scenic eclipse yacht

Scenic Eclipse I & II

Discover the world's oceans on board one of our Discovery Yachts and be immersed in ultra-luxury cruising in a class of its own.

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Discover Our Scenic Eclipse Ships

With two Discovery Yachts visiting more than 500 extraordinary destinations across 63 remarkable countries, Scenic Eclipse takes you further than ever before to explore all seven continents.

Cruise the world’s oceans, unveiling the most secluded, historic, pristine, and stunning regions in ultra-luxury.

Why   are Scenic Eclipse Yachts the benchmark in ultra-luxury cruising?

Scenic Eclipse Discovery Yachts are ultra-luxury cruising in a class of its own. With indulgent and spacious suites, a truly all-inclusive experience, and extensive spaces for wellbeing and entertainment, your journey will be life-changing.

Unrivaled Discovery

The World’s First Discovery Yachts have been designed with you in mind, delighting both the keen explorer and elegant traveler.

Dining and beverages

The impressive selection of cuisines, dining experiences, and bars offer you a variety of choices that will satisfy your palate. Open galleys invite you to see first-hand the passion and expertise that goes into preparing every meal. Each dining venue features a menu reflecting the produce and region you’re sailing in, and choices will be refreshed throughout your voyage.

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All-Inclusive Excursions

You can experience the wonders of the world through an exciting variety of excursion options - from our Scenic Discovery excursions led by our Discovery team sharing their knowledge and expertise, Scenic Freechoice activities which are curated to cater to your interests and fitness level, and our Scenic Enrich experiences, where you’ll be immersed in unique and exclusively handcrafted encounters.

Expert On Board Team

The expert team on board Scenic Eclipse are dedicated professionals who will go above and beyond to deliver an exceptional level of world-class service for you.

Unrivaled Views

Marvel at wildlife and extraordinary landscapes while on Scenic Eclipse through Swarovski telescopes or with the expert Discovery Team.

Benchmark in Wellbeing

World-class and tranquil wellness facilities are available on board for you to indulge in, including our 5,920 sq ft Senses Spa# offering luxurious facials, massages, and body treatments. Or, you can rejuvenate in the dedicated yoga and Pilates studio and maintain your fitness in the fully equipped gym. Find out more

New Destinations

You can snorkel in the tropical waters of Raja Ampat, marvel at a land filled with the rich history of Celts, Romans, and Vikings in Scotland, and take in the breathtaking beauty of Tahiti as we island hop through the Pacific Islands.

Scenic Eclipse & Scenic Eclipse II

Scenic Eclipse I and II will take you on a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Custom-designed with a wealth of state-of-the-art features for unrivaled exploration, these two Discovery Yachts will immerse you on ultra-luxury journeys around the world. You will travel to unforgettable locations and experience truly all-inclusive luxury on board Scenic Eclipse I and II. From polar regions to the world’s most sought-after warm environments, you’ll travel in 6-star comfort.

World-Class Technology & Design

Introducing Scenic Eclipse II

Setting a benchmark in the realm of ultra-luxury cruising with Scenic Eclipse, you can now enjoy elevated enhancements on board Scenic Eclipse II, which offers you ultra-luxury cruising in a class of its own.

Highlights include:

Helicopters & Submarine

Dining Experiences

9 Bars & Lounges

Outdoor Revitalization

Fitness & Wellness

State-of-the-Art Theater

Observation Lounge & Deck

Open B ridge

^Helicopter, experiences, and submersible at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval, and weather and ice conditions. Helicopters are unable to operate in South Georgia and Svalbard. Submersible is unable to operate in US waters, Svalbard, and the Kimberley.

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Scenic Eclipse

Cruise line Scenic Yacht Cruises (Scenic Cruises)

• Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Scenic Eclipse current position

Scenic Eclipse current location is at West Africa (coordinates 18.39891 N / -23.70888 W) cruising at speed of 11 kn (20 km/h | 13 mph) en route to Mindelo. The AIS position was reported 18 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Scenic Eclipse

Scenic Eclipse current cruise is 20 days, one-way from Valletta to Dublin . Prices start from USD 68580 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 18 May, 2024 and ends on 07 Jun, 2024 .

Specifications of Scenic Eclipse

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Scenic Eclipse Itineraries

Scenic eclipse review, review of scenic eclipse.

The 2019-built Scenic Eclipse cruise ship is a top-luxury boat with max passenger capacity 228 (plus 192 staff-crew) that looks more like a tycoon-owned superyacht than a passenger vessel. Its design features an ice-strengthened hull, top-deck helipad (with two on-deck stored helicopters / in hangars), 12x Zodiacs (high-speed, large-capacity RIBs / rigid inflatable boats), 1x mini-sub (7-person submarine), 1x ROV (camera-equipped Remotely Operated Vehicle). The aft-located Marina Platform is used for launching water sports equipment (aqua quad-bikes, seakayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling and scuba diving activities).

The vessel (IMO number 9797371) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311000995) and registered in Nassau .

With the yacht Scenic Eclipse, the river cruisetour company Scenic Tours (travel brand) entered the ocean cruising market. The ship was initially scheduled for delivery in August 2018, but due to construction issues was first rescheduled for January, then for April 2019. In February 2018, the shipowner Scenic Group (aka Scenic Tours Australia) signed a shipbuilding contract for the second (same-design) vessel - Scenic Eclipse II . The sistership was scheduled for delivery in 2020 but was eventually postponed to 2023 April.

Scenic's new market strategy followed the moves of Viking River Cruises (entering the ocean cruising market in 2015 with Viking Star ) and Crystal Cruises (entering the mega-yachting market in 2015 with Crystal Esprit/now Nat Geo Islander 2 ). Besides Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours, the shipowner Scenic Group also owns the subsidiary and travel brand Emerald Cruises .

Scenic's new ships are advertised as "discovery yachts". The hull has the highest passenger ship ice-class (1A-Super) allowing the vessel to operate on polar cruises (Arctic and Antarctica itineraries) for 3 months a year. On polar voyages, the ship's passenger capacity is limited to 200 in order to allow several Zodiac landings per day.

The ship's two helicopters Airbus H130 (single-engine aircraft, each with capacity 7 passengers) can be booked/hired at extra charge. Helicopter tours allow passengers to get closer to the wildlife in comparison to the Zodiac landings. Also at an additional charge can be booked the ship's onboard submarine. The 7-person submarine (1 pilot plus 6 guests) is named "Scenic Neptune" and is capable to submerge up to 1000 ft (305 m).

The ship has "zero speed stabilizer fins" (50% larger than the standard on similar-sized vessels) allowing it to navigate in rough seas with just little movement. Voyages to Antarctica include passing Drake Passage - a notoriously rough waterway between South America and Antarctica.

Decks and Cabins

Scenic Eclipse staterooms (114 total) are all double-occupancy Suites in total 14 categories. Cabin sizes range between 345 ft2 / 32 m2 (Veranda Suite) to 2745 ft2 / 255 m2 (2-Bedroom Penthouse Suite, with included 645 ft2 / 60 m2 wraparound terrace). Owners Penthouse Suites are sized 1990 ft2 / 185 m2 (balcony included). Each cabin has a private step-out balcony. The vessel has an almost 1:1 passenger-to-crew ratio and each stateroom are served by a dedicated butler.

The boat has 10 decks , of which 8 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins.

Four Lifts (midship-located Elevators) interconnect all cabin decks.

Shipboard facilities

Other features and all-inclusive amenities include:

• 9 restaurants (including Asian Fusion, steakhouse, seafood, contemporary French and Italian venues, poolside grill, 24/7 room service
• 5x bars and lounges
• Medical Centre / Infirmary
• Discovery Centre
• 240-seat theatre
• 2 (indoor and outdoor) swimming pools
• heated swimming pool (indoor, with retractable glass roof)
• 5900 ft2 (550 m2) spa/wellness complex with heated indoor pool, outdoor Jacuzzis, two Vitality Pools / plunge pools, Hair Salon, Spa treatment/massage rooms
• Gym (with a separate Aerobics Studio for yoga and Pilates)
• Sun Terrace (on Deck 11) is an Outdoor Sundeck with Cabanas and seating (midship-topdeck-located), while aft is the Helipad. Below (aft on Deck 10) are the two Helicopter Hangars.

Scenic yacht cruise deals are inclusive of butler service (regardless cabin category), flights, all tips/gratuities, Discovery Team leaders (20+ professional tour guides on all cruise itineraries, including naturalists, glaciologists, geologists, marine biologists), shore excursions (all land tours and organized events at ports of call and beaches along the itinerary route, expert-led Scenic Free choice activities, discovery excursions by Zodiacs / large-capacity inflatable boats), onboard dining (all dining venues are complimentary / fee-free), onboard entertainment, e-biking, water sports (sea kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving), premium beverages (at bars and cabin mini-bars).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Scenic Eclipse cruise ship offers all 9 dining venues plus 24-hour room service. The ship also has an impressive number of bars and lounges - 8, which is an extraordinary variety considering the yacht's size. All these options are complimentary (cruise price inclusive).

