Many thanks to Senic Cruises US which provided the interior photographs of Scenic Eclipse.
The mission building this first deluxe expedition yacht: “The vessel’s design incorporates state-of-the-art engineering and external design inspired by the sleek contours of a mega yacht.”
Scenic Eclipse in Rotterdam, August 10, 2019, prepearing for her maiden voyage out of Iceland two days later
Scenic Eclipse, in service since August 2019, is the first ultra deluxe expedition yacht ever built. Her itineraries will take her to Europa, North- and South America and the polar regions, Artic and Antarctic. Her passenger capacity (228 and 200 on trips to polar regions) almost equals her number of crew members and her interiors equal those of the most luxury 5-star hotels.
She is owned by Australian river cruise operator Scenic and is the first ocean going vessel ship for the company, which specialised in luxury river cruises up till now.
Scenic Eclipse has Ice Class 1A Super rating that enables her to sail Arctic and Antarctic waters. She also has the Polar Class 6 rating, the highest passenger ship ice-class rating. Uljanik yard in Croatia built her, and a sister ship will follow in 2021.
Designed by Finnish ship designing and engineering company Foreship, Scenic Eclipse‘s design is said to make her the safest expedition yacht currently sailing. Her dimensions are: length of 166m, beam of 21.5m, draught of 5.3m and and a gross tonnage of 16,500t. Cruising speed is 17kts.
Guests have the 240-seat theatre at their disposal, and a discovery team which includes Antarctic and Arctic experts, who lecture to inform passengers about the areas the ship visits.
With many onboard dining options, from casual to fine dining, in five restaurants, choices available are a French fine dining restaurant (seating 44), an Italian and steak restaurant (100 seats), the Pan Asian restaurant (capacity a 100 guests), an indoor/outdoor restaurant (125 guests), and finally the Ocean café (for 40 guests).
Dining options on Scenic Eclipse
Further more, there is a 5,000ft² spa with indoor and outdoor jacuzzis and plunge pools. An indoor heated pool, with a magrodome, of course a gym and a separate yoga and pilates studio are at passengers’ disposal.
Scenic Eclipse has eight decks, deck three to deck ten. The lowest deck has the entrance for her zodiacs and tenders and it features a self-service guest laundry.
Deck four features the central lobby and reception, main lounge, lobby bar, Pan Asian restaurant, Italian and steak restaurant, boutique, theatre, excursion centre and a library.
Deck five has the dining restaurant, ocean café and lounge, observation lounge and bar, and an open viewing deck at the bow where also guest suites are situated.
Deck six: the spa sanctuary, shallow plunge pools and guest suites. The seventh deck features indoor/ outdoor pool,Al fresco restaurant, a beauty salon, gym, yoga and pilates studio, outdoor terrace and guest suites.
Deck eight is equipped with a helipad and hangars, as well as guest suites forward. The ninth deck has a double helicopter hangar, spa and penthouse suites, while deck ten features a sun terrace.
Passengers have 114 all-veranda suites to choose from, which measure from 32m² to an incredible of 247m². The design for the suites, inspired by leading luxury hotels, was provided by Karen Moroney.
Available are 66 verandah suites, 28 deluxe verandah suites, 14 spa suites, and top of the rang eare the grand panorama and owner’s penthouse suites.
To compare them; veranda suites are 32m² in size, have a private veranda, separate bedroom and living area with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Deluxe veranda suites are a bit larger than veranda suites at 38m²with larger bedroom and living areas.
Spa suites, to be found on decks eight and nine, are 48m² in size and have even more luxury interiors and feature spa baths.
Grand panorama suites (located forward on decks six and eight) measure 56m², have curved verandas on deck six, and a veranda with 43m² terrace on deck eight.
Owner’s penthouse suites are found forward on deck nine, offering te best views of course, Inside they are a 125m²and have a stunning a 60m² terrace. Combining these with a spa suite will create a two-bedroom penthouse suite with an area of 247m², the largest to be found onboard any ship.
Scenic Eclipse offers airborne, underwater, and “standard” shore excursions to guests. For this she has two six-seater, twin-engine helicopters, one seven-seater submarine and 12 zodiacs and kayaks available.
To explore for example underwater reefs, guest can go scuba diving, or explore them in a submarine.
Scenic Eclipse has been built to meet the strictest safety specifications and will feature custom-built stabilisers that are 50% larger than other ship, state-of-the-art fins that can adjust themselves enable the ship to handle the strongest water movements and to remain stable, even being stationary. and of course she has an ice-strengthened hull.
Finally, she will be fitted with a dynamic positioning system that uses GPS to accurately maintain the vessel’s position, instead of the old-fashioned anchors. Environmentally sustainable systems, like sophisticated water treatment systems and environmentally friendly engines will also make this a state of the art vessel!
