Scenic Group has outlined plans to operate fam trips on new ships launching for its Scenic and Emerald Cruises brands.

Scenic Eclipse II is due to enter service in two months, while the second Emerald yacht, Emerald Sakara, will make its debut this summer.

The company’s UK director of trade sales Andrea Stafford confirmed that trade partners will be invited to the christening ceremonies for both ships, and highlighted the intention to invite agents on board the vessels “to see how they raise the game in the luxury and exploration markets”.

Stafford added: “Stepping up our trade activity in recent months is definitely translating into bookings.

“Innovative luxury products always catch people’s attention, and we’ve got two amazing launches to shout about.

“Scenic Eclipse II will be making UK calls in September and we will be showcasing the yacht to the trade, which is already creating excitement.”

Scenic trade bookings ‘ahead of expectations’

Stafford said that bookings through the trade for the Scenic and Emerald brands were “ahead of expectations”.

“Both new yachts offer that wow factor for consumers,” she added. “We’re doubling our capacity, bringing new itineraries to the market and helping to raise awareness of luxury exploration as a sector in its own right.”

Scenic Eclipse II, the sister to Scenic Eclipse, launches in April with a 12-night sailing from Lisbon to Barcelona.

It will then spend a summer season exploring the Mediterranean, Iceland and Scotland.

Meanwhile, Emerald Sakara, a sister to Emerald Azzura, will launch with an eight-day Ionian Sea Adventure sailing from Athens to Rome, departing 5 August 2023.

The ship will then cruise the Mediterranean and Adriatic, before heading across the Atlantic in November for a winter of Caribbean and South American itineraries.