Specialty dining venues highlight regional cuisine, intimate deck location and dinner privacy at no additional cost. These venues range from the open-kitchen Teppanyaki grill dining (capacity 10 people), Azure Bar & Grill, and Lumiere (French Fine Dining Restaurant) to the Chef's Table (private VIP dining for 8 people). Professional cookery demonstrations are offered at the dedicated Epicure (cooking emporium).

The main dining room restaurant "Elements" offers Italian fare, seafood, and steaks. The other restaurants are named Koko's (Asian, with sake bar), Sushi at Koko's (authentic Japanese), Lumiere (French, with Champagne Bar). The Yacht Club has its own a Bar (beverages), buffet and poolside Grill. Azure Bar & Cafe offers all-day relaxed grazing.

• During refurbishment 2021, the Yacht Club was redesigned and reimagined as a casual dining venue. The area was extended to include a multi-purpose "food island". House-made gelato (premium ice cream) is offered from a new gelato cooler. Large sofas replaced the old tables and armchairs and new wicker swinging egg chairs were added.
• Night Market At Koko's offers street food and traditional Asian dishes (Middle East, India, Southeast Asia).
• Sushi At Koko's offers authentic Japanese cuisine and was expanded to include window seating.

Bars and lounges include Lobby Lounge, Champagne Bar, Whisky Bar, Azure Bar & Cafe. Fine wine, top-shelf beverages, cocktails, specialty teas and coffees are all included in Scenic Cruises' ticket prices.

Fun fact is that the ship has a selection of 110 whisky brands available for ordering at the Whisky Bar. The themed venue is complimentary and part of the main lounge. All the 110 whisky bottles are stored in a floor-ceiling display cabinet with a crystal wall. The selection includes premium single malts (30-yo Isle of Jura The Loch, 25-yo Glendullan, 16-yo Lagavulin), special reserve blends (Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Jameson Black Barrel, Crown Royal Deluxe), various brands from Australia, Asia (Japan, Taiwan, India), South Africa, USA, Europe (UK, France, Sweden). To repeat again - all these top-shelf whiskies are complimentary (cruise ticket price-inclusive).

Itineraries

Scenic Eclipse's "Inaugural Cruise" (maiden voyage) was scheduled for August 31, 2018 (one-way Mediterranean itinerary from Istanbul to Venice ). Followed Transatlantic repositioning to Canada (via Iceland) and the Canadian Arctic territories. The ship cruises back to Europe (UK / British Isles). Follows another Atlantic Ocean crossing to the Caribbean (also visiting Cuba), then down to South America ( Chilean Fjords ) and Antarctica . However, due to construction issues, the launch was delayed and the Inaugural Cruise was re-scheduled for September 22 (repositioning from Europe to Florida).

In September 2018, Scenic released 2019-2020 brochures with 3 versions available (covering Antarctica, Arctic/Baltic, Mediterranean, Americas) all-encompassing both voyages and cruisetour combinations.

• A number of early booking incentives were also announced. Early-bird prices offered up to 10% savings on all voyages; paying in full by October 31 (2018) on any departure, saving USD 300-750 per person. Passengers booking cruise-and-land tour packages received early-bird fares (regardless of booking time) and a free 20-min submarine or helicopter tour (or equivalent onboard credit).
• On select itineraries, the company offered USD 500 per person onboard credit; complimentary deposit protection, free door-to-door airport transfers. Limited sailings offered 50% off the single supplement.
• All Scenic Cruises special offers were on voyages through August 2020 and also combinable with past vouchers and offers.

In April 2021, Scenic announced the Eclipse ship's 2022-2023 Arctic program featuring four new for the company destinations - Northeast Passage, Russian Far East, Japan, Alaska.

• The 26-night/27day "Northeast Passage" itinerary's highlights were cruising Arctic Russia (Arctic Ocean islands and Siberia coastal navigation), Transpacific crossing (Alaska to Chukotka Peninsula ), Kamchatka Peninsula , Kuril Islands , Japan, South Korea, Norway's Svalbard Archipelago and Norwegian Fjords, Greenland, Iceland.
• Scenic's "Northeast Passage Cruise 2023" (booking code D31V) was scheduled to depart on August 5 (from Anchorage Alaska ) and end on August 31 (in Tromso Norway ). Prices started from GBP 22970 (USD 31725 / EUR 26740) per person with double occupancy.
• Call ports included Anchorage AK, Provideniya/Chukotka (day 4), Cape Dezhnev and Uelen Lagoon (day 5), Wrangel Island (day 7), Northeast Passage (days 8 thru 17), Novaya Zemlya (day 18), Franz Josef Land (days 19-20-21), Murmansk (day 24), Vardo Norway (day 25), Skarsvag-Mageroya and Nordkapp (day 26), Tromso (day 27).
• B2B itineraries included 32-day "Northeast Passage and Alaska" (Anchorage to Tromso, prices from GBP 29280 pp), 34-day "Northeast Passage and Scandinavia" (Anchorage to Copenhagen Denmark , prices from GBP 27590 pp) and 40-day "Ultimate Russian Arctic" ( Vladivostok to Tromso, prices from GBP 31390 pp).

Prices were inclusive of tours and flights from/to the UK.

A 12-day voyage to Arctic Norway/Svalbard is priced from ~EUR 13300 pp (~USD 15700 / ~GBP 11360).

Schedule 2022-2023 departure dates

Next are listed the ship's departure dates and homeports by destination/region which were announced in 2021.

Antarctica-South Georgia-Falkland Islands

• (2022/Nov 10, Dec 9; 2023/Jan 3, Jan 14, Jan 25, Feb 5, Nov 21, Dec 2, Dec 27) 13-day "Antarctic in Depth" itinerary roundtrip Ushuaia
• (2022/Nov 21; 2023/Feb 16) 20-day "Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands" roundtrip Ushuaia
• (2022/Dec 20; 2023/Dec3, Dec 13) 16-day "Beyond the Antarctic Circle" roundtrip Ushuaia

Northwest Passage-Arctic Russia-Siberia

• (2022/Jul 22; 2023/Jul 11) 15-day "Arctic Islands: Svalbard, Greenland & Iceland" itinerary from Spitsbergen/Longyearbyen to Reykjavik
• (2022/Aug 5; 2023/Aug 2) 12-day "Exploring the High Arctic" from Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq
• (2022/Aug 16; 2023/Aug 13) 21-day "Unlocking the Northwest Passage" from Kangerlussuaq to Nome Alaska
• "Jewels of the Russian Far East" (May 27, 2023/14-day) from Nome to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, (Jul 25, 2023/13-day) from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Nome
• 13-day "Fire & Ocean: Russia's Kamchatka & The Kurils" (Jun 9, 2023) from Petropavlosk to Otaru, (Jul 13, 2023) from Otaru to Petropavlosk
• (2023/Aug 6) 26-day "Cross the Legendary Northeast Passage" from Nome AK to Tromso

Arctic Europe-Baltic-Mediterranean

• (2022/Apr 27; 2023/Apr 13, May 29, Sep 21, Oct 1) 11-day "Incredible Iberian Discovery" itinerary between Barcelona and Lisbon
• (2022/May 7; 2023/Apr 23, May 21) 9-day "Riviera Delights" between Barcelona and Civitavecchia-Rome
• (2022/May 15) 9-day "Iconic Treasures of Italy & Greece" from Civitavecchia to Piraeus-Athens
• (2022/May 23) 9-day "Aegean Discovery" roundtrip Piraeus
• (2022/May 31) 9-day "Mediterranean Odyssey: Greece to Malta" from Piraeus to Valetta
• (2022/Jun 8) 11-day "Authentic Andalucia" from Valetta to Lisbon
• (2022/Jun 18; 2023/Jun 8) 12-day "Western Europe Discovery" from Lisbon to Bergen
• (2022/Jun 30; 2023/Jun 19) 14-day "Across the Arctic Circle" from Bergen to Longyearbyen/Spitsbergen
• (2022/Jul 12; 2023/Jul 1) 12-day "Arctic in Depth" roundtrip Longyearbyen
• (2022/Sep 11) 11-day "Culture & Coastlines: A Classic European Explorer" from Copenhagen to Lisbon
• (2023/Jul 25) 9-day "Iceland in Depth" roundtrip Reykjavik
• (2023/Aug 31) 12-day "Majestic Norwegian Fjords" from Tromso to Copenhagen
• 11-day "Sorrentine Peninsula & Adriatic" from Civitavecchia to Venice (2023/May 1) and from Venice to Civitavecchia (2023/May 11)

Alaska-North and South America (2023)

