the crew knew everyone by name and knew how you liked your coffee and your go-to sunset cocktail.
With three onboard dining venues, no meal felt the same. La Cucina is the main restaurant with an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs cook – buffet breakfast and lunch, à la carte dinner, plus a back deck where you can eat outside in the sun.
Solea Bar and Bistro sits off the pool deck and features a casual menu of salads, burgers and pizzas, elevated with fresh ingredients, and open for late breakfasts too. The Night Market is the standout. Eight seats surround the chef, who prepares and explains every course in front of you. The menu rotates, so repeat guests get a different experience each time.
The Amici Bar and Lounge is the social centre of the ship, with enough seating options that you can always find a quiet corner. The Sky Bar on the top deck was where I ended up most late afternoons watching the sunset with a cocktail.
I was in a Category A Balcony Suite on Deck 5 with a king bed, a large vanity (with lots of storage), and a built-in wardrobe with a robe, slippers, umbrellas, a carry bag, and all those little extras that just make a big difference on your trip. A two-seater couch and an occasional chair created ample zones to relax, with a coffee machine and a complimentary minibar (restocked daily) with a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
The bathroom featured a large glass shower and a vanity filled with extra amenities. There were multiple moments during the trip where I realised I’d forgotten something, only to find it already provided. Heading out to the balcony, there was enough space for a couple of chairs – the perfect spot to enjoy a quiet coffee and soak in the view of the Greek Islands.
Wellness is a big focus on the Emerald Kaia. Guests have unlimited access to the Elements Spa wellness centre, featuring a dry sauna, infrared sauna, cold plunge pool, and state-of-the-art salt therapy lounges. Treatments, massages, and hair and beauty appointments do carry an additional cost.
The ship has a few standout features to experience the destination up close. The gym on Deck 2 has the latest Technogym equipment and opens to a floating platform over the ocean.
The Marina platform allows guests to paddleboard, kayak, swim and take the electric sea scooters out for a ride, but the best feature is the giant four-storey inflatable slide dipping you straight into the ocean. This is the part of the yacht that makes the whole experience feel very different to a normal cruise.
Beyond the ship
Excursions almost always had space, and if not, they’d adapt. That’s the advantage of small-ship travel over the big-ship model.
Emerald Kaia runs the EmeraldDISCOVERY program across three tiers: EmeraldPLUS (curated signature experiences, included), EmeraldACTIVE (activity-focused, included), and DiscoverMORE (optional, at additional cost). With so few guests, I could often decide the day before rather than booking months out.
The standout excursion was when we visited Ephesus during the day, then returned in the evening after it had closed to the public. The ruins were beautifully lit. We were welcomed with canapés, wine and champagne, then took our seats in the amphitheatre for a live string quintet. Sitting there in such an iconic location, with no crowds, just our small private group and live music – it was all included, and honestly, a memory that I will always cherish.
Another highlight was when we were docked in Patmos; a live singer performed at sunset on the Observation Deck. Everyone gathered with drinks in hand. It was simple, but one of the best evenings of the trip.
The takeaway?
The captain welcomed me aboard personally. That never happens. Within a day, the crew knew my name, my coffee order and the French rosé we loved with lunch. That’s the level of service small-ship cruising delivers and is exactly what luxury and premium clientele are paying for.
Small ship cruising is becoming increasingly popular among guests who may not have enjoyed mainstream large cruise ships or are looking for a more luxurious and intimate experience. Experiencing the bespoke service firsthand made me understand why you’d choose a small ship, and who we recommend it to.
On these Emerald Yachts, you feel like a billionaire, and you’re treated like one. And for our luxury and premium clients, that’s really important. They’re paying for an elevated level of service and a top-tier experience, and this delivers on that.
kabarsula SLOT
