Emerald Cruises & Tours has named two long-standing employees as Godparents of Emerald Kaia, which is now en route to the Mediterranean, with the inaugural season commencing from April 2026.
In 2026, Scenic Group marks 40 Years of Innovation and in recognition of this milestone, Emerald Kaia will be christened by two of the company’s longest serving and dedicated employees: Kim Scoular, Director of Operations and Ray Gilbert, Senior Software Engineer.
This recognition of their long-serving employees reflects Scenic Group’s four-decade commitment to prioritizing the guest experience and celebrating the team whose passion, expertise, and dedication create life-changing memories on every journey.
Scoular has almost three decades of experience with Scenic, starting as a reservations agent before embarking on a global career as a Tour Director. Today, Scoular leads a dynamic operations team, known for delivering seamless guest experiences and operational excellence, across the brand’s river and yacht fleet.
Scoular said: “Being named Godparent of Emerald Kaia is an incredible honour and a deeply personal milestone in my journey with Scenic Group. Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, and I am proud to represent the many passionate people who bring these journeys to life every day.”
Since joining Scenic Group in 1998, Ray Gilbert has also played a pivotal role in shaping the IT infrastructure and digital platforms. His expertise has been instrumental in supporting guests, trade partners, and team members worldwide.
Gilbert observed: “When I started with Scenic Group, I could never have imagined being asked to serve as Godparent to one of our ships. It’s a privilege to support the people and technology behind the scenes, and this recognition reflects the dedication of the entire team that keeps our ships and tours running smoothly.”
Damien Thomas, Scenic Group Chief Operating Officer said, “For almost thirty years, Kim Scoular and Ray Gilbert have dedicated their passion, expertise, and loyalty to the Scenic Group family, helping shape our business into what it is today. Their naming as godparents of Emerald Kaia recognizes not only their remarkable individual journeys, but also the commitment and teamwork that define our collective success.”
And Thomas continued: “As we celebrate 40 Years of Innovation, it is fitting that Emerald Kaia is entrusted to two people who have helped drive our evolution – from a touring heritage to today’s contemporary luxury river and yacht experiences. It is a privilege to bestow this honour upon them.”
Emerald Kaia will be christened in June in Venice, Italy, during a special ceremony that will bring together Scenic Group team members, valued partners and guests to officially welcome her to the fleet.
On Feb. 13, 2026, Emerald Kaia officially departed Halong Bay, Vietnam, marking her entry into the Emerald Cruises fleet. She will commence her inaugural Mediterranean season with an 11-day inaugural voyage from Cyprus to Greece on April 4, 2026.
Following the yachts’ Mediterranean season, Emerald Kaia will transit the Red Sea and Suez Canal in November en route to the Seychelles. She will sail from December 2026 to March 2027, exploring the breathtaking waters of the Indian Ocean and East Africa, with guests able to combine their luxury cruise with an immersive safari land tour.
Sail on over to www.emeraldcruises.ca for more.
