Louise & Maura on Emerald Sakara: Two Perspectives

This month, we caught up with two of our team — Louise, our Head of Partnerships, and Maura, one of our expert Travel Concierges — who joined Emerald Sakara for a sailing around the Mediterranean in October 2025. Both bring a wealth of experience in luxury travel, but when it comes to cruising, their perspectives couldn’t be more different.

For Maura, a seasoned ocean cruiser who’s experienced some of the world’s most luxurious ships, this was a chance to see how yacht cruising compares. For Louise, it was a first proper sailing — and her first taste of life at sea aboard an intimate, 100-guest luxury yacht. We asked them both a set of questions to discover how their experiences aligned (and where they pleasantly surprised each other).

Louise’s First Voyage: A Newfound Love for Cruising

This was your first yacht cruise, what were your first impressions of Emerald Sakara? Did it match what you imagined a cruise would be like?

I was instantly impressed, from the moment we stepped foot onboard and were greeted in such a warm and welcoming fashion, I knew that this was going to be something special. It exceeded what I thought a cruise would be like (attention to detail, service, relaxed feel).

How did the suites feel to you? Were they more spacious or comfortable than you expected a cruise suite would be?

More spacious than I imagined, especially given that we were on a yacht. It didn’t feel cramped and the suite had a lovely terrace that had plenty of room to sit and enjoy a morning coffee.

And the dining, what was that like? Were there any meals or dining experiences that really surprised or delighted you?

With there just being the one main restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised with the variety of food and dishes available each evening.  The menu changed each night and had selected special dishes along with classics that could be tailored and paired with side dishes to suit our tastes.  Our first evening was a buffet night, which offered so much variety and choice, and the standard was excellent

As someone a little newer to cruising, how did the crew make you feel? Did you feel well looked after from the start?

The cruise was a wonderful experience, it felt more personal than I was expecting – I expected the service to be good, but it really did exceed my expectation.  The staff were so attentive and friendly, and it wasn’t unusual to see the captain and first officers walking around the yacht interacting with guests.  The bridge is open 24/7 and guests can call in and chat to the captain any time, which really makes you feel like the yacht is your own personal charter! The waiting staff remembered your preferences and it had a real family feel.

What was it like getting off the yacht and exploring the ports? Did the smaller size make it easier to really get out and enjoy the destinations?

Due to the size of the yacht, it could dock directly into port.  This was a particular advantage when we docked in Ibiza Town, as our spot was right on the promenade and we stepped straight off onto the port (no tendering to shore).  Our stop in Spain also made it seamless to join the e-bike tour, and we cycled straight from the front of the ship along the coastline and didn’t need to take a transfer off the port.

Were there any moments onboard that surprised you about yacht cruising, compared to what you imagined a cruise would be like?

The interaction with the crew, as mentioned above. There seemed to be no hierarchy and the captain mingling with guests and taking part in the evening entertainment was quite unique!

After this first experience, how likely are you to go on another yacht cruise?

Highly likely! It was a special experience and surpassed all expectation, I have a new passion for cruise and can't wait to get out at sea again!

Maura’s Take: A Yacht with Ocean-Liner Luxury

You’ve sailed on plenty of ocean cruises, how did Emerald Sakara compare? Did the smaller yacht feel very different to the bigger ships you’re used to?

It was a really unique experience — definitely quite different from the luxury ocean cruises I’ve been on,  Although the yacht was much smaller than the luxury ships I’m used to, it still felt incredibly luxurious. With only around 100 guests on board, there was a surprising amount of space, and the more intimate atmosphere made the whole experience feel special and personalised.

What was your impression of the suites onboard? How did they compare to the staterooms you’ve stayed in before in terms of comfort and style?

We only got to see the suite we stayed in (as the yacht was fully booked!) and that was the Balcony Suite,  I was so impressed. The space felt generous, the bed and linens were of beautiful quality, and the bathroom was surprisingly large, complete with ESPA amenities. In terms of size and comfort, it was very comparable to what I’ve experienced on luxury cruise lines.

How did dining on a yacht differ from the large-ship experience? Were there any meals or restaurants onboard that really stood out for you?

Dining on the yacht was definitely a different experience. I expected the choice to be limited with just one restaurant on board, but I was very wrong. On our first evening, the buffet offered an incredible variety, something for everyone. Another little hidden gem was the Aqua Pool Café, which also had a wide selection and outstanding quality. Overall, the dining felt both intimate and exceptional, without compromising on variety or taste.

What about the service – did it feel more personal compared to what you’re used to on bigger ships? Were there any particular touches that made an impression?

Yes, the service felt very personal. The Captain and crew were incredibly friendly,  they genuinely mingled with the guests. It created such a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere which really did make a difference.

How was exploring the ports? Did the smaller size of the yacht make it easier to get off and really experience the local towns and sights?

This was extremely easy as the yacht was able to get right into the port, great choice of activities/excursions everywhere we went.

Did the more intimate onboard atmosphere change how you experienced activities or excursions compared to a larger ship?

This was very smooth, no queues to embark or disembark, again very personal the crew knew exactly what was happening, everything ran very smoothly, 

Now that you’ve had this experience, do you think you’d sail on a yacht again, or do larger ships still have their appeal?

Yes, without a doubt, I loved the yacht experience. It offered everything you’d expect from a luxury cruise, but in such a unique and intimate setting. That said, I still love the scale and variety of a luxury ocean cruise, so both experiences have their own special appeal. 

Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or setting foot on deck for the first time, Emerald Sakara seems to offer something special: the intimacy of a yacht, the polish of a luxury liner, and the kind of service that lingers long after you’ve left it behind. For Louise and Maura, it was proof that small ships can make a big impression.

Interviewees: Louise Ashworth & Maura McKenna

Destination: The Balearics

Duration: 22nd-25th October 2025, Palma → Barcelona, a short section of a longer voyage

Style: Ultra-luxe yacht cruising

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