Summer on a yacht is what sparked my fascination for yachting. Back in 2019, I spent an incredible 2 weeks with friends on a small private yacht, slowly moving from harbor to harbor in the Ligurian Sea. It was the calmness, the sense of escape, and the pure joy of being surrounded by nothing but nature that hooked me. No crowded hotels, no strangers—just the open sea and breathtaking views. That summer made me realize that yachting offers something special, and Discovery Yachts is a whole new level of luxury and exploration.
If you’re looking for adventure without giving up comfort, Discovery Yachts are the answer. These ships are built for exploring the most remote parts of the world, from the icy landscapes of Antarctica to the crystal-clear waters of Fiji—all while keeping you wrapped in six-star luxury. Discovery Yachts, like the Scenic Eclipse, are the perfect blend of adventure and extravagance.
What Makes a Discovery Yacht Special?
While the film Triangle of Sadness portrayed a satirical, sometimes chaotic view of luxury yacht experiences—complete with unruly passengers, bizarre encounters, and a shipwreck—real-life Discovery Yacht experiences are far from such caricatures. Onboard Yachts like the Scenic Eclipse or Seabourn Venture, the focus is on adventure, luxury, and tranquility in an organized, personalized, and sophisticated setting. With only 200 to 228 guests onboard, these yachts offer a private and personal experience. And thanks to their high-tech equipment—like helicopters, submarines, and Zodiac boats—you can reach places that most people only dream of visiting.
The Scenic Eclipse is the perfect example of this. It’s equipped to sail through both tropical and polar regions, giving you the chance to fly over glaciers, dive deep into the ocean, and even kayak alongside penguins. Whether it’s the Norwegian fjords, the Galapagos Islands, or the Antarctic Peninsula, you’ll explore it all in style.
What’s It Like on a Discovery Yacht?
Luxury Accommodations
Just like the quiet and personal summer I had on that private yacht, Discovery Yachts focus on giving you a space to relax in total privacy. Every suite on Scenic Eclipse comes with its own private veranda or terrace, so you can wake up with stunning ocean views every day. Plus, the personal butler service makes sure you’re taken care of—whether that’s with a fresh cup of coffee in the morning or an evening cocktail while watching the sunset.
Exciting Adventures
One of the coolest things about Discovery Yachts is how they bring you closer to nature. The helicopters onboard let you take to the skies, offering jaw-dropping views over ice fields, volcanoes, or remote islands. The submarines dive deep below the surface, giving you a chance to see marine life and undersea landscapes that few ever witness. And with Zodiac boats and kayaks, you can explore remote shores, glaciers, or coral reefs in places like the Arctic or the Fiji Islands.
Whether it’s flying over the icy wilderness of Antarctica or snorkeling in crystal-clear tropical waters, every day brings a new and exciting adventure.
All-Inclusive Luxury
On Discovery Yachts, everything is included, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Fancy dining at one of their 10 restaurants? It’s covered. Want to relax in the spa with a sauna or a massage? That’s included too. These ships offer everything from fine dining to premium beverages and world-class spa facilities, making your adventure feel like a luxurious escape at every moment.
