ITTN’s Katie Doyle and Sophie Power attended a dedicated Scenic Cruises showcase held at the two-Michelin-star Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud at The Merrion Hotel, Dublin. The event introduced the Scenic Group’s high-end cruise brands, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises, to members of the Irish travel trade, highlighting the group’s growing commitment to the Irish market.
The evening’s presentation was led by Kay Sion, Head of Sales for Continental Europe, who provided an in-depth overview of the Scenic Group’s portfolio, beginning with an overview of their brand.
About Scenic Group
Originally founded as a coach tour company in Australia, Scenic’s owner later designed and built the company’s first ship, laying the foundation for its entry into European river cruising. Today, the group operates nine river ships under the Emerald brand, with more on the way, and has since expanded into ocean cruising with two Discovery Yachts launched in 2019. A notable point of distinction is that all Scenic ships are small in size, Scenic Eclipse, the largest, carries just 228 guests, ensuring an intimate onboard experience. The brand’s ultra all-inclusive offering extends across every sailing, with Emerald Cruises also maintaining essential inclusions such as airport transfers and guided excursions. The company’s design philosophy is deeply personal. Every ship in the fleet is designed by the owner’s wife, reflecting a unique attention to detail rarely seen at this scale. Looking ahead, Emerald’s next yacht, launching in April 2026, will carry 128 guests and continue its focus on warm-weather destinations.
Scenic and Emerald Cruises operate primarily from key Mediterranean, European, and polar gateways. Featured 2028 itineraries include:
- Athens to Istanbul
- Greek Islands, Adriatic & Amalfi Coast
- Italy, French Riviera & Mediterranean Islands
- Mediterranean Rivieras to North Africa
- Antarctica Expeditions via Buenos Aires
Their ships visit a wide range of destinations, making sure guests receive truly immersive experiences abroad paired with equally important high-end comfort.
What Guests Can Expect
With Scenic, guests sail under a “truly all-inclusive” philosophy – once onboard, nearly everything is included, fine dining, premium beverages, excursions (including helicopter flights and submersible dives on select itineraries), butler service, and more.
Emerald Cruises offers a slightly more contemporary take on luxury, with an emphasis on wellness, active exploration, and stylish yacht cruising. The new Emerald Kaia, launching soon, will carry just 128 guests and includes features like a marina platform for water sports and a 50% increase in onboard wellness space.
Scenic Ikon & Emerald Kaia
The highlight of the presentation was the unveiling of the Scenic Ikon, described as a Discovery Yacht. Designed for up to 228 guests (limited to 200 in polar regions) and will be ideal for polar and long-haul exploration. The vessel will feature 15 dining venues, including several familiar favourites from Scenic Eclipse as well as new concepts such as a tapas bar where dishes are paired to the guest’s chosen drink. Each suite will include a personalised all-inclusive butler bar, be served by a dedicated butler, and offer connecting options ideal for families. Suites range from 32 m² to the 195 m² Ikon Penthouse Suite, with spacious, well-designed interiors that rival top-tier hotels.
The ship will also house a 1,700 sqm wellness area and a studio for yoga, pilates, and gym training. As with all Scenic vessels, Scenic Ikon will adopt an open bridge policy, allowing guests to visit the ship’s command centre and interact with the crew. The ship will focus on shorter 13-day itineraries, combining immersive discovery with the brand’s hallmark luxury., Scenic Eclipse is equipped with cutting-edge technology such as GPS dynamic positioning and Polar Class 6 stabilisers for extreme conditions. The ship includes two on-board helicopters, a submersible, and up to ten dining experiences, reflecting the brand’s commitment to “truly all-inclusive” ultra-luxury.
Emerald Cruises’ new Emerald Kaia was also introduced, representing a redefinition of private yacht cruising. With space for 128 guests and 92 crew, Emerald Kaia offers a boutique, wellness-focused experience, with 88% of guest suites featuring verandas. The ship spans six guest decks and includes a marina platform for activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding.
Attendees were shown key 2028 itineraries, including:
- Ancient Empires: Athens to Istanbul (12 days, departing 5 & 16 May)
- Ultimate Gems of the Greek Islands, Adriatic & Amalfi Coast (22 days, departing 6 June)
- Ultimate Italy, French Riviera & Mediterranean Islands (22 days, departing 27 June)
- Ultimate Mediterranean Rivieras & Atlantic Gems (31 days, Italy to North Africa)
- Antarctica Expedition Voyage (13 days, round-trip from Buenos Aires, departing 29 November & 10 December)
Booking Offers & Incentives
Guests booking early can benefit from exclusive offers, including:
- Complimentary helicopter experiences (20 minutes in the Mediterranean or 30 minutes in Antarctica)
- Private jet transfers for select suite categories
- Reduced deposits starting at €1,000 per person
These incentives are designed to offer added value for clients looking for cruise experiences that combine both luxury and discovery.
The evening in Dublin allowed the Irish Travel Trade to get to know and understand the Scenic and Emerald product range while enjoying an exceptional dining experience in a fabulous location. ITTN’s Katie Doyle and Sophie Power would like to thank Scenic Cruises for an engaging lunch that offered genuine insight into the brand’s cruise portfolio. Appreciation is also extended to the team at Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud for providing a superb setting that matched the occasion in both style and substance!
