Scenic is introducing a ‘discovery yacht’, the 228-guest Scenic Eclipse, which set sail on 15 August 2019 on its inaugural voyage, a 13-day discovery itinerary from Reykjavik to Quebec, before heading to New York City for its 10 September christening by Godmother Dame Helen Mirren.
“Today is the fruition of many years of planning and work from a large and dedicated team to create a vessel and an experience which has set a brand new benchmark in ultra-luxury discovery cruising,” said Glen Moroney, chairman and founder, Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours. “We are extremely proud of this ship and what it brings to the world of cruising. In terms of innovation, technology and design, it is second to none. The onboard helicopters and submarine and our handcrafted itineraries that take our guests to 38 countries in some of the world’s most stunning and remote locations — these are what truly set us apart.”
Karen Moroney, project director – design, led a small and dedicated design team creating and building partnerships with leading brands and artists across the world.
“Our team, working with incredible partners such as B&B Italia, Walter Knoll, Tom Dixon and Jonathon Browning, has allowed us to create a look and feel that is the ultimate in guest luxury,” she said. “In addition, we have commissioned a number of artworks from renowned international artists which will be a focal point of the interiors. This is more than just a cruise ship, this is a total sensory experience, from the entry foyer to the guest suites and the dining areas, the feel is one of calm, luxury and serenity to allow our guests to truly relax and take in the total voyage experience.”
Intended to deliver the experience of a lifetime for only 228 guests, only 200 in the Arctic and Antarctica, Scenic Eclipse is designed to marry luxury and discovery with the ultimate in safety and sustainability, with voyages taking in everything from nature to cultural encounters, historic cities and ancient monuments.
Scenic Eclipse has 114 all-veranda suites ranging in size from 345ft² (32m²) to 2,659ft² (247m²); 10 dining options – from Asian fusion to French fine dining, a chef’s table and a poolside buffet; and its 5,920ft² (550m²) Senses Spa with a gym and separate yoga and pilates studio. Two six-guest helicopters and one six-guest submarine capable of depths of nearly 1,000ft (305m); a theatre for entertainment and lectures; indoor and outdoor plunge pools; butler service for all guests; and an almost 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio.
Technological features include zero-speed stabiliser fins that are 50% larger than standard to provide greater stability by cutting the ship’s roll by more than 85%; the highest passenger ship ice class rating – Polar Class 6; redundancies in propulsion, navigation, safety systems and food refrigeration; state-of-the-art bridge systems; and a GPS dynamic positioning system allowing for stationary positioning without an anchor, reducing environmental impact and enhancing safety during Zodiac operations.
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has grown over its 33-year history to include all-inclusive escorted tours that take participants to many of the world’s most fascinating destinations and, since 2008, truly all-inclusive, five-star river cruises in Europe, Southeast Asia, Russia and Egypt on its 15 Space Ships.
Sister brand Emerald Waterways has seven Star Ships offering European river sailings with an eighth (Emerald Harmony) launching in 2019 for Southeast Asia’s Mekong River. Exclusive charters are offered on Southeast Asia’s Irrawaddy River; the Volga River in Russia; yacht cruises out of Croatia; and Egypt’s Nile River.