• Alaska "Adventures through the Inside Passage" itinerary from Nome to Vancouver (15-day in 2022/Sep 5, and 16-day in 2023/Sep 3) and from Vancouver to Nome (2023/May 12)
• 10-day "Iconic West Coast Experience" from Vancouver to San Diego (19 Sep 2022/Sep 19; 2023/Sep 18) and frm San Diego to Vancouver (May 3)
• (2022/Sep 18) 14-day "Baja and Costa Rica Discovery" from San Diego to Puerto Caldera-Puntarenas
• (2022/Oct 11) 12-day "Andean Coastal Exploration" from Puerto Caldera to Callao-Lima
• 9-day "Latin America Delights" from Callao to Valparaiso (22 Oct 2022/Oct 22, and 2023/Nov 3) and from Valparaiso to Callao (Mar 19)
• 13-day "Chilean Fjords & Cape Horn" from Valparaiso to Ushuaia (30 Oct 2022, and 2023/Nov 11) and from Ushuaia to Valparaiso (Mar 7)
• (Mar 27) 9-day "Peru to Panama: Along the Andean Coast" from Callao to Panama City/Fuerte Amador (Mar 27) and from Panama City to Callao (Oct 26)
• (Apr 4) 13-day "Central American Discovery" from Panama City to Loreto (Apr 4) and from Loreto to Panama City (Oct 14)
• (Apr 16) 9-day "Sea of Cortez in Depth" roundtrip Loreto
• 10-day "Majestic Coastlines of Baja California" from Loreto to San Diego (Apr 24) and from San Diego to Loreto (Sep 27)
• (Oct 6) 9-day "Into the Wild Sea of Cortez' roundtrip Loreto
• (Oct 27) 9-day "Uruguay & Brazil Uncovered" from Rio de Janeiro to Montevideo

Asia-Japan (2023)

Scenic Eclipse's Japan 2023 program was expanded to 5x voyages, on each of which were scheduled lectures and land tour activities led by a Discovery Team (max 15x members/scientists, historians, archaeologists, ornithologists) and themed on the Japanese history, traditions, culture, culinary, wildlife, etc. Next are listed the new itineraries.

• (Jun 5) 5-day "Cultural Wonders of Japan" (roundtrip from Otaru/Sapporo)
• (Jun 11) 12-day "Iconic Japan: Sacred Cultures and Nature" from Seoul/Busan (South Korea) to Otaru/Sapporo, prices started from GBP 10460 pp.
• (Jun 13) 18-day "Japan and the Aleutian Islands" from Otaru/Sapporo to Nome (Alaska)
• (Jun 19) 15-day "Japan: A Journey Through Time" from Otaru/Sapporo to Kobe/Osaka, prices started from GBP 12430 pp
• (Jun 30) 15-day "Natural Wonders of Japan" from Kobe/Osaka to Otaru/Sapporo visiting Russia's Korsakov and Rishiri Island (Kurils) - prices started from GBP 11600 pp

Transatlantic-Repositioning

• 17-day "Grand Voyage of Discovery" itinerary from Rio de Janeiro to Lisbon (2022/Mar 28) and from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro (2023/Oct 11)

With season 2023-2024 season were introduced Antarctic fly-cruises between Punta Arenas and King George Island (South Shetlands).

• The 9- and 10-day itineraries skip the ~2-day crossing thru Drake Passage via a 2-hour charter flight.
• The 9-day fly-cruise (Punta Arenas to King George Island) was priced from USD 17417 pp with double occupancy.
• The reverse 10-day fly-cruise (King George Island to Punta Arenas) was priced from USD 17617 pp.
• Each itinerary included an overnight in Punta Arenas.

Scenic Eclipse - user reviews and comments

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Other Scenic Yacht Cruises cruise ships

• Scenic Eclipse 2

Scenic Eclipse Wiki

The Malta- flagged luxury superyacht Scenic Eclipse (IMO number 9797371, MMSI 248526000) was built with the latest technological advancements in order to ensure the highest safety standards. It has custom-built stabilizers (50% bigger than other vessels) and an ice-strengthened hull. The vessel's state-of-the-art fins (propulsion units) are able to adjust themselves, enabling the ship to handle the strongest water currents and to remain stable.

Unlike other ships that use traditional anchors, the cruise ship is fitted with a dynamic positioning system. It uses GPS data to accurately maintain its position, which is an eco-friendly way to control the vessel. Other environmentally sustainable systems are advanced / more efficient marine engines and water treatment system.

On November 22, 2016, started vessel's construction with the steel-cutting ceremony held at Uljanik Shipyard JSC ( Pula Croatia ), Ship's integrated navigation and automation system was provided by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Maritime. This modern technology combines the following systems - Navigation, Dynamic Positioning, Automation, Emergency Shutdown, Power Management, Safety Management, and Control. The system is integrated with online diagnostics and remote service facilities.

On April 28, 2017, at Uljanik Shipyard was held vessel's keel-laying / coin ceremony. The special event was attended by Glen Moroney (Scenic Tours' founder and chairman). He placed an Australian coin beneath the ship's keel - a right of passage for every newbuild , to bring good fortune to its passengers and crew.

On January 31, 2018, was the ship's launch (float-out ceremony) at Uljanik Shipyard. The delivery was scheduled for August 31, 2018, but due to the shipyard's financial issues was rescheduled for April 13, 2019. Sea trials were successfully completed on June 13, 2019.

Both Scenic Cruises yachts are built in Croatia - Eclipse 1 in Pula (Uljanik shipyard), Eclipse 2 in Rijeka (3 Maj Shipyard), The following YouTube video is a timelapse of the Scenic yachts construction process.

The ship's Captain is James Griffiths - British, former Captain of the superyacht Wind Star ( Windstar ) and National Geographic Explorer ( NatGeo-Lindblad Expeditions ). He has also served on 10 other ships (as Captain on 4 of them) and also worked for Cunard Line for 11 years - as Chief Officer of RMS Queen Mary 2 .

In late-July 2019 was announced that the ship's godmother will be Helen Mirren (Dame Helen Lydia Mirren) - 1945-born English actress who won British Academy Film Award for Best Actress (1984, 1985, 2006, 2012), British Academy TV Award for Best Actress (1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2003), Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress (1983, 2001, 2004, 2013) and Tony Award for Best Actress (1995, 2002, 2005), among others.

Vessel's official christening ceremony was held on September 10, 2019, in Port NYC (New York USA) .

Since August 19, 2020, the vessel's crew managing company is Viking Crew (part of the Dover UK -based Viking Maritime Group Ltd). Viking Crew is responsible for the Scenic Eclipse 1 yacht's crew recruitment, management, deployment and placement, including the officers and staff-crew from the onboard Engine, Hotel and Deck departments. Viking Crew was also contracted for the crew management of the superyachts Scenic Eclipse 2 (2022) and Emerald Azzurra (2021).

Solar Eclipse Cruise 2021

For December 2021, Scenic planned a unique itinerary for the luxurious yacht Eclipse providing customers with the opportunity to view the total solar eclipse in Antarctica's archipelago South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands on December 4, 2021. The one-in-a-life-time total solar eclipse is only able to be viewed within a 50-mile land radius during an eclipse event.

The 20-day " Antarctica , South Georgia and Falkland Islands with Solar Eclipse" itinerary (November 21 through December 10, 2021, Argentina roundtrip from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia ) had planned numerous onboard events and enrichment activities led by the ship's Discovery Team of 14 experts plus two former NASA scientists (the Arizona State University's astrologers Karen Knierman and Patrick Young) and Rachel Frances Gordon (astrological consultant and speaker).

Scenic Eclipse's Super Earlybird bookings received up to 20% discounts. Prices started from ~USD 1000 per day per passenger (with double occupancy). Follows the itinerary's schedule by day.

• Day 1 (Buenos Aires hotel overnight)
• Day 2 (domestic flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia) boarding the cruise ship on November 23
• Day 3 (at sea)
• Days 4-5 (Falkland Islands)
• Day 6 (at sea)
• Days 7-8-9-10-11 (South Georgia Island)
• Day 12 (at sea)
• Days 13-14-15-16-17 (Antarctic Peninsula)
• Days 18-19 (at sea)
• Day 20 (Ushuaia) debarkation, domestic flight to Buenos Aires

As optional was offered a 6-night/7-day "Land Tour" package extension (Dec 10 through 17)

• Day 20 (flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires, hotel overnight)
• Day 21 (flight from Buenos Aires to Foz do Iguazu/Cataratas Airport, Brazil) to access Iguazu Falls
• Days 22-23-24 (Iguazu Falls), optional helicopter tour
• Day 24 (flight from Iguazu to Rio de Janeiro )
• Days 25-26 (Rio de Janeiro)
• Day 27 (transfer from the hotel to Rio de Janeiro Airport)

Antarctica 2020-2022 Itineraries

In December 2019, Scenic Cruises announced Eclipse ship's inaugural cruise to Antarctica by launching the program "Antarctica and The Americas 2020-2022" and introducing new escorted land tours (each with max capacity 20 tourists).

Next are listed program's Antarctica itineraries, with prices per person (Verandah Suite double-occupancy cabin rates).

