Scenic Eclipse 2

The 2023-built Scenic Eclipse 2 cruise ship is a Croatia (Rijeka)-built superyacht. The same-designed sistership Scenic Eclipse 1 was inaugurated in 2019.

The vessel (IMO number 9850460) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 238269640) and registered in Nassau. During construction, the vessel was Croatia-flagged and named "NOVOGRADNJA 101" (MMSI 238269640) and "BRIONI" (MMSI 238000000).

This is a top-luxury superyacht with max passenger capacity 228 (plus 192 crew and staff) and a 10-deck design, resembling a billionaire-owned yacht more than a passenger ship. The ultra-modern design features an ice-strengthened hull, a top-deck helipad (with two onboard helicopters stored in hangars), 12 Zodiacs (high-speed, large-capacity RIBs / rigid inflatable boats), 1 submersible (9-person mini-submarine, model "Triton 660-9 AVA"), and 1 ROV (camera-equipped Remotely Operated Vehicle). The aft-located Marina Platform is used for launching water sports equipment (aqua quad bikes, sea kayaks, snorkeling, and scuba diving gear).

With the top-luxury expedition superyachts Eclipse 1 and Eclipse 2, Scenic Cruises and Tours (a river cruise and tour company founded in 1987) entered the ocean-cruising market. The first vessel (Eclipse 1) was launched in August 2018 and inaugurated in September 2019. The second vessel (Eclipse II) was originally scheduled for inauguration in 2020 but was postponed to Q3 2022 and eventually to April 2023.

Besides Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours, the shipowner Scenic Group also owns the subsidiary travel brand Emerald Cruises.

Scenic's new ships are marketed as "discovery yachts". The hull has the highest passenger ship ice-class (1A-Super), allowing the vessel to operate on polar cruises (Arctic and Antarctic itineraries) for up to three months per year. On polar voyages, the ship's passenger capacity is limited to 200 in order to allow multiple Zodiac landings per day.

The ship's two Airbus H130 helicopters (single-engine aircraft, each with capacity for 7 passengers) can be booked at an additional charge. Helicopter tours allow passengers to get closer to wildlife compared to Zodiac landings. The ship's Triton submarine can also be booked for an additional fee. The 9-person submarine (1 pilot plus 8 passengers) is named "Scenic Neptune" and can dive to depths of up to 660 ft (200 m).

Decks and Cabins

Scenic Eclipse 2 staterooms (114 total) are all double-occupancy Suites across 14 categories. Cabin sizes range between 345 ft2 / 32 m2 (Verandah Suite) and 2745 ft2 / 255 m2 (2-Bedroom Penthouse Suite, including a 645 ft2 / 60 m2 wraparound terrace). Owner's Penthouse Suites measure 1990 ft2 / 185 m2 (balcony included). Each cabin has a private step-out balcony. The vessel has an almost 1:1 passenger-to-crew ratio, and every stateroom is served by a dedicated butler.

The vessel has 10 decks, of which 8 are passenger-accessible and 5 contain cabins.

Four lifts (midship-located elevators) interconnect all cabin decks.

Shipboard facilities

Other features and all-inclusive amenities include:

• 9 restaurants (including Asian fusion, steakhouse, seafood, contemporary French and Italian venues, poolside grill, plus 24/7 room service)
• four bars and lounges
• 240-seat Theater Lounge
• 2 swimming pools (indoor and outdoor)
• heated indoor pool with retractable glass roof

Senses SPA (5900 ft2 / 550 m2) is the wellness complex featuring a heated indoor pool, outdoor Jacuzzies, temperature-controlled plunge pools, treatment rooms for massages, separate male and female areas, Hair Salon, Nail Studio (manicure and pedicure), sauna rooms, steam rooms, an outdoor terrace with padded loungers, Aerobics Studio (for Yoga and Pilates), and a gym fitted with premium fitness equipment. Compared to Eclipse 1, Eclipse 2's steam room area is larger and includes an aromatherapy room, ice fountain, experience showers (with varying water temperatures and intensities), and a KLAFS salt therapy lounge with infrared chairs and color light therapy.

Compared to Scenic Eclipse 1, Scenic Eclipse 2's swimming pool and sundeck (Deck 10) are larger. There is also a new poolside bar with indoor-outdoor seating, and the swimming pool is oval-shaped.

Scenic yacht cruise deals include butler service (regardless of cabin category), flights, all tips and gratuities, Discovery Team leaders (professional expedition guides on all itineraries), shore excursions (land tours and organized events at ports of call and beaches along the itinerary route, expert-led Scenic Freechoice activities, and Zodiac discovery excursions), onboard dining (all venues are complimentary), onboard entertainment, e-biking, water sports (sea kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving), and premium beverages (at bars and in cabin minibars).

