Scenic Eclipse II was recently cruising in local waters when luxury travel advisors Robyn and Murray Sinfield of Tasmania’s Home Travel Company embarked on an expedition cruise. Read their impressions in this exclusive review for Karryon Luxury.
In our own backyard, Scenic Eclipse II offers a great getaway without long and costly flights. We’re setting off on the 12-Day Australia’s Top End itinerary.
A warm 32 degrees in Darwin greets us as the seamless and timely embarkation at Fort Hill Wharf takes place, allowing us to enter the tranquillity of this new lady of the sea.
With capacity for just 228 guests, ideal for those who like small ships, Scenic Eclipse II, like her sister ship Scenic Eclipse I, is in a class all of her own.
Sleek but luxurious, our voyage has just 160 guests aboard making it feel even more personalised. There are 200 crew to care for us on this super yacht.
Our lead in suite is generous in size and has been carefully designed to consider all of our needs: a comfy king size bed, a fabulous balcony which is our window on the world, and being carefully looked after by our Butler offering 24/7 room service.
Did I mention we chose this little 12-night getaway because of the Scenic Lounge Bar? Yes, anyone who knows us knows we LOVE a whiskey and on board they have 130 to choose from. This lounge is the heart and soul of the ship and also has a reception area for any queries.
We’ve been telling people where to go for 40 years, Scenic have been taking them for 38 years. The owners, the Moroneys, really have made something special with these Eclipse ships – they are simply beautiful.
Scenic Eclipse I and II and indeed their Mediterranean Yachts under sister brand Emerald Cruises are a wonderful addition to small ship cruising globally. They are perfectly sized for the lover of small intimate ships.
Scenic Eclipse I and II feature state-of-the-art technology for all weather conditions, including a strengthened hull, forward bow thrusters, and an electronic azipod propulsion system. The overall experience is one that stands aside from any of the other luxury cruise experiences (Silversea, Seabourn, Explora Journey, Crystal or Regent Seven Seas).
Our voyage
As we sailed out of Darwin Harbour we enjoyed the generous space on the observation deck terrace, watching the sunset on the first day of our 12-day journey.
Before we sailed, we accustomed ourselves to deck 8 and the storage of the two helicopters onboard – the modern Airbus helicopters that would whisk us away one day during our trip. We had our heli safety briefing in the lounge in great anticipation, subject to weather. The 30-min heli ride is USD$750 per person.
Had we wanted to go under the sea, we would have also sat in on the briefing for the one Titan submersible, which would be lovely on the Great Barrier Reef, but not for us. The submersible beast is worth USD$6.5m (the helicopters are each worth USD$2.4m) and has capability to plunge to 200 metres below sea level, seating a max of eight guests, plus the pilot – but they only ever seat seven to ensure maximum guest comfort. The experience runs for 30 minutes and costs USD$575 per person.
Our itinerary is a mixture of islands we’ve heard of and those we haven’t: Wessell Islands, Cumberland Strait cruising, Yirrkala, English Company Islands, Thursday Island, Cape York, Sandy Cay Creech Reef, Lizard Island, Willis Island, Port Douglas and Cairns.
Life onboard and activities
The caring team onboard have delivered a very professional service with passion and youth. Our Captain, affectionately known as Captain E, (Erwan le Rouzic) leads Scenic Eclipse II; and our Hotel Manager Richard Godwin from the UK makes sure that all housekeeping meets our expectations, delivered by our butler in a relaxed way.
Each day our suite is tidied in a timely, no fuss fashion with attention to detail. I don’t know about you, but there are very few ships we’ve cruised on in our over 900-night career that provide a kettle. That ability to make your own cuppa at any time of day with fresh milk in the fridge daily… it’s those special touches that count.
The Senses Spa team work in partnership with ESPA but we were way too busy to pamper ourselves! But you can find them on deck 6 which is also the access point for the vitality pools also.
But we really didn’t come to be pampered onboard but to discover, and the Discovery Team is second to none. Our first night we met them all: biologists, historians, ornithologists, geologists, heli pilots, and more. Each is highly capable and able to take us ashore or on sea in the 12 zodiacs, with plenty of wet landings and time to snorkel, swim, kayak or other activities when the crocs aren’t the locals.
The daily program, Wonder, lists the days’ activities including trivia, which like all ships starts out so friendly and soon becomes a blood sport! The Scenic theatre is comfortable with recline and swivel chairs, and where the main entertainment is staged from lectures, to evening shows.
