Scenic Eclipse II makes historic visit to Newcastle, NSW, Scenic’s birthplace

Chairman and founder Glen Moroney was on board to host his sold-out chairman’s voyage from Newcastle to Cairns.

In 1986 Moroney, a Novocastrian who had quit accountancy studies at the University of Newcastle, began selling coach tours along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

His company grew and sold tours to New Zealand, Canada and Alaska.

Own ships

He was chartering European river vessels from Viking and Avalon Waterways when he decided to build his own ships, offering revolutionary suites with balconies, in 2007.

Today there are 26 vessels across the Scenic and Emerald brands, sailing worldwide, and the company’s global headquarters is now in Zug, Switzerland.

Two years in Oceania

When Scenic Eclipse II arrives in Cairns on April 30, she will head further north to Cape York, then over to the Northern Territory, arriving in Darwin on May 10 for Scenic’s inaugural Kimberley season.

She will spend two years operating cruises throughout Oceania.