Scenic has collaborated with Triton Submarines to launch Neptune II, a submersible now onboard ultra-luxury discovery yacht, Scenic Eclipse II. Olivia Palamountain reports
Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours has confirmed the launch of its custom submersible, Scenic Neptune II, a collaboration with Triton Submarines. (Not to be confused with the doomed Titan submersible that tragically imploded on a human-crewed dive to the Titanic wreck last year.)
After successfully completing its sea trials and safety certification, the sub is now ready to take guests of its home vessel, the Scenic Eclipse II, on sub-aqua adventures.
Patrick Lahey, president and co-founder, Triton Submarines, says: “At Triton Submarines, one of our key goals is to progress the development of safe, certified civilian submersibles in many different directions, and we could not achieve this without the support and collaboration of truly visionary clients like Scenic.
“We sincerely thank them for their confidence in Triton to deliver the highly innovative new Triton 660/9 AVA, which undoubtedly represents a paradigm shift in how cruise guests experience and engage with the ocean.” 
Led by an expert team, the sub will offer an immersive underwater experience thanks to its 270-degree panoramic views and ability to dive up to 100 metres below the surface.
“The clarity of the acrylic hull once submerged is such that you feel at one with the water. Encountering the vibrant marine life of the South Pacific and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef within Scenic Neptune II will create memories to last a lifetime,” says Jason Flesher, scenic director of discovery operations.
The submersible’s debut coincides with Scenic Eclipse II‘s upcoming voyages in the South Pacific, Great Barrier Reef and East Antarctica in 2024 and 2025.
Scenic Eclipse II‘s inaugural season in the Oceania region began on 13 March 2024 with its voyage from Valparaiso across the Pacific.
The ultra-luxury discovery yacht will arrive in Australia, where Scenic was founded, for the first time on April 20 2024, before embarking on journeys along the East Coast and Top End of Australia, Kimberley, Indonesian Archipelago, South Pacific, New Zealand, and East Antarctica over the next two years.
In addition to the new submersible, Scenic Eclipse II will feature two state-of-the-art helicopters and four sea bobs, enabling guests to glide below the ocean surface.
Scenic is offering two featured itineraries: Australia’s Top End: Cape York & Arnhem Land, an 11-day all-inclusive voyage from £11,115 per person, and Passage through Melanesia: Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands & Vanuatu, a 13-day all-inclusive voyage from £9,305 per person.