The ship is equipped with zero-speed stabilizer fins (50% larger than typical for vessels of similar size), allowing smoother navigation in rough seas. Voyages to Antarctica include crossing the notoriously rough Drake Passage, located between South America and Antarctica.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Scenic Eclipse 2 offers 9 dining venues plus 24-hour room service. The ship also features an impressive selection of bars and lounges – 8 in total – an extraordinary variety considering the vessel's size. All venues are complimentary and included in the cruise fare.

Specialty dining venues highlight regional cuisine, intimate deck locations, and private dining experiences at no additional cost. Options range from the open-kitchen Teppanyaki grill (capacity 10 guests) to the Chef's Table (private VIP dining for 8 guests). Professional cookery demonstrations are hosted at the dedicated Chef's Garden @ Epicure (a culinary emporium). Chef's Garden @ Epicure is a dining and presentation venue with capacity for 14 standing or 7 seated guests. The Epicure venue also hosts culinary classes (such as chocolate-making) and whisky-tasting sessions.

The main dining room restaurant "Elements" serves Italian cuisine, seafood, and steaks. Other venues include Koko's (Asian cuisine with sake bar), Sushi at Koko's (authentic Japanese), and Lumiere (French cuisine with Champagne Bar). The Yacht Club features its own bar, buffet, and poolside grill. Azure Bar & Cafe offers relaxed all-day dining.

Bars and lounges include Lobby Lounge, Champagne Bar, and Azure Bar & Cafe. Fine wines, premium beverages, cocktails, specialty teas, and coffees are all included in Scenic Cruises' cruise fares.

Itineraries

Scenic Eclipse 2's itinerary program was officially released on January 12, 2022.

The yacht's inaugural 2023-2024 season featured 85 itineraries visiting ports and destinations in more than 50 countries across 7 continents, representing the company's largest voyage collection to date.

The Maiden Voyage departed from Lisbon on April 13, 2023, ending in Barcelona. The 10-night / 11-day "Incredible Iberian Discovery Cruise" itinerary in the Western Mediterranean visited Iberian ports including Portugal's Portimao, followed by Spanish ports Seville (overnight), Puerto Banus, Malaga, Cartagena, and the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Formentera, Palma de Mallorca, Soller/Mallorca, Mahon/Menorca, and Ciutadella/Minorca) before arriving in Barcelona. Promotional prices started from USD 8900 per person (double occupancy).

Scenic Eclipse II's inaugural Caribbean and Bermuda schedule (October 2023) included 3- to 11-day itineraries: the 5-day "Taste of Bermuda" (from Portland Maine to St George), the 5-day "Bermuda Escapade" (St George to Miami), and the 3-day "Taste of Bahamas" (Miami to Nassau). These could be combined into an 11-day back-to-back "Bermuda and The Bahamas" itinerary (from Portland to Nassau, departure October 13) with fares starting from US$10045 per person.

The yacht's 2023-2024 program also featured Scenic Cruises' inaugural voyages from Australia. Eclipse 2's 2024 Australia and New Zealand schedule included departures from homeports in Tasmania (Hobart), New Zealand (Auckland, Queenstown), and Australia (Sydney NSW, Darwin NT).

The 29-day "Grand Australian Sojourn" itinerary (also known as the Chairman's Voyage, roundtrip from Sydney NSW) departed on April 20, 2024, visiting Fraser Island, Gladstone QLD, Percy Isles NP, Airlie Beach QLD, Magnetic Island QLD, and Willis Island (Coral Sea Islands Territory). The 13-day "Reefs and Volcanic Isles: Tahiti to Fiji" itinerary departed from Papeete Tahiti on March 31, 2024, visiting Bora Bora, Palmerston Island (Cook Islands), Alofi (Niue), Vavau Island (Tonga), and Fiji's islands Fulanga, Vanua Balavu, Ovalau, and Viti Levu (Lautoka).

Among the inaugural season's signature itineraries were the 15-day “Beyond the Antarctic Circle” (Ushuaia roundtrip), the 12-day “Exploring the High Arctic” (August 2), the 9-day “Scottish Isles: Historic Trails and Wilderness” (September 13), the 9-day “Caribbean Sunsets: Turks and Caicos Islands to Jamaica” (from Nassau on October 23), the 11-day “Australia’s Top End: Cape York and Arnhem Land” (April 30, 2024), and the 13-day “Reefs and Volcanic Isles: Tahiti to Fiji” (March 31).

