12-night Asia & Indian Ocean cruise: Mombasa to Mahe on Emerald Kaia
The Seychelles & Indian Ocean Adventure - Mombasa is a 12-night Asia & Indian Ocean cruise aboard Emerald Kaia, operated by Emerald Yacht Cruises. Departing Mombasa on November 29, 2026 and arriving in Mahe on December 11, 2026, the voyage visits 10 ports including Zanzibar, Mafia Island, Tanzania, Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania. Fares start from $6,506 per person.
Vibrant Mombasa lies on the coast, home to white sand beaches and coral reefs teeming with tropical sea life. The remains of Fort Jesus stand out from the harbor and are home to a small historic museum.
Get a taste of local Swahili village traditions in Mombasa's Old Town, where narrow streets and curio shops beckon. Buildings here are based on ancient designs and feature intricate carvings and detailed lattice work. In the modern center, stroll Moi Avenue for a souvenir, and discover the city's famous ceremonial arch. Nearby, the Shimba Hills National Reserve is home to the rare endangered sable antelope. Adventurers can head to Mamba Village in Nyali, East Africa's largest crocodile farm.
Zanzibar
Zanzibar, known as the Spice Island, is separated from mainland Tanzania by a 22-mile-wide channel. The name itself evokes a romantic past that includes memories of great seafarers and explorers, and tales of famous deeds and great riches. To Zanzibar's shores came the Sumarians, Assyrians, Arabs, Chinese and Malays - all contributing to the island's turbulent history. From its shores, the great European explorers - Burton, Speke, Krapf and Livingstone - set out on their voyages of discovery to the mainland. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive at Zanzibar in the 15th century, starting a reign of exploitation including the export of slaves and ivory.
The island's main town, Stone Town or Zanzibar Town, on the west coast has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Center. The different nationalities that have settled in Zanzibar over the centuries have left a distinct mark on its people and architecture. Of special note are the ornate wooden doors and intricately carved balconies. Walking through the narrow streets of Stone Town the visitor catches a glimpse of the town's exotic life. A scent of cloves in the air serves as a reminder that this is indeed the Spice Island. At one time, Zanzibar supplied the world's tables with cloves. Today there are still plantations that cultivate a variety of spices, but the island's economy depends ever more on tourism. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean are a major draw for vacationers, encouraging such holiday activities as swimming, sailing and exploring beneath the ocean in unspoiled underwater parks.
In August 2020, Scenic Group (shipowner) contracted Viking Crew (part of the Dover, UK-based Viking Maritime Group Ltd) as the vessel’s crew management company. Viking Crew is responsible for Scenic Cruises’ yacht crew recruitment, management, deployment, and placement, covering officers and staff across the Engine, Hotel, and Deck departments. Viking Crew also manages the crews of the superyachts Scenic Eclipse 1 (2019) and Scenic Eclipse 2 (2022).
The vessel has a volume of 5755 GT and a deadweight of 1230 tons. The registered shipowner and management company is GMK CONSULTING LTD (incorporated in 2019, Naxxar, Malta).
Emerald Kaia’s hull construction began with the steel-cutting ceremony on August 22, 2024, at Halong Shipyard (Ha Long City, Vietnam). The ceremony was attended by Nguyen Tuan Anh (General Director of Halong Shipbuilding Yard) and Ivo Skelin (Scenic Group Asia’s General Manager of Nautical and Technical Operations).
Physical construction started with the keel-laying ceremony on December 27, 2024. The event was attended by Glen Moroney (Scenic Group’s Founder and Chairman) and the team of MKM Yachts Ltd, Scenic’s subsidiary specializing in the construction of luxury cruise ships, polar-class vessels, and superyachts in Croatia.
The ship was launched/floated out from drydock on November 10, 2025, in Halong Bay. On the same day, at the shipyard started the construction/assembly of the sistership Emerald Raiya. The special events were attended by Ivo Skelin (Scenic Group's Project Engineer and General Manager of Design and Developments).
Emerald Kaia is scheduled for completion and delivery in April 2026.
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