The introduction of the new mega-yacht of Scenic Tours - Scenic Eclipse - was delayed for a 3rd time until August 15, 2019.
The company blames financial challenges at the Croatian shipyard where the ship is being built.
As a result, the launch of Scenic Eclipse will be a year later than previously planned.
Scenic first announced in July 2018 a 5-month delay in delivery of the ship until January 2019, the date that was then pushed back until April 13, 2019. The 228-passenger ship, featuring a submarine and helicopters for prime viewing in Antarctica and the Arctic had been scheduled to enter service in August last year.
The 3rd setback came as Scenic Group reported that workers at the Uljanik shipyard in Pula, Croatia, had not been paid their full salaries for 6 months, leading to strikes and staff shortages.
Currently, the company is offering its clients full refunds and “reasonable associated costs” with travel to the ones affected bookings on the vessel and 25% discounts on pre-bookings.
A new consortium of shipyard's owners, including Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, gave hope of “stability and focus” to current and future newbuilds.
Scenic signed a letter of intent with the consortium in order to set up a new discovery yacht division within the restructured Uljanik group.