Scenic Cruises

Scenic is an amazing Australian success story in the travel industry.

From very humble beginnings to become a world renowned luxury cruise and tour operator with a world class reputation for creating and delivering the ultimate cruising and touring itineraries for travellers who seek extraordinary experiences and exceptional service.

Founded in Newcastle by Glen Moroney, it began in 1986 with coach tours operating throughout Australia. In the early 1990s this expanded to New Zealand, followed by Norfolk Island in 1997 and Southern Africa in 1998. By the end of the decade we were hosting tours to Canada and Alaska and in 2008 began sailing the rivers of Europe. 

Operating over 500 tours to 66 countries and every continent, we are the leading Australian operator to Canada and Alaska, and also host a fascinating collection of all-inclusive itineraries in destinations across New Zealand, the USA and the Caribbean, Africa, Europe and Russia, South East Asia – the Mekong in Vietnam and Irrawaddy in Burma, China, Japan, India, Central and South America and Antarctica. Domestic destinations include Tasmania, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Norfolk Island.

Our European operation, Scenic owns and operates 11 luxury Scenic ‘Space-Ships’ that sail the grand waterways of Europe. With the newest fleet of ships, and widely regarded as the finest on the rivers, Scenic has set a global benchmark for all-inclusive luxury river cruising. Working with only the best shipbuilders, we can continue to break new ground with our cutting edge design. Scenic Jasper and Scenic Opal, our two next-generation Scenic ‘Space-Ships’, boast the largest suites on the rivers with the ultimate in private balcony accommodation - the 44m2 Royal Panorama Suites, and a new vitality pool for guests to enjoy on the Sun Deck.

The Scenic group of companies employ over 300 direct employees across the globe from our Australian headquarters in Newcastle; satellite offices located in Sydney, Auckland (New Zealand), Zug (Switzerland) and Malta in Europe, Manchester (United Kingdom), Vancouver (Canada) and Boston (USA); this is complemented by our tour directors, cruise directors, coach captains and river cruise team members in every destination equating to over 1,100 team members in a delivery season. A significant global footprint for this Australian start-up.

We also have a sister company, Evergreen Tours, an Australian leader in premium European river cruising and escorted touring. Since the company started in 1980, Evergreen has evolved from escorted touring around Tasmania to providing quality tours with exceptional value in Europe, North and South America, Africa and Australasia. 

Owned and operated by Scenic, Emerald Waterways made its debut in 2014 and was the first river cruise company to launch in Europe in six years. Used exclusively by Evergreen Tours, the Emerald ‘Star-Ship’ fleet, Emerald Sky and Emerald Star, will be joined by a further two ships in 2015.

Scenic is a member of ICCA (International Cruise Council Australasia) and IATA (International Air Transport Association), which validates our strength, capabilities and international presence. We have been the recipient of national and international accolades from the industry and our partners, and recognised within the industry for our exemplary product and operations.