• 8-day (March 5, 2020, themed "Taste of Argentina and Brazil") with fares from GBP 14,930 pp
• 9-day (November 8, 2020, themed "Patagonian Adventure") with fares from GBP 16,565 pp
• 7-day (October 4, 2020, themed "Costa Rica Nature and Wildlife") with fares from GBP 9,905 pp
• 11-day (October 9, 2020, themed "Highlights of Peru") with fares from GBP 10,905 pp
• 18-22-day (January 30, 2021, themed "Highlights of Peru with Galapagos and Amazon Cruising") with fares from GBP 23,245 pp
• 16-day (February 15, 2022, Antarctica) with fares from GBP 10,780 pp
• 11-day (February 18, 2022, themed "Highlights of Peru") with fares from GBP 14,640 pp

Early bookings received as complimentary upgrades and bonuses:

• Free Fight (business-class) - select itineraries
• Free Door-to-Door car transfers (all itineraries)
• 10% Earlybird Discount
• GBP 500 Early Payment Discount (bookings payed in full by December 31, 2019).

Inaugural itineraries 2018-2019

The following tables show ship's inaugural cruise itineraries by destination, with indicative prices per person (lowest category cabin rates in USD). Unfortunately, megayacht's planned delivery dates (August 2018, January 2019, April 2019) were re-scheduled (the last time - for August 15, 2019). All bookings received full refunds. Rebooked deals received 25% future booking discount (based on rebooked cruise cost).

(2018) 13-day Inaugural Transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to Miami (prices from USD 7340 pp)

(2018) 13-day Inaugural Caribbean cruise to Cuba roundtrip from Miami (prices from USD 11800 pp)

(2018) 13-day Inaugural South American cruise from Valparaiso to Ushuaia (prices from USD 9800 pp)

(2018) 20-day Inaugural Antarctica, cruise to South Georgia and Falkland Islands (prices from USD 24800 pp)

(2019) 14-day, Inaugural Mediterranean cruise from Istanbul to Venice (prices from USD 9850 pp)

(2019) 10-day Inaugural British Isles cruise from Dublin to Bergen (prices from USD 6600 pp)

Next table shows the inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) from Iceland to Canada, with prices from ~USD 8650 pp.

2 days, one-way from Reykjavik to Quebec City Reykjavik$8635

Review: Scenic Eclipse

Reviewed by Janice Wald Henderson

What is the line? Scenic Cruises

Name of ship? Scenic Eclipse

Passenger occupancy? 228 (200 in polar regions)

Itinerary? Halifax, Nova Scotia, to New York

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?

Scenic began in 1986 as Scenic Tours, an Aussie company operating coach tours. In 2005, Scenic entered the European riverboat market and in 2008, introduced its own posh riverboats—the first to sail on European waterways with outside balconies. With Scenic Eclipse ’s debut in 2019 as a “discovery yacht,” the brand drew a larger American audience to its river and ocean vessels. Passengers on board Scenic ships tend to be 55-plus, sophisticated travelers who want the best food, wine, accommodations, and service. The brand's devotees are eager to check out the slightly tweaked Scenic Eclipse II , which debuted in August 2023.

Tell us about the ship in general:

In 2019, the expedition cruise world was abuzz over the 228-passenger, all-suite Scenic Eclipse launch. This ultra-luxe polar ice-class ship resembles a yacht, yet still possesses all the right adventure toys, like helicopters, a submarine, Zodiacs, and kayaks. Oversized stabilizers assist with smoother sails and anchorless positioning keeps seafloors safe.

The vibes on board the Scenic Eclipse are sexier than other expedition ships: Think soft lighting, edgy furnishings, and many cozy corners for snuggling while sipping custom mixology cocktails. Modern art and eye-catching sculptures dot decks, adding extra panache. An almost one-to-one passenger-crew ratio delivers near-instantaneous service. So many amenities—like in-suite dining, alcohol, shore excursions, gratuities, ship transfers, and butler service—are included in cruise fares. Tom Göetter, the savvy corporate executive chef, oversees 10 complimentary dining options. I sailed with this top toque and his modern global cooking blew me away. (No wonder; turns out he was a Top Chef finalist in Germany, and appeared on the 20th anniversary Top Chef: World All-Stars .)

Who is onboard?

The group depends upon the itinerary. On more adventurous polar sails, well-heeled 30-, 40-, and 50-somethings prevail, eager to check off their bucket-lists. Tamer cultural itineraries may draw a 55-plus crowd. Count on interacting with more couples than groups of friends, a mix of well-traveled Americans, Europeans, and Aussies, gleefully pursuing the good life at sea.

Describe the cabins:

Scenic Eclipse offers 114 suites across five decks. I stayed in a deluxe verandah suite, which runs between 344 to 366 square feet. The king bed was comfortable and the pillow menu is a pampering touch. The décor, with clean modern lines and neutral hues, felt fresh. Shoutout to Scenic co-owner Karen Maroney for including Dyson hairdryers with numerous attachments, including a diffuser—a must for curly-haired cruisers like me. Ambient lighting provided modes for every mood.

The sofa and pouf by the marble table delivered enough chill space. My butler did all the right butler things, like bringing morning coffee (although I could use my Illy machine) and restocking my complimentary minibar with vodka.

Another suite plus was the unusual quietness; I didn’t hear any neighboring noise as can often happen on ships, even luxury ones. I spent much time on my balcony—so idyllic for soaking up views or ogling the sunset over flutes of bubbly.

The ship's Grand Deluxe Suites, the next highest level, deliver more space—up to 430 square feet. Spa Suites dramatically increase the luxury: the living rooms are larger and the double-size Philippe Starck bath design includes vitality mist showers with color-light therapy, and glass partitions that switch between clear and opaque. Plus, passengers receive a complimentary one-hour spa treatment and priority shore excursion selections, among various perks. Panorama and Grand Panorama Suites overlook the bow and are huge—between 1,130 and 1,184 square feet—and include such posh appointments as spacious terraces with sun loungers and priority for, well, everything. Owner’s Penthouse Suites run more than 2,000 square feet; count the spa day bed that transforms into a treatment table for a private experience, and a spa pool, among other amenities.

Tell us about the crew:

A one-to-one passenger-crew ratio ensures service excels. Butlers attend to all passengers, fetching cocktails, making dinner reservations, and handling just about every request, whether for onboard or ashore. I found my dark-suited (no tux) white-gloved butler appropriately formal. Overall, the crew—particularly servers—are relaxed and friendly, embracing a private yacht demeanor more than the stiffer one seen on traditional cruise or expedition ships. Kudos to the shore excursion staff, who dealt with changing weather conditions and the ability to board the submarine with aplomb.

What food and drink options are available on board?

Scenic Eclipse offers 10 complimentary dining choices, including 24-hour in-suite service. I was impressed with the modernness of the sophisticated cuisine and the quality ingredients.

I ate my way through most restaurants and determined Sushi@Koko’s as a favorite. Here, you hop on a bar stool or sit at a countertop overlooking the ocean and tuck into the freshest fish—sashimi like yellowtail, and sushi such as ebi (sweet shrimp). The adjacent Koko’s masters Asian fusion; don’t miss the Thai pumpkin coconut soup with grated ginger and lemongrass. The sunken seating and the chance to share multiple dishes with friends made for great fun and good eats.

Reservations are needed for Night Market@Koko’s, where just eight guests sit at a teppanyaki grill while a chef prepares night market-influenced plates with Asian, Indian, or Middle Eastern flavors. Sadly, this tiny eatery opened after I sailed. I can’t wait to try it.

Applause, also, to the Yacht Club, for casual breakfasts and lunches big on flavor and healthy ingredients. Since I’ve been onboard, the indoor pool was (rightfully) removed from the area, creating more lounging space, both inside and out. I often wandered into the all-day Azure Bar & Café for a macaron or barista-made espresso. Lumière, a contemporary and sophisticated French restaurant, also won my heart (and stomach). The onion soup with double oxtail wagyu beef consommé, and grilled duck breast with leg confit, are standouts.

How lovely to sit at a bar where someone pours 1 er (Michel Forge Brut NV) and Grand Cru Champagne (Autréau Blanc de Blancs NV). These are smaller house bubbly, rather than luxe ship’s usual big-house offerings. Servers also present luscious nibbles like fried oysters and caviar.

Main dining room Elements completely satisfied. Servers clad in black vests and black ties act attentive yet not intrusive, and the menu meanders between Italian dishes and American favorites like steak and seafood.

I’d be remiss to not dive deeper into the complimentary alcohol. The buzzy Whiskey Bar, with more than 130 bottles including 12-year-old Yamazaki and 14-year-old Balvenie, is a well-deserved passenger hangout. I already mentioned the of-the-moment Champagne bar. Restaurant wine lists also emphasize smaller vintners, with detailed bottle descriptions.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

Senses Spa is humungous: 5,920 square feet for indulging in treatments and staying fit in a fully equipped gym and yoga and Pilates studio. Expect indoor and outdoor vitality pools, Jacuzzis, women’s and men’s saunas, steam rooms and relaxation lounges, thermal loungers and experience showers, among wellness amenities. Note Japanese shiatsu and Ayurvedic massages among less typical therapies. I didn’t have a treatment but I did take a Tibetan Bowl sound healing session. I entered the room skeptical and emerged hooked. Lying on a mat and listening to the tones felt relaxing and invigorating all at once.

