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September 4, 2024

The Scenic group was well-known and synonymous with luxury experiences long before the launch of Scenic Eclipse, the first ocean cruise ship in the Scenic Cruises fleet. Now consisting of two vessels, the fleet has added value to the brand’s range of travel options, expanding its offerings beyond river cruises. 

Embarking on Scenic Eclipse was surprising from the very first moment. What immediately stands out is the contrast between the ship’s small size as seen from the outside, more akin to a large yacht than a cruise ship, and the sense of space and openness that one experiences upon stepping onboard. This pleasant effect is primarily due to the favorable ratio of ship size to the number of guests, greatly enhancing livability and comfort. Additionally, the interior design is perfectly laid out, featuring a grand Lounge and Bar that serves as the ship’s main gathering place and remains one of the most enjoyable common areas throughout the voyage. 

The concept of Scenic Eclipse masterfully blends the Expedition philosophy with that of an extremely luxurious and incredibly elegant cruise ship. Whether you are immersed in comfortable seating upholstered in fine fabric or seated at a restaurant table characterized by a minimalist design that represents a new concept of luxury, it is hard to believe you are among glaciers or in some of the most remote regions on Earth. Yet, as we experienced during a cruise from Iceland to Norway, Scenic Eclipse truly knows how to perfectly combine all these characteristics. Alongside such elegant and welcoming venues, there is a fleet of Zodiacs, a Mud Room, Kayaks and other equipment designed to fully enjoy the most extreme nature and to explore safely and deeply from Antarctica to the Arctic. 

As I find it difficult to conceal, Scenic Eclipse is a ship that thrilled and impressed me in many ways. The philosophy of most cruise companies offering expedition itineraries is to provide essential onboard amenities, focusing on the quality of the expeditions, the exploration team and the destinations offered during the itinerary. These are concepts that certainly cannot be disputed; in fact, they elevate the notion of “expedition” and emphasize the desire for discovery, often translated into the idea of spending as much time as possible on land rather than onboard. 

Scenic Cruises seems to have done more, adding tremendous value to the time spent onboard without compromising the quality of the expeditions, the cultural engagement of their guests or the formulation of incredible itineraries around the world. Perhaps the cruise industry is not yet ready to embrace the concept of “soft expedition” although more and more new expedition itineraries are being developed in remote locations that are not, however, polar regions. I am referring to many routes along the African coast, the Kimberley coast and South America. Even now, with the two ships available, Scenic Cruises is offering everything from the most extreme expeditions to these new, rare, and incredibly fascinating itineraries, with a level of onboard comfort and quality that is hard to match. 

The design of Scenic Eclipse is undoubtedly one of the most advanced and remarkable projects of recent years, bringing together a range of technological innovations, high-quality standards and environmental protection devices, all within a ship that appears small in size and whose hull follows the lines of a large yacht. The helicopter platform is just one of the most evident features, masterfully integrated into the hull’s design. The Marina, located at the stern, is not an entirely new feature in cruising but is certainly a valuable asset in the expedition context, facilitating many operations during anchorages and in polar regions.

Walking around Scenic Eclipse gives you the feeling of being on a large ship, rich in public spaces, intimate and comfortable environments, restaurants and services. Scenic Cruises’ ship undoubtedly offers an unprecedented range of dining options, especially considering the number of guests onboard. This variety is also reflected in the menus of the individual restaurants, where you could spend weeks onboard without ever encountering the same dishes. 

As mentioned earlier, the Scenic Lounge & Bar is the social hub of the ship, featuring a striking vertically-designed bar with a wide selection of spirits and alcoholic beverages. The entire lounge spreads over a particularly large area, extending to one of the main gangways beyond the Front Office. A piano provides musical entertainment before and after dinner and the lounge is also used for various entertainment games. Just a bit further forward, towards the bow, you will find the boutique on the starboard side and the Future Cruise on the port side, which then converge towards the Theatre. The Theatre hosts evening shows as well as informational and preparatory meetings for excursions. 

On the deck above, Deck 5, there is a second venue that is still intimate and quiet but just as welcoming: the Observation Lounge & Library. Here, a 24-hour self-service station allows guests to prepare their favorite tea, choosing spices from large wall-mounted jars, as well as offering wines, fruit juices and other beverages. One wall is dedicated to a library, featuring beautiful volumes on flora and fauna, the destinations typically visited by Scenic Cruises’ itineraries, and other more general books. Puzzles and other board games are also available. The large lounge is equipped with armchairs that are the ideal place to admire the scenery without being exposed to the elements, should the temperatures or weather conditions be unfavorable. However, if you wish to observe wildlife and natural beauty in person, the Observation Terrace, accessible from the Lounge, is the best vantage point. This large and spacious terrace leads right to the ship’s bow, offering a breathtaking view of the sea. 