Super Earlybird promotional booking prices started from AUD 11425 (USD 8240 / EUR 7250 / GBP 6040) per person based on double occupancy. Scenic Yacht voyages are fully all-inclusive, including flights, all transfers, gratuities, onboard dining, premium beverages, butler service, and all excursions and land experiences (except helicopter tours and submarine excursions).

The destinations include Oceania and the South Pacific (Indonesia, Polynesia, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands), the Caribbean, North and South America (including the Chilean Fjords), Antarctica (Ross Sea), South Georgia Island, Falkland Islands, Europe (Arctic, Baltic, Mediterranean, UK), and Canada (Arctic and coastal sailings).

The vessel's 2024-2025 schedule included the following new Antarctic itineraries for the Scenic brand.

• (departure December 15, 2024) 25-day "Mawson’s Hut & Commonwealth Bay Expedition" from Queenstown New Zealand to Hobart Tasmania Australia. The itinerary visits Milford Sound, Balleny Islands, East Coast Antarctica (Victoria Land/Adare Peninsula, Terra Nova Islands, George V Coast/Mawson Peninsula, Mertz Glacier, Cape Denison/Commonwealth Bay), Ile du Gouverneur/Geologie Archipelago, Macquarie Island, and Hobart. Promotional prices started from GBP 26630 per person (Deluxe Verandah Suite, double occupancy) including roundtrip UK flights.
• (departure January 8, 2025) 24-day "Antarctica’s Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & Wildlife" from Hobart to Port Chalmers/Dunedin New Zealand. The itinerary visits Macquarie Island, Balleny Islands (Young Island and Sturge Island), Ross Sea (Possession Island, Ross Island), and Antarctica (Victoria Land/Adare Peninsula, George V Coast/Mawson Peninsula, Ross Ice Shelf/Bay of Whales). Promotional prices started from GBP 46175 per person (Deluxe Verandah Suite, double occupancy).

Inaugural cruise schedule (2023)

Next is listed Scenic Eclipse II's inaugural season schedule (2023) with itineraries and fares per person in USD (based on double occupancy).