How about the activities and entertainment?

As Scenic Eclipse is an expedition ship, most activities revolve around outings off the vessel, via kayaks, paddleboards, E-bikes, water skis, Zodiacs, helicopters, and submarine. Onboard, passengers can soak in an outdoor Jacuzzi. The up to 20-member expedition team often give talks, and I did take in a lecture or two; the speakers were engaging.

Local entertainment may perform in the spacious theater, though I didn’t catch any shows. I did take an impressive cooking class in Scenic Epicure. While classes are not hands-on, you can learn more about the chef, carefully watch him work, and learn some clever hacks.

How was the experience for families?

Children 12 and up are welcome onboard. I didn’t see any on my sailing, but I imagine at this luxury level, they’re well-traveled and well-behaved. I’ve been told that while the ship doesn’t offer kids special activities, the crew showers them with special attention.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?

My voyage sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to New York. Unfortunately, stormy weather ruled out water sports and the submarine. However, I went on fun land excursions, such as a Halifax walking tour that was spellbinding. Our charismatic local guide was incredibly well-versed in Halifax fact and lore—he even shared ghost stories that gave me goosebumps.

In Newport, Rhode Island, a guide led us through jaw-droppingly beautiful, insanely lavish Gilded Age mansions. We also visited Boston, where I explored solo as I know the city well. Such sails are typical East Coast fall foliage cruises, although most begin in Montreal or Quebec City and traverse between Canada and New York. You can score this itinerary on many ships, ranging from mass-market to boutique ultra-luxe lines.

Are there any stand out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise?

Good to know that the ship provides 100% fresh air throughout the ship, including suites. With anchorless positioning, the seafloor is undisturbed. Newer emission technology and low-sulphur fuel are used.

Anything we missed?

The ship offers complimentary exclusive private dinners, dubbed Chef’s Table@Elements, by invitation only. I’m not sure how you score an invite (I’m guessing it’s for occupants of the priciest suites and other such VIPs), but I did manage to dine here with nine other guests once. The an 11-course degustation tasting is held in a private dining room off of Elements, where each dish is paired with wine. The head chef introduces each course, and as you dine, you see white-toque chefs slicing, dicing, searing, and plating through a glass window.

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking.

I’d pretty much sail anywhere on Scenic Eclipse, even if the itinerary leaned more cultural than expedition. The ship is so stylish and the service and cuisine is superb.

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Inside the ‘Scenic Eclipse,’ the World’s Most Luxurious Expedition Megayacht

Referred to as a “discovery yacht,” the cutting-edge boat features its own helicopters, a fleet of zodiac boats, a submarine and a near-endless list of high-end amenities.

Senior Staff Writer

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There’s no reason why scientific discovery and luxury have to be mutually exclusive. That’s the thinking of Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours , whose just-launched expedition cruise ship, Scenic Eclipse , attempts to wed the two in one massive, 551-foot megayacht .

After years of delays, the 228-passenger ship finally launched last month and was christened by Dame Helen Mirren in New York on Tuesday. Referred to by Scenic as a “discovery yacht,” the cutting-edge boat features its own helicopters, a fleet of Zodiac boats, a submarine and a near-endless list of high-end amenities, all of which help it set a new high-end standard for expedition-style travel. It will travel to 68 ports around the world, spending half the year in Antarctica and the Arctic , the two main expedition cruise destinations.

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“In terms of innovation, technology and design, [ Scenic Eclipse ] is second to none,” the company’s chairman and founder Glen Moroney said last month. “The onboard helicopters and submarine and our handcrafted itineraries that take our guests to 38 countries in some of the world’s most stunning and remote locations.”

And it would appear that no expense was spared to take ocean exploration to the next level. For instance, the boat boasts 114 cabins, each of which is a sizable suite—including a living room, veranda and a butler service. The $10,000-per-night, two-bedroom Owner’s Penthouse Suite reportedly measures a staggering 2,659 square feet. Spa suites, meanwhile, include a double-sized Philippe Starck-designed jacuzzi, steam shower and light therapy.

The luxury doesn’t stop inside the rooms, either. The Scenic Eclipse features 10 different restaurants—with cuisines ranging from French to Japanese—overseen by executive chef Tom Goetter. There are also eight bars, one of which serves over 100 top-shelf varieties of whiskey. If you’re an aspiring chef yourself, the yacht boasts a cooking classroom, where guests can learn how to make the delicious dishes they’ve eaten. A built-in theater offers films and lectures. There’s also plenty of beauty and health amenities, like the 5,920-square-foot Senses Spa, which includes Scandanavian-style pools, a gym and a Pilates studio, as well as a hair salon.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours’ Scenic Luxury expedition cruise ship  Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

In addition to the onboard amenities, the yacht will also actively help you explore the areas away from it. The Scenic Eclipse   includes two six-passenger helicopters, a first for an expedition cruise ship, and a fleet of Zodiac boats for adventuring. There’s also a six-passenger submarine, the Scenic Neptune , that can reach depths of 1,000 feet. And because this is an expedition cruise ship, it was built to withstand the elements. It holds the preeminent ice-class rating for a passenger vessel, Polar Class 6, which means passengers have nothing to worry about during voyages in Antarctica and the Arctic.

With all these luxury and technology features, it’s easy to see why a trip on the Scenic Eclipse doesn’t come cheap. Fares start at at $6,395 per person based on a double occupancy, though polar expeditions can cost much more. But that fare does come with a lot, including air travel, pre-departure hotel, all meals and drinks. Helicopter and submarine rides, of course, are extra.

Check out more photos of the Scenic Eclipse  below:

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Bryan Hood is a digital staff writer at Robb Report. Before joining the magazine, he worked for the New York Post, Artinfo and New York magazine, where he covered everything from celebrity gossip to…

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TPG's first look at expedition cruise ship Scenic Eclipse: What I loved and what needs work

Editor's Note

Scenic Eclipse, the James Bond of ships, is elegant yet formidable.

The ship is the first expedition-focused vessel from Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, a cruise line known for its upscale river cruises and land-based trips.

Until recently, expedition ships were spartan, offering only bare-bones amenities and less-than-swanky accommodations. However, Scenic is among a number of lines bringing luxury to the adventure cruising scene. I expected the line would get the upscale touches right, and indeed, Eclipse is over-the-top elegant without trying too hard. However, does the ship blend style and function?

The answer: Yes. Seamlessly.

I've just disembarked my first-ever expedition cruise, an 11-day voyage to the Arctic, and I'm in love. Not just with the stunning scenery and cute animals, but with this ship which, like the polar bears we watched from its observation decks, commands respect because it's built to survive the terrain and is fully capable of doing so.

Scenic Eclipse is small in size, holding only 200 passengers. It's able to visit remote places that many other cruise ships can't. In that, it feels exclusive.

However, its welcoming interior belies a reinforced hull that can break through first-year ice with ease. I soaked in the magic of the region in absolute comfort while surrounded by landscapes many early explorers found to be deadly. The disparity was thrilling.

Nearly three years after it first set sail — and more than two years after its initial voyages were cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic — the ship quietly arrived in the Arctic for the first time, bringing with it improvements from initial rounds of passenger feedback. Here are my impressions of the first in Scenic's line of luxury expedition vessels.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

What I loved

Form and function.

Scenic Eclipse resembles a large yacht rather than a standard cruise ship — and its aura of sophistication and exclusivity made me feel like royalty. A powerhouse in the luxury space, Scenic knows a thing or two about pampering its passengers, so I wasn't surprised that the line nailed that part.

What fascinated me more was how well the ship was built to handle the wilderness of polar cruising and how successfully practical spaces were incorporated into its gorgeous design. In other words, the vessel isn't merely pretty; it's functional. The juxtaposition doesn't go unnoticed.

Underneath the ship's sleek exterior are a slew of amenities. They include a central lounge and bar serving 130 different whiskies (all of them free), a theater with cushy leather lounge chairs instead of standard seating, a high-end spa, a specially designed kitchen space for cooking classes and even a submarine and pair of helicopters for passengers who want to take their excursions to the next level.

Mudrooms are standard on expedition ships. However, I was surprised by how Scenic Eclipse made this mundane room feel fancy with its leather seating, simple-but-polished design and orderly cubbies for storing Muck boots, which are provided to passengers for use during sailings.

It also doubles as well-organized storage for kayaking suits, booties, gloves and life jackets, which are doled out by the kayaking leaders before each excursion.

Everything — mudroom, laundry room, boot cleaners and water sports equipment storage on the lowest decks — is laid out to maximize efficiency and keep the grime away from other areas of the ship, allowing intrepid exploration to harmoniously coexist with the leisurely way of life on board.

Even the superstructure is designed to allow for upscale functionality, with the vessel's aft exterior walls able to fold in to allow room for the helicopters to take off and land. (Note: Scenic Eclipse is not allowed to use the helicopters in the Arctic.) It's also outfitted with stabilizers, so efficient we barely felt any movement during the voyage.

