In March 2023 Travel Village Group MD, John Warr, was invited aboard Emerald Cruises’ stunning new super-yacht, Emerald Azzurra, enabling him and wife Caroline to experience the luxury lifestyle.
As we approached the port of Piraeus in Athens to board Emerald Cruises’ newly purchased luxury yacht, Emerald Azzurra; little did we realise that this trip would become one of the most memorable 4 days of our lives.
Check-in was fairly straight forward and before we knew it our luggage had been taken to our Balcony Suite. The 5am early morning flight from Gatwick became a distant memory (there are later flights of course that connect you with the yacht’s evening departure time but we decided to give ourselves as much time as possible to experience everything the ship has to offer).
Embarking on a luxury cruise is an unforgettable experience. The first impression of both the exterior and interior designs left us completely in awe. The attention to detail is evident from the moment we stepped on board, with stylish furnishings, luxurious fabrics, and contemporary design bringing a taste of Bohemia. The sleek and modern design of the yacht’s interior created a sense of luxury and comfort that made us feel right at home.
As we explored the yacht, we discovered many wow factors that set it apart from other ships of this size. The spacious sun deck is the perfect place to soak up much needed winter sun. Whilst the infinity-style aqua pool at the back of the yacht, and the jacuzzi, would become the ideal setting for socialising during our sailing across the Ionian Sea. (The Missoni towels and robes available throughout the yacht added to the luxury theme)
During our time on board we were taken on a culinary journey!
The choice of food and wines on board is exceptional, with a focus on freshly made pasta dishes, succulent fish dishes and a wide range of local and international cuisine. The onboard chef created the menus for the main restaurant ‘La Cucina’.
With a maximum of only 100 guests on board, the spacious setting flows into an al fresco terrace where we tried even more dishes. One of our favourite dishes was the black mussels with garlic bread dippings, however the tender racks of lamb came a close second.
One of the main advantages of sailing aboard a super-yacht is its size; illustrated superbly to us as we were allowed access to smaller ports, providing an intimate and private experience that larger ships cannot offer. After sailing overnight from Athens we docked at Gytheio, an incredibly picturesque port town which gave us the most direct access to Sparta & Mystras. Here, we visited the 13th century Byzantine dwellings. Our next port of call was the beautiful island of Kefalonia, where we had the opportunity to experience the spectacular natural beauty of the region.
The onboard entertainment is exceptional, with a range of activities to suit all tastes, including music, movies, and games. Whether you prefer to relax with a book, socialising with fellow guests, or explore the rich culture of the region, the luxury yacht cruise offers an experience that is both intimate and unforgettable. The well equipped gym had 2 treadmills, a rowing machine, a Technogym multigym and some weights, more than enough to entice us in to build an appetite for the next delectable meal.
Great Wi-Fi is available, even at sea, ensuring that we were able to stay connected with friends and family. Complimentary water, tea, and coffee facilities are also available.
We particularly love Emerald’s ‘Cherish the Planet’ ethos with focus areas including:
1) Leaving no waste, eliminating all single use plastic on board
2) Sourcing sustainably (the wine we experienced on board was sourced from small vineyards along the Moselle, Rhine and Douro rivers
3) Growing with communities (our itinerary ensured meaningful and cultural interactions with the guide and locals
4) Grow from within, value diversity (which was evident amongst the happy crew and various nationalities on board)
I’d wholeheartedly recommend cruising aboard a luxury super-yacht! It’s an excellent way to experience the beauty of Greece and the surrounding region (or any region where culture and beauty is abundant!). From the stunning interior design to the delicious food and wine, comfortable suites, and great entertainment, every detail has been carefully considered to provide an unforgettable experience.
With the opportunity to explore so many destinations, a luxury yacht cruise is the ultimate way to experience Emerald Cruises’ award winning reputation and service along intriguing coastlines, and across the world’s oceans.
Fancy the luxury super-yacht lifestyle for yourself? Call our Cruise Specialists for more information, or to book, on 0800 810 8481. Or find your Emerald Cruises Yacht holiday here.
