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By Katie, Luxury Cruise Concierge
I’ve spent plenty of time learning about the world’s finest luxury cruise ships, but there’s nothing quite like stepping onboard and experiencing one for yourself. So, when the opportunity came to visit Scenic Eclipse II during her first-ever call to the London area, I was particularly excited. Not least because I’d never been onboard a discovery superyacht before.
Docked at Tilbury, she was certainly an impressive sight, but I was more interested in what awaited inside. Scenic Eclipse II promises an extraordinary combination of luxury cruising and expedition travel, complete with helicopters, a submersible and some of the most advanced exploration facilities at sea. I was curious to see how all of that fitted into a yacht carrying just 228 guests.
Our visit began with a glass of chilled Champagne in the Scenic Lounge Bar, which immediately became one of my favourite spaces onboard. The interiors are dark, contemporary and wonderfully atmospheric, with a striking floor-to-ceiling bar that wouldn’t look out of place in an exclusive London hotel.
I loved how grown-up everything felt. There’s a confidence to the design, with beautiful materials, comfortable seating and just enough drama to make an impression without being excessive. Even though we were visiting during a busy day in port, the yacht felt remarkably peaceful.
That atmosphere continued as we explored. The crew were warm and welcoming, and there was a real sense that guests could settle into their surroundings without feeling the need to be constantly entertained.
After our welcome, we headed into the theatre for an introduction to Scenic’s approach to discovery cruising. This was where I began to appreciate just how much thought had gone into creating a yacht capable of visiting some of the world’s most remote destinations.
Scenic Eclipse II carries two helicopters, a submersible, four SEABOBs and a fleet of Zodiacs. Depending on the itinerary and conditions, these give guests opportunities to explore destinations from completely different perspectives, whether that’s taking to the skies, travelling underwater or heading ashore with the Discovery Team.
The team itself can include up to 20 specialists, covering subjects such as marine biology, geology, history and photography. I particularly liked the idea of learning about somewhere from people who have spent years studying it, rather than simply arriving, looking around and moving on.
We also visited the marina at the back of the yacht, where equipment including kayaks and stand-up paddleboards can be launched directly onto the water. I was equally fascinated by the helicopter facilities, particularly watching how the rotor blades fold away so the aircraft can be stored inside their hangars. It’s an extraordinary amount of technology to accommodate onboard a yacht of this size.
Scenic Eclipse II has 114 suites, each with its own private veranda or terrace, and I was impressed by how spacious and thoughtfully designed they felt.
The interiors are contemporary without being stark, with separate sleeping and lounge areas that make them feel like somewhere you’d genuinely enjoy spending time. There are plenty of thoughtful details too, from binoculars for watching wildlife and scenery to personalised minibars and in-suite dining.
Every suite also comes with butler service, which is one of the features I think makes Scenic particularly appealing for luxury travellers. Having someone available to take care of the details, whether that’s arranging something in your suite or helping with a particular request, adds another level of convenience.
If there’s one thing I wasn’t expecting, it was quite so much dining choice. For a yacht carrying just 228 guests, up to 10 dining experiences is remarkable, and each venue we visited had its own personality.
I particularly liked Koko’s, with its Asian-inspired menus and contemporary interiors, but The Night Market @ Koko’s was probably the restaurant that excited me most. This intimate, reservation-only experience seats just eight guests around an open cooking station, with the chef preparing dishes right in front of you.
It looked like great fun, and exactly the sort of evening I’d want to book early in a cruise. There’s something lovely about having such a small group gathered around the chef, particularly when the cooking itself becomes part of the experience.
Elsewhere, the dining options range from relaxed venues to French cuisine and in-suite dining. Although we weren’t onboard long enough to sample everything, I was genuinely impressed by the variety and how individual each restaurant felt.
I’ll admit that I’m not usually someone who makes a beeline for the spa when I step onboard a ship. I enjoy a treatment as much as anyone, but it’s rarely the first thing I want to explore. Scenic Eclipse II may have changed that.
The Senses Spa is beautiful, with a calm, private atmosphere that immediately made me want to stay longer. There are thermal loungers, an infrared sauna, steam room and treatment spaces, alongside a yoga and Pilates studio and a well-equipped gym.
I particularly liked how the wellness facilities extend outdoors, with vitality pools and cabanas offering somewhere to relax while enjoying the views. Given the destinations Scenic visits, I can imagine how wonderful it would be to return from a day exploring and spend an hour unwinding here.
Another space I could happily have spent an afternoon in was the Observation Lounge on Deck Five. With forward-facing windows, comfortable seating, a library atmosphere and high-powered binoculars, it’s a wonderful place to watch the scenery.
I could easily imagine settling down with a coffee as the yacht sailed through somewhere like Antarctica or the Norwegian Fjords, occasionally putting my book aside to look outside.
I also loved learning about Scenic Eclipse II’s open bridge policy. Guests can visit the bridge when permitted, speak to the crew and gain a better understanding of how the yacht operates. Given the importance of discovery to the Scenic experience, I think it’s a particularly fitting feature.
And while the yacht feels intimate, there is still entertainment to enjoy, from live music and theatre performances to lectures and social events. I liked that there seemed to be a good balance between opportunities to get involved and plenty of places to simply relax.
Having explored Scenic Eclipse II, I can understand why she appeals to travellers looking for something beyond a traditional luxury cruise.
I think she’d be particularly well suited to guests who enjoy exceptional food, beautiful surroundings and attentive service, but who also want to experience destinations in greater depth. The helicopters, submersible and Discovery Team offer opportunities that simply aren’t available on most ships, while the onboard atmosphere feels wonderfully calm and personal.
What impressed me most was how naturally those two sides of the experience came together. You have extraordinary expedition capabilities, yet nothing about the interiors or service feels overly technical or clinical. It’s a yacht designed for adventure, but also somewhere I’d be very happy spending a week doing very little between cruise destinations.
My visit was only a glimpse of what Scenic Eclipse II has to offer, and I’d love to return for a full voyage. In fact, having seen everything onboard, I think choosing an itinerary would be the hardest part.
If my Scenic Eclipse II review has inspired you to explore ultra-luxury discovery cruising, our dedicated Luxury Cruise Concierges at Luxury Journeys by Bolsover Cruise Club can help you find the right itinerary, suite and experience.
From extraordinary expedition voyages to carefully arranged travel before and after your cruise, our team can take care of the details so you can look forward to the journey ahead. Call us on 01246 813 133 to find out more.