In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, the ship runs on cleaner-burning fuel. It also employs some fancy technology, such as a dynamic positioning system (instead of anchors, which can harm the ocean floor and wildlife living in the off-the-beaten-path places where it sails) that uses GPS coordinates and thrusters to keep the ship in one spot when it stops.

Public spaces

My favorite space on the ship was the Scenic Lounge, where passengers can sprawl out in alcoves in what feels like a cozy living room flanked by the guest services desk and the aforementioned whiskey bar. It made me want to curl up on a couch and read in my pajamas, but I resisted the urge.

With furnishings crafted from sustainable materials, the lounge is the central location for daily trivia hosted by the entertainment staff, as well as the meeting point for daily excursions, which are organized by color groups.

The observation lounge, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and comfortable sitting areas, was my second-favorite onboard area. It was almost always underused, which meant I could find a quiet place to work, read (it's also the ship's library) or grab a cup of coffee while staring out at the scenery.

Sadly, the self-serve coffee machine was often empty, and when it worked, the drinks tasted watered down. The full wall of gourmet Kusmi teas made up for it, though.

My only gripe (and it's been echoed by passengers before me): The sightlines here are truncated by the vessel's bow, so it doesn't offer the uninterrupted views you'd expect from an observation lounge.

One of the other complaints passengers reported when Scenic Eclipse debuted was an ill-placed indoor pool found smack in the center of the ship's buffet. The line took note and removed the buffet pool, replacing it with an open seating area. (The move did leave the ship without a main pool, though passengers can take a dip in either of the two tiny plunge pools in the spa.)

Seeing what the venue looks like now, I can't imagine how cramped, humid and loud it must have been trying to eat with fellow passengers splashing away in the same enclosed space. Now, the area has much more seating and offers one of the most aesthetically pleasing buffet experiences I've ever had at sea, along with superb food.

Expedition guides and entertainment leaders

Normally I shout out the crew on ships where service is stellar. On Scenic Eclipse, my butler, room steward and the guest services team were phenomenal, as one might expect on a cruise vessel of this caliber. However, here I want to focus on two groups of staff who truly set this cruise apart: the entertainment leaders and the expedition guides.

Cruise director Amy and her assistant, Pablo, led daily trivia, often with fun twists like musical clues that they sang themselves.

On a ship so tiny, there were trivia regulars, including the people in my group and me. On days when we missed the quizzes because they conflicted with excursions, they found time to read us the questions later in the day and provided additional brain teasers like word scrambles and rebus puzzles.

Additionally, the ship's expedition guides, who were friendly and exceedingly knowledgeable about all things flora, fauna, rocks and ice, were quick to answer questions and share their vast wealth of facts. Everyone I encountered was accommodating and insightful.

They led us on daily Zodiac sailings, kayaking excursions and hikes, where they pointed out wildlife and remnants from previous visitors to the areas where we landed. They discussed flowers and the differences between local birds. They talked about why female polar bears are the ones to wear collars and how long they stay with their young. They also gave daily enrichment presentations, where they shared information about the history of Svalbard and quirky tidbits like how many McDonald's Big Macs an adult human would have to consume for enough energy to trek through the Arctic.

They were allowed to be more social with passengers than on more mainstream vessels, which created an extra layer of personalization. If invited, they were permitted to join us for dinner, which they did on several occasions. It was during mealtimes that we learned more about how they started their careers and what continues to draw them back on board.

What might not be immediately apparent is that Scenic Eclipse offers an outsized number of dining options for a ship of this class. Each venue is small, but the menus are practically perfect in terms of selection. They're also delightfully fancy — but no egos get in the way of special requests or substitutions.

As a somewhat picky eater, I'm not a fan of certain types of meat and was worried I'd be hard-pressed to enjoy some of the restaurants on the ship. It turns out my fears were completely unfounded, and the culinary staff couldn't have been more gracious in accommodating my likes and dislikes.

At the reservation-only venues — including French restaurant Lumiere, Koko's Sushi and Night Market teppanyaki, as well as the chef's table (by invitation) — I was able to either find something I liked on the menu or request a vegetarian substitute. At Lumiere, I opted for a fabulous plant-based steak, and before dining at the chef's table, a quick call to the front desk meant my candied foie gras was replaced by an exquisite candied date instead.

A vegetarian travel companion commented that she was impressed with the selection for people who don't eat meat at all, grateful that it extended beyond merely steamed vegetables and French fries.

My favorite food items from this trip were a Mediterranean tuna taco and falafel with beetroot and yogurt from the Night Market, which featured a new cuisine each night; a beef stick made to look like a cigar at the Chef's Table; and chicken tikka masala from the Yacht Club buffet.

Other standouts included Swedish pancakes with lingonberries from the room service breakfast menu; cookies, a hamburger, fruit pavlovas and Margherita pizza from the Azure Cafe; and truffle fries and daily risotto creations in Elements, the Italian restaurant.

Oh, and whatever you do, don't miss the out-of-this-world grape cotton candy from Koko's, which houses two Asian dining options, including a sushi venue that has all of its fish flown in from Japan.

For travelers who like to cook their own meals, there's also a special kitchen where passengers can sign up to cook with the chef.

As for drinks, remember to ask your expedition guide if you can grab a chunk of ice from a nearby glacier to take back on board after a Zodiac tour. The bar staff will rinse it and break it up for use in your favorite cocktails. (You can hear it snap, crackle and pop as it melts in your glass and releases air bubbles trapped inside.)

In line with the rest of the ship, the cabins on Scenic Eclipse are ritzy but somewhat dark. Most of the time, that wasn't a problem for me, as it created a feeling of calm.

Everything is high-end, from the beds that adjust with remote controls and Illy coffee machines to the rainfall showerheads and Dyson hair dryers. (Finally, a ship hair dryer that actually worked — perhaps a little too forcefully, given how thoroughly it knotted my hair.)

All cabins are suites, offering far more space than what you'll find on most other ships — especially expedition vessels — and they're gloriously soundproof. I could barely hear any noise from the hall, and I couldn't hear any at all from above, below or next door.

I'm not a big drinker, but with just about all onboard beverages included, it was nice to see a minifridge stocked with soda, beer and other libations. There was also a decanter set that could've been filled with my favorite liquors, had I asked for them. Carafes of water, replenished as they ran low, rounded out the choices.

My butler — yes, every cabin has one — also got into the habit of bringing me daily treats like bowls of potato chips or plates of cheese.

Other cabin flourishes include a surplus of outlets and USB ports for charging, as well as bathrobes, umbrellas and binoculars for use during the sailing.

I had a large balcony, which was lovely, but I only used it a handful of times during my cold-weather cruise. It provided a terrific vantage point for photos on most days, and it allowed me to take some wonderful videos when we found ourselves in the middle of an ice field.

The balcony has an electronic blackout shade that lifts and lowers with the push of a button. It's immensely useful in polar regions, where you'll get 24 hours of light at times of the year.

Most standard bathrooms are shower-only, and the ship provides its own brand of Espa toiletries: two-in-one hair and body wash, conditioner and lotion. I appreciated the nightlight at the base of the sink, too. (I never did figure out how to turn it off, though.)

What still needs work

While we're on the subject of cabins, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out some elements that don't work as well.

The first is the bathroom sink. The entirety of the top is a slope down which the water flows to a trough at the bottom. There is absolutely no counter space, which is particularly frustrating for anyone trying to do their hair or put on makeup, or for men who like to shave by filling up the sink basin.

Oddly, the cube-shaped pewter handle on the shower makes it difficult to open said door, as it provides no grip and hurts if you hold it a certain way. To get in the shower, I had to grab the top of the door and pull to get it open.

And then there is the television. Its placement in front of the couch isn't ideal because it catches a glare from the overhead lights and the balcony (especially when the midnight sun shines during summer in the Arctic). It's also cleverly hidden inside of a floor-to-ceiling glass mirror, which means it can't be angled to allow for in-bed viewing. The ship's first passengers complained bitterly about this, but the line has yet to correct the problem.

Shoreside operations

I can't overstate how amazing the staff was on my cruise. They were friendly, knowledgeable and anticipated our every need. Shoreside operations still need quite a bit of work, though. The most critical issue Scenic needs to address right now is its off-ship logistics and communications.

For example, all fares for Scenic's expedition voyages include a pre-cruise hotel stay. The accommodations arranged by the line were fine for me. However, passengers expecting luxury (and with fares starting at $13,000 per person for a 10-day sailing, who wouldn't?) were disappointed.

Check-in took a very long time, the rooms were fairly basic (at least I got one that wasn't already occupied, unlike some travelers) and the embarkation-day breakfast was a brown bag with an apple and yogurt.

Again, just about everything involving the onboard experience was top-notch, so the irritation among passengers quieted until the disembarkation briefing, which was held on the second-to-last night of the cruise.

A future-cruise consultant who was running the presentation told everyone the charter flight from Svalbard back to Olso, originally scheduled to depart around midday, had been changed to 7 p.m.

Passengers demanded to know why they weren't informed sooner, given that many of them had dinner reservations in Oslo that evening or, worse, connecting flights home that they would miss due to the new later departure time.

