While Scenic may be known for its river ships, its foray into ocean cruising with Scenic Eclipse and sister ship Scenic Eclipse II is bringing ultra-luxury to adventure cruising. Forget utilitarian expedition vessels – you can explore the far reaches of the earth on a discovery yacht that feels like a high-end hotel, complete with butler service.
Thanks to its state-of-the-art technology – and its Polar 6 classification – Scenic Eclipse can sail almost anywhere, from iceberg-dotted polar waters to small ports along the Mediterranean and South Pacific that are inaccessible to larger cruise ships.
And there’s no shortage of options for adventuring: Scenic’s 2024/25 season features 60 departures travelling to 355 destinations across 46 countries. Highlights include expeditions to western Australia’s Islands of the Kimberley, the Indonesian Archipelago including Komodo Island and Antarctica’s remote Ross Sea, as well as calls on Japan and South Korea.
Here are 3 different ways to travel with Scenic Eclipse:
Expedition voyages
PHOTO: SCENIC/ROGERS PIMENTA
A Polar 6 classification means it’s smooth sailing in some of the most remote and rugged corners of the earth. Expedition voyages on Scenic Eclipse are capped at 200 guests to maximize landings in regions such as Antarctica and the Arctic. And they’re accompanied by a 20-member specialist Discovery Team, who are experts in fields such as history, geology, nature, photography and marine biology.
An expedition means your itinerary is flexible and adaptable, with excursions dependent on conditions such as weather and wildlife sightings. So each day is an adventure – you might be hiking in unspoilt wilderness or kayaking among icebergs. The ship comes equipped with zodiacs, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, as well as two state-of-the-art helicopters and a custom-built submersible, Scenic Neptune II, capable of descending 200 metres.
After a day of exploring, you’ll return to your 6-star discovery yacht – no need to sacrifice comfort for adventure. In 2024/25, there are several bucket-list expeditions to choose from, from Antarctica’s remote Ross Sea, to circumnavigating Iceland and crossing the Arctic Circle.
Discovery voyages
With up to 228 guests on board, a Discovery voyage offers adventure at a more leisurely pace, with a Discovery expedition program that includes zodiacs, kayaks and e-bikes, as well as Scenic Enrich (exclusive experiences, such as private concerts) and Scenic Freechoice (a range of diverse sightseeing activities). A 15-member specialist Discovery Team leads the educational program, which includes enrichment lectures.
Thanks to its compact size, Scenic Eclipse can access smaller ports that larger cruise ships can’t, meaning it’s possible to get further off the beaten path and visit less touristed destinations. In 2024/25, for example, Scenic Eclipse will visit Australia’s rugged Kimberley Coastline, the Indonesian Archipelago and French Polynesia, among others.
Cruise voyages
PHOTO: SCENIC ROYAL SUITE
If you want the benefits of ocean cruising, but prefer the ‘yacht life’ of glamorous locales such as the French Riviera or Côte d’Azur, Scenic Eclipse offers that, too. Whether you feel like lounging on the terrace with an Aperol spritz in hand, snorkeling in azure waters or wandering quaint villages, you have plenty of options to enjoy luxury cruising in Europe, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
For leisurely days on cruise voyages, there’s plenty of room to kick back and relax, including Scandinavian-inspired plunge pools, saunas and steam rooms, a Pilates studio and Senses Spa, as well as a state-of-the-art theatre, where you can listen to engaging lectures on history and culture from the four-member specialist Discovery Team.
Each stylish suite comes with butler service, a private terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows – and all the luxury amenities you’d expect from a 6-star ultra-luxury, world-renowned hotel. And, despite its compact size, Scenic Eclipse offers 10 dining venues and nine bars, including intimate dining experiences such as the Night Market @ Koko’s, for only eight guests, with dishes inspired by the night food markets of Asia, India and the Middle East.
All Scenic Eclipse voyages are truly all-inclusive: Internal flights, transfers, fine dining, premium beverages and immersive excursions are all included in the price you pay, with the exception of helicopter and submersible excursions.
Guests booking any of the newly launched 2024/25 sailings can receive free business and economy class airfare and savings of up to $5,000 per couple (cabin level and itinerary dependent). Find out more at scenic.ca.
