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Dining on Emerald’s luxury yachts is designed to feel like a private superyacht experience. It is slightly more upscale and offers more variety than their river cruise counterparts.

Dining Venues

• La Cucina Dining: The main, elegant restaurant. It features an open-kitchen concept and serves a buffet-style breakfast and lunch, followed by a sophisticated multi-course à la carte dinner.
• La Cucina Terrace: An adjoining outdoor space for those who prefer to dine al fresco with ocean views.
• Aqua Pool Café: A more casual spot located by the infinity pool. It serves light breakfasts, flatbreads, small plates, and revitalizing gelato throughout the day.
• Nightly Lounges:
• Amici Bar & Lounge: The primary indoor social hub for pre-dinner cocktails and late-night drinks.
• Sky Bar: Located on the top deck (Sky Deck), offering outdoor drinks and panoramic views.

What’s Included?

The yacht experience is highly inclusive, but there are differences in drink policies compared to the river cruises:

• Meals: All meals on board are included.
• Lunch & Dinner Drinks: Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks are served during meal times.
• New for 2026: On many 2026 yacht itineraries, Emerald has moved toward an even more inclusive model, often including unlimited cocktails and spirits throughout the day (though this can vary by booking tier, so check if your fare is All-Inclusive).
• In-Room: A mini-bar is provided in all suites and is restocked daily (complimentary for higher-tier suites).

Dress Code

The yacht dress code is Yacht Chic (a slight step up from river cruise smart casual).

• Daytime: Casual and comfortable. Swimwear is fine on the Sun Deck and Marina Platform, but a cover-up is required when entering indoor areas or the café.
• Evening: No Formal Nights (tuxedos or gowns are not required). Men typically wear chinos or tailored trousers with a collared shirt. Women wear sundresses, skirts, or elegant trousers.
• Footwear: No vest tops (tank tops) or shorts are allowed in La Cucina for dinner.

Special Culinary Events

• Marina Days: On select days, the yacht will anchor in a secluded bay, and the crew may host a Beach BBQ or a special Marina Day lunch with refreshments served right by the water.
• Local Flavors: The chefs often source ingredients from the ports visited that morning, so you may see local Mediterranean seafood or Caribbean spices featured on the evening menu.

Dietary Requirements

Emerald yachts are highly accommodating to dietary needs:

• Vegan/Vegetarian: Options are clearly marked on every menu. They also stock certified vegan wines.
• Personalization: Because the ships only hold 100–128 guests, the culinary team can provide more personalized menu adjustments than larger ships. It is still best to notify them at least 60 days before sailing.

The fuel surcharge policy for Emerald’s luxury yachts follows the same logic as their river cruises, though the financial impact can be slightly more volatile due to the higher fuel consumption of ocean-going vessels compared to river ships.

The Price Guarantee

Emerald Cruises (and its parent company, Scenic Group) includes a standard lock-in clause in their contract:

• Paid in Full: If you have paid the total tour price for your yacht cruise, Emerald guarantees that your price will not increase, regardless of how much fuel costs rise before your departure.
• Deposited Only: If you have only paid a deposit, the line reserves the right to vary the tour price at their discretion to account for fuel price hikes.

Yacht Surcharge Specifics

While river cruise surcharges usually hover around $9–$12, yacht cruise surcharges can occasionally be higher due to the logistics of oceanic travel and the use of specialized marine fuels.

• The Trigger: Surcharges are typically activated when the price of oil (NYMEX/Light Sweet Crude) stays above a certain threshold (usually $65–$70 per barrel) for a sustained period.
• Estimated Cost: If applied, expect a daily fee of roughly $10 to $20 per person, per day. For a 10-day Caribbean or Mediterranean yacht sailing, this could add $100–$200 to your total.

Notification & Implementation

• Advance Notice: Emerald generally aims to notify passengers at least 30 days before departure if a surcharge is being added to their account.
• Payment: Unlike river cruises where small fees might be settled onboard, yacht surcharges are often added to your final cruise invoice and must be paid prior to sailing.

Booking Deposit

• At the time of booking, a deposit is required to secure your Emerald Cruises vacation. River cruises aboard Emerald Cruises ships require a minimum deposit of $500 per person. Cruises operated on third-party vessels and Emerald yacht cruises require a deposit of $750 per person.
• Your reservation will be automatically canceled if the required deposit is not received by Emerald Cruises by the stated due date. All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable, unless otherwise specified in the booking terms and conditions.

Final Payment

The remaining balance of your tour price must be paid in full no later than 90 days prior to departure for river cruises and 120 days prior to departure for yacht cruises. Failure to submit final payment by the required deadline will result in cancellation of your booking and forfeiture of the deposit.

Bookings Made Close to Departure

For river cruises booked within 90 days of departure and yacht cruises booked within 120 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking. If Emerald Cruises is unable to fully confirm your reservation, all amounts paid will be refunded, and no further obligation or liability will apply.

Late Booking Fee

A late booking fee of $50 per booking applies to all reservations made within 21 days of the tour departure date.

Booking Changes and Administration Fees

An administration fee of $50 is charged for each change made to an existing booking. Requests to change the tour departure date are treated as cancellations and are subject to applicable cancellation fees. All booking change requests are subject to approval at Emerald Cruises’ discretion.

Cancellation Policy for Yacht Cruises, Third-Party Ships, and Russia Tours

For yacht cruises, cruises operated on third-party vessels, and tours in Russia, the following cancellation charges apply per person based on the number of days prior to tour commencement:

• Cancellations made 120 days or more before departure result in the loss of the tour deposit.
• Cancellations made between 119 and 91 days before departure incur a charge of 25% of the total tour price.
• Cancellations made between 90 and 61 days before departure incur a charge of 50% of the total tour price.
• Cancellations made 60 days or fewer before departure result in a charge of 100% of the tour price.