• (Apr 13) 11-day "Incredible Iberian Discovery" (Lisbon to Barcelona), from US$12800
• (Apr 13) 19-day "Ultimate Mediterranean Discovery" (Lisbon to Civitavecchia/Rome), $25270
• (Apr 23) 9-day "Riviera Delights" (Barcelona to Rome), $11190
• (Apr 23) 19-day "Italy, Sorrentine Peninsula and Adriatic" cruisetour (Venice roundtrip), $21560
• (Apr 23) 17-day "French and Italian Rivieras" (Barcelona to Venice), $19190
• (May 1) 11-day "Sorrentine Peninsula and Adriatic" (Rome to Venice), $13970
• (May 11) 11-day "Sorrentine Peninsula and Adriatic" (Venice to Rome), $14580
• (May 11) 19-day "Ultimate Adriatic and Riviera Delights" (Venice to Barcelona), $27470
• (May 13) 17-day "French and Italian Rivieras" (Venice to Barcelona), $20000
• (May 21) 9-day "Riviera Delights" (Rome to Barcelona), $12210
• (May 29) 11-day "Incredible Iberian Discovery" (Barcelona to Lisbon), $14070
• (May 29) 22-day "Ultimate Iberian and Western Europe Discovery" (Barcelona to Bergen), $29800
• (Jun 8) 12-day "Western Europe Discovery" (Lisbon to Bergen), $15730
• (Jun 8) 21-day "Western Europe and Scandinavia" (Lisbon to Copenhagen), $25030
• (Jun 25) 18-day "Arctic and Scandinavia in Depth" (Copenhagen to Oslo), $29330
• (Jul 1) 12-day "Arctic in Depth" (Oslo roundtrip), $21340
• (Jul 11) 15-day "Arctic Islands Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland" (Oslo to Reykjavik), $25070
• (Jul 26) 19-day "Explore the High Arctic and Iceland" (Reykjavik to Copenhagen), $29560
• (Aug 2) 12-day "Exploring the High Arctic" (Reykjavik to Copenhagen), $21570
• (Aug 2) 24-day "Iceland, Greenland and Canadian Arctic Explorer" (Reykjavik to Copenhagen), $46350
• (Aug 2) 19-day "Scandinavia and the High Arctic" (Reykjavik to Oslo), $29560
• (Aug 6) 20-day "Scandinavia, Greenland and Canada Highlights" cruisetour (Oslo to Copenhagen), $32590
• (Aug 12) 14-day "Beyond Disko Bay" (Copenhagen roundtrip), $24000
• (Aug 12) 23-day "Scandinavia, Greenland and Canada Discovery" (Copenhagen to Bergen), $34190
• (Aug 16) 21-day "High Arctic and Scandinavia" cruisetour (Bergen to Reykjavik), $30940
• (Aug 24) 13-day "Iceland and Greenland Explorer" (Copenhagen to Reykjavik), $20750
• (Aug 24) 21-day "Ultimate Greenland and the Northern Isles: Iceland and Scotland" (Copenhagen to Edinburgh), $34480
• (Aug 24) 20-day "High Arctic Expedition - Iceland, Greenland and Arctic Canada" cruisetour (Copenhagen to Reykjavik), $29540
• (Aug 29) 16-day "Iceland and Northern Isles" (Reykjavik to Edinburgh), $21930
• (Aug 31) 22-day "Ireland and Scotland: Historic Trails and Wilderness" cruisetour (Dublin roundtrip), $25090
• (Sep 5) 9-day "Northern Isles: Iceland and Scotland" (Reykjavik to Edinburgh), $13140
• (Sep 5) 22-day "Northern Isles: Iceland, Scotland and Ireland" cruisetour (Reykjavik to Dublin), $25230
• (Sep 13) 9-day "Scottish Isles: Historic Trails and Wilderness" (Edinburgh to Dublin), $13000
• (Sep 13) 19-day "Vikings, Wilderness and Cultures" (Edinburgh to Lisbon), $28260
• (Sep 21) 11-day "Heritage and Traditions of Western Europe" (Dublin to Lisbon), $15270
• (Oct 1) 13-day "Crossing the Transatlantic to New England" (Lisbon to Boston), $8800
• (Oct 13) 11-day "Atlantic Isles and the Caribbean" (Boston to Nassau), $12250
• (Oct 13) 19-day "Treasures of the Caribbean" (Boston to Montego Bay), $24130
• (Oct 23) 9-day "Caribbean Sunsets: Turks and Caicos Islands" (Nassau to Montego Bay), $11890
• (Oct 31) 9-day "Iconic Panama Canal: Caribbean to Panama" (Montego Bay to Panama City), $12470
• (Nov 8) 9-day "Panama to Peru: Along the Andean Coast" (Panama City to Calao/Lima), $11600
• (Nov 16) 9-day "Latin America Delights" (Calao/Lima to Santiago de Chile), $13250
• (Nov 24) 13-day "Chilean Fjords and Cape Horn" (Santiago to Buenos Aires), $18600
• (Nov 24) 26-day "Ultimate Chilean Fjords and Weddell Sea" (Santiago to Buenos Aires), $43580
• (Nov 28) 22-day "Torres del Paine and Antarctica's Weddell Sea" cruisetour (Santiago to Buenos Aires), $41340
• (Dec 5) 15-day "Into the Weddell Sea" (Buenos Aires roundtrip), $26750
• (Dec 5) 24-day "The Weddell Sea, Argentina and Brazil" cruisetour (Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro), $34540
• (Dec 18) 12-day "Antarctic in Depth: A Magical Christmas" (Buenos Aires roundtrip), $22040
• (Dec 28) 13-day "Antarctic in Depth: New Year Wishes" (Buenos Aires roundtrip), $23510.

The Malta-flagged vessel Scenic Eclipse II (IMO number 9850460) was designed with the latest technological advancements to ensure the highest safety standards. She features custom-built fin stabilizers (50% larger than those on vessels with similar GT tonnage) and an ice-strengthened hull.

The yacht's state-of-the-art fins automatically adjust, enabling the vessel to handle strong water currents and remain stable. Unlike other ships that use traditional anchors, Scenic's mega-yachts are equipped with a dynamic positioning system. This system uses GPS data to accurately maintain the ship's position – an eco-friendly method of controlling the vessel. Additional environmentally sustainable systems include efficient marine engines and an advanced water treatment system.

The ship's integrated navigation and automation/control system was provided by Kongsberg Maritime. This advanced technology combines the following systems: Navigation, Dynamic Positioning, Automation, Emergency Shutdown, Power Management, Safety Management, and Control. The system also features online diagnostics and remote service capabilities.

