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Scenic Ikon superyacht to debut in April 2028

Scenic Ikon superyacht under way on a clear Mediterranean morning, highlighting its sleek profile and expedition design.
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3 min read

Key points

  • Scenic adds a third Discovery Yacht, Scenic Ikon, in 2028
  • 270-guest ship with 135 suites and 15 dining venues
  • Two helicopters, a submarine, and Zodiacs expand exploration
  • Inaugural Venice sailing sold out, bookings open
  • Maiden season spans Med, Egypt, Antarctica, and South Atlantic

Impact

Who Is Affected
Luxury expedition cruisers eyeing 2028 to 2029 itineraries with Scenic or Emerald.
What Changed
Scenic confirmed a larger third Discovery Yacht, Scenic Ikon, and opened bookings.
Timing
Delivery planned late 2027, inaugural voyage in April 2028, season through March 2029.
What To Do
Book early for preferred suites and helicopter experiences, as initial sailings fill fast.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours will add a third Discovery Yacht in April 2028, introducing the 270-guest Scenic Ikon. The 205-meter vessel, under construction at MKM Yachts in Rijeka, Croatia, expands Scenic's ultra-luxury expedition capacity with larger all-verandah suites, more dining options, and enhanced exploration gear. Bookings are open, and Scenic says the inaugural sailing from Venice has sold out, underscoring strong demand for small-ship luxury expeditions.

Scenic Ikon superyacht

Ikon will carry 270 guests in 135 suites across five decks, with accommodations ranging from about 365 to 2,691 square feet. The ship adds 15 dining venues, expansive lounges, and a two-level Senses Rejuvenation Spa designed for longer journeys and polar operations. Scenic equips the yacht with two helicopters, a submersible, and Zodiacs to reach remote landing sites, while maintaining the brand's all-inclusive model that covers dining, beverages, and most excursions.

Latest developments

Scenic reports construction milestones in 2025, including steel cutting in February and keel laying in May, with delivery targeted for late 2027 ahead of sea trials. The line says Ikon's maiden season begins in April 2028 and runs through March 2029, calling at 110 ports across 21 countries. Early highlight regions include the Mediterranean, the Aegean and Egypt, the Chilean Fjords, Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, Dakar, and the Cape Verde Islands, with additional departures selling quickly.

Analysis

Ikon signals continued momentum in ultra-luxury yacht cruising as brands add capacity for expedition-style itineraries that mix warm-water yachting with polar seasons. Scenic is positioning Ikon above its 228-guest Eclipse class with larger spaces, more venues, and a broader expedition toolkit. Travelers considering 2028 to 2029 should act early for top suite categories and helicopter-inclusive offers, which tend to disappear first on high-demand launch seasons. For broader context on sustainability and premium infrastructure in cruise, see Royal Caribbean's Galveston terminal achieving net-zero certifications, and the steady expansion of high-end deployment into 2027 and 2028 with new collection reveals from other luxury lines. Relevant reads on Adept Traveler include Royal Caribbean's Galveston Cruise Terminal earns LEED Zero and Silversea's 2027-2028 voyage collection.

Final thoughts

With the Scenic Ikon superyacht, Scenic broadens its Discovery Yacht fleet and raises the ceiling on small-ship luxury expeditions. The bigger platform, added dining and wellness spaces, and aircraft and submersible programs promise wider reach from the Mediterranean to Antarctica. If the sold-out inaugural is any indication, demand for the Scenic Ikon superyacht will remain strong as 2028 approaches.

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