Ibiza: Luxury Yacht Hopping
I recently spent a whirlwind day in Ibiza stepping aboard two very different luxury yachts, Emerald Sakara and Scenic Eclipse II. Seeing them both first-hand gave me a much better feel for the experience onboard and the type of traveller each one would suit.
When Scenic and Emerald Cruises invited me to Ibiza to visit two of their luxury yachts, there was only one thing for it - I was going to Ibiza!
These ships rarely visit the UK, so although it was only an overnight trip, it was a brilliant opportunity to experience them properly and see exactly who each one would suit.
The day started very early at Manchester Airport, where I had to test out the new Wetherspoons in T2 to report back to my clients! I had a sausage sandwich and unlimited coffee refills for £11, which I didn’t think was too bad by airport standards. Not the most glamorous start to a luxury yacht visit though!
Emerald Sakara
Our first visit was to Emerald Sakara, a small and intimate yacht carrying a maximum of just 100 guests.
She would be ideal for anyone who feels overwhelmed by larger cruise ships and would prefer something calmer and more personal. Because of her smaller size, she can visit ports and islands that larger ships cannot always reach.
In Ibiza we could walk straight from the yacht into Ibiza Town. It reminded me of river cruising, where you often step off the ship right in the heart of the destination.
There are lovely outdoor deck areas, a marina platform with water toys, and a choice of indoor or alfresco dining. Although there is one main restaurant, menus change daily and dinner each night is à la carte.
Emerald Sakara was also moored next to Seven, the yacht associated with David Beckham. Sadly, there was no sign of David sunbathing on deck that day ;(
I will be recommending Emerald Sakara to clients wanting a relaxed and accessible way to experience the luxury yacht lifestyle.
Scenic Eclipse II
Our second visit was to Scenic Eclipse II, an ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht carrying up to 228 guests.
Although she is larger than Emerald Sakara, she still feels spacious, calm and very personal. She offers up to 10 dining experiences, including some beautifully intimate venues.
We dined at Koko’s Asian Fusion and the food was absolutely divine. The service was excellent too.
Scenic Eclipse II also has two helicopters, a large helipad, a custom-built submersible and a marina platform with water toys. She is designed for both Mediterranean cruising and expedition voyages to destinations such as Antarctica.
I would recommend her to anyone looking for a refined, ultra-luxury experience while exploring some of the world’s most interesting destinations.
A taste of Ibiza
After the ship visits, we enjoyed cocktails in Ibiza Town, which was so pretty on a warm evening.
In true travel agent style, the cocktails eventually turned into a night at Pacha for one of the closing parties!
It was a whirlwind trip, but absolutely worth it. Seeing both yachts for myself means I can now explain how they feel, what makes them different and which one is likely to suit you best.
If you would like to know more about Emerald Yacht Cruises or Scenic Eclipse, please get in touch. I’m always very happy to talk cruising and help you find the right experience :)
