Scenic welcomes guests into its home to experience one of Australia’s (and the world’s) untouched patches of wilderness: the Kimberley Coast, where the rugged outback meets the tranquil white sand beaches and turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Adventure-minded travelers will discover a place rich in natural wonders, astounding wildlife and human history. Scenic Eclipse II, the newest Discovery Yacht from Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, will take guests on extraordinary 11-day explorations along the northwest coast of Australia in 2024 and 2025.
Discover the Kimberley Coastline: An Ancient Wilderness (sailing Darwin to Broome) and Uncover the Kimberley Coastline: An Ancient Wilderness (sailing Broome to Darwin) immerse guests into the Kimberley landscape, wildlife and cultures by day – with bush treks, Zodiac tours and ancient rock art filling the hours; and at night, offer the luxuries of this world-class yacht – the five-star ESPA spa, 10 dining experiences where menus change multiple times per week, live shows in the theatre, and a long list of incredible spirits and wines.
Guests booking either itinerary through September 30, 2023, can take advantage of 2-for-1 fares, and additional savings or free business, premium economy or economy air when full payment is made 10 months prior to departure or if booked within 10 months of departure, within 30 days of booking. Fares begin at $12,100 per person, double.
Scenic was born 37+ years ago from our desire to help Australians experience Australia, and now, with Scenic Eclipse II sailing the Kimberleys, we’re showing the world the wonder that awaits them here in this remote part of Australia, one of the last untouched frontiers,” says Glen Moroney, Founder and Chairman of The Scenic Group. “What began with a single charter bus has grown into a fleet of ships and yachts that take our guests to many of the world’s most amazing places while keeping them ensconced in total luxury. With Scenic Eclipse II, we continue the “amazing” while sailing in our home waters, where guests will be able to enjoy six-star ultra-luxury, explore with Australians leading our Discovery Team, and hear stories about our homeland from people who know it best.”
To deliver guests wow-worthy experiences, Scenic Eclipse II offers a robust excursion program led by a dedicated onboard Discovery Team consisting of naturalists, biologists, geologists, historians and wilderness specialists. Australians Mike Cusack – a Discovery Team Leader who has spent 20 years as a guide and explorer in Kimberley, as well as having lived in the Kimberley outback among the Aboriginal people for more than a year – and Stephen Martin – renowned world historian specializing in Australian and Aboriginal history – bring their expertise, knowledge and experiences to the fore. Under Cusack’s guidance, the 15-person Discovery Team will lead daily Zodiac trips and onshore excursions, delivering guests into the mists of towering waterfalls and to caves where Ice Age rock art adorns walls and ceilings, and providing a look at Australia’s wildlife – from saltwater crocs and migrating humpback whales (and their calves) to the continent’s smallest wallaby.
Kimberley guests will fill their days with in-depth explorations of the rivers, rainforests, canyons, reefs, and shores with calls on some of Australia’s lauded natural wonders. Montgomery Reef, which lays hidden beneath the waves until the 46’ tidal swing reveals the coral masses, teems with sea life. At Talbot Bay, Zodiac and helicopter tours to the famed Horizontal Waterfall – twin lakes separated by narrow gorges where the water flows with the ferocity of a waterfall tipped onto its side – delivers a double dose of awe. At Bigge Island, ancient Aboriginal rock art from the Wunambal people, shows the first contact with Europeans, while the pre-Ice Age rock art of the Gwion Gwion – in Vansittart Bay – depicts human figures in what is regarded as the world’s oldest art gallery. Waterfalls – like the 100-yard tall, 100-yard-wide King George Falls and the four-tiered Mitchell Falls that drops more than 250’ – display the power of nature. And the wildlife puts on a spectacular show as locations from Lacepede Island Nature Reserve to Ashmore Reef to the Buccaneer Archipelago are home to hundreds of species (and hundreds of thousands) of birds and the whole region plays nursery and migratory through-way to more than 40,000 humpback whales and their calves as they travel to and from Antarctica.
Ten distinct dining experiences offer guests delicious and decadent dining options. Sushi @ Kokos features fresh sushi, sashimi and rolls made in front of the guest by a master sushi chef, while Night Market @ Kokos delivers an intimate meal for eight in a cuisine-spanning, cooked-before-your-eyes experience. The fine French fare at Lumière begins with a caviar and champagne toast. Azure Bar & Café offers indoor and outdoor dining all day. Chef’s Garden @ Epicure provides a space for tastings and culinary masterclasses; and breakfast, lunch and gelato from the Yacht Club satisfies whether guests opt for the served buffet or a la carte items. Between meals, guests can unwind in the Lounge where the Whiskey Bar features more than 130 bottles whiskies from around the world and shipboard entertainers provide atmosphere there and in the state-of-the-art theater. Guests can ring their butler any time for in-suite dining, including breakfast on their private verandah, drinks with friends or a late-night meal.
Scenic Eclipse II has 114 all-verandah suites range in size from 345 ft² to 2,659 ft² giving guests ample room to spread out and relax. All guests enjoy butler services which deliver luxury touches from in-suite drinks and dining to coordinating dinner and spa reservations to personalized attention.
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has grown over its 37-year history to include award-winning, truly all-inclusive river and ocean cruises and handcrafted land journeys that take guests to many of the world’s most fascinating destinations. In 2019, Scenic introduced Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yacht™, followed by Scenic Eclipse II, in April 2023. Scenic is part of The Scenic Group, which includes Emerald Cruises, Mayflower Cruises & Tours, and Evergreen Tours.
Scenic can be found on Twitter at @ScenicLuxury, on Facebook as ScenicCruises and on Instagram as Scenic.luxurycruisestours.
Additional information on these and other cruises, brochures and reservations can be obtained via travel advisors; or in the US: www.scenicusa.com, phone (844) 788-7985, email: info@scenicusa.com. Brochures can also be downloaded directly from the websites.
