Review: Emerald Sakara

What is the line? Emerald Cruises

Name of ship? Emerald Sakara

Passenger occupancy? 100

Itinerary? A seven-night sailing through Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, and Saint Barthélemy.

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?

For a cruise line that only navigated rivers during its first nine years of operation, Emerald doesn’t show any diffidence sailing in deeper waters. In the past two years, a pair of oceangoing vessels have joined Emerald’s more established fleet of nine river-dedicated “Star-Ships” that explore waterways in Europe and Southeast Asia. By ocean or river, the Australia-based company has a reputation for delivering intimate, yet non-confining cruising and service that’s attentive without being coddling. The brand’s ocean ships, both built in Vietnam, delightfully blur the line between luxury and ultra-luxury, the latter of which Emerald isn’t (Scenic, Emerald’s five-star sister brand, is).

Tell us about the ship in general:

Sakara, christened in December, is named for the Sanskrit mantra that means “thoughts become things.” And what thoughtful and nice things this 100-guest superyacht has, producing the perfect balance of luxury, unpretentiousness, and comfortable amenities. Sakara is a near-twin to the vessel which ushered in a new era for Emerald in 2022. Sakara, like its year-older twin, Azzurra, has a décor perhaps best described as understated elegance. The common areas of the 361-foot yacht are clad and carpeted in shades of silver and gray, with chrome, mirrors, and artwork that are anything but gaudy.

Who is on board?

Emerald’s ocean voyages generally draw active, travel-savvy American adults in their forties and above. Geographic makeup varies by voyage, of course, but Emerald sea cruises also attract a diverse mix of international travelers from Canada, Australia, Latin America, and beyond.

Describe the cabins.

Vibe-wise, Sakara feels like a private yacht. No doubt that’s especially true for occupants of the two Owner Suites that provide 1,195 square feet of wow factor, including a sizable outdoor terrace, lounge area, and walk-in closet. Two Yacht Suites measure 720 square feet at the aft of the Observation Deck. Balcony Cabins make up 36 of the yacht’s 50 cabins, and this long-time cruiser can attest that they seem larger than their roughly 300 square feet thanks to minimalist décor on the walls, smart and efficient features, and ample storage. The only guestrooms without a veranda are the six Oceanview Cabins sized at around 200 square feet.

Tell us about the crew.

Extending a reasonable level of amnesty during a ship’s inaugural season, let alone the christening cruise, is always just and kind. But while hiccups typical of a maiden voyage did surface, the crew was steadfast in making things right—a quality we can see continuing well into the future. Many among the crew of 64 went above and beyond. Among the most entertaining was a bartender who shook a martini to the beat of the lounge singer’s song. That may sound more like fun than a big deal. Au contraire. By getting jiggy with the cruise director’s crowd-pleasing cover of Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” the Amici Bar’s cordial and competent mixologist was able to serve thirsty guests without being a distraction during the show. Too often the rattle of a shaker or whirr of a blender drowns out an artist’s performance, but not here.

What food and drink options are available on board?

The yacht’s galley cooks up plenty of palate pleasers at Sakara’s two eateries. La Cucina is the vessel’s spacious main dining room, serving buffet breakfasts and lunches, and full-service dinners. The ceviches and most other seafood dishes are on par with top-tier luxury cruise lines, and Emerald’s executive chefs are confident enough to allow guests to play Frankenstein with menu items (adding grilled chicken breast and breaded eggplant to the zesty pasta arrabbiata is an off-menu winner). Strawberry pavlova was the one dessert standout on our sail. Poolside Aqua Café offers cooked-to-order flatbreads, burgers, and hot dogs, premade sandwiches, power bowl salads, and yummy ship-made ice cream. Aside from wine and beer at lunch and dinner, potent potables are generally not included in the fare with Emerald. Six-dollar cocktails of the day and drink packages are available, as are contemporary and comfortable environs in which to imbibe. If the Amici Bar and Lounge is the yacht’s community center, offering lots of seating and an area for live music, then the Sky Bar on the top deck is the local watering hole at night.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

Sakara has an impressive wellness program–perhaps the most comprehensive in the yacht category. Inside the beautiful and modern Elements Spa are treatment rooms, a hair salon, a big-enough fitness room (open 24/7), and an infrared sauna where guests sit in their own gym wear and enjoy a dry heat without sweating. ESPA skincare products are available for purchase.

What about activities and entertainment?

The yacht has two types of pools (infinity and spa) plus a marina at the aft that is usually open when the craft is anchored and daytime weather conditions are favorable. Kayaks, snorkel equipment, paddle boards, water trampoline, and super-exciting underwater scooters called Seabobs are of top quality, as is the well-trained and patient activities team running this stern-side rec center. Waiters handing cocktails and fruit skewers to passengers on and off the marina platform is a nice touch. Depending on the port, electric bikes also are at guests’ disposal off the tender. Yacht cruising isn’t known for having elaborate entertainment, but between a resident musician and cruise director, toes are kept tapping every night in the comfortable Amici Lounge and at sailaways on the upper decks, weather permitting. A movie night and friendly contests of trivia and cornhole are included on most itineraries. Warmer ones will often have a day on the beach featuring a BBQ lunch with live music and a bar staff that will meet you in neck-high water to personally deliver a bottle of suds. Let’s call this service Shoredash.

How was the experience for families?

Sakara, like Azzurra, is not designed for minors. Children’s activities are as non-existent as a kid’s menu. Emerald, itself, has a minimum recommended age of 12 years across the brand, and junior cruisers under 18 must share accommodations with an adult.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?

Emerald offers three types of shore excursions, two of which are included in the fare: EmeraldPLUS options tend to highlight local culture and points of interest on a guided walking or motorcoach tour; while EmeraldACTIVE excursions often include guided hikes, e-bike outings, snorkeling, and other adventures of higher exertion. DiscoverMORE selections are premium shore excursions, often bucket list-worthy, with prices usually starting at around $100. During the Puerto Rico leg of the ceremonial “West Indies Island Hopping Cruise,” solid picks included a van ride straight off the tender to Culebra Island and its justifiably famous Flamenco Beach, and night kayaking in bioluminescent Mosquito Bay, which, according to Guinness World Records, is the brightest place to see the phenomenon of microscopic dinoflagellates flashing blue-green light when agitated. Snorkeling off St. John in the US Virgin Islands and Virgin Gorda on the British side was so-so compared to other spots in the Caribbean. In St. Barths, many first-timers took a guided highlights tour while others skipped the van in favor of experiencing the tony destination’s stunning vistas and French-accented lifestyle by foot.

Are there any stand out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise?

Sakara is expectedly eco-conscious, as it's the flagship of a company that earned a Green Passport from the EU for its recycling efforts. Water heated with recycled energy and sewage treated using the most advanced sustainable technology are among the green initiatives practiced on board.

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking.

Combine a gorgeous superyacht, desirable passenger-to-crew ratio, and plenty to see and do, and the result is a fabulous cruise whatever the itinerary. For those looking for a small-ship voyage without the inherent worries of claustrophobia and tedium, Sakara promises smooth sailing.