02 August 2024

In September, the ultra-luxury discovery yacht Scenic Eclipse II docked in Plymouth for a day as part of a UK and Mediterranean taster cruise before crossing the Atlantic to sail in the Americas and eventually spending the winter in Antarctica and we were lucky enough to be invited on board for the day! The original Scenic Eclipse, launched in 2019, became the World's First Discovery Yacht™, pioneering ultra-luxury expedition cruises. Scenic Eclipse II aims to elevate the experience even further with enhanced dining options, helipads, and its own submarine. With two world-class Discovery Yachts, Scenic can now offer cruise experiences across the globe, boasting 148 departure points in sixty-three countries and over 500 ports. While Scenic Eclipse II offers a variety of cruise types, it remains at its core a luxury expedition yacht. Its size and unrestricted navigation allow guests to explore deeper into polar regions than ever before. Scenic combines the six-star luxury of a superyacht with industry-leading technology. It has a Polar Class 6 rating (certifying a ship's ability to withstand ice in ice-covered sea areas), GPS dynamic positioning, advanced propulsion systems, and customized stabilizers (50% larger than those on other ships). All of this ensures smoother sailing even in the roughest waters. Observation There are plenty of places on board the ship to take in the views, but one of the best has to be the observation lounge and deck. Floor to ceiling windows, Swarovski telescopes for wildlife spotting and comfortable chairs to relax with a coffee, perfect! There is one place that tops this though, the Navigation Bridge! Guests are welcome to come in and sit on the sofa and take in the views with the crew. Expedition With 12 zodiacs, 2 helicopters and a submarine there are multiple ways to explore! If you want to get really close to the action you can also paddleboard or kayak from the ship. You will be provided with all the clothing you need, including boots, which will be stored in the mud room for the duration of your trip and each excursion is led by experienced expedition guides. Dining Your trip is fully inclusive, food and drinks are included as well as excursions, gratuities, and transfers. There are ten dining options on board all offering different choices and experiences and you are welcome to dine at any of the without booking, the only exceptions being the eight course tasting menu in the French Restaurant Lumiere, and a few private dining options. We had lunch in the airy and bright Yacht Club. A delicious buffet with plenty of choice. A popular restaurant is Koko's the Japanese Restaurant. The food looks delicious, but also make sure you check out the artwork on the walls, this is all hand painted! Wellness There is a good-sized gym on board as well as a lovely yoga studio. The spa is a lovely place to relax, and you also have a couple of pools and hot tubs on board. Sleep The yacht can accommodate 228 guests on a regular cruise, and 220 on a polar expedition. All cabins are spacious and comfortable, and each cabin has its own balcony and king size bed. There is a walk-in wardrobe area and a Nespresso coffee machine, fully stocked mini bar and each cabin has butler service too. There are spa suites and penthouse suites available. These are larger in size with added amenities, and some have the option of being combined to make two bedroom suites. Overall The six star luxury that the Scenic Eclipse II provides combined with its expedition capabilities make this an exciting and unique holiday option. There is growing demand for both adventure holidays and luxury cruises, and this merges the two perfectly. A journey on board Scenic Eclipse II, particularly in the polar regions, really would be the ultimate bucket list trip. Its top of my list now! If you would like to find out more about Scenic Eclipse II and the sailings available, please just get in touch! Clare.payne@mytc.com