I’d barely stepped into the cool air of the Emerald Sakara, the luxury yacht that was providing my escape from Antigua’s Caribbean heat, when I was greeted with a glass of bubbly. Chloe Barlow, the gracious Emerald Cruises voyage leader, handed me my drink, and then I was whisked away to explore the ship. From that moment on, my eight-day journey through the British Virgin Islands on one of the award-winning brand’s newest ships was full of superlative service, exceptional onshore experiences and hours of freedom to enjoy the yachting lifestyle.
Before we cast off from St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, I climbed the three-storey mirrored staircase – which perfectly emphasizes the one-year-old, 100-guest yacht’s high ceilings – to explore the rest of the ship. As I roamed, I was struck by how the level of detail and interior design on this ship rivals that of the most stylish boutique hotels. The sophisticated decor – bold graphic prints, chic French-grey leather furniture and walls adorned with a curated collection of contemporary artwork – evokes a sense of New World elegance.
But, as I discovered on my tour, it’s the Emerald Sakara’s outdoor spaces – from the top-deck Sky Bar, with its spectacular sunset views, to the aft Marina Platform, with all the water toys you could ever want, to the restaurant, La Cucina, to the outdoor terrace with its coffee bar and infinity pool – that truly showcase the purpose-driven design and layout of ship. It’s no surprise that cruising on the Emerald Sakara feels like you’re on your own superyacht.
When I finally made it to my balcony suite, I entered a cocoon of serenity. A spacious bed with crisp white Egyptian linens took centre stage, complemented by a beautifully designed wardrobe. Continuing the luxury theme, the ensuite is stocked with lavish, spa-quality ESPA toiletries.
The next morning, I opened my curtains and was captivated by the rising sun and stunning scenery. My breakfast began with a perfectly folded omelette. (I enjoyed it so much that the cook made the same omelette for me every morning without me having to ask.) On my first full day, I went on a cultural DiscoverMORE excursion around the island of Barbuda and then spent time sunning on Princess Diana Beach, a pristine kilometres-long stretch of pink-sand we reached by Zodiac tender. A more intimate cruising yacht, the Emerald Sakara is able to anchor at small harbours that are inaccessible to large cruise ships.
The evening was ushered in with the fine-dining menu at La Cucina. At every dinner, executive chef Librado Palomares would use fresh, local seafood to create a dish inspired by our ports of call; in addition, there would be new, sophisticated wine pairings. Here, I was introduced to my new favourite white wine: Tiki Wine & Vineyards’ Maui North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2022. Made by one of the first Indigenous-owned wineries in New Zealand, it’s an exceptional choice to serve with seafood.
Regardless of where we were headed or what we were doing, every day spent exploring the Eastern Caribbean on the beautiful, custom-designed Emerald Sakara felt like a special brand of luxury. Whether I was on the island of Jost Van Dyke discovering its tranquil harbour or on board finding a private nook to unwind with a book – homemade rum punch in hand – it felt like the yacht’s team was catering solely to me.
By the last night, I had formed a close-knit group with the other guests (54 of them), and we came together to celebrate our week of unforgettable experiences. It was an impromptu alfresco dinner party at La Cucina – on the outside deck, of course. Toasts were given, photos were snapped and emails were exchanged as we prepared to return home. Filled with mixed emotions, I turned to Sheila Fishman Palter, a new friend from Florida, and asked what her favourite part of the trip was. She replied without hesitation: “The people.”
My most memorable experience
The beach barbecue hosted by the culinary team at White Bay on Jost Van Dyke, BVI. Captain Chris Dodds and hotel director Joerg Grossmann served glasses of Prosecco and handed out melon skewers from their ersatz “paddleboard bar”. The ELLE Gourmet culinary team developed a Melon Gin Spritz cocktail in honour of this unique experience.
Learn more about Emerald Cruises
The Emerald Sakara and its sister ship, the Emerald Azzurra, have luxury ocean-cruising experiences in the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas, the Caribbean, Central America, the Seychelles, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Wherever you’re travelling with Emerald Cruises, you’ll enjoy curated adventures, exceptional service and a luxury yacht experience in a class all its own.
