Azamara Cruises vs Emerald Cruises

The core difference

Azamara Cruises and Emerald Cruises occupy the same broad market — upper-premium, destination-focused, inclusive pricing — but they are such different products that comparing them requires understanding what you actually want from a cruise.

Azamara is a single-product ocean cruise line. Four identical sister ships, each 30,277 gross tonnes carrying approximately 700 guests, sail the world’s oceans with a single-minded focus on destination immersion. The line spends over half its total port time during late-night or overnight stays, accesses boutique harbours that larger ships cannot reach, and delivers complimentary AzAmazing Evenings — shoreside cultural events in historic venues that are genuinely unlike anything else in the premium segment. Owned by Sycamore Partners since the 2021 sale from Royal Caribbean Group, Azamara has sharpened its identity as the destination-immersive choice in premium ocean cruising. Drinks, gratuities, shuttle buses, and cultural events are all included.

Emerald Cruises is a multi-category brand within the Australian-owned Scenic Group. The product spans two distinct segments: European river Star-Ships carrying approximately 180 guests each with a genuinely all-inclusive model (meals, drinks, excursions, and gratuities included), and ocean-going superyachts — Azzurra, Sakara, Kaia, and Xara — carrying just 100 guests each in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Southeast Asia. The river product is the brand’s heritage and core strength, with the yacht division representing a newer expansion into small-ship ocean cruising. The target demographic skews toward travellers in their 40s to 60s, and the Australian ownership means local pricing, local customer service, and a brand shaped by Australian market expectations.

For Australian travellers, the choice often comes down to what kind of holiday you want. If port-intensive ocean cruising with late-night stays and included cultural events appeals, Azamara delivers that better than almost any line afloat. If European river cruising is your priority, Emerald is the only option here. If you want ultra-intimate yacht cruising with just 100 fellow guests, Emerald’s superyachts offer a scale that Azamara’s 700-guest ships cannot match.

What is actually included

The inclusion models differ across the product categories, and the details matter for total-cost planning.

Azamara includes in every ocean fare: select standard spirits, international beers, and rotating wines by the glass available throughout the day, gratuities for all onboard staff, one AzAmazing Evening per qualifying cruise, shuttle bus services where available, self-service laundry, speciality coffees, and 24-hour room service. Speciality dining at Prime C and Aqualina carries a US$49.95 surcharge waived for suite guests. Wi-Fi is available for purchase with loyalty-tier discounts.

Emerald’s river cruises are genuinely all-inclusive: all meals, selected wines, beers, and spirits during lunch and dinner, daily guided excursions, gratuities, airport transfers on select dates, and complimentary bicycles for independent exploration. The river product sets a high bar for transparency — you know the cost before you board.

Emerald’s yacht cruises are partially inclusive: all meals across multiple restaurants, selected beverages with meals, port charges, and basic Wi-Fi. Premium drinks packages, shore excursions, spa treatments, and gratuities may carry additional charges depending on the fare tier and promotional offers at the time of booking. The yacht product is less comprehensively inclusive than the river product or than Azamara’s ocean fare.

The practical effect for Australians: Azamara’s ocean fare provides better budget certainty than Emerald’s yacht fare for like-for-like ocean cruising. Emerald’s river fare is the most inclusive product across both lines. The comparison depends entirely on which category — ocean or river — you are booking.

Dining and culinary experience

Both lines serve quality food, but the dining philosophies reflect the different scales and product types.

Azamara’s dining is compact and refined across six venues per ship. Discoveries Restaurant uses open seating with no assigned tables. Windows Cafe provides buffet dining for all meals. The Patio transforms from poolside grill to al fresco restaurant with tablecloths and candles each evening. Mosaic Cafe serves artisanal coffees and pastries. Prime C (steakhouse) and Aqualina (Italian) carry the US$49.95 surcharge waived for suite guests. The kitchen cooks for fewer than 700 guests, and the intimacy shows — by mid-voyage, the maitre d’ knows your preferences. The upcoming Chef’s Table on the refurbished Quest will add a dedicated dining venue to the fleet.

Emerald’s river dining centres on the main restaurant with panoramic views, serving multi-course meals featuring regional European cuisine matched to the itinerary. Included wines are selected to complement each evening’s menu. On select Star-Ships, a second venue offers lighter fare. The river dining experience is honest, regionally focused, and consistently well-prepared — not a destination dining experience but a solid accompaniment to the day’s excursions.

Emerald’s yacht dining features multiple venues scaled for 100 guests, including a main restaurant, an al fresco terrace, and a pool grill. The intimate scale means the kitchen can offer more personalised service. The cuisine is Mediterranean-influenced with locally sourced ingredients where possible.

Azamara wins on venue count and speciality dining options for ocean cruising. Emerald’s yacht dining benefits from the most intimate scale — cooking for 100 guests versus 700 creates a different experience entirely. Emerald’s river dining is a different product category and should be compared to other river lines rather than to Azamara’s ocean offering.

Suites and accommodation

The accommodation comparison spans three product types, making direct comparison complex.

