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Besides Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours, the shipowner Scenic Group also owns the subsidiary and travel brand Emerald Cruises. Applause, also, to the Yacht Club, for casual breakfasts and lunches big on flavor and healthy ingredients. Since I’ve been onboard, the indoor pool was (rightfully) removed from the area, creating more lounging space, both inside and out. I often wandered into the all-day Azure Bar & Café for a macaron or barista-made espresso.
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Owner’s penthouse suites are located in a prime position on the ninth deck at the bow of the yacht. Featuring a 125m² area, the suites offer luxury facilities available in both suites and master suites, and also feature a 60m² terrace. Grand panorama suites are located on decks six and eight at the front of the yacht.
Expert Discovery Team
The ship was initially scheduled for delivery in August 2018, but due to construction issues was first rescheduled for January, then for April 2019. In February 2018, the shipowner Scenic Group (aka Scenic Tours Australia) signed a shipbuilding contract for the second (same-design) vessel - Scenic Eclipse II. The sistership was scheduled for delivery in 2020 but was eventually postponed to 2023 April. In 2019, the expedition cruise world was abuzz over the 228-passenger, all-suite Scenic Eclipse launch. This ultra-luxe polar ice-class ship resembles a yacht, yet still possesses all the right adventure toys, like helicopters, a submarine, Zodiacs, and kayaks.
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Listed prices may have blackout dates, qualifications or restrictions. To solve the issues, the letter said the line has beefed up its cybersecurity, and is currently working to hire and train additional reservations staff. It wasn't done quickly enough to stave off problems on my sailing, but, hopefully, logistics and communication will improve going forward. He blamed a recent hacking incident, which necessitated a full website rebuild, delaying communications between the line and passengers. Oh, and whatever you do, don't miss the out-of-this-world grape cotton candy from Koko's, which houses two Asian dining options, including a sushi venue that has all of its fish flown in from Japan. Cruise director Amy and her assistant, Pablo, led daily trivia, often with fun twists like musical clues that they sang themselves.
Discover Our Scenic Eclipse Ships
The ship's 2 helicopters Airbus H130 (single-engine aircraft, each with capacity 7 passengers) can be booked/hired at extra charge. Also at an additional charge can be booked the ship's Triton submarine. The 9-person submarine (1 pilot plus 8 passengers) is named "Scenic Neptune" and is capable to submerge up to 660 ft (200 m). With the top-luxury expedition superyachts Eclipse 1 and Eclipse 2, Scenic Cruises and Tours (1987-founded river cruisetour company) entered the ocean-cruising market. The first boat (Eclipse 1) was launched in August 2018 and inaugurated in September 2019. The second vessel (Eclipse II) was scheduled for inauguration in 2020 but postponed to 2022-Q3 and eventually, to 2023 (April).
Polar Regions
With furnishings crafted from sustainable materials, the lounge is the central location for daily trivia hosted by the entertainment staff, as well as the meeting point for daily excursions, which are organized by color groups. Scenic Eclipse II does have a few additions that separate it from its predecessor, all of which make the ship more appealing when it's sailing in warm weather climates, such as the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or Australia's Kimberley region. Deck 10 now has a large heated plunge pool, as well as an a bunny pad sun lounging area, large cabana-style sun beds and new attractive Sky Bar. We found we didn't use this area all that much on our Arctic Greenland cruise, but it does make Scenic Eclipse II a more viable option when it's not at the poles. Here, our guests can store their polar boots as well as prepare for kayak and stand-up paddleboard excursions. Innovative design and ultra-luxury spaces define the experience on board The World’s First Discovery Yachts.
We found that while our butler was eager to take requests and replenished the bar without reminders, the service was more reactive than proactive. All requests were honored, but there weren't many of the special service touches like you find on the highest end luxury cruises. Like its older sibling, Scenic Eclipse, Scenic Eclipse II is one of the most stylish ships afloat today. With curved lines, two helicopters a submarine and a marina for water sports, the sleek 228-passenger ship looks like a large yacht owned by a James Bond villain.
