Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Brand History and Origin

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, commonly known as Scenic, was founded in 1986 by Glen Moroney in Australia. Initially starting as a boutique coach touring company under the name Scenic Tours, the brand underwent significant expansion into international river cruising, launching its first 'Space-Ships' in Europe in 2008. The company is credited with pioneering luxury all-inclusive river cruising, setting a high standard for service and vessel design.

Manufacturing and Fleet Operations

While the brand is Australian, the construction and 'manufacturing' of its luxury vessels occur globally. Scenic’s river cruise ships are predominantly built in European shipyards (notably in the Netherlands). Its ocean-going discovery yachts, such as the Scenic Eclipse, are engineered and constructed at high-tech shipyards like Uljanik and 3. Maj in Croatia. This international approach allows the brand to integrate cutting-edge maritime technology with luxury hospitality.

Ownership and Global Presence

Scenic remains a privately owned entity under the Scenic Group, which also operates the Emerald Cruises brand. Over the years, the company has grown from a local Australian tour operator into a global luxury travel powerhouse with offices in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. As of 2026 and beyond, it continues to be led by its founder, Glen Moroney, maintaining its independence from larger cruise conglomerates.