Scenic Group has confirmed plans to launch three new luxury river ships in 2027 and early 2028

One Emerald Star-Ship will join the Emerald Cruises and Tours fleet, while Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours will welcome two ultra-luxury Scenic Space-Ships.

The new vessels will operate across Europe and Asia, with bookings opening on Monday (9 March).

The 112-guest Emerald Nova will launch in June 2027 on the Douro, joining Emerald Radiance on the Portuguese river. The vessel will offer two itineraries: the 11-day ‘Douro Highlights: Porto, Salamanca & the Wine Valley’ and eight-day ‘Secrets of the Douro’, from March to November.

Meanwhile, the 96-guest Scenic Aria will join Scenic Azure in Portugal next September, operating an 11-day ‘Unforgettable Douro’ and eight-day ‘Delightful Douro’ from March to November. Launching early 2028, the 68-guest Scenic Spirit II will cruise the Mekong River across Vietnam and Cambodia. The ship will call at the likes of Phnom Penh, Ankor Ban and Ho Chi Minh City.

The new ships build on Scenic Group’s previously confirmed additional vessels, including Emerald Astra, launching in May 2026 on the Rhine, Main and Danube, and Emerald Lumi, debuting on the Seine in 2027.

Combined with the launch of new luxury yachts Emerald Kaia from April 2026, Emerald Raiya in 2027 and Emerald Xara in 2028, as well as Scenic Ikon in 2028, means this commitment to build more new ships represents Scenic Group’s most significant fleet growth phase in nearly a decade. By early 2028, Scenic will have a river cruise fleet of 15 ships, while Emerald will have 11.

Glen Moroney, chair and founder, Scenic Group, said: “Our commitment to introducing three new river ships for the Scenic and Emerald Cruises brands reflects our confidence in the strong demand for our unique approach to luxury cruising. With Scenic Ikon in build for delivery in 2028 and five Emerald Cruises yachts and river ships already confirmed, this announcement marks the next phase of our strategic fleet growth.

“By bringing the design and construction of these new river ships under the expertise of our team at MKM Yachts, we can apply the same exact standards, innovation and design principles that have underpinned Scenic Group’s success for the past 40 years.”