Scenic Yacht Cruises: Long-Haul Luxury

The open sea. There’s nothing quite like it. The gentle sway of the yacht, the endless horizon stretching like a sheet of blue silk, and the quiet thrill of knowing something new is always just over the curve of the earth. For modern day travellers, “long-haul” used to mean lengthy flights and wearying layovers in busy airports. Now, it conjures something very different: days spent at a pace dictated only by the tide, evenings spent in 6-star comfort, and mornings on a private balcony watching icebergs drift or sunlight sparkle across tropical shores. This is the world of Scenic yacht cruises – and the journey always feels as indulgent as the destination.

Whether you step aboard the original Scenic Eclipse or her equally graceful sister vessel, Scenic Eclipse II, you’re entering a world where service, style, and comfort are so finely tuned that long-haul travel becomes something you wish would never end.

Suites That Feel Like Home (Only Better)

If there’s one thing that makes a long-haul Scenic yacht cruise so easy to get into the rhythm of, it’s the suites. Spacious doesn’t even begin to cover it. These private hideaways have been designed with the kind of thoughtful details that make you realise that everyone at the helm of Scenic truly understands what travellers want. Because Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II accommodate just 228 guests, every suite has its own balcony - which becomes your front-row seat to the ever-changing seascape - and interiors that strike a perfect balance between elegance with warmth.

Step into a Verandah Suite and you’ll find a king-size bed dressed in beautifully crisp linens, a cosy lounge area for quiet moments with a book or afternoon cocktail (delivered by your personal butler, no less), and a bathroom that could easily double as a five-star city hotel suite, complete with dual vanities and a rain shower that feels so refreshingly like a waterfall. For an extra layer of indulgence, the Spa Suites on Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II include Philippe Starck-designed bathtubs which - very indulgently - are twice the usual size, as well as in-suite steam showers.

Long-haul cruising is all about rhythm and ease, and having a suite this generous means you can fully settle in. The world is always in view, quiet is always guaranteed, and a journey that spans continents always feels intimate, personal to you. 

Meals That Become Memories

One of the delights of a Scenic yacht cruise is how every meal is an event – something to look forward to. With up to ten dining experiences, boredom at the table is simply impossible. Lumière serves modern French cuisine with dishes that could easily be mistaken for artwork – like seared scallops with a delicate cauliflower purée or a lamb carré so tender it almost genuinely just melts. At Koko’s, Asian flavours take centre stage, with freshly steamed dim sum or a sashimi plate that champions the freshness of the sea. And for more casual bites, the Yacht Club serves up everything from wood-fired pizzas to locally inspired seafood dishes and fresh gelato, perfect when you just want to dine fresh from a shore trip and with the horizon in view.

The all-inclusive approach also means wine lists that would make sommeliers proud - with daily selections tailored to your destination - cocktails perfected by skilled mixologists,  over 130 fine whiskeys at the Scenic Bar, and an absence of small annoyances like accumulating bills. On a long-haul voyage, this matters more than you realise. It’s a level of freedom and luxury that lets you focus entirely on the moment.

Destinations You Can Actually Reach

The Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II can take you almost everywhere you’ve ever dreamed of, and many places you haven't yet considered. Antarctica’s icy wilderness, the lava-streaked volcanic islands of the South Pacific, or the wild coasts of Patagonia – plus all the small ports inaccessible aboard a larger cruise ship.

And the experience goes beyond mere proximity, too. The yachts are equipped with two helicopters and a custom-built submarine, so you can explore glaciers or the Kimberleys from the air or dive into a hidden underwater world. Zodiac landings, kayaking, or guided hikes with expert naturalists mean that wherever you go, you’re seeing the destination up close, at a pace that suits you, and in a way that feels genuinely intimate.

The Joy of Slow Travel

Long-haul cruising with Scenic is also about how you travel. The 550-square-metre Senses Spa on board is a real sanctuary of calm, with treatments designed to rejuvenate and restore everyone who visits. A gym, yoga and Pilates studios, and indoor and outdoor pools make keeping up with routines - or starting new ones - a pleasure rather than a chore.

There’s also intellectual nourishment. The on-board Discovery Team of naturalists, historians, and cultural experts enriches every single excursion, turning a walk along a volcanic ridge into an in-depth lesson in geology, or a simple stroll through an ancient city into a window on centuries of culture. With Scenic yacht cruises, learning becomes a quiet thrill that complements the luxury and leisure.

Why Long-Haul Cruising with Scenic Works

There’s a reason this style of travel has grown so irresistible. In the present day, we’re all so aware of how our travel affects the very landscapes we’re journeying to see, while also longing to push past the generic guidebooks and to the heart of the destination. And that’s where luxury cruise lines like Scenic step in. Each day on a Scenic Eclipse or Scenic Eclipse II is measured in moments rather than miles, and with every stretch of ocean comes the chance for surprise: a pod of whales breaching in the distance, a sudden rainbow over a tropical reef, a quiet evening spent on your balcony with the gentle lap of the waves below.

For anyone craving comfort, adventure, and genuine connection with the world, a Scenic yacht cruise gives you something rare: long-haul travel that feels, quite simply, effortless. Every detail is anticipated, every comfort is provided, and every single view is unforgettable. It’s travel that lingers with you long after the journey ends – and you’ll probably wish it never does.

What's Included on a Scenic Yacht Cruise?

• Spacious all-veranda suites 
• Water bottle to take home
• In-suite mini bar 
• Personalised butler service for every guest 
• An almost 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio 
• All-inclusive dining, with up to 10 dining experiences 
• All-inclusive premium beverages, including champagne, wine, beers and spirits in up to 8 bars and lounges 
• Scenic Enrich Experiences, Adventure Experiences, and Scenic Freechoice Experiences depending on the destination
• Daily entertainment in the theatre and Scenic Lounge 
• All on board gratuities 
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on the yacht 

 Explore all our Scenic Yacht Cruises