Azamara’s stateroom range covers Club Interior (158 square feet), Club Veranda (175 square feet plus balcony), and suites from Club Continent (266 square feet) to Club World Owner’s (793 to 836 square feet). Butler service from suite level. The Forward refurbishment adds new Panorama and Grandview suites from late 2026.

Emerald’s river Star-Ships offer staterooms from approximately 162 square feet with twin balconies (a distinctive design combining a full-length window that drops to create a Juliet balcony and a separate opening). Owner’s Suites reach approximately 315 square feet. The accommodation is functional and well-designed for river cruising, with the innovative balcony system maximising light and air.

Emerald’s superyachts feature staterooms and suites from approximately 215 square feet for a Stateroom category through to Owner’s Suites at approximately 515 square feet including a private balcony. With only 50 cabins on each yacht, the accommodation feels more exclusive than Azamara’s 350-cabin ships despite similar or smaller square footage.

The difference is philosophical. Azamara offers a wider cabin hierarchy on a mid-size ocean ship. Emerald’s yachts offer fewer categories on a smaller ship where the sense of exclusivity comes from the passenger count rather than the cabin size.

Pricing and value

Pricing comparisons between these lines are complicated by the different product categories.

Azamara’s per-diem for a 7-night Mediterranean voyage runs approximately US$250 to $500 per person per night including drinks, gratuities, and AzAmazing Evenings. An entry-level Club Veranda cabin for a 14-night voyage costs roughly AUD $7,000 to $12,000 per person.

Emerald’s river per-diem for a 7 to 14-night European itinerary runs approximately AUD $400 to $700 per person per night all-inclusive. A 15-night Danube or Rhine cruise costs roughly AUD $7,000 to $12,000 per person including meals, drinks at dinner, excursions, and gratuities.

Emerald’s yacht per-diem varies by itinerary and fare tier but typically runs AUD $350 to $700 per person per night for Mediterranean sailings. A 7-night yacht cruise costs roughly AUD $4,000 to $7,000 per person before optional excursions and drinks packages.

For ocean cruising, Azamara’s more comprehensive inclusions (drinks throughout the day, gratuities, cultural events) generally represent stronger total value than Emerald’s yacht product when add-ons are factored in. For river cruising, Emerald’s all-inclusive model is competitive within the river segment. Both lines price in AUD through Australian booking channels.

Spa and wellness

Both lines offer spa facilities, though the scale reflects the different ship sizes.

Azamara’s Sanctum Spa features Elemis products, treatment rooms, the Sanctum Spa Terrace with thalassotherapy pool, and a fitness centre with complimentary classes.

Emerald’s river Star-Ships feature small spa areas with a resistance pool and cinema. The EmeraldACTIVE programme encourages guided walks and cycling ashore. Emerald’s superyachts carry compact spa facilities with personalised service for fewer guests.

Azamara wins on spa breadth. Emerald’s active wellness philosophy integrates physical activity with the destination.

Entertainment and enrichment

Neither line is an entertainment-led product, but the enrichment philosophies differ.

Azamara’s enrichment centres on over 250 Destination Speakers, AzAmazing Evenings (35 shoreside cultural events for 2026), and Stories Under the Stars. Emerald’s river enrichment includes daily guided excursions, the EmeraldACTIVE programme (cycling, hiking, canoeing), and local musicians aboard. Emerald’s yacht enrichment focuses on port-intensive itineraries with optional shore excursions. Azamara’s AzAmazing Evenings are the most distinctive enrichment offering. Emerald’s included river excursions add excellent value.

Fleet and destination coverage

The fleet comparison reveals fundamentally different business models.

Azamara operates four identical ocean ships — all R-class vessels at 30,277 gross tonnes. The fleet visits over 70 countries and 318 ports, with strong coverage across the Mediterranean, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Northern Europe, and South America. The four-ship fleet limits departure dates but delivers consistency — there is no ship lottery.

Emerald operates approximately eleven ships across two segments. The river fleet of Star-Ships covers the Rhine, Danube, Douro, Rhone, Saone, Main, and Mekong with year-round European and seasonal Asian departures. The ocean yacht fleet — Azzurra, Sakara, Kaia, and Xara — covers the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, Central America, and Southeast Asia with growing deployment.

For Australian travellers, Azamara offers more relevant ocean itineraries with Sydney departures, New Zealand sailings, and Asian voyages. Emerald’s yachts cover the Mediterranean and Red Sea but do not currently sail from Australian ports. Emerald’s river fleet serves European and Mekong destinations exclusively. The lines do not directly compete in most destinations.

Where each line excels

Azamara excels in:

• Destination immersion. Over half of all port time during late-night or overnight stays, boutique harbour access, and the AzAmazing Evenings programme create unmatched destination engagement.
• All-inclusive ocean cruising. Drinks, gratuities, cultural events, and shuttle buses included in every fare — transparent pricing for Australian budgets.
• Australian-waters deployment. Sydney departures, New Zealand itineraries, and Asian voyages with the ship positioned in the region for the summer season.
• Enrichment programming. Over 250 Destination Speakers and 35 AzAmazing Evenings for 2026.

