Understated elegance meets technical innovation as Scenic Eclipse II, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours’ stunning new ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, begins its inaugural Mediterranean season with a debut sailing from Lisbon, Portugal.
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 operation, Scenic Eclipse II will explore the picturesque coastal waters and coves of Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Spain and France before heading north towards Norway for a series of Arctic expeditions.
“The arrival of Scenic Eclipse II really is a dream come true,” says Glen Moroney, Scenic Group Founder and Chairman, who was on the inaugural cruise. “Seeing it here today is a testament to the incredibly 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 – and 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, will be on hand for a portion of the cruise to oversee the ship’s ten inspiring culinary options, including the new Chef’s Garden @ Epicure immersive culinary masterclass experience and presentation area that will see the executive chef and his team personally share the secrets of local dishes and cooking techniques. Meanwhile, the yacht’s Discovery Team will provide expert insight during the sailing along with information on the many life-enhancing excursions available.
Among the design enhancement to 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 allowing guests to enjoy the stunning views with their favourite drink in hand. Another new feature is the large, oval-shaped pool, complete with comfortable furniture by Italian design house Paola Lenti. A perfect venue for sail-away deck parties, the pool now incorporates special jets allowing guests to swim ‘laps’.
Elsewhere on board, guests on the inaugural sailing (and all subsequent sailings) will be able to truly immerse themselves in 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. The acclaimed creator, whose work encompasses street art, collage and painting, draws heavily on Japanese culture to explore representations and constructions of women. 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, who resides in Australia’s Byron Bay, in the Scenic Bar & Lounge and each guest suite.
Scenic Eclipse II’s upcoming voyages have already attracted much interest, with an exciting array of itineraries through 2023 and 2024 now available. From the Arctic in the summer – exploring Norway, Greenland, Iceland and Canada – the Yacht tours 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 Canadian waters in August this year as it spends three days exploring Canada’s largest island, Baffin Island, during the 14-day Uncover Greenland & Canada sailing. The yacht’s first visit to the USA will be in Boston on October 12 before she departs Portland, Maine the next day for an 11-day Bermuda & The Bahamas itinerary.
The Eclipse yachts have 114 luxurious suites across five decks, ranging in size from 345 to nearly 2,600sqft, 10 dining experiences, butler service to every suite, a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:1, a sumptuous 5,920 ft² spa sanctuary, and two onboard helicopters and a submarine offering truly unique discovery experiences. Scenic Eclipse II has expanded the SPA steam room to include aromatherapy, added an integrated ice fountain, experience showers, and a KLAFS custom salt therapy lounge with heated beds, and an expanded dedicated infrared ‘ocean view’ lounge includes colour light therapy to energize and reinvigorate skin cells. The yacht’s electric submersible will hold eight guests.
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