Scenic knew about the change just a couple of days into the voyage (the public relations team that organized the press trip I was on told me as soon as they found out), so it was unclear why other passengers weren't immediately informed. Also, the fact that the line scheduled two tours in Svalbard to help cruisers pass the time until the later flight only seemed to anger them more.

"I don't want to spend six hours at some stupid museum that only takes me an hour to see," said one woman.

Several people from the U.S. and U.K. then raised their hands to complain that they emailed customer service with various questions prior to sailing but received no response.

Another said he got two confirmation emails for a helicopter booking, despite the fact that the ship's helicopters are not allowed to be used in the Arctic. (That was also not clearly communicated to passengers before embarkation, leading to much disappointment.)

As more passengers weighed in, a trend became clear: The onboard team has its act together; shoreside operations does not.

On the last day, the shipboard staff rallied to allow us to stay on board until it was time to leave for the airport, stretching their resources thin as they prepared breakfast and lunch for us and turned over all the cabins for the next group of cruisers embarking later that day.

However, the folks handling land-based logistics dropped the ball again when a member of our travel party, who requested wheelchair assistance in advance, had no chair and no attendant waiting for him when we landed in Oslo.

A few days after arriving home, my fellow passengers and I received an email from the line's founder and executive chairman, Glen Moroney, offering an apology for the scattered nature of the pre- and post-cruise experiences and explaining why certain aspects of the trip had gone awry.

He blamed a recent hacking incident, which necessitated a full website rebuild, delaying communications between the line and passengers.

To solve the issues, the letter said the line has beefed up its cybersecurity, and is currently working to hire and train additional reservations staff. It wasn't done quickly enough to stave off problems on my sailing, but, hopefully, logistics and communication will improve going forward.

What's next

Overall, Scenic Eclipse is a luxurious vessel run by helpful and knowledgeable staff who go above and beyond to make sure passengers have the best time possible. The line has listened to its passengers and made onboard improvements to areas like the buffet, but there are still some quirks to be worked out, particularly in the way of shoreside logistics.

Looking ahead, Scenic's next expedition ship will be Scenic Eclipse II, a sister vessel to Scenic Eclipse. Although the general layout will be similar, and the ship will still have two helicopters, the line plans to make tweaks to the ship's design. They include the addition of an outdoor pool and an upgraded submarine with an expanded capacity of eight passengers, plus a driver. Scenic Eclipse will also replace its submarine with a newer model.

In terms of new activities, one of the expedition guides let it slip that the cruise line is considering offering added-fee heliskiing. The expedition ships would use their helicopters to take cruisers to the top of a mountain and allow them to ski back down. There has been no official word yet on when this might be available and whether passengers would need to bring their own gear.

Scenic Eclipse II floated out at a shipyard in Croatia in July and is due to make its debut in April of 2023. After Scenic Eclipse II, the line has ordered three additional ships.

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Scenic Eclipse Ultra Luxury Yacht

Scenic Eclipse is a six-star, ultra-luxury mega yacht that is being developed by Australian river cruise operator Scenic.

Vessel Type

Ultra-luxury yacht

Port of Registry

Malta, Europe

Uljanik Group

January 2016

Maiden Voyage

August 2019

September 2019

Scenic Eclipse is a six-star, ultra-luxury mega yacht owned by Australian river cruise operator Scenic. It is the first ocean cruise ship for the company, which specialises in luxury river cruises.

The yacht is designed for an Ice Class 1A Super rating that enables it to navigate through Arctic and Antarctic waters in the summer. It also has the Polar Class 6 rating, the highest passenger ship ice-class rating, to navigate in challenging seas safely.

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Scenic announced the launch of the vessel in January 2016 and awarded the construction contract to the Uljanik Group based in Croatia. The vessel’s delivery was, however, delayed due to financial challenges faced by the Uljanik Group. In February 2019, DIV Group and Fincantieri came to the rescue of Uljanik Group by purchasing an interest in the company and, subsequently, led the construction of Scenic Eclipse.

The yacht was finally delivered in  August 2019, followed by a christening ceremony in September 2019. The shipbuilding contract also includes an option for a second ship to be delivered in 2020.

Scenic Eclipse ship embarked on her maiden voyage from Reykjavík to Quebec in August 2019, followed by discovery voyages to the Americas, Antarctica, Europe and the Mediterranean, as well as the Arctic and Norwegian Fjords.

Scenic Eclipse yacht design

“The vessel’s design incorporates state-of-the-art engineering and external design inspired by the sleek contours of a mega yacht.”

Designed by Finnish ship designing and engineering company Foreship, Scenic Eclipse is the world’s safest and most technologically advanced discovery yacht.

The vessel’s design incorporates state-of-the-art engineering and external design inspired by the sleek contours of a mega yacht. It has a total length of168m, moulded breadth of 21.5m and draught of 5.3m. Its gross tonnage is 17,085t and cruising speed is 17kts.

Scenic Eclipse ship deck plan

The luxury yacht features eight decks, deck three to deck ten. The first deck houses mud rooms for easy zodiac entry, tender entrance and a self-service guest laundry.

Deck four comprises of a welcome lobby and reception, main lounge, lobby bar, Pan Asian restaurant, Italian and steak restaurant, boutique, theatre, excursion centre and a library.

The fifth deck features a contemporary fine dining restaurant, ocean café and lounge, observation lounge and bar, and an open viewing deck at bow and guest suites.

Deck six houses a spa sanctuary, shallow plunge pools and guest suites. The seventh deck features indoor / outdoor Al fresco restaurant, indoor / outdoor pool, a beauty salon, gym, yoga and pilates studio, outdoor terrace and guest suites.

Deck eight is equipped with a helipad and hangars, as well as guest suites. The ninth deck has a helicopter hangar, spa and penthouse suites, while deck ten features a sun terrace.

Scenic Eclipse suites and accommodation

The yacht carries 228 guests (restricted to 200 in Polar regions) in 114 all-veranda suites. It carries a crew of 172 for normal regions and 182 for Polar regions.

None of the veranda suites are smaller than 32m² with the biggest suite having an area of 233m², which is bigger than a tennis court.

Available suites include 66 verandah suites, 28 deluxe verandah suites, 14 spa suites, grand panorama and owner’s penthouse suites.

Veranda suites are 32m² in size and offer a private veranda, separate bedroom and living area with floor-to-ceiling windows. It features a pillow menu, mini-bar, deluxe furnishing, HDTV and climate control.

At 38m², deluxe veranda suites are larger than veranda suites and feature larger bedroom and living areas.

Spa suites, located on decks eight and nine, are 48m² in size and have living and bedroom areas with luxury amenities. They feature spa baths and offer space to relax and views from the veranda.

Grand panorama suites are located on decks six and eight at the front of the yacht. At 56m², the suites offer curved verandas on deck six, and a veranda with 43m² terrace on deck eight.

Owner’s penthouse suites are located in a prime position on the ninth deck at the bow of the yacht. Featuring a 125m² area, the suites offer luxury facilities available in both suites and master suites, and also feature a 60m² terrace.

Combining the owner’s penthouse suite with a spa suite will create a two-bedroom penthouse suite with an area of 233m², which offers the best of all facilities.

The  interior  design for the suites, inspired by leading luxury hotels, was provided by Karen Moroney.

Dining options on the six-star yacht

The yacht offers six onboard dining options, from casual to fine dining, at Elements, Yacht Club, Koko’s, Lumière, Azure Bar & Café, Epicure

Options include a contemporary French fine dining restaurant with a capacity for 44 people, Pan Asian restaurant with 100 seats, an Italian and steak restaurant with the same capacity, an al fresco indoor/outdoor restaurant for 125 people, and an Ocean café and lounge with a capacity of 40.Food is prepared using locally sourced produce and includes regional cuisines drawn from the regions the yacht cruises through.

The yacht features a Whisky Bar at the main lounge displaying the ship’s 110 varieties of whisky.

Entertainment and relaxation on Scenic Eclipse cruise ship

The luxury yacht features a 5,000ft² spa that offers an extensive menu of luxury treatments, indoor and outdoor jacuzzis and plunge pools. Other relaxation areas include an indoor heated pool, which features a retractable roof, plunge pool, gym and a separate yoga and pilates studio.

Sun deck jacuzzis offer guests another area to relax, as well as spacious bars and lounges.

Guests can be entertained in the 240-seat theatre that offers programmes and lectures by an onboard discovery team. The team, which includes dedicated Antarctic and Arctic experts in their fields, keep guests updated with a range of subjects and interests.

Excursions offered by Scenic Eclipse

The yacht offers in-air, underwater, and shore excursions to guests. It features two six-seater, twin-engine helicopters, one seven-seater submarine and 12 zodiacs and kayaks onboard.

Excursions will take guests to inaccessible places by flying low over the dramatic crags of the Scottish Isles, the volcanic wonders of Italy or the coral cays of the Caribbean.

The submarine is custom-built for optimal sightseeing to rarely visited places such as the underwater ruins in Greece and Turkey, as well as kaleidoscopic coral reefs in the Caribbean.

