Scenic Ikon: Glen Moroney unveils the Discovery Yacht’s next generation

• Scenic has unveiled a new class of ship to take on competitors in the burgeoning luxury yacht market.
• The new Scenic Ikon is bigger, and will start sailing in April 7, 2028.
• The ship will be able to cater for 270 guests – 42 more passengers than the Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II.

Scenic today revealed a new class of ship called the Scenic Ikon at a global launch in Sydney attended by founder and chairman Glen Moroney.

She’s bigger than the Eclipse class, carries more passengers and offers more luxurious inclusions than ever.

The ship will be sailing from April 7, 2028 and will spend seven to eight months in the Mediterranean and the rest of the year in Antarctica.

The ship will have two helicopters and a submarine. And with the capacity for 270 guests, she is well up on the 228 in general and 200 in regions like Antarctica carried by Eclipse.

Onboard, there will be 135 suites ranging from 34 to 250 square metres. Also onboard is a 1700 metre spa that spans two levels with nine vitality pools and a huge array of wellness and anti-aging treatments, and a marine park at the back.

The unveiling marks a major milestone not only for Scenic but for the evolution of luxury discovery cruising.

The new ship represents the birth of an entirely new Scenic Ikon-class. When Scenic Eclipse was launched in 2019, it was a revolution.

Today, with hotel brands like Ritz-Carlton invading the space, Scenic needed to elevate its offering. And it has.

Moroney was also keen to point out the all-inclusive value at a price point of around $1,200 a day. A journey on Ritz-Carlton’s Ilma can cost from $1,580 a day.

Set to sail on her maiden voyage on April 7, 2028, Scenic Ikon has already made waves before ever touching the water — with her first two sailings completely sold out, and the third already 50 per cent booked, exclusively to Scenic’s loyalty guests. From today, the remaining voyages are now open for worldwide sale to the general public.

See them here.

The New Flagship of Discovery

At 205 metres in length with a 24-metre beam, Scenic Ikon will be the largest and most technically advanced yacht ever built by the Scenic Group at its Croatian yard.

Moroney described her as “the most sophisticated Discovery Yacht ever conceived — built from the keel up by Scenic for guests who want to explore the world without compromise.”

The ship will spend seven to eight months each year in the Mediterranean, before venturing south to Antarctica for the austral summer, continuing Scenic’s tradition of dual-season operation that blends indulgence with expedition capability.

Scenic Eclipse II will continue to sail the Kimberley next season and beyond.

Luxury and Space plus more inclusions

The inclusions on Scenic Ikon certainly set it apart: personalised butler service, the spa, wellness, gym and fitness facilities, up to 15 culinary experiences, unlimited premium beverages, s specialty whiskey bar, culinary masterclasses, discovery adventures, and Freechoice excursions as well as all tipping and return airport transfers.

Every Earlybird guest will recieve complimentary helicopter experiences — a first for Scenic — offered aboard the ship’s two Airbus H130 helicopters, each housed in fully enclosed below-deck hangars with dedicated lifts and a pre-flight lounge.

The vessel will also carry the Scenic Neptune 3, a nine-seat acrylic submersible capable of dives up to 200 metres, offering guests the chance to explore coral reefs, marine sanctuaries, and polar depths.

Glen Moroney: From Bus Tours to Shipbuilding Mastery

Moroney reflected on the extraordinary four-decade journey that has taken Scenic from its modest beginnings in regional Victoria to the forefront of global ship design:

“In forty years, we’ve gone from running a pension coach and a tiny hotel on the Shipwreck Coast to being an integrated ship-building and operating cruise company,” he said.
“Scenic Ikon embodies everything we’ve learned — it’s 205 metres long, 24 metres wide, carrying just 270 guests in 135 suites. It’s polar-class, it’s luxurious, and it’s utterly uncompromising.”

He noted that construction is already well underway at Scenic’s own Croatian shipyard, MKM Yachts, where more than 1,000 tonnes of steel have been produced, with delivery scheduled for 2027.

“We have plenty of time to get everything absolutely right,” Moroney added. “And come April 7, 2028 — Scenic Ikon will set sail on her first voyage.”

Engineering Without Compromise

Captain James Grivas, Scenic’s General Manager of Ocean Operations and former master of Scenic Eclipse, detailed the cutting-edge systems behind Ikon’s design:

• Kongsberg Elegance azipods provide full 360-degree manoeuvrability, allowing the vessel to pivot within her own length.
• Dynamic positioning keeps the ship stable to within metres, eliminating anchor drops that can damage sensitive seabeds.
• Zero-speed stabilisers ensure complete comfort even when stationary in open water.
• Next-generation batteries and shore-power allow silent, emissions-free operation in port.
• A Polar Class 6 hull enables safe navigation through light ice, extending Scenic’s reach to the extremes of the planet.

“This ship represents confidence, precision and resilience in every theatre of operation — from polar ice to tropical archipelagos,” Captain Grivas said.

Discovery Re-Imagined

Scenic’s Director of Discovery Operations, Jason Flesher, emphasised that Scenic Ikon isn’t just about technology — it’s about experience.

“Ikon allows our guests to explore the world from every perspective — below the sea, above the clouds, and everywhere in between,” he said.

He outlined a new era of active discovery:

• Heli-hiking and mountain vineyard visits in the Mediterranean.
• Submersible dives with marine biologists to the Antarctic seabed.
• Floating marinas for paddleboarding, kayaking and sea-bobbing in warm waters.
• Scenic Enrich cultural events — private performances and dining experiences at iconic sites.

“The Scenic Discovery Team will continue to be the heart of our voyages,” Firth added. “Experts in glaciology, marine biology and culture — but above all, people with personality. Because discovery isn’t just what you see, it’s how it makes you feel.”

Competing in the Era of Luxury Yachting

Scenic’s bold expansion comes amid an influx of new entrants to the luxury yacht-cruise sector, with brands such as Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, and Aman all launching competing vessels.

Rather than retreat, Moroney said Scenic Ikon is designed to out-innovate them.

Scenic Ikon at a Glance

Feature	Specification
Class	Scenic Ikon-Class Discovery Yacht
Length	205 metres
Beam	24 metres
Gross Tonnage	26,500 GT
Guest Capacity	270 guests (135 suites)
Spa & Wellness	1,700 m², 2 levels, 9 vitality pools
Expedition Assets	2 helicopters, 1 submarine, Zodiacs, kayaks, sea bobs
Operational Regions	Mediterranean (Apr–Nov), Antarctica (Nov–Mar)
Maiden Voyage	April 7, 2028
Sales Status	First 2 sailings sold out; third 50% sold to loyalty guests; general sales now open

A New Chapter for Scenic and for Luxury Exploration

Glen Moroney has been receiving accolades on an east coast tour – he has already done Brisbane, Newcastle Sydney and Melbourne.

“Scenic Ikon is the result of everything we’ve learned over forty years,” he said. “It’s not just another ship — it’s a promise. A promise that discovery and luxury can continue to evolve together.”

With her first sailings already sold out and excitement sweeping across the travel industry, Scenic Ikon is not merely the next chapter in Scenic’s story — it’s the beginning of a new era in luxury expedition cruising.

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