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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.
Scenic Eclipse yacht design
Designed as your own indulgent haven, each suite features stylish amenities and is incredibly spacious and range from 32sqm Verandah Suites to the 245sqm Two-Bedroom Owner’s Penthouse. Separate zones for sleeping and the lounge area are filled with natural light, thanks to floor-to-ceiling sliding doors opening onto a verandah or terrace. Your butler will ensure everything is taken care of, from bringing your morning coffee to your suite, attending to your laundry, re-stocking your included mini-bar or delivering Champagne or cocktails. Scenic Eclipse is the first foray into ocean cruising for Australian company Scenic, long known for luxury tours and river ships.
Find a cruise or land journey
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.
Scenic Eclipse Ocean Voyages
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.
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.
Bars & Lounges
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.
Fellow Passengers
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).
Other Scenic Yacht Cruises cruise ships
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.
Priority choice of shore excursions and VIP embarkation and disembarkation. Imagine returning from an exhilarating day of truly all-inclusive discovery excursions to your private sanctuary of your Spa Suite, with a steaming bath drawn by your butler. Gaze out over your verandah to the vistas beyond and sip on a glass of Champagne – heaven. With a premier location on the higher decks, Scenic's opulent Spa Suites range in size from 46-50m2 and featuring a four-poster king-size bed, separate lounge room as well as a private verandah, they are the perfect retreat after a day of discovery. Each Spa Suite accommodates a double-size Philippe Starck-designed Jacuzzi overlooking your private verandah, and separate oversized steam shower.
Scenic Eclipse II set for first Australia cruise season - TravelMole
Scenic Eclipse II set for first Australia cruise season.
Posted: Sun, 21 Apr 2024 06:39:03 GMT [source]
The spa is larger on Scenic Eclipse II than the first Scenic Eclipse, and it's impressive not just for a ship this size but for any expedition vessel. The thermal complex, open to all passengers, includes a sauna, a steam room, an ice corner to cool down, a salt therapy room with heated loungers and KLAFS infra-red sauna seats. These areas are segregated by gender, which can be annoying if you want to hang out with your opposite sex friend, partner or spouse, but gives Scenic Eclipse II more opportunity to take charters. But don't let the ship's good looks and fancy extras fool you; Scenic Eclipse II is a powerhouse when it comes to expedition cruising.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Deck eight is equipped with a helipad and hangars, as well as guest suites. The ninth deck has a helicopter hangar, spa and penthouse suites, while deck ten features a sun terrace. The first deck houses mud rooms for easy zodiac entry, tender entrance and a self-service guest laundry.
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