Both vessels operated by Scenic Yacht Cruises are owned by Scenic Group and were built in Croatia – Eclipse 1 in Pula (Uljanik Shipyard) and Eclipse 2 in Rijeka (3 Maj Shipyard). Construction of Eclipse 2 officially started on April 24, 2020, with the steel-cutting ceremony held at Rijeka's 3 Maj Shipyard (Treci Maj Brodogradiliste).

With Eclipse 2, Scenic Group established a fully owned subsidiary company (MKM Yachts) to manage newbuild construction. In late April 2020, Scenic Group also announced plans to build five new superyachts in Croatia over the following six years. A dedicated section at Rijeka's 3 Maj Shipyard was allocated for these projects. In early July 2020, MKM Yachts was granted a sub-concession at the shipyard, making the company the prime contractor for all Scenic Group newbuilds.

In August 2020, Scenic Group (shipowner) contracted Viking Crew (part of the Dover UK-based Viking Maritime Group Ltd) as the vessel's crew management company. Viking Crew is responsible for Scenic Eclipse II's crew recruitment, management, deployment, and placement, including officers and staff from the Engine, Hotel, and Deck departments. Viking Crew was also contracted for the crew management of the superyachts Scenic Eclipse 1 (2019) and Emerald Azzurra (2021).

The vessel's construction officially began with the keel-laying ceremony held on May 12, 2021, at Rijeka's 3 Maj Shipyard. The event was attended by Glen Moroney (Scenic Group's founder, owner, and Chairman), Andrej Plenkovic (Croatia's Prime Minister), Tomislav Coric (Croatia's Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development), and Oleg Butkovic (Croatia's Minister of Maritime Affairs, Transport, and Infrastructure).

The superyacht was launched (floated out from drydock) on June 25, 2022. The ceremony was attended by Glen Moroney.

In December 2022, Anna Wolfsteiner (Scenic Group's Chief Sales & Marketing Officer) announced the ship's godmother – Kathryn Dwyer Sullivan (born 1951), an American scientist, geologist, oceanographer, former US Navy officer, and NASA astronaut.

The Adriatic Sea trials were conducted in two phases and successfully completed in February-March 2023. The superyacht was officially delivered on April 6, 2023, when she departed the Croatian shipyard. The delivery ceremony was attended by VIP guests including Andrej Plenkovic (Croatia's Prime Minister), Sasa Cokljat (Managing Director of MKM Yachts), and Glen Moroney (Scenic Group's Owner, Founder, and Chairman). Between April 6-13, the vessel operated a relocation voyage around Italy (from Rijeka to Lisbon), from where the 11-day Maiden Voyage ("Incredible Iberian Discovery" itinerary from Lisbon to Barcelona) commenced.

Scenic Eclipse II's christening ceremony took place on June 3, 2023, dockside in Port Malaga (Spain), during a 10-day voyage from Barcelona to Lisbon. The official naming ceremony was led by godmother Kathryn Sullivan and attended by Glen Moroney, travel industry professionals, media representatives, VIP guests (including Dutch dignitaries and government officials), as well as passengers on the voyage.

The following YouTube video is a timelapse of the Scenic yachts' construction process.

In late September 2021, Scenic Group contracted Triton Submarines for the construction of a new-design submersible for Eclipse 2.

• The Scenic-Triton agreement covered the construction of one submarine (model "Triton 660-9 AVA"). The submersible has a maximum capacity of 8 passengers (plus the pilot), a maximum operating depth of 200 m (660 ft), and a patented hull design (elliptically shaped metallic-acrylic).
• The long-term agreement was signed by Rob Voss (Scenic Group's COO) and Patrick Lahey (President of Triton Submarines).
• The Vero Beach, Florida-based Triton Submarines specializes in the design and manufacture of commercial and privately owned submersibles. These vessels are commonly used for scientific research, filming, and as equipment for private superyachts and smaller cruise ships. The company also has a fully owned subsidiary in Barcelona Spain (Triton Submarines EMEA).
• In 2017, Triton began (via partnership with Aston Martin) the ultra-luxury submarine project "Neptune". The new model "Triton 1650-3 Low Profile" mini-sub was inspired by Aston Martin's Valkyrie (aka "Nebula", a limited-production hybrid sports car) and features improved hydrodynamics and a more powerful propulsion system with enhanced thrusters.

In January 2022, Scenic Group contracted De Wave Group (a global contractor for cruise ship and superyacht interiors) for Eclipse 2's outfitting. Under the contract, De Wave Group supplied and installed all 114 staterooms (including cabin bathrooms), passenger deck hallways and corridors, all crew deck areas (including crew cabins and hallways), all dining venues, catering areas, and storage rooms (galleys/kitchens and cold rooms).