This Top-end Expedition Send Has 2 Helicopters, a Submersible, and Butler Carrier

The very first thing I realized concerning the Scenic Eclipse II is solely how swish the dark-hulled send regarded. Assume mega yacht. No, suppose giga-yacht. At 551 toes, that is no small send — although, on the earth of cruise traces, the Scenic Eclipse II charges as a fairly intimate vessel, with a capability of simply 228 passengers.

Operated by means of the Australian logo that carved out a distinct segment with luxurious expedition vessels, this “discovery yacht” cuts the similar beautiful silhouette as its sibling, Scenic Eclipse, which debuted in 2019. Each ships even have the entire {hardware} had to perform within the polar areas, with an expedition staff to tug off adventures in puts equivalent to Antarctica.

However Scenic Eclipse II additionally represents an evolution: It’s been tweaked with a watch to warm-weather locations, such because the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Added on Deck 10 have been plunge swimming pools, solar loungers, and an indoor-outdoor Sky Bar. Those options, the considering is going, will likely be extra in call for when the send is in puts like Southern Europe, say, the place there’s much less hard-core journey and a extra immersive shore-side enjoy.

To offer it a take a look at, I joined the Scenic Eclipse II for its christening adventure in June 2023, touring from Barcelona to Málaga, Spain, with stops alongside the way in which within the Balearic Islands. I used to be keen to match the enjoy in this send, within the bustling ports of Southern Europe, with the texture of the unique, on which I had in the past traveled to Antarctica.

The studies have been, because it seems, starkly other. Not like within the polar areas, the place visitors spend the lion’s percentage in their time at the send, the Europe cruise took me to attention-grabbing puts on land: I spent maximum of my voyage on more than a few town excursions, visiting spectacular websites just like the prehistoric Talayotic villages in Menorca and the Botánico Biotecnológico, a high-tech botanical lawn, in Ibiza.

One of the vital highlights of my specific crusing used to be the chance to speak with NASA astronaut Kathryn Sullivan, who used to be on board in her capability because the send’s godmother. She regaled us — passengers and staff — with stories of her profession in house, her voyages on expedition cruises, and her descent into the Challenger Deep, the Pacific Ocean spot that’s greater than 35,000 toes beneath sea point.

“There’s one commonplace thread of DNA that mixes these kind of studies: exploration and finding out. That is has at all times been what motivates me,” Sullivan mentioned. “It is simply the serious and pervasive interest about other puts, about this planet. Who lives there? What critters reside there? What is the panorama like?”

Fact be informed, that very same sense of journey is what’s motivated me to hop aboard many expedition ships over time. Whilst this actual voyage via Spain lacked the texture of, say, an icebergs-and-penguins odyssey via Antarctica, I did recognize being aboard a smaller send all the way through top season in Europe. It used to be additionally a excitement to go back to the very good eating places on board — to not point out my spacious cabin — after an extended day of traveling on shore.

Right here’s a better glance about what to anticipate when touring on Scenic Eclipse II and my evaluate of its staterooms, facilities, and extra.

The Staterooms

There are 114 balcony suites, or even entry-level choices are attended by means of butlers. Even the smallest of the bunch, Verandah Suites, really feel spacious, beginning at 344 sq. toes. I in particular liked how roomy the toilet felt — and the way snazzy the black-and-white marble regarded. All suites have king-size beds (that may be break up into two twins) and high-end facilities together with Dyson hair dryers.

Different cabin classes come with Spa Suites (beginning at 495 sq. toes), Landscape Suites (beginning at 1,130 sq. toes), and Proprietor’s Penthouse Suites (an astonishing 2,099 sq. toes). Spa Suites have the addition of a Philippe Starck–designed bath; the 2 Proprietor’s Penthouse Suites on board have outdoors spa tubs on their sprawling terraces. 

Bars and Eating places

Scenic Eclipse II has a fantastic array of pleasant eating studies — 10 in all. My favorites incorporated the sushi bar, French eating place Lumière, the adjoining Champagne bar, and Night time Marketplace @ Koko’s, a venue with a rotating menu of regional cuisines, from the Center East to India. I additionally liked the informal Azure Café, which serves lighter bites for breakfast and lunch, plus pizzas and pastas for dinner. Room carrier — which is to be had 24 hours an afternoon — used to be additionally spectacular. After all, it is value citing the pretty Scenic Living room Bar, in the back of which is an illuminated show of uncommon whiskies, all to be had at no further rate.

The place Scenic Eclipse II Sails

The place does not this send sail? With Polar Elegance 6 score, Scenic Eclipse II is able to touring to the Arctic and Antarctica but additionally spends time in warm-weather spots together with the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia, relying at the season. The send additionally travels to acquainted cruise locations, together with the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. As a result of the send’s somewhat small length, it could seek advice from some ports that mega-ships aren’t in a position to.

Shore Tours

On my crusing, incorporated shore tours have been moderately standard: Visitors had their number of town strolling excursions, along side visits to primary sights, like ancient websites and cultural facilities. In some locations, we had the approach to take on extra adventurous tours, equivalent to snorkeling.

When the send is in “discovery mode,” on expedition in additional far off places, such because the Arctic and Antarctica, tours are extra dynamic — suppose boarding Zodiacs to make “rainy landings” on shore or for scenic journeys round icebergs. In lots of locations, Scenic Eclipse II provides helicopter and submersible tours for an extra rate, relying on native rules and the elements. . 

Facilities and Leisure

Probably the most notable amenity on Scenic Eclipse II is the spa, which spans just about 6,000 sq. toes and features a thermal suite. I additionally spent numerous stress-free time at the solar deck, the place there’s a plunge pool and the indoor-outdoor Sky Bar. So far as leisure is going, you received’t to find the over-the-top productions that chances are you’ll see on mega-ships, however that’s a part of being on an intimate expedition-style vessel. There’s a small theater, despite the fact that, and I loved the night time presentations placed on by means of the proficient singers aboard.

Circle of relatives-friendly Choices

Kids elderly 12 and up are welcome, however my sense used to be that this is not a in particular kid-friendly send: There’s no child’s membership neither is there any form of programming aimed in particular at tweens or teenagers. The correct of children would possibly like those journeys, however they’ll want to be prepared to be, doubtlessly, the one kids aboard.

Accessibility

There aren’t any wheelchair-accessible cabins on Scenic Eclipse II, which does have elevator carrier between all decks. Scenic advises vacationers to touch the corporate sooner than reserving to talk about any explicit accessibility considerations. Value a point out used to be one second all the way through my commute, when a number of different visitors and I have been transported by means of bus from our pre-embarkation lodge to the port: We have been dropped off nowhere close to the send, and there have been no Scenic workforce available to steer us to the terminal’s front. A couple of dozen folks, together with some other folks with restricted mobility, discovered it to be a moderately tough enjoy.