Scenic Eclipse II set sail from Lisbon on her maiden voyage on Thursday, 13 April 2023. The ship is now en route to a 12-day Incredible Iberian Discovery cruise to Barcelona, Spain.
Onboard the ship are Scenic Group Chairman and founder Glen Moroney and his wife, Karen, top-tier loyalty guests, and a host of specially invited VIPs.
The 551ft ultra-luxury vessel, owned by Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours, boasts 114 suites, up to ten dining experiences, an expansive 550-square-metre Senses Spa and two helicopters for guest excursions.
Scenic Eclipse II will operate a debut summer season in the Mediterranean and will make her first visit to UK waters in September with a round-Scotland sailing.
The cruise line said that the addition of the 114-suite Scenic Eclipse II to the fleet is a “milestone moment for Scenic, effectively doubling its capacity in the exclusive exploration cruise market.”
The 550ft vessel is a near-identical sister ship to Scenic Eclipse, which set the benchmark for ultra-luxury cruising when it launched in 2019.
For the first two months of operations, Scenic Eclipse II will spend its time exploring Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Spain and France before heading north towards Norway for a series of Arctic expeditions.
Glen Moroney said: “The arrival of Scenic Eclipse II really is a dream come true. Seeing it here today is testament to the incredible hard work of the team at Scenic Group and MKM Yachts.
“Guests tell us every day that they simply cannot believe the experiences they get to enjoy when journeying with us – Scenic Eclipse II will elevate that once again.
“We have pushed the boundaries to what is possible on an ultra-luxury vessel, both in terms of comfort and technology.”
Under the stewardship of Captain Erwan le Rouzic, guests on the debut sailing will enjoy enhanced ultra-luxury spaces, new culinary experiences, and exclusive cultural moments.
Tom Goetter, Director of Food and Beverage for Scenic Group Oceans, is on hand to oversee the ship’s ten inspiring culinary options, including the new Chef’s Garden @ Epicure. The Discovery Team will provide expert insight into the many life-enhancing excursions available.
Among the design enhancements to the 550ft-long Scenic Eclipse II are the new Sky Deck, which now features 270-degree views and a brand-new Sky Bar with indoor and outdoor seating including six private cabanas.
Another new feature is the large, oval-shaped pool, complete with comfortable furniture by the Italian design house Paola Lenti.
A perfect venue for sail-away deck parties, the pool now incorporates special jets allowing guests to swim ‘laps’.
Also available to enjoy is the ship’s eclectic art collection.
In a rare exclusive, British-born artist Carl Hush will be on board for a live installation of his new feature artwork inside Koko’s Asian Fusion restaurant.
Hush previously created a bespoke piece in a similar vein for Scenic Eclipse, and this is a rare opportunity for guests to see an artist at work.
Additional art on board includes an exclusive mural commission by Croatian designer Slaven Kosanovi Lunar in the Night Market @ Koko’s, and the resin mixed media work of Mitch Gobel in the Scenic Bar & Lounge and each guest suite.
Scenic Eclipse II will sail the Arctic in the summer, exploring Norway, Greenland, Iceland and Canada, touring the British Isles before heading across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal to South America, and eventually down to Chile, Argentina, and Antarctica for the Winter.
In March 2024, it then takes a turn across the Pacific towards French Polynesia, Tahiti and Fiji, before a series of cruises exploring the Kimberley coastline during Australia’s winter.
New Zealand, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands are among more Pacific options up until October 2024.
Of special interest will be Scenic Eclipse II’s first appearance in UK waters in September this year. The ship will offer two consecutive 10-day itineraries:
- Northern Isles, Iceland & Scotland (departing Reykjavik, Iceland, September 4), which features home calls in Fetlar Island, Shetlands, Lerwick, Stromness, Aberdeen and Leith.
- Scottish Isles: Historic Trails and Wilderness (departing Leith, September 12), calling at Aberdeen, Stromness, St Kilda (Outer Hebrides), Portree (Isle of Skye), Sound of Mull/Fort William, Oban, Portrush (Northern Ireland) and Dublin (Republic of Ireland)
Prices for a Scenic Eclipse II voyage start from £5,590*. For more information, sceniceclipse.com.
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