Emerald excels in:

• Australian ownership. Scenic Group headquartered in Newcastle, NSW — local customer service, AUD pricing, and a brand shaped by Australian expectations.
• Multi-category flexibility. River Star-Ships, ocean superyachts, and the broader Scenic ecosystem offer a pathway from river to ocean to expedition.
• River cruising value. Genuinely all-inclusive European river cruising with meals, drinks, excursions, and gratuities — competitive pricing in the Australian market.
• Ultra-intimate yacht cruising. Just 100 guests on the superyachts — a level of intimacy that Azamara’s 700-guest ships cannot match.
• Unified loyalty. Scenic and Emerald Rewards programme carries status across all brands.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Azamara

Australia to New Zealand — Melbourne to Auckland (16 nights, January departure). Azamara’s small ships access New Zealand’s intimate ports including Milford Sound and Fiordland. No international flight required from Melbourne.

Sydney to Singapore (22 nights, February departure). Combines Australian coastal ports with Indonesia before finishing in Singapore — an easy fly-home option. Extended voyage length reduces the per-night cost.

Japan Cherry Blossom Season (spring sailing). Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Tokyo, and Kobe during cherry blossom season. Small-ship access to Japanese ports that larger vessels cannot reach.

Emerald

Danube River Cruise — Budapest to Amsterdam (15 nights). The classic European river itinerary through four countries with daily excursions, included drinks at meals, and the Star-Ship’s innovative twin-balcony design. Fly from Australian gateways via Singapore, Dubai, or Doha.

Adriatic and Greek Islands Yacht Cruise (7–10 nights, roundtrip Athens or Venice). Emerald’s superyachts explore intimate Greek and Croatian ports that larger ships cannot access, with just 100 guests aboard.

Mekong River Cruise (14 nights, Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap). Emerald’s Asian river programme offers a closer-to-home alternative to European river cruising, with direct flights from Australian capitals.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Azamara

Azamara Onward — Most frequently deployed to Australian waters. Atlas Bar exclusive. Recommended for domestic departures.

Azamara Quest — First into the Forward refurbishment late 2026. New Deck 11 suites and Chef’s Table restaurant.

Emerald

Emerald Star-Ships (river) — The A-class ships on the Danube and Rhine are the flagship river product. The innovative pool and cinema combination, included bicycles, and twin-balcony staterooms define the brand’s river identity.

Emerald Azzurra or Sakara (yacht) — The original superyachts for Mediterranean cruising. Just 100 guests, multiple dining venues, and a pool deck suited to the Mediterranean climate.

For Australian travellers specifically

Emerald’s Australian ownership is a genuine advantage — local customer service, AUD pricing, brand recognition, and the unified Scenic and Emerald Rewards programme that carries river cruise loyalty directly to yacht voyages.

Azamara’s Australian commitment has grown since independence, with Sydney departures and extended seasons. Distribution through Australian travel agent partnerships.

The product overlap is minimal. These lines serve different needs — Azamara for ocean destination immersion, Emerald river for Europe, Emerald yacht for ultra-intimate Mediterranean exploration. Many Australian travellers will sail both for different holidays.

The onboard atmosphere

Azamara’s atmosphere is intimate, social, and destination-focused on a mid-size scale. Fewer than 700 guests, a resort casual dress code throughout, no children’s facilities, and an adults-oriented demographic of well-travelled couples in their 50s to 70s create a boutique feel. The AzAmazing Evenings and Destination Speaker programmes ensure the conversation aboard revolves around the destination. Evenings are quiet and sophisticated.

Emerald’s river atmosphere is social and structured around the daily itinerary — morning excursions, afternoon sailing, evening dining with fellow guests at shared or individual tables. The demographic is couples and friends in their 40s to 60s. The atmosphere is Australian-friendly, English-speaking, and relaxed.

Emerald’s yacht atmosphere is the most intimate in this comparison. With just 100 guests, the ship feels like a private yacht. Staff know every passenger. The pool deck is never crowded. The dining room is unhurried. For travellers who find even Azamara’s 700 guests too many, Emerald’s yachts offer a genuine alternative.

The bottom line

Azamara and Emerald serve different travel needs, and the right choice depends on which need is primary.

Choose Azamara when ocean-going destination immersion is your priority. Choose it for overnight port stays, AzAmazing Evenings, included drinks and gratuities, and a proven fleet that sails from Sydney to every major ocean cruising region. Accept the 25-year-old ships (the Forward refurbishment addresses this from late 2026) and the lack of a dedicated Australian office.

Choose Emerald when Australian ownership matters, when European river cruising is the goal, or when you want the ultra-intimate experience of a 100-guest superyacht. Choose it for the Scenic Group loyalty ecosystem, AUD pricing, and local customer service. Accept that the yacht product is less comprehensively inclusive than Azamara’s ocean fare and that the yachts do not currently sail from Australian ports.

For many Australian travellers, these lines complement rather than compete — an Azamara ocean cruise for destination immersion and an Emerald river cruise for European exploration is a combination I recommend regularly.