8 Things Travel Advisors Should Know About Scenic Eclipse

In the industry’s luxury expedition segment, where “adventure by day and luxury by night” is typically the operational mantra, what happens off the ship is just half of the story. In fact, the luxury trappings aboard ratchet up the experience, as TMR’s recent “Iceland, Greenland & Crossing the Arctic Circle” voyage aboard the 228-guest Scenic Eclipse aptly demonstrated.

Here are eight things travel advisors should know about the luxury expedition cruise ship Scenic Eclipse.

1. Entry Level Suites Have Lots to Offer

The lead-in Veranda Suites and Deluxe Veranda Suites – ranging from 344 to 366 square feet – are spacious, comfortable, and nicely appointed, but only have a single-sink vanity in the bathroom, while larger suites feature a double-sink configuration.

The Dyson hair dryer with multiple attachments is a luxe touch, as are the quality robes, slippers, upscale toiletries, binoculars, umbrellas, and full Illy coffee setup.

Meanwhile, a blackout drape keeps the suite dark enough to sleep, which is invaluable during midnight sun/polar day conditions. There is one 110v outlet plus multiple USB ports at the desk and nightstands.

The unit’s walk-in closet is spacious, although the high-set bar may be difficult for shorter guests to reach. A fully-stocked mini fridge is refilled daily as needed, as is filtered water – still and sparkling. And for that final fit-check, up to nine mirrors are spread throughout the suite.

Butler service is standard at all levels of accommodations, and they’ll gladly supply any necessary – or forgotten – items, like dental kits, etc., plus deliver room service, provide specific pre-dinner cocktails, coordinate spa reservations, and even provide a steady escort to dinner during rough seas.

2. There’s Plenty of Dining Choice

Scenic Eclipse guests are treated to a wealth of dining choices – with up to six options for dinner – which is quite impressive considering that the ship only carries 228 guests maximum (200 in polar regions). Additionally, a robust room service menu offers a selection of dishes to guests 24/7.

Word of Advice: Dining reservations aren’t an option pre-cruise, so remind clients to make this a priority upon embarkation if this is important to them. If they miss out on the first day, dinner reservations do open up sporadically and dynamically, so they should waitlist themselves for their venue of choice if not available immediately – and double-check with the Maitre’d each day. Staff make their best effort to ensure that guests can reserve at least one dinner in each specialty restaurant during their sailing.

Highlights of dining venues follow, along with don’t-miss dishes.

Yacht Club: Strategically positioned on Deck 7 aft, Scenic Eclipse’s buffet venue flaunts a sun-dappled, gorgeous interior with nicely-presented dishes to match. A daily, fruit-flavored, ginger shot is a welcome, zero-proof kickstarter at the door in the a.m., while the delicate Swedish pancakes, served with house-made whipped cream and lingonberries, counter as a guilty pleasure.

Lunchtime brings a daily rotation of quality hot and cold dishes, along with a pasta action-station that never disappoints.

Yacht Club is not open for dinner, except for the once-per-cruise Extravaganza event, where culinary action stations and live music make for an enchanted evening.

Elements: Functioning as the no-reservations-needed main dining room, Elements features a menu that leans heavily into Italian cuisine. Impressive starters include an octopus carpaccio in lemon oil, tuna ceviche, and rustic potato and smoked pork belly soup.

The galley takes Italian pasta traditions seriously, faithfully ensuring that every regional sauce is paired with its proper, authentic shape. And the nightly cannoli variation is a nice touch.

Word of advice: Let your clients know that the Elements is at its busiest from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. While they typically won’t have to wait for a table, they might be asked to share with other guests to ensure immediate seating.

Koko’s: With three unique concepts offered nightly: Asian Fusion, Sushi @ Koko’s and Night Market, Koko’s ambitious mission to offer a broad spectrum of Asian culinary experiences is impressive.

Sushi @ Koko’s features fish flown in from Japan; Koko’s Asian Fusion offers an ethnic overview of Asian cuisine, from Indian to Chinese to Thai and beyond; and Night Market is a don’t-miss experience – an intimate, eight-seat interactive dinner presented twice each evening, showcasing street-food preparations of authentic Indian, Filipino, or Middle Eastern specialties.

Lumiere: Lumiere offers a lavish, seven-course French tasting menu, making it the most coveted reservation aboard. The amuse bouche and the multiple starters on the menu are actually the stars of the show, like the tomato-poached lobster, smooth cream of cauliflower soup with brown butter foam, and a citron sorbet palate-cleanser that easily rivals the best desserts.

Word of advice: Lumiere and Sushi @ Koko’s tend to book up first, due to their popularity and limited seating. If clients have their heart set at eating at either of these restaurants, their first stop upon boarding should be the restaurant reservations desk.

Azure Bar & Café: Operating as the vessel’s main coffee house, Azure Bar & Cafe delivers far more than its title suggests, providing a wide array of grab-and-go options, prepared-to-order hot dishes, specialty beverages, and fresh baked goods between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Perfect for quick bites between excursions, the comfortable venue excels at fresh-baked pastries, custom burgers, and authentic pasta dishes.

