Cairns is the capital of Tropical North Queensland and the departure point for your cruise. It's the only place on Earth where two World Heritage-listed sites meet—the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The town showcases Queensland's relaxed lifestyle and offers numerous dining spots, outdoor bars, and lively markets.

This afternoon, board Scenic Eclipse II, your home for the next 17 days. Be greeted with a glass of Champagne, meet your butler, and settle into your luxurious suite. Join your fellow guests at the Sky Bar for a cocktail with a view over the vibrant city as you depart, ready for the adventure of a lifetime.  

Please book your flight to arrive in Cairns before 02:00 PM.

It’s just a short sail north to your first port, to the glamorous resort town of Port Douglas. Once a sleepy fishing village, the town became the state’s most famous tourist destination in the 1980s thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef. Today, the streets are lined with high-end boutiques and chic restaurants while dazzling yachts bob off the multi-million-dollar marina. Spend the morning strolling through the charming town waterfront, sampling local produce at the many cafes and restaurants along Macrossan Street. Or head to the stunning Four Mile Beach, a long strip of golden sand fronting onto calm, turquoise water just on the edge of Port Douglas. 

You depart Port Douglas just after lunchtime and sail north alongside the Great Barrier Reef. Cruising through crystal-clear waters with hundreds of islands and coral cays is a truly spectacular sailing. Grab a seat at the Observation Lounge or ask your butler to bring afternoon tea to enjoy on your private verandah. 

The Great Barrier Reef runs almost the full length of the Queensland coast, and this morning, cruise in the northernmost section alongside the remote Cape Yorke Peninsula. Sitting on the reef's outer edge, around 60km from the mainland, is Creech Reef and the secluded Sandy Cay, only accessible by smaller vessels like Scenic Eclipse II. The coral reefs here spread up to 40km wide and comprise some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. Scenic Eclipse II will stop off at Sandy Cay so you can step off into your private island in the middle of the Coral Sea. The GPS Dynamic Positioning allows your Discovery Yacht to maintain its location without dropping anchor into the sensitive seabed, preserving the pristine destinations you're visiting. 

This is one of the best snorkeling locations on the Great Barrier Reef, where an incredible variety of fish and coral awaits, and the warm water temperature means you can happily bob about in there for hours. In these calm waters, Scenic Eclipse II can open the marina so you can dive straight in or use the many water toys on board. 

Continue north overnight and discover a unique location in Queensland and a travel wish list of many Australians as you dock in Cape York, the northernmost point of mainland Australia. This experience is marked by the sight of the rocky headland overlooking startlingly aqua seas few people ever see. Toast your visit with a glass of Champagne from the Sky Bar or Observation Terrace as your ultra-luxury yacht cruises past the “Tip of Australia.” 

Then, continue to the Torres Strait, an archipelago of more than 100 islands stretching from Cape York to Papua New Guinea. These islands have a fascinating and distinct blend of cultures influenced by ancient Indigenous peoples and modern history. Arriving at Thursday Island this afternoon, you can learn more about this captivating cultural mix, the history of British settlement, and the region’s pearling industry.

Enjoy two relaxing days in ultra-luxury comfort at sea as Scenic Eclipse II makes her way northwest into Indonesian waters. You can do as much or as little this morning as you want. Soak in the comforts of your luxuriously appointed suite, which wraps you with the luxuries of a 6-star hotel. Or ask your butler to bring breakfast to your suite, where you can enjoy it on the verandah as the deep blue waters of the Arafura Sea slip by outside.  

Then, take some time to explore your Discovery Yacht. Visit the Sky Bar and outdoor Vitality Pool on Deck 10, where you can watch the world slip by from the comfort of a private cabana. Step into the tranquil Senses Spa on Deck 6 with its steam rooms, saunas, plunge pool, and KLAFS Salt Therapy Lounge. Stop for a coffee or a cocktail at one of the nine bars and lounges on board. Curl up with a good book in the library of the Observation Lounge, or take one with you and find the hanging egg chairs on Deck 7. For something more interactive, check the daily program to see what lectures or discussions the Discovery Team is running and learn more about upcoming ports, wildlife, or activities.

