Age Policy
The age policy for Emerald’s luxury yachts is very similar to their river cruise policy, but with a few distinct nuances due to the nature of yacht cruising and different port regulations.
Minimum Age Requirement
- 12 Years Old: Generally, children under 12 are not permitted on Emerald yacht cruises.
- The Adult-Focused Rule: The yachts are designed for an intimate, boutique experience (only 100–128 guests). There are no kids’ clubs, youth facilities, or childcare services on board.
- Exceptions: Much like the river cruises, children under 12 may be allowed on specific Christmas Market or Holiday voyages, but this is strictly at Emerald’s discretion and must be confirmed during booking.
Supervision and Rooming
- Under 21: Any guest under the age of 21 must be accompanied by an Adult (defined as someone over 21).
- Rooming: Guests under 21 must share a cabin with their accompanying adult.
- Age at Sailing: A guest’s age is determined by their age on the day of embarkation for the duration of the cruise.
Alcohol & The Drinking Age
Because the yachts sail in international waters and visit various countries (Caribbean, Mediterranean, Adriatic), the drinking age policy is strictly enforced:
- Standard Rule: The minimum age for the purchase and consumption of alcohol is 21.
- Regional Variation: On some itineraries in Europe or South America, the line may allow guests aged 18–20 to consume wine and beer if a parent/guardian signs a waiver, but this is subject to the captain’s discretion and local territorial laws.
Suitability for Teens
If you are bringing a teenager (12+), it is helpful to keep the Yacht Vibe in mind:
- Social Dynamics: The crowd is typically well-traveled adults. While teens are welcome, they should be comfortable dining with adults and engaging in quieter activities like the Marina Day (using the yacht’s platform for paddleboarding and snorkeling).
- Onboard Facilities: The ships feature an infinity pool, a wellness center, and a marina platform, which are often the highlights for younger guests. However, the entertainment consists primarily of live music in the lounge rather than high-energy shows.
Dining Information
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.
Fuel Surcharge Policy
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.
Payments / Refunds
Deposits & Payments
- Standard reservations require a flat, non- refundable deposit of $500 USD per person, due within 7 days of booking. Final payment is due exactly 120 days prior to departure.
- Select promotional fares “Best Available” or early booking offers) may require full payment up to 10 months in advance. Reservations booked within the final payment window (90 days for River / 120 days for Ocean Yacht) require immediate full payment. Booking amendments are treated legally as cancellations and are subject to standard cancellation
penalty schedules.
Cancellation & Refunds
120+ Days Prior to Departure
- Cancellation Penalty: Loss of the standard non-refundable deposit ($500 per guest).
- Refund Eligibility: All additional fare paid is refunded.
119–91 Days Prior to Departure
- Cancellation Penalty: 50% of the total journey price.
- Refund Eligibility: 50% of the total fare paid is refunded.
90 Days or Less Prior to Departure
- Cancellation Penalty: 100% of the total journey price.
- Refund Eligibility: No refund; 100% of the fare is forfeited.
Smoking Policy
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.
Travel Protection
Emerald Cruises does not directly sell traditional travel insurance but offers two proprietary commercial peace-of-mind plans (must be added and paid for at the time of the initial booking deposit):
- Flexible Booking Plan (FBP): Costs $200 per person for Yacht Cruises. Allows guests to cancel or defer up to 120 days (Yacht) prior, receiving their payments (minus FBP fee and supplier fees) as a Future Travel Credit (FTC) valid for 24 months.
- Platinum Protection Plan (PPP): Costs $395 per person for Yacht Cruises. Provides cash refunds for doctor-certified medical cancellations: 100% cash refund (less PPP and airline fees) at 31+ days; 70% cash refund at 15-30 days; standard forfeiture rules apply at 14 days or less.
Tipping Policy
Emerald Cruises operates on an exceptionally generous, all-inclusive luxury framework. All port charges, airport transfers, and shipboard gratuities are fully built and included in the base fare for all guests. This covers housekeeping staff, stateroom stewards, main dining room and culinary servers, and shipboard bar staff. Daily service charges are exactly $0, and gratuities cannot be adjusted, removed, or prepaid. Optional spa or salon services may be subject to a standard 20% service charge added at checkout.
Dress Code
Daytime attire is yacht-chic / resort casual. Swimsuit cover-ups and footwear are required indoors. Evening dress in La Cuisine and specialty dining is elegant resort casual (collared shirts, slacks, dresses, or pantsuits).
Formal Nights
- There are no mandatory formal nights. On Captain’s Dinners and gala evenings, guests typically opt for dressy resort wear, cocktail dresses, or blazers.
Excursions
- Enhance your cruise vacation by pre-booking your excursions (recommended for most savings and to guarantee availability) via the cruise line app or book while onboard. Space is limited and popular excursions sell out fast!
Why Emerald Yacht Cruises?
- 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
FAQ
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.
