Scenic Eclipse II will call Australia home once Scenic Ikon joins the discovery yacht fleet

• Scenic has revealed that Scenic Eclipse II will be calling Australia home after the launch of the new super discovery yacht Scenic Ikon in 2027.
• The move will mean Scenic will have two yachts in Europe and Antarctica, and one sailing Australia’s coastal waters, Kimberley and the new adventure hot spots of Asia.
• Meanwhile, Ikon continues to break records with sales of her first voyages.

The launch of Scenic Group’s newest super yacht, Scenic Ikon, has done more than add another jewel to the company’s ultra-luxury fleet — it has freed Scenic Eclipse II to return to Australia for longer.

From 2028, Eclipse II will be based in Australia and the wider Asia Pacific region, opening up new opportunities for guests to explore the Kimberley, Indonesia, and the growing number of expedition-style destinations on Australians’ wish lists.

Anthony Laver, General Manager Sales & Marketing Asia, and Katherine O’Neill, Director Global Marketing & Branded Content at Scenic Group, told Cruise Passenger Ikon’s arrival cements Eclipse II’s role as the region’s dedicated discovery yacht while strengthening the group’s global expedition footprint.

“Ikon enables Eclipse II to be based down in our region again,” Laver said. “From April 2028 she’ll return to Oceania, sailing the Kimberley, Southeast Asia, and East Antarctica. It’s incredibly exciting — we know Australians love these itineraries, and this gives them more ways to explore closer to home.”

The move also underscores Scenic’s broader ambition: a truly global fleet capable of reaching every corner of the planet. While Ikon and Eclipse I will share duties in Europe and Antarctica, Eclipse II’s redeployment ensures that Australian travellers have access to world-class discovery cruising right on their doorstep.

Australian Demand Drives Early Success

That regional realignment is being underpinned by extraordinary interest in Scenic Ikon itself. Before public release, the first two voyages sold out purely through loyalty invitations to Scenic Club members — a testament to the strength of the brand’s following.

“We wanted to recognise our loyal guests first,” Laver explained. “That personalised approach was key. When Ikon went public, the momentum was phenomenal — the full season has seen very strong demand, especially for the Antarctic voyages.”

The surge in bookings reflects both pent-up appetite for high-end expedition cruising and the market’s growing understanding of Scenic’s all-inclusive value proposition.

As O’Neill noted, guests are increasingly comparing the complete Scenic experience — from gourmet dining to once-in-a-lifetime shore excursions — with luxury land holidays and realising the difference.

“When travellers see what’s included — the shore activities, the helicopter and submarine experiences, the dining diversity — they immediately understand the value,” she said. “Even at an entry level of AU$1,200 per person per night, you’re getting a 34 square-metre suite and an all-inclusive, ultra-luxury experience in remote destinations. That’s exceptional.”

Scenic’s pricing transparency has resonated with both guests and the trade. “The inclusiveness -everything from wine to wellness to discovery – is what sets us apart,” Laver said. “It’s not about one restaurant or one bar; it’s about fifteen unique culinary venues, multiple lounges, and a level of choice that feels like a resort on the water.”

One price, no hidden costs

While other lines in the emerging “yacht class” sector dabble in luxury, Scenic’s formula remains uncompromising: one price, no hidden extras, and immersive exploration that starts the moment guests step aboard.

O’Neill said the company’s aim was to eliminate friction points — no signing slips, no surprise bills, and complete freedom to focus on the journey.

“It’s the depth of the inclusions that matters,” she said. “It’s not just a helicopter sitting on the deck as a novelty. It’s part of the story — part of the way guests connect with the destination.”

That philosophy extends across Ikon’s design.

Like her sister ships, she will carry fewer than 270 guests, supported by a 176-strong crew, ensuring near-personalised service and a level of space and comfort rarely seen at sea. The yacht’s advanced stabilisation, polar-class hull, and onboard submarine reinforce Scenic’s dual identity as both expedition leader and luxury resort.

Helicopters: From amenity to experience

The most talked-about feature of Scenic Ikon is undoubtedly her twin helicopters — and the way they’ll be used to create experiences that no other cruise line can offer.

“For the first time, we’ve included a helicopter flightseeing experience for all super early-bird bookings,” Laver revealed. “That’s a 20-minute flight built into the fare. Guests can then upgrade to landing experiences that are completely unique — think golf at iconic courses, visits to remote vineyards or truffle farms, or access to historic sites you simply can’t reach by road.”

These excursions, already proven aboard Scenic Eclipse, redefine what “discovery cruising” means. In Australia’s Kimberley, guests have flown directly to the top of Horizontal Falls or to Indigenous rock-art sites inaccessible by any other means. In New Zealand, they’ve landed beside glaciers and volcanic plateaus.

“The beauty of our helicopter program is the efficiency,” O’Neill said. “Competitors might need half a day of transfers to reach an attraction 20 kilometres inland. We can take guests straight from the yacht to the site and back in comfort — no buses, no border checks, just pure discovery.”

For expedition itineraries, the helicopters also play a practical role. The Discovery Team uses them to scout terrain and wildlife hotspots, identifying safe landing zones in real time — an essential advantage in remote regions like East Antarctica.

Exploration on a whole new level

The results can be extraordinary. Late last season, Scenic Eclipse guests achieved a rare landing at Snow Hill Island in Antarctica, witnessing an emperor-penguin colony normally off-limits to travellers.

“It’s something almost no one else can do,” O’Neill said. “To see that vast colony up close, accessed only by helicopter — guests described it as life-changing.”

That same philosophy — pushing beyond the horizon — will define Ikon’s European and Antarctic seasons. In the Mediterranean, helicopters will enable landings at remote coastal wineries, cliff-top monasteries, and exclusive golf resorts. In the polar regions, they’ll provide unprecedented aerial access to icefields and wildlife encounters.

“The helicopters aren’t just moving people from A to B,” Laver emphasised. “They’re creating those one-off, immersive experiences that give guests a completely new perspective on the world.”

Scenic and Emerald on the rivers of Europe

Behind the headlines, Ikon’s debut also consolidates Scenic’s brand evolution. The company’s yacht division continues to lead innovations across its river-cruise fleet — with Emerald Astra launching on the Rhine in 2025 and Emerald Lumi set for 2028 on the Seine.

“We’re taking everything we’ve learned from the yacht program and bringing it to the rivers,” O’Neill said. “There’s a consistency now in the experience — whether you’re on a river, a discovery yacht, or an ocean expedition.”

But for now, all eyes are on Scenic Ikon — a vessel that not only expands Scenic’s reach into new territories but gives Eclipse II the freedom to explore the waters Australians care most about.

“It’s the perfect alignment,” Laver concluded. “Ikon will take guests deeper into Europe and Antarctica, while Eclipse II brings world-class discovery cruising back home. For our guests in this region, that’s a win on every level.”

Scenic Ikon

• Launching 2027 as Scenic Group’s third Discovery Yacht
• Capacity: 270 guests | 176 crew
• Dual operation in Europe & Antarctica
• Features two onboard helicopters and a submarine
• Early-bird bookings include a complimentary helicopter flightseeing experience
• Sister ships Scenic Eclipse I and II continue global operations

For more, see Scenic.