Through scuba diving, guests can experience a variety of underwater wildlife and colourful coral reefs.

Guests can also enjoy shore excursions on zodiacs and kayaks in the Arctic and Mediterranean seas. A unique mudroom enables guests to embark and disembark for their excursions quickly and easily.

Technology used

Scenic Eclipse is built with the latest technological advancements  to ensure the highest safety. It features custom-built stabilisers that are 50% larger than other ships and an ice-strengthened hull.

State-of-the-art fins that can adjust themselves enable the ship to handle the strongest water movements and to remain stable, even at zero speeds.

Unlike other vessels that use traditional anchors, Scenic Eclipse is fitted with a dynamic positioning system that uses GPS to accurately maintain the vessel’s position, which is also an eco-friendly way to control the ship.

The vessel also features other environmentally sustainable systems, including advanced water treatment systems and efficient low-impact engines.

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'Flightseeing': Get a helicopter tour right from your cruise

S KJOLJUNGEN FJORD, Greenland – Zodiac rides, kayaks, paddleboards and e-bikes have long been part of the activities on expedition cruise ships.

But passengers on high-end ships are now asking for more expensive toys to play with – namely onboard submarines and helicopters.

Seabourn, Viking and Scenic are three cruise lines that recently added submarines to some of their expedition ships. The latter also has onboard helicopters complete with helipads on its two “ultra-luxury yachts” – Scenic Eclipse I and Eclipse II.

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Watching the scenery in a remote polar region slowly glide by from a ship’s deck can be captivating. Experiencing it at speeds exceeding 100 mph from the skies above is downright exhilarating.   

Indeed, a 30-minute “flightseeing” helicopter ride over a glacier and remote ice sheet in eastern Greenland was one of the highlights of my recent 12-day Arctic cruise on the Scenic Eclipse II, a 220-passenger ship that made its inaugural voyage in April. 

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Here's what it costs to take a helicopter ride on a cruise

The Eclipse II’s sister ship, Scenic Eclipse I, debuted in 2019. It has a sub and two helicopters. The Eclipse II also has two helicopters – a sub will be brought on board in October, in time for its Antarctica sailings that begin in early December. The oceangoing ships are two of the newest additions to the Australia-based cruise line’s fleet, which also includes 15 riverboats.

Scenic bills itself as offering its passengers “all-inclusive luxury.” Sightseeing tours, all specialty restaurants, drinks, gratuities and airport transfers are included in the fare, which can exceed $1,000 per person per day, depending on the itinerary and choice of cabin. 

Submarine and helicopter rides are optional add-ons that cost more. A lot more.    

A half-hour helicopter ride costs $795 per person. Sub rides cost $350-$795, depending on the region and if it’s a 20- or 40-minute dive. 

Despite the hefty price tag, Jason Flesher, Scenic’s director of Discovery Operations, says the helicopters and subs have proven to be “extremely popular” with passengers.

“We have many guests fly and dive multiple times during their voyage,” he says, adding that the excursions “give our guests the full perspective of their surroundings.” 

Over half of the ship’s 140 passengers signed up for helicopter rides on my sailing. Our pilot, Pascal Fischer, told me that on Antarctic sailings, the percentage of passengers taking helicopter rides usually hovers around 80%.

“You can go 20 miles from the ship, and the world looks totally different, especially in places we go like the Arctic and Antarctica,” says Fischer. “You may even see places that no human ever saw before because we are in such remote areas.”

Exploring Greenland by cruise ship and helicopter

Greenland, the world’s largest island, is a semiautonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. It’s three times the size of Texas, yet its population is only 56,000, making it the least densely populated territory in the world.   

You can’t get much more remote than eastern Greenland, where few cruise ships go, and there are only a handful of tiny fishing settlements. We saw no other signs of human civilization during our four days exploring that region.  However, we did see plenty of blue and humpback whales, seals and other marine life. 

On the gloriously sunny 50-degree day of my helicopter ride, the Eclipse II was anchored in the Skjoljungen Fjord in southeastern Greenland. I walked up to the ship’s helipad at the stern on Deck 8 – one floor above where I had eaten breakfast that morning in the Yacht Club restaurant – for a 10-minute safety briefing.  

Three fellow passengers and I were fitted with lifejackets and given noise-canceling headphones so we could hear Fischer’s descriptions of what we would be seeing during the flight. We were then escorted to one of the Eclipse II’s two $3.5 million Airbus H130 helicopters. Each helicopter can carry a maximum of six passengers and a pilot. I was in the middle seat but still enjoyed unobstructed views of the remote landscape.

We flew over the magnificent Thrym Glacier and then banked west between jagged peaks for a look at Greenland’s pristine ice sheet, which covers about 80 percent of the territory. With the noise-canceling headphones, the 40-mile trip was surprisingly tranquil and smooth. Never have 30 minutes passed by so quickly. 

As we landed back on the ship’s helipad, I wondered why the Eclipse II needs two helicopters instead of just one.  Fischer explained it’s primarily for safety reasons.

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“It could be you get a warning light that tells you you have to land now. And then you land. So we have a second helicopter that can pick up the passengers and bring them back to the ship,” says Fischer, who has been flying helicopters for 25 years, including seven years as an air ambulance pilot in Arizona. 

Additionally, the second helicopter helps ensure that every passenger who wants to fly has the opportunity. On a busy day – when the weather conditions are ideal for flying – Fischer says the two choppers can carry up to 96 people.  

“Normally, we are able to fly everyone who wants to go, unless we have a cruise that lasts 10 days, and we just have 10 days of bad weather,” says Fischer. “It’s not often that we aren’t able to fly everyone who wants to fly.”

As helicopters are so new on ships, the cruise lines are still figuring out how best to integrate them with on-land activities. For instance, Scenic recently started offering excursions that take passengers on helicopter rides to go skiing, hiking, fishing, or – in Mediterranean ports – play a round of golf. 

A helicopter excursion in Antarctica takes passengers to see 5,000 breeding pairs of emperor penguins on Snow Hill Island – a spot only accessible by helicopter. 

Some cruises also offer submarine rides

Scenic’s two submarines, named Neptune I and Neptune II, carry six to eight passengers plus a pilot. The U-Boat Worx sub on the Eclipse I is capable of submerging 984 feet, although it typically dives only about one-third of that depth for safety reasons and a better viewing experience. 

The Eclipse II will have a Triton sub, capable of submerging 600 feet. The cruise line says the battery-powered subs don’t emit hazardous substances and pose no danger to aquatic life.

Fittingly, the Eclipse II was christened in June by Kathy Sullivan, a geologist and oceanographer who was the first American woman to complete a spacewalk for NASA. She’s also traveled to the deepest depths of the ocean, earning her the title “World’s Most Vertical Person.”

We started the cruise in Reykjavik, Iceland, the world’s northernmost capital city, before sailing across the Denmark Strait to the southeastern coast of Greenland.  

Four days were spent exploring the region’s many fjords, glaciers and icebergs up close on eight-passenger Zodiacs driven by members of the ship’s 17-person expedition team, consisting of naturalists, botanists, marine biologists and a historian. The Eclipse II then transited the Prince Christian Sound in southern Greenland before cruising along the territory’s west coast. There, we visited Nuuk, Greenland’s largest town (population 20,000). 

All told, we covered 2,600 miles during the voyage.

It’s not easy to get to Greenland as there are no direct flights to/from North America. To get home at the end of the cruise, we took a four-hour Air Greenland flight from Kangerlussuaq Airport to Copenhagen for an overnight hotel stay before flying home to the U.S. the following day.

Needless to say, while the jets that took us home flew much higher and faster, they couldn’t come close to matching the thrill and excitement of a helicopter ride over one of the most remote places on the planet.  

Cruising Greenland and Iceland

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours:   www.scenicusa.com .

Visit Greenland: www.visitgreenland.com .

Dan Fellner of Scottsdale is a freelance travel writer. Contact him at  [email protected]  or visit his website at  DanFellner.com .   

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Flightseeing': Get a helicopter tour right from your cruise

THE 10 BEST Moscow Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in moscow.

• Boat Rentals
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• Water Sports
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• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• Kayaking & Canoeing
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• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Speed Boats Tours
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• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
• District Central (TsAO)
• Garden Ring
• District Northern (SAO)
• Good for Big Groups
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• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Flotilla Radisson Royal

2. Moscow River Boat Tours

3. Sup-Club

4. Akvanavt Diving Centre

5. Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium

6. CheapRussia Tours

7. Kite School Kiteclass

8. SUP Center

9. Erwin. Reka

11. Easy Russia Tour Guide

12. Lovely Russia Tours

13. Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre

14. Alfa Centr

15. Diving Club Divers

16. Sup Outdoor

17. MORE MOSCOW

19. Soho Sailing Style

20. Mosparokhodstvo

21. Dive-Project

22. Diving Center Crocodile

24. Kosinskiy Children Marine Club

25. Kayak Moscow

26. DIVECLUB CHE

27. FLOW Moscow

28. Moswake

29. Morskiye Volki

30. S-cruises

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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