You can spot land early this morning: the remote Tanimbar Islands. One of Indonesia’s most far-flung outposts, this archipelago of 65 islands sits just a few hundred kilometers north of Darwin. The islands range from densely forested hills to low-lying swamplands and deserted beaches. As Scenic Eclipse II sails towards the largest island, Yamdena, and the capital, Saumlaki, it will discover a bustling city home to around 20,000 people. 

Smaller villages on the island have retained many unique cultural traditions, including music, dance, and crafts. The Tanimbar Islands are also famous for the rare birds that inhabit the untouched forests, making it a popular destination for ornithologists. Listen closely as the Scenic Eclipse gently and silently glides by.

There are millions of beaches in Indonesia, yet the ones you see today might be the most beautiful in the country. The Kai Islands are part of the Maluku Province and are made entirely of white sand and coral. Talcum powder beaches are lapped by the strikingly blue waters of the Banda Sea and fringed with lush rows of palm trees. Despite their jaw-dropping beauty, these islands remain far off the tourist trail.

Spend today living out your castaway fantasies on a deserted island, swimming, snorkeling in the warm water, or just lazing on the sand.

The Banda Islands have long fascinated travelers for more than 700 years. Once known as the Spice Islands, this legendary cluster of exotic ports was a thriving trading hub for rare spices like nutmeg and mace. 1512, Portuguese explorer Francisco Serrao completed an arduous round-the-world journey and became the first European to set foot on Banda Neira. For the next three centuries, these tiny volcanic outcrops were highly prized and fiercely fought over by every great colonial power. This intriguing history is woven into the fabric of the island, with grand Portuguese, Dutch, and British architecture lining the streets and imposing forts looking over the harbor. Explore the town, hear its colorful stories, and get an insight into its tumultuous past. Offshore, the snorkeling around Banda Neira is some of the best in Indonesia and can be enjoyed by Scenic’s selection of water toys, like stand-up paddle boards or kayaks.

Today is the perfect opportunity for relaxation and rejuvenation while you sail to sea. The indulgent Senses Spa awaits the ultimate well-being at sea on Deck 6. This expansive 550m2 gold-leaf emblazoned spa is like nothing you can see on any other ship. Inside this luxurious retreat, you can be pampered with various ESPA treatments, including massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and alternative therapies like Tibetan bowl sound healing. After your treatment, cool off in the Vitality plunge pool on the Senses Spa Pool Deck or warm up in the exclusive KLAFS Salt Therapy Lounge, where heated, aromatherapy-scented loungers gently purify the body. You can also find saunas, steam rooms, therapeutic pressure showers, and a hair and beauty salon within the spa complex. 

For a more active indulgence, the state-of-the-art gym is fully equipped for cardio workouts and strength conditioning – all with a spectacular ocean view. The Yoga & Pilates Studio, the only kind at sea, offers traditional yoga and Pilates classes, aerial yoga (using silk hammocks strung from the ceiling), TRX, and mindfulness meditation.

After sailing across the Banda Sea, Scenic Eclipse II will arrive at Alor Island this morning. The easternmost and largest of the 20 islands in the Alor archipelago, Alor has rugged volcanic terrain dotted with traditional villages—a sight to behold and one for the avid photographer.  

Alor Island is home to several unique Indigenous tribes that live in the same way they have for thousands of years. Visit a local village this morning to see the striking architecture and well-preserved customs. Alor is also known as ‘the island of a thousand mokos.’ Mokos are small bronze drums believed to have originated from the Don Dong culture of Vietnam, and many homes in Alor will have one in pride. 

Just after midday, set sail for Sika Island, a tiny outcrop off the north coast of Alor. This beautiful island is a conservation area and best known for its population of dugongs. Reaching up to three meters long and weighing 400kg, these enormous sea mammals float gracefully through the crystal-clear water, munching on seagrass. They can be spotted from Deck 10 or the Observation Lounge through Scenic’s Swarovski crystal telescope. 

