Scenic is Poised to Expand Its Discovery Yachts to Warm-Weather Cruising
Scenic Group, which got its start 40 years ago offering escorted land tours, is moving to expand its unique brand of all-inclusive luxury cruising to warm-weather destinations as the brand expands. The group jumped into cruising in 2019 with its first aptly-named “Discovery Yacht,” and after a success in the polar regions, it looks to expand its warm-weather cruising as a new option for its loyal customers.
Expanding from its base in escorted land tours and river cruising, Scenic Eclipse (17,545 gross tons) launched in 2019. Scenic is fond of saying it “changed the direction of expedition cruising, instantly setting the benchmark in ultra-luxury experiences, state-of-the-art technology, and custom ship design.”
Scenic Group Founder & Chairman Glen Moroney explained the ship, which is 168 meters (551 feet) in length, was designed to look like a private yacht with sleek styling, a black hull, and elegant lines. It has just 114 suites, the smallest of which, the Verandah Suites, are 344 sq. feet. The ship carries a maximum of 228 passengers (limited to 200 in Antarctica), and it is an all-inclusive offering.
Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II spend up to 70 percent of their time in the polar regions (Scenic)
The experience aboard includes butler service for every suite, 10 dining locations, and a spacious spa and wellness facilities. Adding to the destination experience are two on-board Airbus H130-T2 helicopters and a custom-designed Scenic Neptune submersible.
“Guest feedback drives our innovation and guides our investment in new ships, destinations, and journeys,” explains Moroney. “Designing, building, owning, and operating our own fleet gives us greater control over the guest experience and the ability to translate those insights into new benchmarks in luxury cruising.”
The success of Scenic Eclipse inspired Scenic Group to expand its sister brand Emerald Cruises, a more value-oriented, less formal offering, into ocean cruising. In March 2022, it started with the luxury yacht Emerald Azzurra (5,315 gross tons with accommodations for 100 passengers), added a sister ship, Emerald Sakara, and this year the first of three larger ships, Emerald Kaia (7,232 gross tons with accommodations for 128 passengers).
Emerald focuses on warm water cruising, while Scenic Eclipse and her sister ship, Scenic Eclipse II, spend up to 70 percent of their time in the polar regions. The ships have a Polar Class 6 rating and strengthened hulls and technology to navigate in the Antarctic and Arctic. As such, outdoor space is more limited, there’s no big pool or other features common to cruising in the tropics.
Scenic's sister brand, Emerald Cruises, operates warm weather yacht cruise ships (Scenic Group)
“We are growing our fleets, expanding into new regions, and creating more ways for guests to experience the world with both Scenic and Emerald,” highlights Ken Muskat, President of Scenic Group USA & LATAM. “Forty years is really a launching point for what comes next.”
The new ship, scheduled to enter service in April 2028, is Scenic Ikon. Muskat calls it the “next level,” highlighting that the ship is 50 percent larger (26,500 gross tons and 672 feet in length) but accommodates just 18 percent more passengers (270 passengers). It will also incorporate the latest in technology.
The plan for Ikon calls for the ship to spend 70 percent of its time in warm climates and just 30 percent in the polar regions. Moroney says the ship is the product of three years of passion and planning, calling the design more versatile.
While exploration cruising started off focused on the needs for the polar regions, Scenic Ikon illustrates a trend toward merging ultra-luxury experiences with a destination focus into the more traditional markets for cruising. Scenic highlights that while Ikon will also be rated Polar Code 6 with an Ice Class 1A Superior strengthened hull, she is all about the all-inclusive experience, with a greater focus on outdoor living.
Passengers on Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II can book sighting flights on two helicopters (Allan Jordan)
Jason Flesher, Director of Discovery Operations for Scenic Group, highlights all the innovations going into the design, calling the ship the ultimate experience. Because it will spend 8 to 9 months in warm destinations, the ship gains a full pool and large outdoor deck, as well as signature features of Scenic, including 15 dining locations and a larger spa and wellness area. There will be a stern marina featuring two floating bars.
The ship will still feature two helicopters, but they are being moved to a new location on the bow and will use elevators to reach their garages for storage. There will still be a custom-designed Triton AVA submersible and Zodiacs, and to reach out-of-the-way ports, the ship will have luxurious superyacht Fassemer tenders.
Launching from Venice in 2028, Scenic Ikon will cruise the Mediterranean, Aegean, Egypt, Cape Verde Islands, and Dakar, as well as a shorter season to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and the Chilean Fjords. Also, with her introduction, Scenic Eclipse II, starting in 2028, will be based in Asia Pacific.
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Ships under 1,000 berths today make up a third of the industry, points out Muskat, and Scenic, he believes, is leading a unique segment focusing on all-inclusive luxury. He says Scenic’s marketing efforts, promotions, and education to the professional travel community, and an increasing focus on North America, are paying off by building demand and loyalty.
Leading in the integration of expedition and luxury warm-weather cruising, he believes this will further widen the range of demographics Scenic appeals to as it continues to grow. The group plans expansion with more destinations and unique offerings, such as African destinations and India, as well as new river cruise ships for the Seine, India’s Hooghly and Brahmaputra rivers, the Mekong, and more. While not officially announced, they are already anticipating Scenic Ikon II for 2031 as they continue to elevate how guests experience the world.
