Our Emerald Sakara cruise departed from Nice, so we flew in the day before to explore the city. I booked the pre-cruise package with Emerald, which includes the hotel, as well as airport and ship transfers, so everything was taken care of for us! Upon arrival at Nice Airport, we were met by an Emerald representative who transferred us to the NH Hotel, just 30 minutes away. There, we were greeted by another Emerald representative in the hotel lobby, who provided details about our ship transfer the following day and shared some recommendations for exploring Nice.
Nice is located on the French Riviera and is known for its stunning Mediterranean beaches, vibrant Promenade des Anglais, and rich cultural heritage. With a mix of French and Italian influences, the city boasts charming old-town streets, beautiful architecture, and a mild climate year-round. The atmosphere was wonderful, with alfresco dining and flower markets. The ocean was a vivid shade of blue, and the promenade looked like something straight out of a movie, with “beautiful” people strolling, roller skating, and sleek cars driving by. At the eastern end of the promenade, atop a hill, is the famous "#I LOVE NICE" selfie spot, offering a breathtaking view of the coastline—well worth the climb!
The next day, at 1pm, we were transferred by minibus to Nice Port. As we approached the port, we got our first glimpse of Emerald Sakara, and she was a sight to behold! Nice Harbor is incredibly luxurious, filled with enormous yachts, but none could compare to Sakara. She is sleek and stunning! Upon arrival, more Emerald staff greeted us, tagged and x rayed our luggage, and delivered it to our cabins. After clearing security ourselves, we were invited to board our luxury yacht—our home for the next seven nights.
I was SO EXCITED—Emerald Sakara is a magnificent vessel, and onboard, you truly feel like a rock star! As we stepped aboard, we were offered a glass of champagne and warmly welcomed by the enthusiastic crew and the ship's captain. My heart was full!
The check-in process was seamless. First, we checked in at reception, handed over our passports, and received our cabin key. Then, we attended a private "evacuation and safety demonstration" before being free to explore the ship.
The Crew
All the crew members were amazing, making the cruise experience truly special. They pay exceptional attention to detail and genuinely go above and beyond to make sure you're taken care of. The room attendants visited throughout the day to keep our cabin spotless. After unpacking, they stored our suitcases under the bed to free up space. The bar staff were fun, kept the drinks flowing, and were generous with their portions. They remembered our drink preferences by day two, and one of the baristas even taught himself how to make coffee the way Australians like it by watching YouTube.
The Cabin
Our balcony cabin (404) was gorgeous and felt more like a luxury hotel room than a ship cabin. There was nothing I could have wished for that wasn’t already provided! The bed was large and comfortable, and there was a leather armchair and a small seating area. The cabin also featured a full-length mirror, a large bench with a mini-fridge (stocked with complimentary drinks), four deep drawers, a desk chair, and an over-bench mirror. Sheer and blackout curtains provided flexibility for light control, and there were power points on both sides of the bed and in the desk area. A hairdryer and strong, free Wi-Fi were available throughout the ship.
We had a coffee machine with a selection of pods that made decent coffee, and fresh jugs of water were provided in the cabin at all times. The wardrobe was spacious, with plenty of hanging space, two sliding shoe shelves, a room safe, and two smaller drawers. The cabin also came with plush dressing gowns and slippers, which everyone wore to the pool, spa, day spa, and even the laundry.
There was a large TV displaying the ‘Daily Pioneer’ newsletter, which listed port arrival and departure times, shore tours, and onboard activities. This was updated every evening for the following day.
The bathroom was spacious and well-appointed, with a drawer full of high-quality amenities, including luxurious shampoo, conditioner, and lotions.
The Ship
Most of the time, we didn’t feel like we were on a cruise, but rather in a luxury boutique hotel, thanks to the spacious layout and stylish décor. You never feel crowded because there is only a maximum of 100 guests onboard. There are plenty of private spaces to relax and read, or you can head to the main lounges for music and company. On our cruise, most passengers were from Canada, with some Americans, English, and only 10 Australians. Some passengers preferred to mingle, while others kept to themselves. The small number of passengers allowed for a wonderfully personalised experience.
There are two outdoor decks. The top deck (Level 7) has the Sky Bar and spa, along with plenty of seating options—including in the spa. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the ocean or ports. One deck below is the Aqua Café and pool, which has a beach resort vibe with cosy chairs and sun lounges. The saltwater pool was quite warm.
Level 4 has the majority of cabins, a laundry, and the observation lounge, a cosy space with armchairs, books, and games—perfect for a quiet time with a view.
