Emerald Sakara: Kelly Craighead will be the godmother
Emerald Cruises is proud to announce that Kelly Craighead, President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), will be the godmother of Emerald Sakara, the line’s second luxury Ocean Yacht, which will be launched in August and christened on December 2, 2023 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“Kelly perfectly portrays what we find special about Emerald Sakara, whose name translates to ‘thoughts come true’, a meaning that represents both the way we designed and built Emerald Sakara and the way we see Kelly’s leadership and contributions to the cruise industry, guiding us through some of our most challenging times only to emerge stronger”, said Ken Muskat, Chief Executive Officer of Scenic Group USA. “Kelly’s unwavering commitment to our valued travel advisors and to responsible tourism at sea and in destinations around the world aligns with Emerald Cruises‘ passion for growth and success”.
Craighead Kelly President CEO CLIA
As CLIA’s President and CEO, Kelly represents a large and growing community of the world’s most prestigious ocean, river and specialty cruise lines. She joined CLIA in 2019, bringing with her a deep understanding of public policy and the workings of governments around the world. Under her leadership, CLIA has sharpened its focus on leveraging its diverse community to support a sustainable cruise industry.
Throughout the multi-year pandemic, Craighead and the CLIA team have worked tirelessly to ensure the long-term viability of the cruise industry and its ability to safely resume operations in line with other travel industries. In 2023, the cruise industry is expected to carry 31.5 million passengers, surpassing the historically strong levels of 2019.
Craighead is also vice president and executive director of the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit public charity dedicated to improving the quality of life in communities served by the cruise industry. Her leadership in sustainable tourism has helped position the cruise industry in a better place than it was three years ago and on track to meet its 2030 carbon reduction targets and achieve net zero carbon ship operations by 2050.
Emerald Sakara
“I am honored to have been selected as the godmother of the luxury Ocean Yacht Emerald Sakara and proud to represent this beautiful and environmentally friendly vessel in this esteemed maritime tradition”, said Kelly Craighead, President and CEO of CLIA. “The name Sakara reflects my deep personal belief that positive thoughts manifest reality, and the strong resurgence of cruising in recent years – along with our commitment to a sustainable future for cruising – demonstrates the optimism that drives this industry forward every day. In addition, Emerald Cruises’ Cherish the Planet ethos, based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, aligns with CLIA’s work to promote environmentally responsible tourism and protect the destinations we visit”.
In addition to its many amenities, Emerald Sakara incorporates some of the most advanced technologies in the industry, as Scenic Group’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable travel is unwavering. Engines meet IMO Tier III emissions regulations, including the removal of NOx and SOx from exhaust gases; recycled energy is used to heat water for the yacht’s needs; and advanced wastewater treatment meets the latest regulations. The company has been awarded a Green Passport by the EU for its recycling efforts.
Emerald sakara
The new ship is the 11th in the Emerald Cruises fleet, joining nine River Star ships and the sister yacht Emerald Azzurra, which sails the waters of the Mediterranean and Adriatic as well as the warm waters of the Caribbean. Emerald Sakara offers more space per guest than ships of similar size, and 88 percent of the ship’s 50 staterooms have balconies. Guests will also enjoy a large infinity pool, spa, gym, and a marine platform equipped with water games, including paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, and more.
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