The outdoor spaces of Scenic Eclipse are mainly located on the Sky Deck, the tenth passenger deck. Here, there are Cabanas on both sides, perfect for staying secluded and contemplating nature and the sea. A bar serves the area, which includes two large Jacuzzis and a series of sun loungers. Also worth mentioning, when speaking of the outdoors, are the aft terraces of the Spa on Deck 6 and the well-equipped terrace of the Azure Café on Deck 5, both of which offer excellent views of the stern. 

I mentioned the abundance of dining options available on Scenic Eclipse. The number of venues is impressive, especially considering the size of the ship and the number of guests onboard. The two main restaurants are Elements and Koko’s Sushi & Sake Bar. Elements offers a more international cuisine, although inspired by the regions visited, with a special focus on Italian and French traditions. Inside, there is a large table in a private setting that offers the Chef’s Table experience—a multi-course dinner curated by the Chef with prestigious wine pairings. Koko’s essentially represents three different restaurants in one. The largest section is dedicated to Asian/fusion cuisine, with an extensive menu and charming low Japanese-style tables. At the end of the restaurant, within a private room, you can enjoy the Nightmarket experience: a dinner inspired by Asian or Indian cuisine, prepared on the spot, partly in teppanyaki style. A true must for lovers of this type of cuisine. Finally, in the entrance area of the restaurant, sushi is served along with sake, with fun seating at the preparation counter or with a view of the sea. 

Lumière, located at the aft of Deck 5, is an alternative for a refined dinner in full French style. The mise en place is simple, but the service is attentive and meticulous, the dishes are extraordinarily tasty and the wine pairings are simply perfect. 

For breakfast and lunch, the Yacht Club, the buffet restaurant located on Deck 7 at the aft, is the simplest and most informal option. Very lively and bright, it offers a daily variety of bakery items, first courses, and main dishes, with special attention to salads, artisanal ice creams, and desserts. The staff here is always attentive to the guests’ needs and provides alternatives where available. 

For a meal outside regular hours or just an afternoon snack, the Azure Bar & Café is the go-to spot. In addition to coffee and all kinds of beverages, it offers a selection of sandwiches, cheeses, fruits, and desserts that are always available. From a menu, you can also order other dishes, such as pasta, pizza and excellent hamburgers. Lastly, Room Service is always available for any kind of order at any time. 

Services like the Spa and gym also resemble those of a larger ship. The Senses Spa is particularly spacious, featuring a range of different areas, all very roomy and welcoming, from the steam bath to the sauna and meditation rooms. The variety of treatments offered is equally extensive and there is an outdoor area with a truly scenic infinity pool. The gym is well-equipped and offers everything you need to stay fit, should the intense excursion program not be enough. The yoga room is particularly elegant, in shades of white and gold, inspiring relaxation from the first moment. 

The list of common areas concludes on Deck 3 with the Discovery Center. Here, guests prepare for excursions and depart for unforgettable adventures in truly extraordinary places, like those included in Scenic Cruises’ itineraries. That is, unless you decide to explore the surrounding landscape by helicopter. A rare and unique experience, which we could only imagine while leaving the Geirangerfjord in Norway. Although we were not lucky enough to try this exhilarating experience—certainly one of the highlights of a cruise aboard Scenic Eclipse—we did watch the helicopter explore the mountains around the ship, then follow and accompany the vessel as we sailed to admire the Seven Sisters waterfalls. 

Scenic Eclipse represents the first of a fleet of ships dedicated by Scenic to ocean navigation, following its well-established experience in the river cruising sector. The experiment of creating an expedition product capable of tackling the most extreme itineraries while simultaneously offering a large and luxurious yacht for the comfort and well-being of passengers seems to have been an absolute success. The dining, the professionalism of the staff and the beauty and spaciousness of the suites are fundamental elements that position this product firmly within the luxury sector. But I must also admit that the ship itself plays a crucial role in this case, as both the structure and design, along with the choice of furnishings and color schemes, are a winning combination. 

It may seem redundant, but it is actually important to highlight the wide range of suite accommodations, all generously sized and equipped with extraordinary comforts, such as a TV integrated into the mirror, a fully stocked bar station with espresso machine, a walk-in closet, and particularly spacious balconies. Both in the suites and throughout the ship, guests enjoy a high-level all-inclusive experience, with premium spirits and wines that change daily, paired with the best dishes. 

A cruise aboard Scenic Eclipse offers unique emotions, stemming certainly from the exclusivity of the proposed itineraries but not relying solely on nature and the preparation of expeditions. Onboard, every moment is experienced with emotion and relaxation, from breakfast to nightfall, attended to by a courteous and attentive crew, in the comfort of a remarkably stable hull for a ship of this size. The experience is that of an extraordinary journey, a gift to oneself for creating unforgettable memories, lived both onboard and on land, in a perfect blend of adventure and luxurious comfort.

Don’t miss any more updates; check out the complete photo album of Scenic Eclipse and reviews of ships by Scenic Luxury Cruises on Cruising Journal.

Gabriele Bassi

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