Scenic combining adventure and luxury with super-yacht

The Scenic Eclipse will be equipped with helicopters and a submarine.

River cruise operator Scenic will make its foray into ocean cruising with the launch of Scenic Eclipse, a 228-passenger yacht, in 2018.

The company calls Scenic Eclipse a "six-star, ultra-luxury mega discovery yacht." It will be an all-suite, all-balcony vessel with suites ranging from the 344-square-foot verandah suite to the 2,500-square-foot, two-bedroom owner’s penthouse suite.

There will be six onboard dining options, including contemporary fine-dining French, Pan-Asian and Italian cuisine, and casual al fresco dining on the pool deck or in the Ocean Cafe Lounge. There will be Jacuzzis on the sun deck and several bars and lounges.

The Scenic Eclipse will have indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis and plunge pools.

The ship will also feature a nearly 5,000-square-foot spa offering a menu of treatments, as well as indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis and plunge pools. A gym will house a studio for yoga and Pilates.

The Scenic Eclipse will embark on its maiden voyage on Aug. 31, 2018, when it will sail from Istanbul to Venice, followed by itineraries that will include the Americas, Antarctica, Europe and the Mediterranean, and the Arctic.

The ship will have a Polar Class 6 rating (Ice Class 1A Super). For Arctic and Antarctica cruises, guest numbers will be limited to 200, which will enable more landings per day for each guest. The vessel will also utilize to provide greater stability.

The Scenic Eclipse will have two helicopters for excursions as well as a seven-seat submarine. A fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks will be onboard along with scuba diving and snorkeling equipment.

An onboard Discovery Team will be led by experts in various fields and will cover a range of subjects and interests during lectures and excursions.

There will be no extra charge for any dining venues on the Eclipse.

Included in the cruise fare: all meals (there will be no surcharge at any onboard dining venue), top-shelf beverages all day, butler service, and onboard entertainment and lectures in the 240-seat theater. As with all Scenic cruises, all gratuities are included in the price as is Wi-Fi, shore excursions, Scenic Freechoice activities and special events.

Scenic recently established an ocean cruising division, an initiative that was three years in the making. The Scenic Eclipse is being designed in collaboration with naval architects including Foreship in Finland and is being built by the Uljanik Group in Croatia. There is an option for a second ship to be delivered in June 2019.

The Scenic Eclipse joins Scenic’s fleet of 21 river cruise ships throughout Europe, Russia and Southeast Asia. Scenic, an Australia-based company, also offers escorted tours in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Americas.

The Eclipse brochure, detailing 18 itineraries, will be available in February, Scenic said.