Yachts & Voyages · Antarctica · Arctic · Worldwide
Scenic Eclipse
Adventure, without roughing it · Scenic Eclipse I & II
Scenic calls these Discovery Yachts rather than expedition ships, and the distinction is fair. Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II are Polar Class 6 hulls of 17,545 gross tonnes and 168 metres, carrying up to 228 guests in 114 suites, and 200 when they sail Antarctica, with a crew ratio Scenic puts at close to one to one. Each yacht carries two Airbus H130-T2 helicopters and a custom submersible, Scenic Neptune I and II, seating up to eight guests alongside a pilot.
The fare is where the line separates itself. Scenic includes butler service in every suite, up to ten culinary experiences with no surcharges, premium beverages, a choice of shore excursions, Scenic Enrich events, access to the Senses Spa facilities, all gratuities, Wi-Fi and airport transfers. At this level of the market that list is the product as much as the hull is.
One thing to be clear about, because the photography obscures it: the helicopters and the submersible are at additional cost. Scenic says so in its own fine print, and adds that neither operates in every region, with regulatory approval, weight and medical limits, weather and ice all governing whether a flight or a dive happens at all. Choose the voyage for the ship and the itinerary, and treat the aviation and the sub as an upside.
That makes Scenic Eclipse the answer for a specific traveller: someone who wants real polar capability, an ice-classed hull, a Discovery Team, Zodiacs and kayaks, without the converted-research-vessel austerity that usually comes with it. The hotel brands now at sea are doing something else, in warmer water and on shorter runs. When Antarctica or Greenland is the reason for the trip rather than the backdrop, this is a much shorter list.
The ships
Scenic Eclipse
2019 · Up to 228 guests, 200 in Antarctica
The original Discovery Yacht, sailing since 2019, with enhancements Scenic dates to 2021 and 2024. 114 suites, 168 metres, 17,545 gross tonnes, Polar Class 6. Carries two helicopters and the Scenic Neptune submersible.
Scenic Eclipse II
2023 · Up to 228 guests, 200 in Antarctica
Sister to the first yacht and built to the same published specification: 114 suites, 168 metres, 17,545 gross tonnes, Polar Class 6, two helicopters and a submersible. Sailing now. Choose between the two hulls on itinerary rather than on ship, because Scenic publishes no material difference between them.
Scenic Ikon
Announced for April 2028 · 270 guests
ANNOUNCED, NOT SAILING. Scenic's third and largest Discovery Yacht, which the line says will launch in April 2028 with 135 suites, 15 dining venues and eight bars and lounges. She carries no guests today and cannot be booked as an alternative to the two Eclipse yachts for a near-term trip.
The suites
Verandah Suites & Deluxe Verandah Suites
The entry categories, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors onto a private verandah or terrace. Butler service applies across every suite on board.
Grand Deluxe Verandah Suites
Scenic's step up in space, described by the line as generously sized, with a king bed, a pillow menu and a walk-in wardrobe. The usual sweet spot for a couple who want more room without moving into the top tiers.
Spa Suites
Built around a spa bath in the suite. Worth the money on a landing-heavy polar itinerary, where you come back cold several times a day.
Panorama Suites & Grand Panorama Suites
Forward-facing, with a curved terrace over the bow. The category to target for wildlife and for ice, because the view is the one the ship is pointing at.
Owner's Penthouse Suites
The top of the ship, which Scenic says carry the best views on board and a private spa pool on the terrace. Two hulls and very few of these, so they go first on the popular polar departures.
What the fare includes
The question every enquiry opens with. What follows is what the line itself publishes as included — we confirm it against your exact sailing before you commit.
- Butler service for all suites
- Up to 10 culinary experiences on board, with no surcharges
- Premium beverages
- Choice of shore excursions
- Scenic Enrich exclusive events
- The expert Discovery Team
- Access to the Senses Spa facilities, the gym and the yoga and Pilates studio (spa treatments and private sessions are at additional cost)
- All gratuities
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Airport transfers
- Not included, and the one thing people assume is: helicopter flights and submersible dives are at additional cost, in Scenic's own words, and are not available in every region.
On board
Elements
The principal restaurant, with Chef's Table @ Elements alongside it. Part of the up to ten culinary experiences Scenic includes without surcharge.
