Scenic Eclipse II deployment expands across Asia-Pacific for 2028-2029

Scenic Group has unveiled its 2028–29 programme for Scenic Eclipse II, expanding the Discovery Yacht's deployment across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the South Pacific. The programme marks the vessel's return to the region following its earlier 2024 and 2025 seasons and combines expedition-style voyages with a broader selection of land journeys.

The new season will take Scenic Eclipse II from the Kimberley and Tasmania to New Zealand, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines and the islands of the South Pacific. The itineraries combine established urban destinations with remote coastlines and regions that are less accessible to conventional cruise vessels.

Japan will feature prominently, including voyages scheduled around the country's cherry blossom season. The programme also introduces calls at destinations such as Palau, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tasmania. Expedition voyages will extend into Indonesian Papua, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Sulawesi and other parts of the Indonesian archipelago. In Tasmania, the ship is scheduled to visit King Island, Bruny Island and national parks along the island's western coast, while calls at Sydney and Newcastle will reconnect the programme with locations associated with Scenic Group's history.

The Kimberley is already generating significant demand following the release of the new ocean collection, reflecting continued interest in expedition-style cruising in the region. Scenic Eclipse II's itineraries include destinations such as the Kimberley Coast, Australia's Top End, the Great Barrier Reef and the South Pacific.

Scenic has also expanded its portfolio of handcrafted land journeys for 2028 and 2029. These programmes are designed to be combined with selected Scenic Eclipse II voyages and provide additional time in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the South Pacific. New small-group journeys will cover Australia's eastern seaboard, the Top End and Central Australia, alongside programmes in New Zealand and Japan.

The land extensions incorporate selected luxury properties, including Kokomo Private Island in Fiji and The Capitol Hotel Tokyu in Tokyo. The combination of pre- and post-cruise stays with the Discovery Yacht voyages is intended to create longer itineraries incorporating both inland and coastal destinations.

Selected 2028–29 voyages in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific will also include a complimentary 20-minute helicopter flightseeing experience for guests booking the Best Available fare, subject to operational availability and local regulations. Penthouse Suite guests and Chairman's Club members will have access to selected helicopter landing experiences, including a golf excursion at Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand and dining experiences in the Marlborough Sounds.

Scenic Group said the expanded programme reflects the company's strategy of combining luxury cruising with expedition access and destination-focused land travel. Lisa McCaskill, Scenic Group Canada's vice president of sales and marketing, noted that the return of Scenic Eclipse II, together with the expanded land programme, would allow travellers and travel advisors to combine individual voyages into longer journeys across the Asia-Pacific region.

The 2028–29 programme therefore positions Scenic Eclipse II across a broad geographical range, from Australia's remote northwestern coastline to Japan and the islands of the South Pacific, while maintaining the Discovery Yacht's emphasis on smaller destinations and expedition-style exploration.