Scenic Group Marks 40th Anniversary With October Sailings and Events
Founder Glen Moroney is hosting a Scenic Eclipse voyage from New York to Nassau from October 5 to 16, with special events in Wilmington, Charleston and Key West.
Scenic Group is celebrating its 40th anniversary throughout October 2026 with special dining events, themed entertainment and commemorative experiences for guests travelling with Scenic and Emerald Cruises & Tours. The celebrations also include management-hosted departures and a limited booking promotion.
Founded in Newcastle, Australia, in 1986, the group now offers journeys across all seven continents. It has river fleet additions planned in Europe, India and Southeast Asia, alongside further expansion of Emerald Yacht Cruises and the introduction of Scenic Ikon.
“This anniversary is an opportunity to thank our valued guests, partners, crew and teams around the world who have shaped Scenic Group’s success,” said Scenic Group Founder and Chairman Glen Moroney.
Anniversary departures and booking savings
Moroney is hosting the annual Scenic Discovery Yachts Chairman’s Voyage aboard Scenic Eclipse. The cruise departed New York on October 5 and is scheduled to finish in Nassau on October 16, with special events in Wilmington, Charleston and Key West as part of celebrations of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
A separate loyalty departure combines the Scenic Romantic Rhine & Moselle river cruise with a land extension in Switzerland. That journey includes an exclusive dinner in Lucerne hosted by Scenic Group management.
For the USA and Latin America markets, the group is offering an additional $200 per person off selected departures booked from October 12–26 using promotional code BOOST26. The offer covers eligible sailings across both brands’ river and ocean operations.
River eligibility includes selected 2026 and 2027 Rhine and Danube itineraries. Among the Scenic options are Gems of the Danube, Rhine Highlights and Christmas market cruises; Emerald’s qualifying itineraries include Danube Delights, Jewels of the Rhine and Christmas market departures on both rivers.
The ocean offer applies to selected Scenic Discovery Yachts departures in the Western Mediterranean in 2027. For Emerald Yachts, qualifying cruises operate in the Caribbean and Seychelles between November 2026 and March 2027.
New river ships and yachts through 2028
Scenic’s European river fleet development began in 2008 with Scenic Sapphire and Scenic Emerald. Emerald began river operations in 2014 under its original Emerald Waterways name, following the brand’s establishment the previous year, and added its first oceangoing yacht, Emerald Azzurra, in 2022.
“Great feedback drives our innovation and guides our investment in new ships, destinations and journeys,” Moroney said. He also cited the group’s ability to design, build, own and operate its fleet as giving it greater control over the guest experience.
On the river, Emerald Lumi is scheduled to begin Seine cruises in 2027. Scenic Spirit II and Scenic Spirit III are due to join the Mekong operation in 2028.
On the ocean side, Emerald Raiya is scheduled for 2027, followed by Emerald Xara in 2028. Those additions follow Emerald Kaia, the 128-guest yacht introduced in 2026; the brand’s first two yachts, Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, each accommodate up to 100 guests.
Scenic Ikon is scheduled to debut in April 2028. The ship is designed to accommodate up to 270 passengers in 135 all-veranda suites.