Order a nightcap from your butler tonight and stay up late as you sail past an extraordinary island around 11 pm. Pulau Komba is home to Mount Batutara, an active volcano that erupts every 20 minutes. Even at night, you should be able to see the glowing lava and explosive spray as you pass by. 

Flores Island is fast becoming one of Indonesia’s most popular destinations. Set on the far eastern edge of the island, it was founded by the Portuguese in the 15th century and spent many years as the trade and administrative center of the region.  

Scenic Eclipse II can dock right in the center of the city. Wander the streets at your leisure and soak in its cool maritime flavor. Witness the Portuguese connection and a rich Catholic history in the buildings surrounding you. Admire the famous Katedral Reinha Rosari, known as the Church of Iron, which resembles an ornate Disney castle. The city is a major pilgrimage site for Catholics over Easter, and you may see early preparations underway for the grand Holy Week celebrations. 

Sailing along the southern coast of Flores, arrive at the port of Ende this morning. One of the largest towns on the island, Ende offers a dramatic approach, sitting on a peninsula surrounded by black sand beaches. While the town is small, the nearby Kelimutu National Park attracts countless visitors. 

The park is home to Mount Kelimutu, a dormant volcano with three spectacular lakes in its craters. The lakes change color throughout the year, thanks to underground gases being released through volcanic vents. They may be vivid turquoise, blue, green, white, or even pink. Local legend says that the lakes are the resting place for departed souls, some evil, some innocent. Stare into the milky waters, and you can see why they inspire such myths. If you can draw your eyes away from the lakes, look up and try to spot the park’s endemic bird species, like the Floresian eagle, Timorese tesia, and Wallacea owl. 

This is a momentous day for all aboard Scenic Eclipse II, cruising into one of the world’s great natural treasures. Today, come face to face with the eponymous species of giant lizard roaming these forests for millions of years. 

Stretching up to three meters long and weighing over 150kg, the Komodo dragon is a lizard. It lives on just a handful of islands in the Indonesian archipelago, mostly found on Komodo Island.  

Board Scenic Eclipse II again at midday to cruise around the island to the famous Pink Beach. The soft sand is colored pink by finely crushed pieces of coral and shells, just one of seven pink beaches worldwide. The turquoise water that laps the shoreline makes for a striking contrast. Beneath the surface, the wonders continue with hundreds of species of coral and an abundance of fish.

Sailing west overnight, Scenic Eclipse II will arrive at the port of Badas on Sumbawa Island this morning. Order your breakfast to your room and get ready for sights to behold. Though it is close to Bali and Lombok, Sumbawa has yet to be discovered by tourists and retains its strong cultural identity. The few who venture here come mostly for the epic surf, spectacular reefs and wild terrain, and plenty to satisfy a taste for adventure. 

The island of Sulawesi sits directly north of Sumbawa, and its local Makassarese culture has strongly influenced it. You can tour a village and see centuries-old traditional practices, like rice pounding and weaving, which are still in practice.

After more than two weeks of exploring volcanic highlands, traditional villages, and untouched wilderness, it's time to relax. Scenic Eclipse II will arrive this morning at the perfect place – Senggigi Beach on Lombok Island. Your Discovery Yacht will depart close to midnight, so you have a full day to unwind, partake in water activities, or soak up paradise.

Lombok is a short distance from Bali, but the islands are worlds apart. With fewer tourists, you can find a quiet stretch of sand, empty waves, and more laid-back shopping streets. Senggigi Beach is Lombok's main strip and the beginning location for many adventures. With a late departure, toast to your cruise's final sunset, enjoying the stunning views from the Sky Bar with your favorite cocktail in hand.

Arrive at your final port this morning, Bali, the Island of the Gods. It's just one of more than 18,000 islands that make up the country of Indonesia, but it's long been a favored destination for Australian travelers. Spectacularly beautiful, culturally diverse, and brimming with luxury, Bali is truly a little piece of paradise.  

Scenic Eclipse II will dock off the coast of Benoa, a peninsula on the island's southern edge. Before you depart, farewell your fellow guests and crew, and take memories of exotic islands, fascinating cultures, and unparalleled 6-star indulgence. 

Please book your flight to depart out of Denpasar after 12:00 PM.