Scenic Group has reached a milestone with the celebration of the fifth anniversary of Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yachts. Since 2019, Scenic has continuously set the benchmark for ultra-luxury yacht cruising with world-class ship design and unrivalled discovery experiences.
The fifth anniversary celebrations mark the christening of Scenic Eclipse on 10 September 2019 by Dame Helen Mirren, in New York City. It was a month prior, in August 2019 when Scenic Eclipse set sail from Reykjavik, to commence the journey as the most innovative ultra-luxury ship of its time. The world-class design and state-of-the-art technology of the two Discovery Yachts is the envy of the cruise industry, with outstanding navigation around the world’s most remote locations and unrivalled exploration, as the only ships to feature both a submersible^ and two helicopters^ on board.
Catering for only up to 228 guests (200 guests in Antarctica), the truly all-inclusive guest experience spans across sophisticated spaces designed for relaxing and socialising. The demand for wellness has driven the design and evolution of the indulgent 550m2 Senses Spa, state-of-the-art gym and dedicated Pilates and yoga studio. The depth of culinary offering is unparalleled on a ship this size, with up to 10 dining experiences and nine bars and lounges, including the Scenic Bar & Lounge with more than 130 whiskeys from around the world.
In April 2024, Scenic Eclipse II arrived in Australia for its inaugural two-year season in the region, becoming the first Scenic ship to sail in the country where Scenic Group was founded 38 years ago. Glen Moroney, Founder and Chairman, Scenic Group, said: “Since the debut of Scenic Eclipse in 2019, we have set the benchmark in ultra-luxury ocean cruising. The MKM Yachts team and our dedicated crew are very proud of the continuous innovation and unrivalled discovery yacht experiences we’ve created over the past five years. Scenic Group is committed to establishing luxury yachts as the new growth category in ocean cruising, which extends to the expansion of Emerald Cruises, with the upcoming launch of Emerald Kaia in 2026, alongside Emerald Azzurra and Sakara.”
Its sister brand, Emerald Cruises, has also launched the next generation of luxury yacht cruising with Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara in 2022 and 2023 respectively, with the build of Emerald Kaia, commencing and due to set to sail in April 2026.
In celebration of five significant years, additional key milestones of Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yachts include:
1.March 2023: Scenic Eclipse II launches with new wellness and discovery experiences
The benchmark in ultra-luxury cruising was elevated by Scenic with the launch of Scenic Eclipse II in March 2023. The Senses Spa was expanded to include an innovative salt therapy lounge (also now on Scenic Eclipse) and the Owner’s Penthouse bathrooms to feature KLAFS infra-red seats alongside other wellness amenities. The Sky Deck was also reimagined to feature a Vitality pool with swim jets, private cabanas, and a Sky Bar. On a discovery front, Scenic worked in partnership with Triton Submarines to custom-design their new state-of-the-art submersible^ Scenic Neptune II.
2.2023/24: Unrivalled exploration by helicopter in Antarctica and the Kimberley
In November 2023, Scenic Eclipse completed her first helicopter^ landing on Antarctica’s Snow Hill Island, providing the rare opportunity for guests to view a colony of more than 4,000 breading pairs of Emperor penguins. While visitors may have the chance to see a few of these majestic birds in the Weddell Sea at the start of the season, Scenic Eclipse’s two on board helicopters^ offer an exclusive way for guests to witness this rare sighting^. This excursion is only available on departures at the start of each season, including the 22 day Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands voyage, which departs on 27 November 2024 or 22 November 2025 and the Antarctica in Depth on 11 November 2025
Scenic’s commitment to next level exploration was taken further during Scenic Eclipse II’s inaugural 2024 season in the Kimberley with flightseeing providing a new perspective of the region from the iconic King George River and Horizontal Falls to visiting a pearl farm or the ultimate fishing hotspots for Heli-fishing. There are only a handful of suites still available for the 2025 Kimberley voyages.
3.Scenic Eclipse appears on new global docuseries Maritime Masters: Expedition Antarctica, produced by Warner Bros. Discovery (2023)
Created and produced by Warner Bros. Discovery and airing in Australia in 2023 on Foxtel and Nine, this docuseries followed the World’s First Discovery Yacht’s world-class crew, as they delivered exceptional ultra-luxury experiences in the world’s most remote and spectacular destinations.
Over five weeks, the docuseries charted Scenic Eclipse’s journey from Baja Mexico and Costa Rica, through the Chilean Fjords and on to its ultimate destination, the pristine polar waters of Antarctica. Taking a deep dive into the state-of-the-art technology, culinary and discovery experiences that make Scenic Eclipse the benchmark in ultra-luxury expedition cruising and meeting the real crew who deliver these extraordinary journeys.
4.April 2024: Scenic Eclipse II becomes the first Scenic ship to sail in Australian waters – marking a new era of ultra-luxury cruising in the Oceania Region
In April 2024, Scenic Eclipse II arrived in Australia for its inaugural two-year season in the Oceania region. This was a significant milestone for Scenic Group which was founded in Newcastle in 1986. The Discovery Yacht has recently completed its first season in the Kimberley, with only a handful of suites still available for the four voyages in 2025. Over the next 18 months Scenic Eclipse II will sail the Western Australian Coastline (Perth to Broome), South Pacific, New Zealand, East Antarctica and the Ross Sea, Japan, Korea and South East Asia (including the Indonesian Archipelago, Borneo and the Philippines).
5.New Scenic Eclipse itineraries for 2025
Scenic has introduced new ocean voyage itineraries for 2025, allowing guests to experience some of the most extraordinary destinations in the world, in the comfort of truly all-inclusive ultra-luxury. In June 2025, guests can explore the coastlines and jagged cliff faces of Ireland, Scotland and Iceland on a 13-day journey inspired by myths and folklore or explore some of Indonesia’s most beautiful 18,000 islands on a 16-day cruise from Denpasar, Bali (Benoa), around the Indonesia Archipelago and on to tropical Darwin in Australia.
In December 2024, Scenic will offer it’s first voyages to East Antarctica to the Ross Sea, departing from Hobart and/or Dunedin these journeys visit the sub–Antarctic Macquarie Island and follow in the footsteps of great explorers like Mawson, Scott and Shackleton. On the 22 December 2024 departure guests will enjoy an included helicopter shuttle to visit Mawson’s Hut. Whilst on the January and February 2025 and 2026 departures offer an exclusive helicopter^ excursion to the McMurdo Dry Valleys, known as one of the driest place on earth.
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