Scenic Cruises to build second ship with its own helicopter, submarine
Posted!
- 1 of 5
- 2 of 5
- 3 of 5
- 4 of 5
- 5 of 5
Scenic Cruises is planning another super-upscale, expedition-style ocean vessel that comes with its own helicopter and submarine.
The Australian-owned cruise operator on Saturday said the soon-to-debut, 228-passenger Scenic Eclipse would get a sister in 2020 to be called Scenic Eclipse II.
Like Scenic Eclipse, the new vessel will be designed to take well-heeled travelers to the world’s most off-the-beaten-path places in ultimate comfort.
As is the case with Scenic Eclipse, every cabin on Scenic Eclipse II will be a suite with a balcony. The vessel will have nine restaurants, eight lounges and bars, a luxury spa and both indoor and outdoor pools as well a helicopter and submarine — an unusually large number of venues and amenities for an expedition-style ship.
RELATED: USA TODAY’s guide to the hottest new ships on order
But Scenic Eclipse II also will sail with motorized Zodiac boats for landings in off-the-beaten-path locales. Like Scenic Eclipse, it also will have an ice-strengthened hull and the highest ice-class rating (1A Super) that will allow it to explore to most remote parts of the Arctic and Antarctica.
After debuting in 2020, Scenic Eclipse II will sail in the European and Russian Arctic including Russia’s White Sea. It’ll also sail to the rarely visited Northwest Passage and Greenland as well as Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia Island.
Detailed itineraries for the ship will be released in April.
Still relatively unknown in the United States but growing fast, Scenic Cruises currently specializes in upscale river trips in Europe. Scenic Eclipse will be its first ocean vessel. Currently under construction at a shipyard in Croatia, it’s scheduled to debut on Aug. 31.
Scenic is known for a super-all-inclusive product. All meals (including specialty dining), drinks, gratuities, complimentary WiFi and shore excursions are included in the cruise fare.
Scenic is one of several upscale lines moving fast into expedition cruising — a niche of cruising that involves small, hardy vessels designed to explore remote and undeveloped destinations. Other lines that have ordered upscale, expedition-style ships for delivery over the next couple years include Crystal Cruises and Ponant.
USA TODAY Cruises: The luxury of a Scenic river ship
Posted!
- 1 of 56
- 2 of 56
- 3 of 56
- 4 of 56
- 5 of 56
- 6 of 56
- 7 of 56
- 8 of 56
- 9 of 56
- 10 of 56
- 11 of 56
- 12 of 56
- 13 of 56
- 14 of 56
- 15 of 56
- 16 of 56
- 17 of 56
- 18 of 56
- 19 of 56
- 20 of 56
- 21 of 56
- 22 of 56
- 23 of 56
- 24 of 56
- 25 of 56
- 26 of 56
- 27 of 56
- 28 of 56
- 29 of 56
- 30 of 56
- 31 of 56
- 32 of 56
- 33 of 56
- 34 of 56
- 35 of 56
- 36 of 56
- 37 of 56
- 38 of 56
- 39 of 56
- 40 of 56
- 41 of 56
- 42 of 56
- 43 of 56
- 44 of 56
- 45 of 56
- 46 of 56
- 47 of 56
- 48 of 56
- 49 of 56
- 50 of 56
- 51 of 56
- 52 of 56
- 53 of 56
- 54 of 56
- 55 of 56
- 56 of 56
Leave a Reply