The countdown is now on. It is the 6-star ship many well-heeled cruisers have been waiting for. Scenic Eclipse II, the ultra-luxury and newest Discovery Yacht from Scenic, is about to hit the Mediterranean Sea on her inaugural sailing, an Incredible Iberian Discovery cruise from Lisbon to Barcelona on 13 April, less than a month away.

Scenic Eclipse II has just successfully completed her sea trials in Europe and is now being fitted out to be ready to sail her maiden journey.

And what a journey it has been so far for the 114-suite yacht – she has been put through her paces over two weekend sessions last month in northern Adriatic waters between Croatia and Italy where the sea trials were conducted successfully.

As Vice President of Marine Operations, James Griffiths says: ”Scenic Eclipse II has been built to the highest standards and it is fantastic to see the Discovery Yacht sail through the sea trials and surpass all expectations, the countdown to launch really is now on.”

True to brand, Scenic Eclipse II will offer a truly all-inclusive, 6-star ultra-luxury ocean cruising experience, in a class of her own. Guests can leave their wallets in the suite’s safe, knowing fully well that everything is taken care of to the Nth degree. From internal flights, transfers, fine dining, premium beverages and all immersive shore excursions including  Zodiacs, kayaks and stand-up paddleboarding are all included in the voyage fare. With only up to 228 guests on board (200 in Antarctica), you will enjoy a truly intimate experience with spacious, all-verandah suites, butler service and up to 10 onboard dining experiences from casual to fine cuisine and nine bars and lounges.

In fact, the sister ship to Scenic Eclipse, has taken the benchmark in ultra-luxury cruising to the next level. Every detail of both ships will feature a wide array of state-of-the-art technical features including high-tech GPS Dynamic Positioning that holds the ship in position, negating the need to drop anchor on ecologically sensitive seabeds, particularly useful in the Antarctica or the Great Barrier Reef. She will also have custom-built stabilisers to provide greater stability and an Advance Azipod propulsion system to minimize noise and vibration. She will have improved manoeuvrability, reduced fuel consumption and be equipped with the latest wastewaters treatment to protect marine life.

Scenic Eclipse II will spend the summer season exploring the Mediterranean, Iceland, Scotland and the Arctic before moving on to warmer Caribbean waters and Antarctica.

Next year, Scenic Eclipse II will cruise closer to local shores visiting Polynesia, Indonesia and Australia – taking her back to the roots where the luxury line, Scenic, was founded 37 years ago.

When she embarks on her maiden voyage, Scenic Eclipse II will follow in the footsteps of great seafarers from Portugal and Spain, setting off from Lisbon and following the Atlantic coast past the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean. Along the way you will be charmed by quaint fishing villages, ancient Roman ruins and spectacular artworks while soaking up the sun. The Discovery Yacht will dock at the elegant city of Seville for an exclusive, overnight stay, then call at Puerto Banus, Malaga, Cartagena, Ibiza, Mahon, Palma de Mallorca and ending in Barcelona.

Highlights of Scenic Eclipse II inaugural season:

The Arctic – 2 & 24 August 2023. Venture into the remote Arctic with a 12-day Greenland and Iceland voyage to explore the most pristine, spectacular scenery in the world. The cruise will take guests from Copenhagen to Tromso, visiting the frozen coastline of the world’s largest island, Greenland and seeing the incredible fjords of Iceland on the way.

The line is offering savings of up to 20 per cent on select Arctic voyages and up to $6000 towards your Business class fare when you book a spa, Panorama or Owner’s Suite. Or you can save up to $2000 credit towards your airfare when you book a Verandah suite until 31 July 2023.

Prices start from $20,365 pp and you can save from $4,660pp.

Scotland – 5 and 13 September 2023. Discover the strongholds of the Vikings from volcanos of Iceland to the wild islands of Scotland on a 9-day Northern Isles: Iceland & Scotland from Reykjavik to Edinburgh or explore Scotland on a 9-day Scottish Isles: Historic Trails & Wilderness from Edinburgh to Dublin. Exclusive offer: save up to 20 per cent on select voyages and up to $1,000pp towards airfares until 31 August 2023. Prices start from $12,005pp Save from $2,750pp.

The Kimberley – May to August 2024. Watch in wonderment, the ancient artefacts of the Kimberley on an 11-day Discover the Kimberley Coastline voyage from Darwin to Broome or vice versa. You will experience Australia’s diverse landscapes, soaring over remote waterfalls by helicopter, take an exhilarating Zodiac journey to hard-to-reach waterways. There are 12 departures available between May and August 2024 with prices starting from $14,975pp and you can save from $3,670pp.

Scenic Eclipse II has a Sky Deck with 270-degree views, a new Sky Bar with indoor and outdoor seating and six private cabanas to enjoy the wonderful sunset scenery with a drink in hand. It also has a large, oval-shaped vitality pool with swim jets allowing guests to swim ‘laps’. It also has a custom-made, eight-passenger submarine that can dive down to a depth of up to 660ft.

The ship will feature a spacious, super-luxury, 550 sq m Senses Spa complete with saunas, steam room, temperature-controlled plunge pools and relaxation lounges. There will be separate female and male wellness centres leading to an outdoor terrace. There will also be a yoga and Pilates studio.

Senses Spa will also have custom-built infrared, salt therapy lounges designed to relieve back pain and promote muscle relaxation and a large dedicated infrared lounge with colour light therapy to enhance muscle relaxation.

There is also a newly-designed Chef’s Garden @ Epicure with dining for up to 14 guests where you can experience culinary masterclasses with world-class chefs and sommeliers.

For more information, click here.