Scenic, the company’s ultra-luxury brand, is in the middle of building its second Scenic Eclipse, while its sister line, Emerald Cruises, is building its second in its series of luxury yachts, having launched its first, Emerald Azzurra, earlier this year.
ZUG, SWITZERLAND – Over its 37-year history Scenic Group has built a reputation of launching industry firsts, always focusing those efforts on positively impacting the guest experience. Whether it is being first on the rivers with walk-out balconies, truly all-inclusive fares, and heated indoor pools which magically turn into cinemas at night, or on the oceans with the launch of the world's first ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse, with its world-class design, state-of-the-art technology, two helicopters and a submarine, Scenic Group continues to lead the luxury small ship cruise industry with new benchmarks in innovation and guest experiences – offering worldwide discovery across all seven continents.
Scenic, the company’s ultra-luxury brand, is in the middle of building its second Scenic Eclipse, while its sister line, Emerald Cruises, is building its second in its series of luxury yachts, having launched its first, Emerald Azzurra, earlier this year. Scenic Group will then look to its next generation of ultra-luxury yachts, currently in the tail end of their design stages, and set to debut in the 2024-2025 time frame – and certainly expected to turn heads, once again.
Scenic Eclipse II is due to launch in the 2nd quarter of 2023, starting with mostly linear routes in Europe and the Mediterranean, before joining her sister Scenic Eclipse, for the Antarctica season, and the introduction of Scenic’s new Fly/Cruise options, where guests can bypass the Drake Passage with flights to King George Island. Always looking for the new, interesting and most unique of ports, the two ultra-luxury Discovery Yachts will take in seven continents in the 2023-2024 season. Highlights include Australia’s Kimberly Coast, the Spice Islands of Indonesia, the Reefs & Volcanic Isles from Tahiti to Fiji, a true exploration of the Scottish Isles, a rare 28-day traverse through the incredibly remote Northeast Passage, multiple possibilities to dig into culture and history of Greenland and its Arctic cousins – Svalbard and Iceland, many of South America’s hidden treasures – on both the east and west coasts, the beauty of the lesser-visited ports of the Italian coast, and the spectacular Autumn colors of New England.
Scenic Eclipse II is built from the same blueprint as her sister, identical in her design, and offers a wealth of world class features, and state-of-the-art technology for unrivalled exploration. Guests joining the new Scenic Eclipse II will enjoy an immersive underwater experience aboard the first-of-its-kind Triton 660/9 AVA submarine, with large ultra-clear acrylic spheres designed for optimum underwater viewing. Enhancements to the fleet include a newly designed ‘Deck 10’ on both yachts, featuring the Panorama Bar that has been stylishly appointed and furnished with cabanas and relaxed outdoor seating with chairs and sun loungers alongside the outdoor pool.
Hosting just 228 guests (200 in polar regions), the Discovery Yachts offer spacious all verandah suites from 345² to nearly 2,600², a 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio, butler service, up to10 dining experiences, an expansive 5,920 ft² luxury spa, yoga and Pilates studio, vitality pools and nine bars and lounges, two state-of-the-art helicopters, a six-guest submarine, and an expert Discovery Team.
Premium line, Emerald Cruises, has stepped up their already successful efforts as they head into their ninth year of sailing. Going beyond their European and Southeast Asia river cruise roots, the line has broken into the luxury yacht market this year with the launch of the 100-guest Emerald Azzurra sailing the warm waters of the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Red Seas along with homeporting from the Middle Eastern capital of Doha, Qatar for the winter. It will be followed by Emerald Sakara in 2023, which will add capacity on key departures in the Mediterranean and Adriatic.
Emerald Azzurra offers a luxurious small ship cruising experience to ports and harbors only accessible to yachts. The custom-built vessel features a variety of public areas including a wellness center, which comes complete with TechnoGym equipment and an infrared sauna—a first for a yacht of its size. The yacht’s marina platform provides guests with easy access to water sports and activities, including the use of SEABOBs and the very latest in electric bikes from Gocycle.
Featuring designer furnishings throughout, the stylish pool deck has proven a popular spot for guests to relax and take in the sweeping views. Outfitted with Paola Lenti day loungers and Kettal lounge chairs in cool tones that complement the infinity-style pool, this space also features a café serving healthy breakfast items like smoothies and a selection of light-as-air flatbreads at lunch. Indoors, the stylishly appointed Observation Lounge includes a Dedon MBrace Wing Chair and footstool, as well as sleek L’Object games such as chess and tic tac toe for guests to enjoy. Of the 50 luxury staterooms and suites, 88 per cent feature private balconies, and each come equipped with Missoni towels and ESPA amenities – the same luxury line found in the onboard Elements Spa.
Europe's rivers will also see the introduction of a new Emerald Cruises Star Ship, with the April 2022 launch of the 180-guest Emerald Luna. From her three-tier atrium to the heated swimming pool that seamlessly transforms into a cinema, Emerald Luna has been meticulously designed to maximize space and guarantee comfort, ensuring that the journey is as memorable as the destination. Designed to dock directly in the heart of cities, towns and villages that line rivers of central Europe, the river ship features spacious suites and staterooms, including the line’s innovative balcony complete with decked area and ingenious open-air system. Emerald Luna will be officially welcomed to the fleet when she christened in Amsterdam on July 21 by godmother Vanessa McGovern, travel industry advocate, educator and co-founder of Gifted Travel Network.
Scenic Group, which includes Emerald Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Mayflower Cruises & Tours and Evergreen Tours, has grown over its 37-year history to include award-winning, river and ocean cruises and handcrafted land journeys that take guests to many of the world’s most fascinating destinations covering all seven continents. Since 2008, Scenic has set the benchmark for truly all-inclusive, five-star river cruises in Europe, Southeast Asia and on Egypt’s Nile on board a private luxury charter. In 2019, Scenic introduced Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yacht, a 228-guest ultra-luxury ship, and plans to deliver a second yacht of the same category, Scenic Eclipse II, in 2023. Emerald Cruises has nine branded Star-Ships offering river sailings in Europe and on the Mekong. In March 2022, Emerald Azzurra was the first yacht to launch under the Emerald Cruises brand – a 100-guest superyacht that will sail the warm waters of the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Red seas, along with homeporting in Doha, Qatar this winter, followed in 2023 by its sister, Emerald Sakara.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
