ONBOARD SCENIC ECLIPSE — Branded as “the world’s first discovery yacht”, Scenic Eclipse isn’t your typical cruise ship, says Juna Ueda, Scenic’s General Manager of Sales, Canada.

Leading a ship tour of Scenic Eclipse for media and travel advisors when the yacht was docked at Port of Halifax, Ueda was careful in choosing his terminology.

“I don’t want to use the words ‘small ship’ because that conjures up tight quarters,” he told Travelweek. “The maximum capacity of the vessel is 228 guests or 200 when sailing in the polar region, so there are no crowds, but there’s plenty of space for our guests.”

UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE

And space is what we immediately felt upon arriving into the Scenic Lounge, which – with its high ceiling – is more reminiscent of a boutique hotel lobby than a cruise ship atrium. At the opposite end of the spacious lounge is The Scenic Bar, whose feature wall is a tower displaying over 130 whiskeys from around the world.

Scenic Eclipse in Halifax

The entire vessel exudes understated elegance with clean lines and contemporary style. The colour palette is neutral, with soothing gray, brown and beige tones throughout.

Accommodations are all suites, the smallest of which is 344 square feet while the largest 2-Bedroom Penthouse measures 2,637 square feet.

Scenic Eclipse offers all-suite accommodation

All suites feature private balconies, stocked minibars, illy coffee machines, and butler service. A soothing colour scheme, soft carpeting, and curtains separating sleeping and lounging areas make every suite a calming sanctuary.

EIGHT DINING VENUES

For a vessel that is only 17,085 gross registered tons, Scenic Eclipse impresses with eight dining venues.

The Azure Bar & Café and Yacht Club Bar & Grill offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, both with outdoor seating options.

Scenic Bar offers 130+ whiskeys from around the world

Dinner venues include the Mediterranean-inspired Elements, Koko’s – which features Asian Fusion cuisine, an adjacent Sushi & Sake Bar, and the Night Market Teppanyaki grill that cooks up international street food. French cuisine is served at Lumiere, and Chef’s Table @ Elements is an invitation-only dinner experience.

This was a turnaround day, so many restaurant tables were not dressed. But it wasn’t difficult to visualize the elegant setting and the upscale ambiance under sail.

All dining is complimentary, as are all beverages – including all those whiskeys in the Scenic Lounge.

Scenic’s fares are all-in, with the only upcharges being an exclusive collection of premium wines and spirits, and two unique exploration experiences.

Scenic Eclipse carries two Airbus H130-T2 helicopters specifically designed for sightseeing. The state-of-the-art quiet choppers can accommodate up to six guests taking off directly from Deck 8.

Scenic Eclipse carries two Airbus H130-T2 helicopters specifically designed for sightseeing

Guests who want to explore below sea level can tour in a submersible, diving down as deep as 328 feet (the submersible was unavailable for viewing as it was under maintenance). Rates for both experiences vary by itinerary.

With its high ceiling, the Scenic Lounge is reminiscent of a boutique hotel lobby

“NO-JACKET-REQUIRED ATMOSPHERE”

Travelweek spoke to several travel advisors, who were all pleasantly surprised by the yacht’s spaciousness and luxurious yet laid-back vibe.

Sandra McMurray of Centrum Travel commented: “As a luxury high-end ship, I thought it would feel pretentious and beyond the comfort level of our clientele. Now that I have visited the ship, I already have a list of clients in my head that I could sell this ship to. The luxury is there but in very subtle ways“.

Faith Sproule of Niche Travel Group also felt that seeing the ship in person has deepened her confidence in recommending it to clients. In her words: “Scenic Eclipse is ideal for those who want to explore lesser-known destinations and experience off-the-beaten-path gems. Its laid-back, no-jacket-required atmosphere is a standout feature compared to other luxury brands.”

Owen Hargreaves of Expedia Cruises appreciated the yacht’s minimalist design and “the stunning views from every suite and public area.”

Hargreaves told Travelweek that Scenic Eclipse’s all-inclusive experience and immersive journeys to exotic destinations are key features to present to both seasoned travellers and new-to-exploration clients.

Stewart Grant of Stonetown Travel’s favourite space was the Scenic Lounge as it is the perfect place to connect with other guests and share experiences.

He also provided valuable insight into a common misconception: “I think many people might see this yacht and assume that the price point is beyond their reach, but given the memorable life experience that is offered aboard, I think there is great value here for many of our clients.”

Scenic Eclipse and sister ship Scenic Eclipse II sail to the polar region, Europe, the Caribbean, the Americas, and the South Pacific, with itineraries up to March 2027 already open for sale.

Checking out the well-stocked library

More information about Scenic Eclipse can be found here.