Scenic Group Welcomes Three New River Ships to Its Expanding Fleet

Scenic Group has announced an expansion of its river cruise fleet by adding three new vessels. This move is a part of the company’s growth strategy across its two cruise brands. The expansion includes one new ship for Emerald Cruises and two for Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. The founder and chairman, Glen Moroney, expressed confidence in the continued demand for luxury river cruising, which has influenced this decision.

The first new vessel, Emerald Nova, is set to begin operations in June 2027 on the Douro River in Portugal, where it will offer two itineraries alongside the existing Emerald Radiance. Following this, the Scenic Aria will launch in September 2027, also on the Douro River, joining the Scenic Azure to operate established itineraries in the area. A third vessel, Scenic Spirit II, is slated to begin service in early 2028 on the Mekong River, cruising between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Sales for both the Emerald Nova and Scenic Aria have opened, while pre-registration for Scenic Spirit II is currently available. This addition is part of a broader fleet expansion strategy that includes other projects like Emerald Astra, which is set to operate on major European rivers starting May 2026, and Emerald Lumi, launching on the Seine River in 2027.

Moreover, the company continues to grow in its yacht division with new vessels like Emerald Kaia, Emerald Raiya, and Emerald Xara being introduced between 2026 and 2028. An ocean vessel, Scenic Ikon, is also under construction, aiming for a 2028 delivery.

Moroney highlighted that these new projects signify a key phase in Scenic’s strategic fleet expansion, with design and construction being managed by the company’s own shipbuilding division, MKM Yachts, ensuring adherence to the high standards and expertise the company has developed over its four decades of operation.

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