Following what is claimed to be the extraordinary global interest in Scenic’s ‘Scenic Eclipse’, the company the ordering of sister ship – ‘Scenic Eclipse II’.
Due to be launched in 2020, ‘Scenic Eclipse II’ will embark on her maiden voyage from Athens to Lisbon, before sailing in the European and Russian Arctic.
Itineraries will include remote destinations, including Russia’s White Sea, plus a luxurious voyage transiting the Northwest Passage, Southern Greenland and Alaska to Russia crossing the Bering Sea.
Scenic Founder and Chairman, Glen Moroney, said the expansion of Scenic’s ocean cruise fleet was a natural progression for the company and one he was very excited about.
“Since we first announced our foray into ocean cruising we have had unprecedented interest in ‘Scenic Eclipse’, from guests keen to experience our unique blend of 6-star luxury meets expedition cruising,” he said.
“The debut of ‘Scenic Eclipse II’ will not only allow us to expand our offering and pioneer new destinations, such as the Russian Arctic, it will also allow us to continue our passion for innovation in design and innovation in handcrafted itineraries, which we are confident will appeal to a wide variety of guests. Itineraries for the ship’s debut season will be released in April, 2018,” he said.
Construction will commence next year at Uljanik in Pula, Croatia, where ‘Scenic Eclipse’ is currently being built. ‘Scenic Eclipse II’ will be of similar design, including 114 all-verandah suites, nine restaurants, eight lounges and bars, a spa sanctuary, separate fitness areas and indoor, outdoor plunge pools, as well as a marina deck, helicopters and a submarine.
The two vessels will be built to comply with the new IMO Polar Code requirements, as well as to the highest international safety standards. Using modern technology and a host of safety features, including innovative zero-speed stabiliser fins that are more than 50% larger for even better stability, the ship will have a rating of Ice Class 1A (Polar Class 6), the highest of any luxury vessel, which will ensure the safest navigation through polar waters, the company claimed.
The ship will also feature special ‘Safe Return to Port’ capabilities, guaranteeing essential systems remain operational in the unlikely case of an incident.
On 31st January, 2018, ‘Scenic Eclipse’ was launched at the shipyard and with the exterior construction almost complete, the ship is ready to begin fitting out. She is on target to be delivered on 31st August, 2018.
