Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is an ultra-luxury river, ocean and expedition cruise brand within the privately owned Scenic Group. Its cruise operation combines a fleet of intimate European and Asian river ships with the purpose-built Scenic Eclipse Discovery Yachts, which sail worldwide itineraries including polar expeditions.
The company was established in Australia in 1986 and began as a coach-tour operator. It entered European river cruising in 2008 and expanded into ocean cruising with the maiden voyage of Scenic Eclipse in August 2019. Scenic Group’s global headquarters are in Zug, Switzerland, while the brand maintains regional operations including a UK office in Manchester.
Scenic fleet
Scenic’s published river fleet comprises 12 European Space-Ships and Scenic Spirit on the Mekong. The brand also operates two ocean-going Discovery Yachts, Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II.
| Ship or group | Operating area | Maximum guests |
|---|---|---|
| Scenic Jasper, Scenic Opal and Scenic Amber | Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle | Up to 163 |
| Scenic Ruby and Scenic Pearl | Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle | Up to 163 |
| Scenic Crystal, Scenic Jewel and Scenic Jade | Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle | Up to 163 |
| Scenic Sapphire and Scenic Diamond | French waterways including the Rhône, Saône, Dordogne and Garonne | Up to 163 |
| Scenic Gem | Seine | Up to 124 |
| Scenic Azure | Douro | Up to 96 |
| Scenic Spirit | Mekong | Up to 68 |
| Scenic Eclipse | Worldwide ocean and expedition voyages | 228; 200 in Antarctica |
| Scenic Eclipse II | Worldwide ocean and expedition voyages | 228; 200 in polar regions |
Capacities are based on Scenic’s published maximum guest figures and may vary by itinerary or operating region.
River cruises
Scenic markets its river programme as truly all-inclusive ultra-luxury cruising. European itineraries operate on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Saône, Dordogne, Garonne and Douro, while Scenic Spirit sails the Mekong through Vietnam and Cambodia.
The European vessels are branded Scenic Space-Ships. Depending on the vessel and suite category, features can include the Scenic Sun Lounge, butler service, several dining venues, bars, wellness facilities, e-bikes and a Sun Deck. Scenic Gem was designed for the Seine and can sail to Honfleur, while the smaller Scenic Azure was built for Portugal’s Douro.
Scenic Spirit provides a more intimate Southeast Asian operation for up to 68 guests. Its all-suite accommodation includes separate living areas and Scenic Sun Lounges, while selected larger suites have private terraces.
Scenic Eclipse Discovery Yachts
Scenic Eclipse entered service in 2019 and was followed by sister ship Scenic Eclipse II in 2023. Scenic describes the pair as Discovery Yachts rather than conventional cruise ships, reflecting their combination of yacht-style public spaces, all-suite accommodation and expedition equipment.
Each ship carries up to 228 guests, reduced to 200 on applicable polar voyages, and has 114 suites with verandas. Facilities include multiple restaurants, lounges, a theatre and the Senses Spa. Expedition equipment can include Zodiacs, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, while each vessel was designed with two helicopters and a submersible.
Helicopter flights, submersible dives and some specialist activities are subject to additional charges, regulations, operating region, weather and availability. They are not offered in every destination.
The Discovery Yachts operate across all seven continents. Their programmes include Antarctica and the Arctic as well as Europe and the Mediterranean, the Americas, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
What is included?
Scenic’s precise inclusions vary between river and ocean products and should be checked against the individual fare. Across the brand, the proposition generally includes suite accommodation, meals in the principal dining venues, a broad selection of drinks, gratuities and a programme of guided experiences.
River cruises can include Scenic Freechoice excursions, which allow guests to select from different sightseeing or activity options, and Scenic Enrich events designed around the destination. Butler service is included for suites, while most drinks are covered except for a small selection of fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits.
Scenic Eclipse voyages include all-suite accommodation with butler service, multiple dining experiences, beverages, gratuities and selected excursions. Spa treatments, helicopter and submersible experiences and certain specialist activities can carry an additional charge.
History
Scenic was founded in 1986, initially operating coach tours along Australia’s Great Ocean Road. The business expanded into New Zealand and later into international touring before developing its own cruise products.
The company began operating its purpose-designed European river ships in 2008. Its Space-Ship concept placed particular emphasis on larger public areas and balcony-style accommodation, including the indoor-outdoor Scenic Sun Lounge used on many suites.
Scenic was formerly known in different markets as Scenic Tours and Scenic Cruises. The business adopted the unified Scenic name in 2015 to reflect a portfolio extending beyond either escorted touring or river cruising alone.
The launch of Scenic Eclipse in 2019 moved the company into ultra-luxury ocean and expedition cruising. Actress Dame Helen Mirren named the vessel in New York. Scenic Eclipse II entered service in April 2023 and was later named by former NASA astronaut and oceanographer Dr Kathy Sullivan.
Ownership and related brands
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is part of Scenic Group, a privately owned travel business founded by Glen Moroney. The group’s other principal cruise brand is Emerald Cruises, which operates its own river Star-Ships and ocean-going luxury yachts.
Scenic and Emerald remain distinct customer-facing brands. A Scenic entry should therefore be linked to Scenic-operated ships and voyages, while Emerald Cruises should eventually have its own Deck7 cruise-line profile rather than being treated as an alternative name for Scenic.
Scenic Group also owns MKM Yachts, its shipbuilding division in Rijeka, Croatia. The group says this enables it to design, build and operate vessels within the same organisation.
Future ships
Scenic has announced several additions to its cruise operation. Scenic Aria is scheduled to join Scenic Azure on the Douro in September 2027, while Scenic Spirit II is planned for the Mekong in early 2028.
The 44-guest Scenic Aura is being presented for Scenic’s 2027–28 Lower Ganges programme in India. The company has also announced Scenic Ikon, a new ocean-going Discovery Yacht scheduled to launch in 2028.
Scenic Ikon is intended to expand the brand’s ocean fleet beyond the two existing Eclipse-class yachts. Information about the ship, its deployment and final specification should be treated as provisional until Scenic confirms each stage of the programme.
Scenic and Emerald Rewards
Scenic and Emerald Rewards is the shared loyalty programme covering eligible travel across Scenic and Emerald river cruises, ocean voyages and land journeys. Benefits depend on membership tier and qualifying travel history and can include recognition, savings and other privileges subject to the current programme rules.