Scenic Group plans to expand its river cruise fleet with three new vessels scheduled to enter service between 2027 and 2028. The additions include one Emerald Cruises ship and two Scenic luxury ships operating in Europe and Asia.
The expansion comes as the company marks its 40th year of operations.
The new ships are part of a broader fleet expansion programme. Scenic Group has previously confirmed several additional vessels, including Emerald Astra, scheduled to begin service in May 2026 on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, and Emerald Lumi, which will operate on France’s Seine River from 2027.
The new vessels will operate on the Douro River in Portugal and the Mekong River in South-east Asia.
The first of the ships, Emerald Nova, is scheduled to begin service in June 2027 on the Douro River. The vessel will join Emerald Radiance and operate itineraries exploring northern Portugal and neighbouring regions in Spain.
One of the routes, the 11-day Douro Highlights: Porto, Salamanca & the Wine Valley itinerary, includes visits to cities and wine regions along the river, with activities such as guided hikes and kayaking.
Scenic Aria, another vessel planned for the Douro River, is expected to enter service in September 2027. The ship will join Scenic Azure and operate itineraries including the 11-day Unforgettable Douro and the eight-day Delightful Douro cruises.
The third vessel, Scenic Spirit II, is scheduled to begin service in early 2028 on the Mekong River, which flows through Vietnam and Cambodia. The ship will expand the company’s presence in the region following increased demand for cruises in South-east Asia.
The company is also introducing new yachts under the Emerald Cruises brand, including Emerald Kaia in 2026, Emerald Raiya in 2027 and Emerald Xara in 2028, as well as the Scenic Ikon yacht in 2028.
