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July 30, 2026

Scenic Group has unveiled the new 2028-29 program for Scenic Eclipse II, bringing its Discovery Yacht back to the waters of Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the South Pacific following the success of the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

The new collection combines expedition cruises, bespoke land journeys and new opportunities for discovery, featuring itineraries that blend iconic destinations, remote regions and fully all-inclusive luxury experiences. From the Kimberley to Tasmania, from New Zealand to Japan, and on to Indonesia, the Philippines and the islands of the South Pacific, Scenic Eclipse II will take guests to some of the region’s most fascinating and least accessible destinations. The program will combine vibrant cities with rugged coastlines, unspoiled landscapes and authentic cultural encounters.

Among the most anticipated highlights are voyages around Japan during the celebrated cherry blossom season, along with new ports of call including Palau, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tasmania. Expedition-style cruises will also venture into more remote regions such as Indonesian Papua, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Sulawesi and the Indonesian archipelago.

In Tasmania, Scenic Eclipse II will visit destinations including King Island, Bruny Island and the national parks along the island’s rugged west coast, offering an experience focused on nature, adventure and local culture. Calls at Sydney and Newcastle will also represent a symbolic return to Scenic Group’s origins, as the company was founded in this region forty years ago.

The Kimberley continues to be one of the company’s flagship destinations, with exceptionally strong demand already recorded following the launch of the new ocean voyages. Growing interest in immersive, truly all-inclusive experiences reflects travellers’ increasing desire to discover authentic destinations through more exclusive and personalised styles of travel.

Alongside its cruises, Scenic is also expanding its collection of handcrafted land journeys for 2028 and 2029, designed to complement the voyage before or after sailing aboard Scenic Eclipse II. These new small-group itineraries will explore Australia’s east coast, the Top End, Central Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Japan, combining inland destinations, cultural experiences and carefully selected luxury accommodation. Featured properties include Kokomo Private Island in Fiji and The Capitol Hotel Tokyu in Tokyo, chosen for its prime location and panoramic views across the Japanese capital. The new small-group journeys will explore Australia’s east coast, the Top End and Central Australia, as well as New Zealand, the South Pacific and Japan.

Designed to complement selected Scenic Eclipse II itineraries, these journeys allow guests to combine ocean exploration with inland destinations, cultural experiences and hand-picked luxury accommodation, all carefully planned and managed by Scenic.

One of the most distinctive features of the new program will be the opportunity to enjoy helicopter flightseeing experiences. Guests booking the Super Earlybird offer on selected 2028-29 voyages in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific will receive a complimentary 20-minute scenic helicopter flight, where permitted, offering breathtaking aerial views of the landscapes, coastlines and natural wonders visited throughout the journey.

Penthouse Suite guests and Chairman’s Club members will also enjoy access to selected helicopter landing experiences, including golfing at Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand and exclusive dining experiences in the Marlborough Sounds. Thanks to the two helicopters carried on board, Scenic Eclipse II will also offer exclusive optional experiences such as heli-fishing in the Kimberley, with flights to isolated waterways accessible only by air, scenic flights over iconic natural landmarks including Mitchell Falls, Horizontal Falls, the Great Barrier Reef, the Bay of Islands and the Fiji archipelago, as well as remote landings at destinations such as private pearl farms in the Kimberley.

Anthony Laver, General Manager S&M APAC at Scenic Group, highlighted that the return of Scenic Eclipse II represents a new opportunity to offer guests an even more comprehensive way to experience some of the world’s most spectacular regions. According to Laver, combining the Discovery Yacht with handcrafted land extensions and helicopter experiences transforms a single cruise into a richer and more immersive journey, showcasing destinations from unique perspectives that are difficult to access with other cruise operators.

On board, Scenic Eclipse II will continue to deliver a truly all-inclusive ultra-luxury experience, featuring up to ten dining venues, a whisky bar offering more than one hundred premium labels and a 550-square-metre wellness retreat. During Expedition and Discovery Voyages, shore excursions will be led by an expert team supported by extensive local knowledge. From the 2028-29 season, guests staying in Panorama, Grand Panorama and Owner’s Penthouse Suites will also enjoy enhanced inclusions, including private Scenic Discovery experiences on Expedition and Discovery Voyages, private half-day guided excursions on selected Signature Yacht Cruises and private chauffeur airport transfers.

The new Scenic Eclipse II collection forms part of Scenic Group’s broader regional expansion strategy, which will also see the debut of Emerald Xara in Asia and Australia in 2028, the launch of Scenic Aura in India and Sri Lanka from late 2027, and the arrival of Scenic Spirit II to the Mekong fleet in early 2028.

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Giorgia Lombardo

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