Mark and Rosa have experienced every style of travel Scenic offers — ocean voyages, river cruises, immersive land journeys, and combinations of all three. Their total days onboard now number close to 500, yet no day is ever the same. “Each style offers something distinct,” Mark explains. “With ocean and river cruises, you unpack once and settle in. It becomes your home — and every day you step out into a new part of the world.” Land tours, on the other hand, offer depth. “You explore places no ship could reach. There’s something grounding about walking through a city or landscape, feeling its texture underfoot.” Neither Mark nor Rosa has one preference. “It’s about the place,” Rosa says. “We choose the mode based on where we want to go and the method just follows.”

Their calendar is always alive with plans. Each new itinerary is a promise — something to look forward to, and something carefully chosen. Soon they’ll board Scenic Eclipse II from Darwin to Fremantle. In December, they will return to Antarctica — this time, following in Mawson’s footsteps. Then comes Jordan, followed by Emerald Kaia from Athens to Venice, and a voyage from Bergen to Iceland on Scenic Eclipse I. In 2027, they plan to explore Patagonia, visit Antarctica once again — their fifth time — take in the majesty of Iguazu Falls, and sail from Iceland to Churchill, eventually arriving in New York. “We like to plan well ahead,” Rosa explains. “It means we can secure our favourite suites, and ensures we make the most of the time we have.” Their philosophy is simple: take on the physically demanding trips now, while they still can. “We want to see it all,” Mark says. “And we’re making it happen.”

Planning a Scenic journey starts with one question: where to next? For Mark and Rosa, the destination always drives the decision. These days, they lean into the adventurous — the voyages with zodiacs and uneven terrain, the ones that demand a little more. “Mobility gets harder with age,” Rosa admits. “So we’re front-loading the active trips now. The leisurely ones can come later.” But there’s another layer too - the thrill of discovery. “It’s about that feeling,” Mark adds. “Of seeing something you’ve only imagined — and finding that it’s even better in real life.”  

Scenic journeys are filled with extraordinary moments. For Rosa and Mark, these aren’t just highlights - they’re memories etched into the heart. There’s the leopard they spotted in Kruger National Park, sun rising behind the stone towers of Angkor Wat, polar bear cubs belly-flopping into the water to chase their mother. In South Georgia, they found themselves surrounded by tens of thousands of king penguins, seals lounging on the sand, skuas circling overhead. And then there’s the emperor penguins — a moment so surreal it still brings goosebumps. “It was our first Antarctica trip on Scenic Eclipse I,” Mark says. “We were anchored beside sea ice in the Weddell Sea when four emperor penguins appeared. They slid and waddled among us. Even the crew were stunned.” It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t expected. “That’s the beauty of Scenic,” Rosa smiles. “You’re prepared for everything - except the magic.”

Across continents and cruises, Mark and Rosa have collected friendships like souvenirs - not only with fellow guests, but with the crew, hotel managers, and tour directors who shape each journey. “You really do get to know the people,” Rosa says. “There’s a warmth that keeps you coming back.” The consistency of service, the professionalism, the way Scenic makes every destination feel intimate -  these are the things they value most. “It’s not just about what you see,” Mark says. “It’s about how you experience it - and who helps you get there.”  

That loyalty hasn’t gone unnoticed. When Mark and Rosa were invited into the exclusive Chairman’s Club by Glen, Karen, and Mia, they really appreciated the gesture. “They’re generous, thoughtful, and they make Scenic what it is,” Mark says. “We’re honoured to be part of it. But really, continuing to travel with Scenic isn’t hard when the standard is always so high.”  

For this adventurous twosome, travel isn’t just about movement - it’s about meaning. Each journey adds to a larger picture, piece by piece. “We love the people, the food, the culture,” Rosa reflects. “But more than that, we love the learning — about history, about humanity, about how vast and varied this planet is.” Long flights and time zones are a small price to pay for the richness that travel brings. Every time Mark and Rosa return home, they feel the puzzle coming together a little more. “We don’t know if it’s a 1,000-piece or 2,000-piece puzzle,” Mark laughs. “But each trip fills in another section - and we’re not done yet.”  

Their advice to first-time Scenic travellers is simple but profound: come open. “Open eyes, open ears, open heart,” Rosa says. “Not everything will go perfectly. That’s the nature of travel. But let Scenic do what they do best - and let yourself be changed.”