There was also a decanter set that could've been filled with my favorite liquors, had I asked for them. Carafes of water, replenished as they ran low, rounded out the choices. At the reservation-only venues — including French restaurant Lumiere, Koko's Sushi and Night Market teppanyaki, as well as the chef's table (by invitation) — I was able to either find something I liked on the menu or request a vegetarian substitute. At Lumiere, I opted for a fabulous plant-based steak, and before dining at the chef's table, a quick call to the front desk meant my candied foie gras was replaced by an exquisite candied date instead. What might not be immediately apparent is that Scenic Eclipse offers an outsized number of dining options for a ship of this class.
Scenic Eclipse Itineraries Cruises
Sadly, the self-serve coffee machine was often empty, and when it worked, the drinks tasted watered down. On January 31, 2018, was the ship's launch (float-out ceremony) at Uljanik Shipyard. The delivery was scheduled for August 31, 2018, but due to the shipyard's financial issues was rescheduled for April 13, 2019. How lovely to sit at a bar where someone pours 1er (Michel Forge Brut NV) and Grand Cru Champagne (Autréau Blanc de Blancs NV). These are smaller house bubbly, rather than luxe ship’s usual big-house offerings. You can snorkel in the tropical waters of Raja Ampat, marvel at a land filled with the rich history of Celts, Romans, and Vikings in Scotland, and take in the breathtaking beauty of Tahiti as we island hop through the Pacific Islands.
I’d pretty much sail anywhere on Scenic Eclipse, even if the itinerary leaned more cultural than expedition. Reservations are needed for Night Market@Koko’s, where just eight guests sit at a teppanyaki grill while a chef prepares night market-influenced plates with Asian, Indian, or Middle Eastern flavors. Yes, please keep me updated with the latest special offers, travel inspiration, product updates and event invites.
The impressive selection of cuisines with up to 10 dining experiences and up to eight bars and lounges offers you a variety of choices that will satisfy your palate. Open galleys invite you to see first-hand the passion and expertise that goes into preparing every meal. Each dining venue features a menu reflecting the produce and region you are sailing in, and choices will be refreshed throughout your voyage. For example, all fares for Scenic's expedition voyages include a pre-cruise hotel stay. However, passengers expecting luxury (and with fares starting at $13,000 per person for a 10-day sailing, who wouldn't?) were disappointed.
They feature spa baths and offer space to relax and views from the veranda. I've just disembarked my first-ever expedition cruise, an 11-day voyage to the Arctic, and I'm in love. Not just with the stunning scenery and cute animals, but with this ship which, like the polar bears we watched from its observation decks, commands respect because it's built to survive the terrain and is fully capable of doing so.
First Look at Scenic Eclipse II - CruiseCritic.co.uk
First Look at Scenic Eclipse II.
Posted: Wed, 06 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Lumière, a contemporary and sophisticated French restaurant, also won my heart (and stomach). The onion soup with double oxtail wagyu beef consommé, and grilled duck breast with leg confit, are standouts. The impressive selection of cuisines, dining experiences, and bars offer you a variety of choices that will satisfy your palate. Each dining venue features a menu reflecting the produce and region you’re sailing in, and choices will be refreshed throughout your voyage. Guests can be entertained in the 240-seat theatre that offers programmes and lectures by an onboard discovery team. The team, which includes dedicated Antarctic and Arctic experts in their fields, keep guests updated with a range of subjects and interests.
Check-in took a very long time, the rooms were fairly basic (at least I got one that wasn't already occupied, unlike some travelers) and the embarkation-day breakfast was a brown bag with an apple and yogurt. The balcony has an electronic blackout shade that lifts and lowers with the push of a button. It's immensely useful in polar regions, where you'll get 24 hours of light at times of the year. For travelers who like to cook their own meals, there's also a special kitchen where passengers can sign up to cook with the chef. They were allowed to be more social with passengers than on more mainstream vessels, which created an extra layer of personalization.
The expedition staff worked hard to make sure that cruisers who were less mobile were able to have the best experience possible. Scenic Eclipse II is arranged around a center staircase, with passengers using seven of the 10 decks. The food venues and restaurants are clustered at the back of the ship on the different floors, while the theater, the spa, the Observation Lounge and the Bridge are at the front.
Restaurant wine lists also emphasize smaller vintners, with detailed bottle descriptions. Another suite plus was the unusual quietness; I didn’t hear any neighboring noise as can often happen on ships, even luxury ones. I spent much time on my balcony—so idyllic for soaking up views or ogling the sunset over flutes of bubbly.
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