by
2019
Launch Year
Small
Cruise Ship Size
228
Passengers
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is known for its luxury riverboats, but the brand is now making waves on the seven seas with Scenic Eclipse I (and its nearly identical 2023-built Scenic Eclipse II). Eclipse I is among a new breed of ocean cruise ship — one that is equal parts luxury yacht and expedition vessel. And it sure does impress, from its outstanding culinary offerings to its onboard complement of helicopters and submarines.
For a ship of relatively small tonnage — only 17,545 — it often feels much larger than it is. Its central Scenic Lounge contributes greatly to this illusion thanks to a dramatic boutique hotel aesthetic of high ceilings and high-gloss mirrored surfaces, all lined with panoramic windows punctuated by a bright, backlit bar.
Plus, with a guest capacity of 228 (200 in Antarctica) and a crew count of 176 (192 in polar regions), Eclipse I touts close to a coveted 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio to ensure attentive service.
The ship is not without its curiosities, though. Due to its sleek outer shape, its otherwise handsome interior Observation Lounge & Library is not positioned on a high deck but rather low behind the bow, blocking most of the scenery unless outside at the forward Observation Terrace.
Nonetheless, its Polar Class 6 hull strength is ready to tackle the icy poles of the Arctic and Antarctica and exotic destinations in between while guests enjoy all-inclusive luxuries aboard. For those concerned about sea conditions in the North and South Pole (particularly the notoriously rough Drake Passage), know that Eclipse I sports oversized zero-speed stabilizers that are 50% larger than usual to dampen the motion of the ocean.
Spacious Suites: Suites (114 in total) range in size from 344 to 2,099 square feet in categories stretching from spacious Verandah Suites to Owner’s Penthouse Suites. Bedding is particularly plush and comfortable, each side of the bed is individually adjustable for reading or sleeping (seldom seen on a cruise ship), and USB charging ports and electrical outlets at both nightstands are hugely helpful. Each suite is even outfitted with a premium Dyson hairdryer at the vanity desk.
Elsewhere, living areas and storage are plentiful, and entry-level bathrooms are stylish with a sizable shower and well-padded toilet compartment, though sinks are all basin and feature very little counter space to set toiletries on. Accommodations, though, only get larger and more palatial from there.
Fine Dining: Not only are room service pizza and the savory pies from the casual cafe excellent, but so too are the three delicious pan-Asian dining options — Koko’s, Sushi @ Koko’s, and Night Market @ Koko’s — which serve up fusion dishes, sushi, and teppanyaki tasting menus, respectively. Elements is where guests will find tasty Italian and international fare, and at Lumiere, contemporary French fine dining awaits. But for something truly special, check out the invite-only Chef’s Table, where creative cuisine from Tom Goetter, former “Top Chef” contestant and Seabourn Cruise Line chef, is displayed across 11 decadent courses.
What’s more, Scenic Epicure hosts cooking classes that teaches guests how to make some of the ship’s signature dishes back home.
Luxurious Expeditions: Eclipse I is one of those rare ships that does not sacrifice luxury for adventure. It has every expected toy on board and then some — a pair of Airbus H130-T2 helicopters, one Scenic Neptune submarine, and adventurous Zodiacs, kayaks, and paddleboards — all neatly tucked away in a garage bay and hangars rather than in unsightly piles of equipment often seen on other ships.
It also comes with extensive spa facilities, namely the Senses Spa, which features a salon, treatment rooms, heated tile recliners, a relaxation area, a dry sauna, a steam room, an experience shower, a plunge pool, and a Spa Vitality Pool. There’s also a yoga and pilates room and a gym and fitness area.
Lots of Inclusions: As a luxury ship, most things are included, encompassing one’s choice of suite, shoreside tours (not the helicopters and sub, which are extra, however), spa facilities, self-service laundry, fine cuisine, and both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.
It’s worth mentioning that splurging on a 30-minute ride aboard one of the choppers for its very unique experience is not to be missed. There’s nothing quite like taking off from the ship while already underway to see the moving vessel itself and its breathtaking surroundings — especially in, say, Antarctica — from such a neat aerial perspective. And inversely interesting is taking a 40-minute sub-dive down into the fascinating recesses of the ocean.
Gear heads will also appreciate the ship’s open bridge policy, which allows them to freely venture onto the navigation deck to see all the inner workings and get a great forward-facing view.
Affluent Well-Traveled Couples: Eclipse I will appeal to well-traveled couples with deeper pockets to cover the heftier upfront cost and any extras like the helicopters and submarine. Despite its luxuries, the dress code is fairly relaxed and conducive to the nature of expedition activities ashore, never requiring clothes exceeding smart casual.
It’s a Smaller Ship Without Much Entertainment: Being a smaller, expedition-focused ship, there isn’t all that much in the way of onboard activities and entertainment aboard Eclipse I, and the theater predominantly hosts enrichment lectures and briefings about upcoming shore opportunities. Still, its comfy recliners make it ideal for film screenings and occasional revues from the talented cruise director, while a house pianist provides live music in the adjacent lounge.
Sometimes It Places Form Over Function: Perhaps the largest complaint is the ship’s penchant for sometimes placing form over function, though Eclipse I’s sister ship, Scenic Eclipse II, has already made a few improvements over its predecessor (which will likely also experiences a few tweaks during a future dry-dock refurbishment).
For instance, rather than just two whirlpools as featured at the sun deck on I, for example, II showcases a larger pool on this level, as well as a new Sky Bar with indoor and outdoor seating. And the latter partially makes up for the shortcomings of the aforementioned low-level observation lounge.