Emerald’s yacht fleet follows a virtually identical smoking policy to their river ships, tailored for the slightly different layout of these luxury vessels.

The Gold Rule: No Indoor Smoking

For the health and safety of all guests, smoking of any kind—including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and electronic cigarettes/vaping—is strictly prohibited in the following areas:

• All Indoor Spaces: This includes the Amici Lounge, La Cucina dining room, the Observation Lounge, the gym, and the spa.
• Staterooms and Suites: You cannot smoke inside your room.
• Private Balconies/Terraces: Even though yacht suites often have spacious outdoor terraces, smoking is strictly forbidden here. Smoke can easily drift into neighboring suites, and it poses a fire hazard.

Designated Smoking Zones

Smoking is only permitted in clearly marked outdoor areas on the external decks.

• Location: Usually, this is a specific section of the Sky Deck or the Aft (rear) section of the Sun Deck.
• Identification: These areas are identified by permanent signage and provided ashtrays.
• Vaping: Emerald treats vapes and e-cigarettes exactly like tobacco; they must only be used in these same designated outdoor zones.

Fines and Enforcement

Emerald takes this policy seriously to maintain the luxury yacht atmosphere:

• Cleaning Fee: If you are found smoking in your cabin or on your balcony, you will be charged a deep-cleaning fee (typically $250 USD).
• Disembarkation: Persistent violations of the smoking policy can result in being asked to leave the ship at the next port of call at your own expense.
• Safety Violation: Throwing cigarette butts or any debris overboard is a major maritime safety and environmental violation and is strictly prohibited.

Yacht-Specific Considerations

• Marina Days: When the yacht is at anchor and the Marina Platform is open for water sports, smoking is usually restricted to ensure the safety of those using the zodiacs and swim equipment.
• Refueling: When the ship is taking on fuel in port, all smoking (including in designated outdoor areas) is temporarily banned for safety reasons. An announcement will be made by the crew during these times.

Note for Cigar/Pipe Smokers: While permitted in the designated outdoor zones, the yachts do not have dedicated indoor Cigar Lounges. If you enjoy a cigar, the open-air Sky Bar area is generally the most common gathering spot for enthusiasts.

Emerald’s travel protection for their yacht fleet follows a similar structure to their river cruises but with adjusted costs and timelines to reflect the longer lead times and higher price points of yacht travel.

Flexible Booking Plan

This is a change of mind policy designed for those who want to retain their deposit if they need to shift their dates.

• Cost: Typically, $125 per person.
• What it does: Allows you to cancel or defer your cruise up to the Final Payment Date (for yachts, this is usually 120 days before departure).
• The Result: Your deposit is held as a Future Travel Credit (FTC) valid for 24 months.
• Important: This plan is non-refundable and does not cover third-party fees (like independent airfare cancellation).

Platinum Protection Plan (PPP)

This is the gold standard for internal protection, designed to provide cash refunds for specific unforeseen events.

• Cost: Approximately $395 per person for yacht cruises (higher than the river cruise version).
• 100% Refund: If you cancel 31 days or more before departure for a Prescribed Reason (e.g., medical emergency, jury duty, or job loss), you get a full cash refund (minus the PPP fee and any airline fees).
• 70% Refund: If you cancel between 15 and 30 days before departure for a Prescribed Reason.
• Non-Prescribed Reasons: If you cancel for a reason not on their list, you will typically receive a Future Travel Credit rather than cash.

The tipping policy for Emerald’s yacht fleet mirrors the generous all-inclusive approach of their river cruises. To maintain a seamless luxury experience, Emerald takes the guesswork out of gratuities entirely.

What is Included?

• Onboard Crew: Gratuities for the entire shipboard team, including your suite attendants, waitstaff, and bartenders.
• Shore Excursion Guides: Tips for the local experts who lead your tours in Mediterranean or Caribbean ports.
• Drivers: Gratuities for the drivers of the luxury coaches used for included excursions.
• Port Charges & Taxes: These are bundled into your fare, so there are no surprise fees at the end of the voyage.

The No Service Charge Advantage

Unlike most ocean-going cruise lines, Emerald generally does not add a 15–20% service charge to your drinks or specialty items.

• Drinks: Since beer, wine, and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, you won’t see a gratuity line on your drink receipts.
• Mini-Bar: In-suite mini-bars are restocked daily, and the service is included.

What is NOT Included?

While nearly everything is covered, you may still want small amounts of cash for:

• Exceptional Personal Service: If a crew member provides extraordinary service, you are welcome to offer a personal tip, but it is never expected and there is no end-of-cruise envelope system.
• Salon & Spa Treatments: While basic gratuities are included, it is customary (though optional) to add a 10–15% tip for specific treatments like massages or hair styling.
• Independent Services: If you hire a private taxi in port or dine at a local café not part of an Emerald excursion, you should tip according to local customs (usually 10% in the Mediterranean).

• Gratuities are generally included or managed onboard for guest convenience.
• Luxury yacht experience with small guest capacity
• Access to ports and coastlines large ships cannot reach
• Stylish, modern yachts with open-air design
• Relaxed, upscale atmosphere without formality
• Strong value with inclusive dining and experiences
• Curated coastal and island itineraries

Are drinks included?
Complimentary beverages are included with meals.

Is Wi-Fi available?
Yes, though connectivity may vary.

Dress code?
Casual to smart-casual; no formal nights.

Is Emerald Yacht Cruises all-inclusive?
Highly inclusive with optional upgrades.