The Ultimate Guide to Scenic Ocean Cruises: The World’s First Discovery Yachts

If you were to ask a billionaire to design the perfect vacation vehicle, they would probably sketch something that looks exactly like the Scenic Eclipse. It wouldn't be a cruise ship—too crowded. It wouldn't be a research vessel—too uncomfortable. It would be a sleek, black-hulled superyacht that happens to have a few helicopters parked on the deck and a submarine in the garage.

Scenic Ocean Cruises has effectively created a category of one with their "Discovery Yachts." While other lines fight over who has the best butler service or the newest Zodiacs, Scenic simply asked, "Why not have it all?" They have merged the white-glove service of a Ritz-Carlton with the hardware of a Bond villain’s private navy.

The result is a travel experience that feels fundamentally different from a standard cruise. You aren't a passenger on a floating hotel; you are a guest on a private yacht that happens to be exploring the ends of the earth. The vibe is intimate, exclusive, and incredibly high-tech. If you want to sip vintage French champagne while watching a polar bear from your private balcony, and then hop into a helicopter to see the glacier from above, this is the only line that can make that happen.

The "Discovery Yacht" Difference

Terminology matters here. Scenic deliberately avoids the word "ship" whenever possible. The Scenic Eclipse I and Scenic Eclipse II are designed to look and feel like private mega-yachts. Carrying just 228 guests (capped at 200 in the Polar regions), they are small enough to dock right in the heart of Monte Carlo or St. Tropez, yet tough enough to smash through Antarctic ice with their Polar Class 6 rating.

The design aesthetic is pure modern luxury. Think sleek lines, metallic finishes, and an abundance of light. The sheer space-to-guest ratio is among the highest in the industry, meaning you will never fight for a lounge chair or a table at dinner. In fact, with a near 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, you are more likely to be outnumbered by staff ready to pour you a drink than by other travelers.

This size also dictates the itinerary. Because they don't need massive deep-water ports, these yachts can slip into tiny coves in the Mediterranean or navigate narrow channels in the Chilean Fjords that the big boys have to bypass. It feels stealthy, exclusive, and unhurried.

The Ultimate Toys: Helicopters and Submarines

Let’s get to the headline act. The absolute game-changer for Scenic is the "toys." Both Scenic Eclipse yachts are equipped with two state-of-the-art Airbus H130 helicopters and a custom-built submersible, the Scenic Neptune.

This isn't a gimmick; it completely revolutionizes how you see a destination. In Antarctica, while other tourists are looking at the ice shelf from sea level, you can soar above it, witnessing the scale of the continent from the air. In the warm waters of the Caribbean or the South Pacific, you can dive up to 200 meters below the surface to explore coral reefs and shipwrecks without getting wet.

It is important to note that unlike the standard shore excursions, flightseeing and submarine dives do cost extra. However, for the kind of traveler booking this trip, the opportunity to fly over a King Penguin colony on South Georgia Island is priceless. It turns a standard sightseeing trip into a National Geographic documentary where you are the star.

A Culinary Overachiever

Usually, on a ship with only 200 people, you are lucky to get one main restaurant and maybe a buffet. Scenic laughed at that limitation and installed ten distinct dining experiences. The culinary ambition here is staggering.

You have Elements, the main restaurant serving Italian, steak, and seafood. You have Koko’s, a vibrant Asian fusion venue that includes a sushi bar with fish flown in from Japan. For French fine dining, there is Lumière, a champagne bar and restaurant that feels like a Parisian atelier.

But the real magic happens in the hidden corners. Night Market @ Koko’s is an exclusive, reservations-only teppanyaki experience for just eight guests. The Chef’s Table offers an invite-only degustation menu for ten. Even the room service is elevated, with a 24-hour menu that puts most hotels to shame. The goal is to ensure that even on a long ocean crossing, you never eat the same meal twice.

True All-Inclusive (Yes, Even the Butler)

Scenic takes the term "all-inclusive" very seriously. There is no "class system" on board. Every single cabin, from the entry-level Verandah Suite to the massive Owner’s Penthouse, comes with professional butler service. Your butler will unpack your luggage, restock your complimentary mini-bar with your specific preferred spirits, and bring you coffee every morning.

The fare covers almost everything else: all meals at all restaurants (no cover charges), unlimited premium beverages (including over 100 whiskeys), all gratuities, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions.

The excursions are broken down into categories. Scenic Freechoice offers a range of included activities in each port—think walking tours, food tastings, or hikes. Scenic Enrich are exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime events, like a private classical concert in a historic palace, which are also included. The only time you reach for your credit card is for the spa, the helicopter, or the sub.

Wellness and The Senses Spa

If your idea of adventure involves a bathrobe, you are in luck. The Senses Spa is absurdly large for a ship of this size—nearly 6,000 square feet. It features separate thermal lounges for men and women with saunas, steam rooms, and vitality pools.

On Scenic Eclipse II, they have upped the ante with a dedicated Salt Therapy Lounge and an infrared sauna with ocean views. There is a fully equipped gym, a yoga and Pilates studio (the only one of its kind at sea), and a meditation area. They use ESPA products and offer a level of treatment complexity usually reserved for land-based resorts.

Who Is the Scenic Guest?

The crowd on Scenic Eclipse is affluent, active, and international. You will find a mix of Australians (Scenic is an Australian-owned company), Brits, Americans, and Canadians. The age range is generally 50+, but the active nature of the "Discovery" product attracts a younger, fitter demographic than traditional luxury cruises.

These are people who want to hike the volcano, kayak the fjord, and take the helicopter ride, but who absolutely demand a thread count of 1,000 when they go to sleep. They are not there for the casino (there isn't one) or the Broadway shows. They are there for the destination, delivered in extreme comfort.

Practical Notes on Accessibility

While the yachts are equipped with elevators and accessible suites, the reality of expedition travel applies here. Utilizing the Zodiacs, kayaks, and helicopters requires a degree of mobility. If you are strictly wheelchair-bound, your ability to participate in the "adventure" aspects—especially in polar regions—will be limited, though the ship itself remains a luxurious observation platform.

Final Verdict

Scenic Ocean Cruises is for the traveler who refuses to choose between "Adventure" and "Luxury." They prove you don't have to wear a hairshirt to see the world's wildest places. If you have the budget, and you want to tell your friends you explored the Arctic by submarine, this is the only booking to make.