In August 2020, Scenic Group (shipowner) contracted Viking Crew (part of the Dover, UK-based Viking Maritime Group Ltd) as the vessel’s crew management company. Viking Crew is responsible for Scenic Cruises’ yacht crew recruitment, management, deployment, and placement, covering officers and staff across the Engine, Hotel, and Deck departments. Viking Crew also manages the crews of the superyachts Scenic Eclipse 1 (2019) and Scenic Eclipse 2 (2022).

The vessel has a volume of 5755 GT and a deadweight of 1230 tons. The registered shipowner and management company is GMK CONSULTING LTD (incorporated in 2019, Naxxar, Malta).

Emerald Kaia’s hull construction began with the steel-cutting ceremony on August 22, 2024, at Halong Shipyard (Ha Long City, Vietnam). The ceremony was attended by Nguyen Tuan Anh (General Director of Halong Shipbuilding Yard) and Ivo Skelin (Scenic Group Asia’s General Manager of Nautical and Technical Operations).

Physical construction started with the keel-laying ceremony on December 27, 2024. The event was attended by Glen Moroney (Scenic Group’s Founder and Chairman) and the team of MKM Yachts Ltd, Scenic’s subsidiary specializing in the construction of luxury cruise ships, polar-class vessels, and superyachts in Croatia.

The ship was launched/floated out from drydock on November 10, 2025, in Halong Bay. On the same day, at the shipyard started the construction/assembly of the sistership Emerald Raiya. The special events were attended by Ivo Skelin (Scenic Group’s Project Engineer and General Manager of Design and Developments).

Emerald Kaia is scheduled for completion and delivery in April 2026.