Scenic has confirmed plans to deploy the second of its Discovery Yachts, Scenic Eclipse II, to Australia and the South Pacific in 2024.
Scenic Eclipse II, currently under construction in Rijeka, Croatia and slated to enter service in 2023, will also operate first-time discovery voyages to Indonesia, Polynesia and the islands of Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu and Tahiti.
The new departures were released today [Wednesday 12 January 2022] as part of Scenic’s expanded 2023/24 Worldwide Voyages Collection, including Antarctica, as previously flagged by LATTE. A freshly unveiled brochure for the program also confirms a new forward-facing oval-shaped Sun Deck Pool (on Deck 10), replacing the twin whirlpools on the original Scenic Eclipse, LATTE can exclusively reveal.
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Scenic’s oceangoing program for the 2023/24 season includes 85 itineraries sailing to over 50 countries across all seven continents.
The program expansion also sees the launch of new itineraries in the Caribbean, Canadian High Arctic and Scotland for Scenic Eclipse II. Those voyages are in addition to the full range of new itineraries in Antarctica, the Arctic, the Mediterranean and the Americas.
Maiden Australian voyage
Beginning in Newcastle, where Scenic was founded 36 years ago, the 2024 Australia program features a 9-day Chairman’s Voyage: East Coast Islands & Reefs voyage on 22 April, and ending in Cairns. Guests will be welcomed on this exclusive departure by the Scenic Executive Team, including Chairman and Founder Glen Moroney.
“Bringing Scenic Eclipse II home to Australian waters is a major moment for our guests, the Scenic team and will set the new benchmark for ultra-luxury cruising in the region,” said Anthony Laver, General Manager Sales & Marketing.
“Our journey designers have curated several unique experiences, from a luxury lunch on the iconic white sands of Whitehaven Beach, to our first heli-safaris and an exclusive Scenic Enrich program on Fraser Island. With Australians now wanting domestic 6-star immersive experiences, and the overwhelming response and demand for 2021 postponed Kimberley program, we’re confident these ultra-luxury voyages will provide great sales opportunities for our agent partners.”
Scenic Group Chief Operating Officer, Rob Voss commented: “This is a milestone moment for our brand and for all of those who have been working intensely behind the scenes to bring it to fruition. Taking on
board our invaluable guest feedback, we strive to offer the best, most desirable bucket-list experiences possible, and the new 2023/24 program demonstrates our sincere intent in this continued ambition.”
Voss also confirmed that Scenic Eclipse II would join the Scenic fleet “by early 2023”. It will sail Antarctic waters – joining fleet mate Scenic Eclipse – and thereby doubling capacity for the company in the region.
Pacific itineraries
To get to Australia, Scenic will offer a 19-day Tales of the Pacific voyage from Valparaiso, Chile to Papeete, Tahiti at the end of Scenic Eclipse II‘s maiden Antarctic season – departing on 13 March 2024. The sailing will traverse Robinson Crusoe Island, Easter Island and Pitcairn Island.
That voyage piggybacks onto Scenic’s 13-day Treasures Unfold itinerary sails from Papeete, Tahiti to Lautoka, Fiji on 31 March 2024, followed by a 9-day Mysteries of Melanesia cruise to Sydney (via New Caledonia and Norfolk Island) on 12 April 2024. The yacht will then reposition to Newcastle for the 22 April Chairman’s Voyage.
Additionally, Scenic Eclipse II will offer a dozen 11-day Kimberley itineraries operating between Darwin and Broome (and in reverse), from 10 May to early September 2024. The same itinerary was planned to run in 2021 but was scuttled by the Australian Government’s decision to ban ocean cruising due to the COVID pandemic.
In September and October, Eclipse II will cruise Indonesia, West Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and New Zealand, concluding in early November 2024 in Auckland and paving the way for further new itineraries back to Antarctica for the 2024/25 season.
Additional new 2023/24 voyages include:
- 13-day Caribbean Sojourn voyage from Nassau to Bridgetown
- 11-day Atlantic Isles & the Caribbean voyage from New York to Nassau
- 13-day Passage through Melanesia: Solomon Islands & Vanuatu voyage from Cairns to Fiji
- 13-day Secrets of Indonesia: Spice Islands & Raja Ampat voyage from Darwin to Darwin
- 9-day Scottish Isles: Historic Trails & Wilderness voyage from Edinburgh to Dublin
- 12-day Beyond the Arctic Circle voyage from Tromso to Oslo
- 9-day Wild Antarctica: Fly the Drake from Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas
Scenic is currently offering savings of up to 20% on 2023/24 voyages when booked and paid in full 12 months prior to departure. All voyages are all-inclusive, with prices including transfers, gratuities, up to ten dining experiences, premium beverages, butler service for all guests and discovery excursions and experiences.
All new bookings are covered by Scenic’s Flexible Booking Policy until 31 March 2022, enabling guests to defer their cruise to another travel date or itinerary, or cancel up to 60 days prior to departure+ and include Scenic’s Deposit Protection Plan. For information on Scenic’s health and safety policy, see scenic.com.au/assurance-oceans
Meanwhile, Scenic has enlisted the De Wave Group as a major contractor for the outfitting of Scenic Eclipse II. The De Wave Group will be creating some of the prestigious luxury areas and advanced technical installations aboard the vessel including guest suites and dining venues.
See scenic.com.au