Discovery Yacht News

The launch of Scenic Eclipse, which is touted as world's most luxurious cruise ship and  the world’s first “discovery yacht”,  has been pushed back to 15 August 2019.Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours announced last July a five-month delay until January 2019, although that date was later amended to 13 April.The 228-guest Scenic Eclipse will now be a year late as the company announced it would take delivery of the new luxury vessel in August 2019.It is reported the shipyard has faced financial troubles, resulting in workers not having been paid in full since last August, triggering strikes and labour shortages.Scenic said the net result was “months” of lost production.

Kongsberg Maritime technology has been chosen for installation aboard Australian cruise line Scenic Cruises’ new ice class cruise ship. The 228-passenger, 168 meter long Scenic Eclipse features an ice strengthened hull, but with sleek lines, state-of-the art technology and luxury fittings, it takes its design cues from the exclusive world of billionaire’s megayachts. Scenic Eclipse is currently under construction at Uljanik Shipyard in Croatia, with delivery expected during 2018.

Goal-based concept design is key to ensuring new generation exploration ships can enter unforgiving polar seas in comfort and safety, according to Foreship, the cruise industry’s most widely-consulted design and engineering company. The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters is expected to enter into force on January 1, 2017, initially covering ships built after that date. From January 2018, it will apply to all ships bound for latitudes 60° or higher. “Few cruise ships have been strengthened for ice, even these have often been strengthened to the lowest possible ice class. The Polar Code means owners must adopt a more exacting approach, even at the concept stage,” says Markus Aarnio, Chairman of Foreship.

Scenic has announced the launch of the world’s First Discovery Yacht, the Scenic Eclipse. The new ship will embark on its maiden voyage August 31, 2018, sailing from Istanbul to Venice, followed by discovery voyages to the Americas, Antarctica, Europe and the Mediterranean, and the Arctic and Norwegian Fjords. Scenic Eclipse will be a six-star all-inclusive mega yacht. The Scenic Eclipse will carry 228 guests in 114 all-veranda suites, ranging from the 344 square foot Verandah Suite to the 2,500 square foot, two-bedroom Owner’s Penthouse Suite. The Scenic Eclipse will have two helicopters for excursions as well as a seven-seat submarine. A fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks will be onboard along with scuba diving and snorkeling equipment.