Scenic Eclipse

Scenic Eclipse is a luxury expedition cruise ship operated by Scenic Group. Built at the Uljanik shipyard in Pula, Croatia, the vessel was conceived as a high-end, yacht-like platform combining ocean cruising with expedition capabilities. Scenic Group founder and chairman Glen Moroney reportedly developed the concept after being influenced by the large expedition yacht Octopus associated with Paul Allen. The design sought to merge the service and accommodation standards of a luxury cruise ship with equipment and operational arrangements suitable for remote destinations. Construction began in 2017 at Uljanik, but the project experienced repeated delays connected with financial difficulties and the eventual bankruptcy of the shipyard. Scenic Eclipse ultimately entered service in August 2019. It first departed the shipyard on July 27, 2019, sailing to Valletta, Malta, where it was registered, and then continued to Reykjavík, Iceland. The ship welcomed its first guests there on August 15, 2019, undertaking a maiden voyage that concluded in Quebec on August 27. Its formal naming ceremony took place in New York City on September 10, 2019, with actress Helen Mirren serving as the naming figure. The vessel has a gross tonnage of 17,545 and can accommodate up to 228 passengers in ordinary operations. In polar regions, capacity is limited to 200 guests so that additional expedition personnel can be carried. These staff support lectures, shore activities, wildlife observation and the operation of Zodiac Nautic boats. The ship's accommodation is entirely suite-based, and every cabin includes a balcony, reinforcing its luxury positioning. Scenic Eclipse is equipped for activities beyond conventional cruise touring. It carries two Eurocopter EC130 helicopters and Scenic Neptune, a seven-person crewed submersible constructed by U-Boat Worx. The submarine is designed to reach depths of up to 300 metres, giving passengers access to underwater sightseeing when conditions, regulations and itinerary planning permit. The vessel also operates Zodiac boats for expedition landings and coastal exploration. Its construction and classification support operations in polar environments. Scenic Eclipse was designed and built in accordance with Polar Code requirements and holds a Polar Class 6 notation. Although polar itineraries are an important part of its program, the ship also sails in the Americas, Europe, the Caribbean and South America. The resulting product is positioned between luxury cruising and small-ship expedition travel, emphasizing spacious suite accommodation, specialist equipment and guided access to destinations that are less accessible to conventional cruise ships.

Scenic Eclipse was developed as a new type of luxury expedition vessel for Scenic Group. The concept was associated with Glen Moroney, the group's founder and chairman, who was inspired by the expedition yacht Octopus. Rather than designing a conventional large cruise ship, the project aimed to combine high-end accommodation with the equipment and operational flexibility needed for remote coastal and polar travel. The ship was constructed at the Uljanik shipyard in Pula, Croatia. Work began in 2017, but the project encountered substantial delays as the shipyard experienced financial distress and ultimately entered bankruptcy. These difficulties extended the construction period and postponed the vessel's planned introduction. Scenic Eclipse finally left the shipyard on July 27, 2019, travelling first to Valletta, Malta, where it was registered, and then to Reykjavík, Iceland. Passenger operations began in Reykjavík on August 15, 2019. The inaugural voyage ended in Quebec on August 27, and the vessel was formally named in New York City on September 10. Actress Helen Mirren participated in the naming ceremony. Its 2019 introduction marked Scenic Group's entry into a highly specialized segment of luxury expedition cruising. Scenic Eclipse has a gross tonnage of 17,545 and is arranged entirely around suite accommodation. The ship can normally carry as many as 228 passengers, with every cabin offering a balcony. For polar voyages, capacity is reduced to 200 passengers. The lower limit allows the operator to carry a larger expedition team responsible for interpretation, lectures, guiding, shore operations and the use of Zodiac boats. The vessel's expedition profile is supported by equipment uncommon on ordinary cruise ships. It carries two Eurocopter EC130 helicopters and Scenic Neptune, a seven-person crewed submersible built by U-Boat Worx. The submersible can dive to a stated maximum depth of 300 metres, while the helicopters and Zodiac craft expand the range of possible sightseeing and shore activities. Actual use of these assets depends on operational, environmental and regulatory conditions. Scenic Eclipse was designed and built under Polar Code requirements and carries a Polar Class 6 notation, enabling it to operate in polar regions within the limits of its classification and itinerary planning. Its schedule is not restricted to the poles: the ship also undertakes voyages in the Americas, Europe, the Caribbean and South America. This geographic range supports a positioning that blends luxury cruising, expedition travel and yacht-inspired exploration. The available reference material does not establish a separate corporate headquarters, ownership structure beyond Scenic Group's operation, or later changes to the vessel's status.

• 2019

  Ship leaves the construction yard

  [1]Scenic Eclipseen.wikipedia.org

  Scenic Eclipse departed Uljanik on July 27 after delays associated with the shipyard's financial difficulties.

• 2019

  First guests embark in Reykjavík

  [1]Scenic Eclipseen.wikipedia.org

  The vessel entered passenger service from Reykjavík on August 15, beginning its maiden voyage to Quebec.

• 2019

  Formal naming ceremony

  [1]Scenic Eclipseen.wikipedia.org

  Scenic Eclipse was formally named in New York City on September 10, with Helen Mirren participating in the ceremony.

• 2017

  Construction begins at Uljanik

  [1]Scenic Eclipseen.wikipedia.org

  Construction of Scenic Eclipse commenced at the Uljanik shipyard in Pula, Croatia.

A luxury yacht-style expedition cruise experience combining all-suite accommodation with polar capability, specialist expedition staff, helicopters, a crewed submersible and Zodiac boats.

• Luxury expedition cruise ship · 2019

  Scenic Eclipse

  Scenic Eclipse is an all-suite passenger ship designed for luxury expedition cruising. It accommodates up to 228 passengers in general service, with polar voyages limited to 200 guests to support a larger expedition team. The vessel has balcony-equipped suites, Zodiac boats, two Eurocopter EC130 helicopters and Scenic Neptune, a crewed U-Boat Worx submersible rated for dives to 300 metres. Built for Polar Code-compliant operations and carrying a Polar Class 6 notation, it sails in polar regions as well as the Americas, Europe, the Caribbean and South America.

• 2017

  Development of a yacht-style expedition vesselStrategy

  Background

  Scenic Group pursued a luxury expedition concept influenced by large private expedition yachts and intended to extend the group's offering into remote, equipment-intensive cruising.

  Action taken

  The group commissioned Scenic Eclipse as an all-suite vessel with polar capability, helicopters, Zodiac boats and a crewed submersible.

  Aftermath

  The ship entered service in 2019 and became Scenic Group's platform for luxury expedition itineraries across polar and other international markets.

  Source

• 2019

  Scenic Eclipse enters passenger service[1]Scenic Eclipseen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Following construction delays at the Uljanik shipyard, Scenic Eclipse began carrying guests from Reykjavík on August 15, 2019, on a maiden voyage ending in Quebec.

• 2019

  Scenic Eclipse formally named in New York[1]Scenic Eclipseen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The ship received its formal naming ceremony in New York City on September 10, 2019, with actress Helen Mirren acting as the naming figure.

• 2019

  Uljanik shipyard bankruptcy delays Scenic Eclipse construction[1]Scenic Eclipseen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The vessel's construction schedule was repeatedly delayed by financial problems and the bankruptcy of the Croatian shipyard where it was being built.

1. 1Scenic Eclipseen.wikipedia.org