The Scenic Lounge, also on deck 4, is alive with music and other performances. A great way for the photographers onboard to brag is to partake in the Scenic Eclipse II Photo Competition. I have to say, some of the guests’ photography is simply stunning, but I reckon they might be using more than our Apple I-phone cameras!
Dining and entertainment
The journey is fully inclusive so that means unlimited beverages and a choice of more than 130 whiskeys. Our mini bar is replenished each day. It also includes all tipping and Wi-Fi powered by Star Link.
There’s limited but daily entertainment – after a long day it’s good to have a choice of being entertained or just have an early night. Some of the impromptu entertainment was great on deck, like a performance by the vocalists on the heli pad on deck 8; or sunset drinks and songs aft on deck 10.
One evening, we wanted an early night so Elements Restaurant with just 104 guests was our place for dinner. It’s the main dining room and serves Italian cuisine, steak/seafood. All venues have a dress code of ‘elegant casual’, except the fine dining French restaurant Lumiere where men must wear a collared shirt.
Another time we dine at Night market. We had to make reservations and it holds just eight diners, serving cuisine from Asia over three themed nights of dining, changing every three nights..
Koko’s Asian Fusion was a great dinner spot seating just 50 guests but reservations are not essential. The menu is Asian Fusion from India, China, Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia; and the meals are light which we enjoyed. But if you are just too tired after a big day of exploration and discovery, then we recommend in-suite dining on your balcony.
A highlight is one of the reservation options: Sushi and Sake Bar. Guests are allowed one reservation in the space that holds just 18 guests, dining on fresh sashimi and sushi prepared right in front of you.
Other mornings we’ve enjoyed breakfast in Yacht Club Bar and Grill and a wonderful array of choice for lunch, with a variety of salads and hot dishes. It seats 140 and has indoor/outdoor areas and sometimes a themed dinner option.
The Pinnacle of the dining venues is Lumiere dining and Champagne Bar, by reservation. The cuisine is French and there’s a set menu for just 30 guests who enjoy a seven-course degustation.
In our time at sea, we’ve seen many galley buffets, or farewell buffets for guests – but the Eclipse Extravaganza certainly tops them all. On one night towards the end of the cruise, we gathered in the Yacht Club and had a feast like no other served to us by the officers and crew, along with a traditional Aussie BBQ on the aft deck of the restaurant, and vocals from the Cruise Director. It was a great night.
Discovery team and excursions
Our first day off on the zodiacs was managed well. We were divided into four colour groups and each taking a turn at early or later starts.
We head to Melville Island, the second largest in Australia after our homeland Tasmania. It’s an interesting morning with the locals and viewing their artwork. In the afternoon we venture in the zodiacs through the mangroves, bird watching and looking out for crocs which eluded us.
Onboard they also cater for a fifth colour group: those who need to take their time or who need more help to get into the zodiacs. Embarking and disembarking the zodiacs comes also with a weather choice from the marina platform aft of ship; or the tender platform on the side of the vessel, making it easier, depending on the seas.
Each night at 18:30hrs we receive a briefing of what we saw and experienced that day, as well as what to expect the following day. It was very informative – they might make a scientist out of us yet!
We experienced wonderful times ashore. It’s an expedition cruise so it’s essential to have the gear; reef shoes for water landings; plenty of sun proof clothing and hats; and clothes that you don’t mind if they get dirty or muddy.
A waterproof backpack is ideal to take ashore and to hold on to in the zodiac as nothing can impede your life jacket in case it’s needed. Depending on the time of the year, a waterproof spray jacket and plenty of great insect repellant spray is advisable, otherwise you get eaten alive.
Sometimes on expeditions, your clothes spoil a little more than normal. It could be just sliding on the canvas on the zodiac where others have trod; or a red footed booby bird decides you should be the one to poop on. There is self-service laundry on deck 3 and the more costly laundry service option.
Good to know
Scenic Eclipse offers a modern approach to cruising, be it when they embark on a classic cruise or expedition cruise. With connectivity via the excellent StarLink Wi-Fi, it suits the leisure market and those young enough to still work and mix business with leisure, therefore lowering the average age on board.
It would also present an ideal opportunity for inter-generational families: grandparents and the grandkids to get away and turn off and be with nature. We saw two families on board with mid teen children. Speaking to the two girls from one family, they said it was far better than the science room in their high school and how they had learned so much.
The currency onboard is US dollars, but unless you buy something in the shop, send out laundry, book a heli or sub – you should have a hotel folio with zero cost.
For more information, visit scenic.com.au