Lumière Restaurant & Champagne Bar
The fine dining room and its champagne bar. No cover charge, in keeping with Scenic's no-surcharge position on dining.
Koko's Asian Fusion
Asian dining, with a Sushi & Sake Bar @ Koko's attached.
Yacht Club and Azure Bar & Café
The casual end of the ship, for daytime eating and barista coffee between excursions.
Senses Spa
The spa, which Scenic lists among the fare inclusions along with the gym and the yoga and Pilates studio. Scenic states that spa treatments and private sessions are at additional cost. There is also a Vitality Pool on the Sky Deck.
Scenic Lounge Bar and Sky Bar
Two of the bars, the Sky Bar being the one with the weather. Premium beverages are included, so nothing here is signed for.
Where it sails
Polar: Antarctica, the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland and the Chilean Fjords
The reason to choose this line. Scenic sells Antarctica at a reduced 200 guests rather than 228, and publishes named voyages such as Antarctica in Depth and Ross Sea & East Antarctica rather than a fixed season window, so the calendar is confirmed per departure.
Europe and the Mediterranean
Italy, France, Portugal, Spain and the UK, Scotland and Ireland, in the northern summer. The same yacht in far gentler water, and the itinerary to pick if the ship rather than the ice is the draw.
The Americas
North and South America, the Caribbean and Brazil. Scenic pairs these with the polar seasons at either end of the year as the yachts reposition.
Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific
Japan and Indonesia in Asia, plus Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific islands. Scenic publishes departures per itinerary rather than fixed monthly seasons, so we check live dates before anything is held.
Booking this line
Polar departures are the constraint. Antarctica sails at 200 guests rather than 228, which tightens the best suites early, and we would start an austral-summer booking around eighteen months out; twelve is usually enough elsewhere. We steer most couples to a Panorama Suite for the forward view, and to a Spa Suite when the itinerary is landing-heavy. Helicopter and submersible slots are pre-booked separately and at extra cost. We handle that request, plus flights, pre-cruise nights and the medical forms Antarctica requires.
Questions, answered
What does the Scenic Eclipse fare include?
Scenic lists butler service for all suites, up to 10 culinary experiences with no surcharges, premium beverages, a choice of shore excursions, Scenic Enrich exclusive events, the expert Discovery Team, access to the Senses Spa facilities with the gym and the yoga and Pilates studio (treatments and private sessions are at additional cost), all gratuities, complimentary Wi-Fi and airport transfers. It is one of the more complete inclusion lists at this tier, which is the main reason people choose the line.
Are the helicopter flights and the submersible included?
No, and this is the single most common misunderstanding about these yachts. Scenic states that experiences on board its two helicopters and submersible are at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval, and weather and ice conditions. The line also notes that helicopters and the submersible may not be possible in various regions. Each yacht carries two Airbus H130-T2 helicopters and a submersible, Scenic Neptune I and II, which seats up to eight guests with a pilot.
Is there any difference between Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II?
Not on the published specification. Both carry up to 228 guests, 200 in Antarctica, in 114 suites, both are 168 metres and 17,545 gross tonnes, both are Polar Class 6, and both carry two helicopters and a submersible. Scenic Eclipse launched in 2019, with enhancements the line dates to 2021 and 2024; Scenic Eclipse II launched in 2023. Choose on itinerary and dates rather than on hull.
What about Scenic Ikon?
Scenic Ikon is announced, not sailing. Scenic says she launches in April 2028 with 270 guests, 135 suites, 15 dining venues and eight bars and lounges, which would make her the largest of the Discovery Yachts. For any trip before then, the two Eclipse yachts are the fleet.
Why book Scenic Eclipse through Via Privata?
There is no online booking on this page by design. We check live availability across both yachts, hold the suite category that suits the itinerary rather than the one that happens to be open, pre-book helicopter and submersible slots where the region allows them, and build the flights, pre-cruise nights and transfers around the embarkation port. Polar voyages in particular carry medical and documentation requirements that are easier handled by someone who does them regularly.
Enquire
Sail Scenic Eclipse
Tell us roughly when and which region appeals. We check live availability, secure the suite category worth having, and add the amenities that come with booking through us — at the fare you would pay direct.
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