Scenic

What sailing with Scenic is really like

Scenic sits at the top end of ocean cruising — a line built around the idea that the ship itself should be an expedition tool as much as a floating hotel. The two Discovery Yachts, Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II, are intimately sized vessels fitted with hardware you simply don't find on mainstream ships: a custom submersible called the Scenic Neptune that takes guests beneath the surface of the ocean, two on-board helicopters for aerial flightseeing over remote terrain, and a fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks for getting right up to wild coastlines. The approach is hands-on, curious and unhurried — the kind of cruising that suits travellers who want to actually enter a destination, not just photograph it from a deck rail.

The ships and what they carry

Both Discovery Yachts are designed to reach places larger ships cannot. Beyond the expedition hardware, life on board is genuinely luxurious. The cabin grades and deck layout on Scenic Eclipse show just how far the suite experience goes — butler service and in-suite dining are available to suite guests around the clock. For everyone else, the communal spaces are varied and genuinely good: the Observation Lounge at the bow gives unobstructed forward views as the ship pushes into new waters, while the Sky Bar on the upper deck sits beside the heated Vitality Pool with open sea views in every direction.

Dining: more variety than you might expect

A ship this size carries a surprising number of places to eat. The main restaurant, Crystal Dining, serves regional cuisine in an open-seating format and is included in your fare. For something more focused, Elements offers a seasonal modern international menu by reservation, and Lumière brings French fine dining in an intimate setting — both require bookings. The Chef's Table at Elements steps up again with a paired degustation experience. Koko's Asian Fusion covers pan-Asian cooking, with a dedicated sushi and sashimi counter at Sushi @ Koko's alongside the more casual Night Market small-plates option. The Yacht Club covers relaxed breakfasts and lunches, and the Azure Bar & Café is the poolside spot for lighter bites. The Lumière Champagne Bar and the Scenic Lounge Bar round out the evenings ashore.

Wellness and activity on board

The Senses Spa is the centrepiece of the wellness offering, with treatment rooms, a thermal area, an infrared sauna, a salt therapy room and a salon. The thermal and relaxation areas are included; individual treatments and salon services are charged separately. The Fitness Centre is open to all guests, with most group classes included. For those who want to stay active in port or on the water, the Discovery Equipment — SeaBobs, stand-up paddleboards and e-bikes — is available to take ashore or use from the vessel.

Where Scenic sails from Australia's perspective

The current Scenic programme departs from South America and beyond — all routes requiring an international flight from Australia, which means the cruise sits naturally at the heart of a longer trip rather than a standalone getaway. The dominant embarkation point is Buenos Aires, Argentina, with voyages also departing from Santiago de Chile, Chile, Valparaíso (Santiago), Chile, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Further afield, sailings start from New York, Callao (Lima), Peru, Panama City, Panama, and Nassau, Bahamas.

The bulk of the itineraries explore South America — including dedicated sailings around Argentina — with further options into the Caribbean, along the East Coast of America, and through Central America. Voyage lengths run from nine nights to a full thirty nights, with most itineraries sitting around the three-week mark — long enough to genuinely absorb a region rather than skim it.

Who Scenic suits

Scenic works well for experienced travellers who have already done mainstream ocean cruising and want something with a more purposeful, expedition edge — without sacrificing comfort. The ships are small enough to feel exclusive and personal, large enough to carry serious on-board facilities. If the idea of descending in a submersible, flying over glaciers by helicopter, or paddling into a remote cove on a kayak appeals more than a port day in a busy shopping district, Scenic is worth a serious look. Couples travelling together make up the natural core audience, particularly those celebrating a milestone or allocating a significant travel budget to one exceptional trip.

Book your Scenic cruise with Cruise1st

Because every Scenic sailing currently on sale departs from Argentina, Chile, Brazil, the United States or nearby, we treat the cruise as the centrepiece of a complete journey — and we can book the international flights, the hotel nights either side and all transfers as a single Cruise1st Package, so nothing falls between the gaps. Our Australian cruise experts, seven days a week are on the phone to help you choose the right cabin grade and fare inclusions before you commit — and every booking is backed by our Best Price Guarantee. Prices for current departures start from A$8,395pp.*