Emerald Cruises, a part of Scenic Group, has named two long-standing Newcastle-based employees as godparents to Emerald Kaia, which is now en route to the Mediterranean, with the inaugural season commencing in April.
In recognition of 2026 marking 40 Years of Innovation for Scenic Group, Emerald Kaia will be christened by two long-serving and dedicated employees: director of Operations Kim Scoular, and senior software engineer Ray Gilbert.
Scoular has almost three decades of experience with Scenic, starting as a reservations agent before embarking on a global career as a tour director.
Today, she leads a dynamic operations team known for delivering seamless guest experiences and operational excellence, across the brand’s river and yacht fleet.
“Being named Godparent of Emerald Kaia is an incredible honour and a deeply personal milestone in my journey with Scenic Group,” Scoular said. “Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, and I am proud to represent the many passionate people who bring these journeys to life every day.”
Since joining Scenic Group in 1998, Gilbert has also played a pivotal role in shaping the IT infrastructure and digital platforms. His expertise has been instrumental in supporting guests, trade partners, and team members worldwide.
“When I started with Scenic Group, I could never have imagined being asked to serve as Godparent to one of our ships,” Gilbert said. “It’s a privilege to support the people and technology behind the scenes, and this recognition reflects the dedication of the entire team that keeps our ships and tours – running smoothly.”
Scenic Group chief operating officer Damien Thomas said Scoular and Gilbert have dedicated their passion, expertise, and loyalty to the Scenic Group for almost 30 years, helping shape the business into what it is today.
“Their naming as godparents of Emerald Kaia recognises not only their remarkable individual journeys, but also the commitment and teamwork that define our collective success,” Thomas said.
“As we celebrate 40 Years of Innovation, it is fitting that Emerald Kaia is entrusted to two people who have helped drive our evolution – from a touring heritage to today’s contemporary luxury river and yacht experiences. It is a privilege to bestow this honour upon them.”
Emerald Kaia will be christened in June in Venice, Italy, during a special ceremony that will bring together Scenic Group team members, valued partners and guests, to officially welcome her to the fleet.
Emerald Kaia joins the fleet
On 13 February 2026, Emerald Kaia officially departed Halong Bay, Vietnam, marking her entry into the Emerald Cruises fleet. She will commence her inaugural Mediterranean season with an 11-day inaugural voyage from Cyprus to Greece on 4 April 2026.
Following the yachts’ Mediterranean season, Emerald Kaia transits the Red Sea and Suez Canal in November en route to the Seychelles. She will sail from December 2026 to March 2027, exploring the breathtaking waters of the Indian Ocean and East Africa, with guests able to combine their luxury cruise with an immersive safari land tour.
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Expanding the Emerald Cruises yacht fleet
Emerald Kaia is the first of three next-generation yachts joining the Emerald Cruises fleet. Purpose-built for up to 128 guests, new design features and luxury experiences include:
- An all-new Observation Sun Deck featuring a spa pool
- A reimagined La Cucina restaurant with an open kitchen and additional indoor/outdoor dining space
- A new private dining experience, The Night Market Grill – exclusively for eight guests
- Expansive suites and staterooms designed for contemporary luxury
- Enhanced wellness facilities, including an indoor/outdoor gym equipped with state-of-the-art fitness technology and a diving platform
This expansion underscores Emerald Cruises’ ongoing commitment to luxury yacht cruising, underpinned by modern innovation and guest-led design.
Looking ahead, Emerald Kaia will be joined by Emerald Raiya in 2027 and Emerald Xara in 2028, bringing the total yacht fleet to five and continuing the brand’s evolution as a leader in luxury yacht cruising.
