By   Alan Fine, Apr 05, 2021

Emerald Cruises has announced the 2023 program for its new ocean-going, five-star luxury superyacht, Emerald Azzurra. In addition to sailings in the Mediterranean, Red, Aegean and Adriatic seas, the 2023 collection will feature voyages to the Black Sea on two new itineraries. 

The new 15-day Mykonos, Gallipoli & Essence of the Black Sea itinerary sails between Athens and Istanbul, with a port of call in Mykonos, Greece before exploring the Black Sea at ports in Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria. Guests will explore the whitewashed alleyways of Mykonos on a guided tour; learn the history of Sinop, Turkey’s prison fortress, where many famous Turkish writers and journalists were imprisoned; and be treated to a private recital in the Palaces of Odessa in Ukraine. Prices start at $8,099 per person double, with departures planned for Aug. 5 and 19, 2023.

For a more in-depth exploration of this diverse region, the 22-day Discover the Greek Islands, Turkey & the Black Sea itinerary expands on the above voyage with additional ports of call in Patmos, Rhodes and Amorgos, Greece and KuÅŸadasi and Bodrum, Turkey. The extra days are filled with guided city and historical site tours, including a hike to the Monastery of St. John while on Patmos, and a folklore show in Amorgos, complete with local delicacies. Super Earlybird prices for the 22-day itinerary start from $11,817 per person, double, with departures scheduled for July 29 and Aug. 19, 2023.

Emerald Cruises is offering “Epic Voyages,” two expanded itineraries that combine several shorter itineraries into longer adventures. Offering the best of the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, the 26-day Discover Gems of the Mediterranean Coastlines itinerary begins with an exploration of the French and Italian Rivieras between Nice and Rome before heading down Italy’s western coast to Sicily and the Ionian Sea to Greece. The last leg of the journey takes guests round trip from Athens to both favorite and lesser explored ports in Greece and Turkey. Super Earlybird fares start at $13,906.

The 22-day Discover the Pearls of Croatia, Greece and Turkey itinerary begins with a Greek island and Turkish coastline sailing before setting sail for Dubrovnik with ports of call in Albania and Montenegro. From there, guests will sail north along the Croatian coastline before crossing the Adriatic Sea and concluding in Venice. Super Earlybird fares start at $13,840.

Launching in January 2022, Emerald Azzurra is the first custom-built ocean superyacht from Emerald Cruises, offering a luxury cruising experience to small ports and harbors only accessible to small ships. The superyacht will carry just 100 guests in 50 deluxe suites and staterooms, with 88 percent of her cabins featuring private balconies. Emerald Azzurra offers a variety of areas to dine and relax, and an on board wellness center complete with a spa, gym and sauna. The superyacht’s marina platform is designed for easy access to snorkeling, paddle boarding and swimming.

In celebration of the 2023 season release, Emerald Cruises is offering Super Earlybird savings of up to 25 percent on a limited number of select staterooms. The Super Earlybird offer is valid on new bookings that are paid in full 12 months prior to departure. In addition, all bookings come with the line’s flexible booking policy that allows guests to defer travel plans and transfer to an alternate departure date or itinerary up to 60 days prior to departure with no Emerald Cruises fees. 

A digital brochure detailing the entire 2023 yacht sailing season can be downloaded here. For more information, call 844-428-8389 or visit www.emeraldcruises.com.