3. Its Got Over-the-Top Amenities… and a Nearly 1-to-1 Crew-to-Passenger Ratio

What the company calls the world’s first luxury Discovery Yacht (with a PC6 ice-strengthened hull rating), Scenic Eclipse is perfectly equipped and designed to deliver a luxury experience while enabling comfortable exploration amidst remote and inhospitable climes. Among the exploration tools it carries are two helicopters and a submersible, which operate only in favorable weather conditions and when environmental regulations permit.

For a small ship, the Fitness Center and separate Yoga Room are nicely-sized with all the expected equipment and amenities, while the public areas of Senses Spa (wet and dry sauna, experience shower, cold plunge, and infrared lounges) are free to use at any time.

The ship’s impressive space-to-passenger ratio is evident – from the all-suite accommodations to the large, comfortable public rooms and restaurants. There’s never a crowd, a line, or a wait – anywhere aboard, at any time.

In particular, the Scenic Lounge, the social hub of the ship and meeting place, is spacious, and comfortably and luxuriously furnished. And with a nearly 1:1 crew-to-passenger ratio, guests’ whims, desires and requests are fulfilled immediately.

4. Exploration and Enrichment Are at the Heart of the Scenic Eclipse Experience

On all voyages that fit within the company’s expedition/discovery focus, a large team including a Discovery Leader, assistant Discovery Leader, naturalist, ornithologist, kayak guide, paddle guide, historian, marine biologist, videographer, and others lend expertise, guidance, and know-how – especially in remote destinations. They provide illuminating lectures and offer personal advice and guidance to guests wishing to take full advantage of the wonders the itinerary presents.

Although Scenic’s Discovery and Expedition sailings typically feature busy itineraries, the occasional sea day (or half-day) provides an opportunity for guests to indulge in enrichment lectures, trivia contests and other games, yoga/stretch classes, and cocktail demonstrations. 

Exploration is at the heart of every Scenic Eclipse journey and inclement weather doesn’t necessarily bring exploring to a stop. Even in chilly Iceland the team put kayaks in the water for adventurous guests, outfitting them in secure drysuits while providing expert instruction.

Word of advice: For clients headed to polar regions on Scenic Eclipse, let them know that glove liners and sock liners are invaluable by adding another layer for warmth, insulation, and prevention of skin irritation caused by wool socks, while waterproof gloves – with tactile finger tips – allow nimble phone use for hurried photo ops.

5. Shore Excursions Are Included

Tender and Zodiac operations are handled with great care and efficiency by Scenic’s officers, staff and crew, while itineraries and shore excursions can change often, due to rapidly fluctuating or extreme weather conditions.

Multiple activity levels of shore excursions – strenuous, moderate or easy – are offered in nearly all ports, led by expert local guides and/or members of the onboard expedition team.

Word of Advice: If your client’s first-choice tour is full when booking pre-cruise, advise them to check back with shore-ex staff once aboard, since cancellations are common. It’s also quite easy to change tour bookings, assuming space is available – even same-day.

6. Don’t Expect a Pool — or Nighttime Entertainment

There is no pool aboard Scenic Eclipse, although there are multiple, heated whirlpools. The original pool, which was positioned directly outside Yacht Club (the buffet venue), was removed  to enlarge the dining area.

Sister ship Scenic Eclipse II and upcoming Scenic Ikon (debuting in 2028), however, both feature small pools.

Nighttime entertainment on our Arctic voyage was sparse; limited to a multi-talented lounge musician, the affable cruise director, and her assistant. But the ship’s handsome theater – the locale for pre-dinner wildlife, historical, and cultural lectures – was under-utilized in the evening. A fly-on guest entertainer would have been appreciated – at least for a few nights, especially considering the fare levels on this sailing. 

Word of advice: If your client is a first-time expedition cruiser, let them know that the nightly expedition/shore-ex lecture covering the next day’s activities is a must-attend event. Typically held before dinner, the gathering features speakers including the expedition leader, shore-ex manager, and one or more of the expedition team, who share key info (expected weather, tender and/or zodiac operation specifics, likely wildlife viewings) along with a more detailed description of the next day’s shore-ex options. Advise clients not to leave before the end of the presentation, since they’d miss a short lecture followed by an often-valuable Q&A session.

7. Special Perks for Top-Level Suite Guests

Invitation to the Chef’s Table dinner, a beautifully-crafted and served 12-course dinner in a private dining room with a view of the galley, is typically offered to upper-tier suite guests. Prepared and served by the vessel’s executive chef, the meal is a delectable wonder of molecular gastronomy, gorgeously presented and paired with wines selected by the head sommelier. Also, one helicopter ride is typically included in the fare for upper-tier suite guests.

8. Scenic’s All-Inclusive Pricing

The all-inclusive pricing model for Scenic Eclipse (and Scenic Eclipse II) is comprehensive, covering all specialty dining, butler service, all shore excursions, drinks (premium alcohol, filtered water, coffee drinks, beer and wine), gratuities for onboard crew and local guides, Starlink internet service, roundtrip airport transfers, access to the spa common areas (wet and dry sauna, relaxation room, infrared lounges and cold plunge pool), use of expedition gear (waterproof boots, trekking poles), and the down-filled, waterproof parka.

In addition, kayaking, paddleboarding, and other water activities are included and overseen by experts.

Helicopter rides and submersible (submarine) excursions, however, come with an additional cost.