Emerald Cruises is expanding its luxury yacht program in the Indian Ocean with two new 13-day Seychelles voyages scheduled for November, connecting Mahé in the Seychelles with Mombasa, Kenya. The itineraries aboard the 128-guest Emerald Kaia are designed to explore remote island environments, historic ports and marine landscapes across the western Indian Ocean.
The voyages will link a series of destinations including Mahé, La Digue, Praslin, Farquhar Atoll, Aldabra Atoll, Kilwa Kisiwani, Mafia Island, Zanzibar and Mombasa. The route combines tropical archipelagos with UNESCO <a href="https://absafricatv.com/viet-nam-proposes-priorities-to-strengthen-international-cooperation-on-world-heritage-conservation/” title=”Viet Nam proposes priorities to strengthen international cooperation on world heritage conservation”>World Heritage locations, East African coastal heritage and areas recognized for their biodiversity, including coral ecosystems, protected atolls and rare wildlife habitats.
Emerald Kaia, which entered service earlier this year, will provide access to smaller harbours and secluded islands that are generally beyond the reach of larger cruise vessels. The yacht’s size allows the itinerary to focus on less-visited destinations, offering extended time in areas such as the Seychelles’ outer islands and Tanzania’s historic coastal settlements.
Scenic Group USA & LATAM president Ken Muskat described the Seychelles program as an opportunity to combine remote island exploration, wildlife encounters and East African cultural experiences within the company’s luxury yacht format. He noted that the voyages were created around the combination of destination access, personalized service and the smaller-scale environment of Emerald Kaia.
The itinerary also reflects the growing demand for expedition-style luxury cruising in regions where geography limits access for larger ships. Emerald Cruises vice president of marketing Robert Castro highlighted the operational advantage of smaller yachts, noting that they can reach secluded anchorages and intimate ports while providing a more direct connection with coastal communities and natural environments.
During the voyage, guests will travel through the Indian Ocean from Mombasa toward the Seychelles, with calls including Zanzibar, Mafia Island and Kilwa Kisiwani before reaching the remote Aldabra Atoll. The Seychelles portion includes visits to Farquhar Atoll, Praslin, La Digue and other island locations before arrival in Mahé.
The new sailings form part of Emerald Cruises’ continued expansion beyond traditional river cruising into yacht-based ocean exploration, combining luxury accommodations with itineraries focused on smaller ports, cultural heritage and marine environments.