Top Discovery Yachts to Explore in 2025
1. Scenic Eclipse I & II
- Cruise Line: Scenic
- Capacity: 200 passengers in polar regions (228 in non-polar regions)
- Key Features:
- 2 helicopters for aerial exploration
- Submarine (Scenic Neptune) for underwater experiences
- 10 dining venues, including fine French and Asian fusion
- All-suite accommodations with personal butler service
- Advanced polar-class 6 rating for safe navigation in icy waters
- Destinations: Antarctica, Arctic, South Pacific, Mediterranean
- Notable Experience: Helicopter flight over glaciers in Antarctica
2. Crystal Endeavor
- Cruise Line: Crystal Cruises
- Capacity: 200 passengers
- Key Features:
- Polar-class expedition yacht with advanced navigation systems
- 2 helicopters for scenic flights
- Submersible for undersea exploration
- Michelin-star dining and luxury all-suite accommodations
- Destinations: Antarctica, Arctic, Russian Far East, Southeast Asia
- Notable Experience: Submersible dives to explore marine ecosystems
3. Le Commandant Charcot
- Cruise Line: Ponant
- Capacity: 200 passengers
- Key Features:
- Hybrid electric-powered icebreaker, first of its kind
- Designed for polar expeditions in regions like the North Pole
- Science labs onboard where passengers can observe researchers at work
- Zodiac excursions for up-close wildlife encounters
- Destinations: North Pole, Antarctica, Greenland
- Notable Experience: Sailing to the North Pole on a luxury icebreaker
4. Seabourn Venture
- Cruise Line: Seabourn
- Capacity: 264 passengers
- Key Features:
- Equipped with 2 submarines and 24 Zodiac boats
- All-suite accommodations with ocean views
- Expert-led expeditions to remote destinations
- Fine dining with locally inspired menus
- Destinations: Arctic, Antarctic, Amazon, Patagonia, Norwegian fjords
- Notable Experience: Submarine tours and Zodiac excursions along the Amazon River
5. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection – Evrima
- Cruise Line: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
- Capacity: 298 passengers
- Key Features:
- Superyacht-style cruising with sleek design
- All-suite accommodations with private terraces
- Multiple dining venues with locally sourced ingredients
- Destinations: Mediterranean, Caribbean, smaller and exclusive ports
- Notable Experience: Exploring secluded Mediterranean islands with yacht-style luxury
6. Hanse Explorer
- Private Charter Yacht
- Capacity: 12 guests
- Key Features:
- Fully customizable itineraries for private charters
- Ice-class vessel built for extreme environments
- Destinations: Arctic, Antarctic, South Pacific
- Notable Experience: Tailor-made private expeditions to some of the world’s most remote regions
7. Silver Origin
- Cruise Line: Silversea
- Capacity: 100 passengers
- Key Features:
- Dedicated to the Galapagos Islands
- Expert-led wildlife excursions
- Eco-friendly design with sustainable technologies
- All-suite accommodations with private verandas
- Destinations: Galapagos Islands
- Notable Experience: Intimate wildlife encounters with Galapagos’ unique species
Why Choose a Discovery Yacht?
If you want adventure and, at the same time, travel in comfort, Discovery Yachts offers the best of both worlds. With small group sizes, personal service, and exclusive access to some of the world’s most remote locations, these yachts give you an intimate and unforgettable experience. If you want to explore untouched corners of the globe while being pampered every step of the way, a Discovery Yacht like the Scenic Eclipse or Crystal Endeavor is the perfect choice.
Whether flying high above a glacier or sipping champagne in your suite, Discovery Yacht journeys bring you closer to the world’s wildest places without sacrificing comfort. For me, that’s what yachting is all about—exploring the world, but always in style.
Safety Onboard Yachts
In light of recent tragic incidents involving yachts and ships, such as the sinking in Italy, the question of safety aboard luxury expedition yachts has become more prominent. However, it’s important to highlight that Discovery Yachts are equipped with some of the most advanced safety features in the industry, making them far more secure than most leisure vessels.
For example, Scenic Eclipse is built to Polar Class 6 standards, which means it is designed to navigate through icy waters and extreme conditions, while maintaining top safety protocols. This includes reinforced hulls for ice-breaking and advanced navigation systems that are equipped to handle even the most challenging environments.
Onboard, safety measures include regular emergency drills, state-of-the-art communication systems, and Zodiac boats for rapid evacuation if needed. The crew is highly trained in emergency procedures, and ships are monitored constantly through cutting-edge navigation technology to avoid hazards. Furthermore, ships like Le Commandant Charcot, with its hybrid-electric technology, also incorporate environmentally friendly operations while ensuring safety at every step of the journey.
Unlike the instability portrayed in films like Triangle of Sadness, these vessels prioritize stability and safety, ensuring that your luxury adventure is smooth and secure, whether in the Arctic, the Mediterranean, or beyond.
