Scenic has finally confirmed its highly guarded next-generation Discovery Yacht which will launch in April 2028 under the name and branding of Scenic Ikon.
Already well under construction, Scenic Ikon’s first steel was cut in February 2025 and the hull laid in May. While the 26,500 gross tonne vessel will have an Ice Class strengthened hull, Class 1-A Super, it will primarily operate in the Mediterranean for up to eight months of the year. In the Northern winter, she will sail in Antarctica.
Speaking at an event in Sydney on Tuesday morning to formally unveil Scenic Ikon to the world, Glen Moroney, Founder and Chairman of Scenic Group, said this latest project was indeed, first conceived around 3.5 years ago.
At 205-metres in length, the 270 guest (135 berth) Scenic Ikon is 37-metres longer than its predecessors. Scenic Eclipse I launched in 2019 and sister-ship, Scenic Eclipse II in 2023. They both have a capacity of 228 guests (200 in Antarctica).
Like Eclipse I and II, Scenic Ikon will feature all the same “toys,” including two Airbus H130-T2 helicopters, a new custom-designed nine-guest Triton AVA submersible (Scenic Neptune III), Zodiacs, sea bobs, kayaks, paddle boards and more. The new ship will also have superyacht Fassmer tenders, while the helipad will be repositioned from the stern to the bow, where the choppers will also be garaged when not in use, accessed via a lift.
Scenic expects to take delivery of Scenic Ikon in late 2027, ahead of its maiden voyages in April 2028. Her inaugural season (to March 2029) will encompass 110 ports, 21 countries and 26 new destinations for the Discovery Yachts.
Itineraries range from 10 to 15 days in length in the Med and Aegean seas (of which there are 19 departures) to core destinations including Italy, the French Riviera, the Greek Islands, Turkey, and the Amalfi Coast.
Antarctic voyages (of which there are 10) vary from 13 to 16 days. Scenic’s 13-day ‘Antarctica in Depth’ expedition is scheduled for seven departures.
Multiple sailings in the Med and Antarctica offer back-to-back cruise combinations.
Jason Flesher, Director of Discovery Operations for Scenic Group says the new project will offer guests “elevated Ikon experiences”, be it in the form of new ‘Active Discovery’ adventures, and more. Flesher revealed that Scenic Ikon will also have a new helicopter waiting lounge on Deck 6 for guests.
Tom Goetter, Vice President of Hotel Operations Ocean for Scenic Group says Scenic Ikon will continue to “set the benchmark for ocean cruising” when it comes to culinary experiences. The ship will have 15 dining venues, including a new all-day pizza bar called Crustory on Deck 6.
LATTE can confirm other new restaurants include Textura, which “celebrates Spain’s vibrant cuisine — according to the Inaugural Season brochure — as well as Alkemia, centred on plant-based menus and Summa, focused on local ingredients in share-style plates.
The deck plan for the new ultra-luxury yacht also reveals a new ‘Chairmans Club’ on Deck 9.
Scenic Ikon’s all-verandah suites will range in size from 34 square-metres to the 250 square-metre Ikon Owners Penthouse. Ikon will feature a two-level wellness facility, nine vitality pools and more outdoor spaces.
From humble roots operating coach tours from Newcastle to Sydney in NSW and then onto the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, nearly 40-years ago, the Australian-founded company is now “essentially a cruising business,” Moroney said.
“We’re the only company I know of, [and] I’m happy for someone to tell me otherwise, that comes up with a concept… we go through the full design phase ourselves, we don’t engage any external designers or engineers, etc. We go into the engineering phase, then we build the ship, we own it, we operate it, and we employ every single crew member onboard.”
“So, in 40 years, we’ve gone from running pensioner coach tours to a very small hotel in Warrnambool on the shipwreck coast to now being an integrated, ship operating, cruise operator, who still operates a few land tours, even in Australia.”
“[Scenic Ikon] a big step up for Scenic Group,” Moroney said. “It’s something that we’re very proud of and we’re really looking forward to putting it in the water.”
Lead-in pricing for Scenic Ikon starts a “little bit above” AU$1,200, per person per day, he said, “which when you look at all the inclusions… we think is exceptional.”
A sample itinerary, Scenic Ikon’s 11-day Iconic Italy & the French Riviera itinerary from Rome to Barcelona, departing in peak season on 27 June 2028, is priced from $23,545 pp twin share at Full Fare, or $21,845 pp with the Earlybird or $19,045 with the Super Earlybird. That equates to approximately $1,732 pp per day.
Scenic released a preview of Scenic Ikon to loyalty members a few weeks ago, Moroney said, which resulted in the first two sailings being sold out, and the third sailing already around 50% full.
“The initial response has been excellent,” Moroney adds.
“I think we’ve got the product and the pricing in the right place, and the fact that guests are booking so far in advance is great news for us in the future.”
Pre-release pricing is available now on a limited number of suites. See scenicikon.com.