Lu Cucina is the only restaurant, offering both indoor and outdoor seating with tables for two to eight guests. You can eat whenever you like during meal times and choose your seating. Breakfast and lunch times vary based on port arrival times. If you miss the buffet breakfast (7-9 am), you can order breakfast from the menu at the Aqua Bar until 11 a.m. The food at both breakfast and lunch was a fabulous buffet selection, while dinner was à la carte. The menu changes daily to feature local produce from the region we were visiting, and there's also a ‘standard menu’ available every night. Special dietary needs are catered to as well. For example, a guest with celiac disease was treated to a special dessert at every meal, which made her extremely happy.
The Amici Lounge is a beautiful, spacious lounge area with a central bar. Most passengers gathered here around 6pm each day for the ‘Port Talk’ (about the next day’s port) at 6:45pm, followed by dinner at 7pm. After dinner, there was entertainment in the lounge with the onboard singer, and we also enjoyed local performances, including a local opera singer and a folk band. There was also a karaoke night and a quiz night, both of which were great fun.
Laundry
There is a laundry onboard, equipped with three washers, three dryers, and two steam irons. Everything is complimentary, and the washers come pre-loaded with detergent. The dryers are very quick, and you can select light drying settings for faster results. If you prefer not to do your own laundry, you can use the laundry basket in your cabin and your room attendant will take care of it for you.
Wellness Centre
On Level 2, there’s a small gym with treadmills and weights, a sauna, a beauty spa, and a hair salon. The onboard gym instructor held a talk about pain management and exercise, and the beauty therapist offered a session on skincare.
Clothing
We encountered a variety of temperatures during our cruise, so layering was key. Daytime attire was casual—think shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, and comfortable footwear (nice sneakers or sandals). For evenings, the dress code was smart/elegant casual—collared shirts for men and evening wear for women. Heels weren’t necessary. If you dined outdoors, you might want to bring a jacket. For October, we also needed waterproof jackets for rainy days and coastal boat tours.
Our Itinerary
Unfortunately, due to high winds in the Mediterranean in October, several of our ports were changed, along with the shore tours. Below are some of my favourite locations we did visit and shore excursions:
- Menton (changed to Nice for us) – We joined the DiscoverMore Monaco & Eze shore tour, which was a long but fabulous day. We visited Monacco City, Monte Carlos Casino, drove on the Grand Prix track, visited Princess Grace’s tomb, and saw the Prince’s Palace. We also explored Medieval Eze, perched high on a peak. It’s a steep walk to the top, but it’s one of the most picturesque villages of the trip.
- Portofino – Unfortunately, our scheduled stop in Portofino was cancelled due to weather, so we docked in Genoa Port instead. Since Portofino was on my bucket list, we took a 1-hour train ride to Santa Margherita Ligure, then a 25-minute bus ride to Portofino. It was well worth the effort, as Portofino was even more beautiful than I’d imagined. The whole round trip cost us only €15 each ($23 AUD).
- Portoferraio (Elba Island) – We pre-booked the DiscoverMore tour of Napoleon’s Path and a tasting at La Chiusa Winery. The tour was fascinating, with a knowledgeable guide. Napoleon’s hunting lodge was spectacular, with stunning painted walls. La Chiusa Winery offered picturesque views and delicious local wines and produce.
- Bonifacio, Corsica – This town is incredible, with houses perched dramatically on cliffs. We pre-booked the DiscoverMore Coastal Boat Trip, offered by Emerald Cruises, which I highly recommend. This tour offers a fantastic view of the houses from the water and takes you through stunning grottos with crystal-clear turquoise water.
Summary
We loved our time on Emerald Sakara and would highly recommend cruising on her, or her sister ship Azzura. The ship is beautiful and offers everything you could possibly need. The crew and food were exceptional. All drinks (including alcohol) are included with Emerald Ocean Cruises, so there are no surprises at the end of your trip. Tipping is also included, so you don’t need to worry about how much to tip.
The only additional costs are for DiscoverMore Shore Tours and beauty services, but these are entirely optional.
Given my personal experience with cancelled ports, I would recommend avoiding small-ship cruises in the Mediterranean in October due to unpredictable weather. We had four changed ports and only two sunny days—most of the time it was overcast with occasional rain. I would suggest planning for August or September to avoid crowds and the intense summer heat, but before the October winds set in.
Due to the wind and swell, we were also unable to use the Marina Deck, where Emerald Yachts open the back of the ship to allow swimming, kayaking, and ocean activities. This was disappointing, but we knew it was only possible when the weather allows.
My husband and I don’t typically cruise, but we loved the smaller-ship experience so much that we’re already considering our next Emerald Super Yachts cruise—perhaps the Caribbean next time! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about Emerald Cruises.
