Everything you need to know about the second of Scenic’s ‘Discovery Yachts’
Overview: The second of Scenic’s ‘Discovery Yachts’, Eclipse II is almost identical to its predecessor, apart from tweaks to enlarge the spa and the switch from hot tubs to a ‘vitality’ plunge pool on deck 10. It embodies superyacht style with its slick curves and modern, monochrome decor, and has plenty of space for its 228 passengers to spread out. Billed as a ‘six-star’ ship, it is Polar Class 6-rated and has GPS dynamic positioning to avoid the need to drop anchor in delicate marine ecosystems.
Cabins: The sense of space extends to the accommodation on this all-suite ship, where even the lead-in Verandah category is 32sq m, with a sizeable walk-out balcony ideal for enjoying the scenery or spotting wildlife.
All come with butler service, a daily restocked minibar, Nespresso machine, Bose sound system and a king-sized bed with individual controls, though the lack of a drying cupboard might be challenging on polar voyages. Spa Suites include a circular spa bath designed by Philippe Starck, while Panorama Suites add priority dining and a bigger outdoor terrace.
Food and drink: The quality and choice of restaurants is impressive, with speciality restaurants included. Breakfast, lunch and casual dinners are in the Azure Cafe and Yacht Club buffet, while the Italian cuisine at Elements and Asian fusion dishes at Koko’s offer good-quality walk-in dining.
Reservations are needed for the excellent French tasting menus at Lumière, the sushi bar and the small-scale Night Market, which offers Middle Eastern, Indian and Filipino dishes as part of a live cooking experience. Drinks are included, and whisky fans should check out the main bar stocked with 135 varieties.
Facilities: The extended spa on Eclipse II offers infrared saunas and a salt room, with a light-filled meditation studio for twice-daily yoga and Pilates classes – although on warm-weather expeditions, these might be held outdoors on the helipad or on shore.
There are plenty of places to enjoy the majestic views: in the deck five observation lounge and outdoor terrace, or on deck 10, from a comfy lounger or shaded cabana. The onboard theatre hosts interesting enrichment lectures, although the quality of evening entertainment was more mixed.
USP: The most spectacular feature is the pair of onboard helicopters, offering unforgettable ‘flightseeing’ tours around some of the remotest regions on Earth. Another interesting quirk is the ship’s hydroponic herb garden in the Chef’s Garden, also the venue for occasional cooking classes or wine and whisky tastings on sea days.
Book it: A new 16-day Discover Komodo & the Spice Islands cruise on Scenic Eclipse II, departing July 6, 2025, starts from £11,736 including flights, transfers, Wi-Fi and excursions, travelling from Bali to Komodo, Raja Ampat and the Kai Islands.
scenic.co.uk
PICTURES: Katie McGonagle; Scenic
