Mega Yacht Marvel SCENIC ECLIPSE II

| BY FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER

Irecently disembarked from my Scenic Eclipse II cruise, but the experience already feels like an indulgent dream. Sorrento, Lipari, Taormina, Otranto, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Rovinj, and Hvar—all are Scenic Eclipse II port destinations within its Sorrento Peninsula/Adriatic Sea itinerary, and each location continues to figure prominently in my thoughts as I return to my routine of writing, dog walks, and garden and home maintenance. I’m certain that I might never have experienced these romantic destinations if not for this sleek and stylish ocean-going vessel, the first iteration of which launched in 2019 as the “World’s First Discovery Yacht.”

Scenic Eclipse II hangs its captain’s hat on its Antarctic discovery itineraries, where guests paddleboard and kayak amongst marine wildlife, led by a knowledgeable adventure crew, all of whom possess extensive environmental knowledge. The yacht’s state-of-theart dynamic positioning technology allows for lithe navigation and incredible stability, meaning the vessel can ‘park’ amongst ice flows with minimal ecological impact. This journey to the world’s most remote region is a “must,” I’m told by Scenic’s professional photographer Nacho Gutierrez Arribere, who has made the expedition time and again, capturing stunning images of polar bears, penguins, and breaching whales.

I’m sure it’s captivating, but more my style is the relaxed pace of the Mediterranean journey; though make no mistake, plenty of adventure is to be had, such as for those opting for a helicopter ride over Sicily’s ever-active Mt. Etna. The yacht features an Airbus H130, navigated by an experienced pilot who soars over picturesque port stops. Soon to be added is a submarine for undersea exploration. Daily excursions include options tagged moderate or active, such as guided walking tours, kayaking, or strenuous hikes. Particularly memorable was my 1500-step, 300-meter climb up the old city walls of UNESCO Heritage site Kotor, Montenegro, an under-the-radar region with rich history featuring the Mediterranean’s only

“fjord.” Equally enchanting was our guided tour atop Dubrovnik’s medieval city walls. Known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic” and also World Heritage-listed, the city has remained relatively unchanged since medieval times, making it a favored setting for Game of Thrones filming. Our tour guide entertained us with stories of her experiences as an “extra” in several of the show’s pivotal scenes, including the “Walk of Shame” where she played a shouting peasant.

Daily activity is rewarded with gourmet dinners within the yacht’s multitude of dining venues, three of which are drop-in and three others that require reservations—something knowledgeable cruisers well know. I quickly learned that an embarkation must is a visit to the ship’s maître d’hotel who books all restaurant reservations, doing his best to ensure all 228 passengers can enjoy every dining venue, such as the French-inspired Lumiere, where guests are greeted with a glass of fine Champagne and a caviar amuse bouche. Sushi @ Koko’s is another hot ticket. Here, the freshest sashimi and nigiri are accompanied by a selection of sakes and fine wines. And the eight-seat Night Market is a guest favorite, where the charismatic Chef Strawberry curates and prepares three different menus of varying cuisines: Indian, Mediterranean, and Asian, throughout the 10-day cruise. Even in the “come one, come all” Elements and Koko’s restaurants, the menus frequently change, providing new options daily.

One of Scenic Eclipse II’s most significant enticements is the Whisky Bar. This backlit, floor-to-ceiling central gathering spot features top-shelf spirits and a selection of up to 160 of the world’s best whiskies. Each bottle is gorgeously displayed and is available for tasting—a benefit of Scenic Eclipse II’s “all inclusive” format. 30-year-old Jura The Loch, 25-year-old Glendullan, and 2013/2014

‘Whisky of the Year’ Kavalan Taiwanese single malt are all for the taking. Guests can freely enjoy high-end selections from Australia, Japan, France, India, South Africa, Sweden, and the US, including Johnnie Walker Blue,

Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel, Crown Royal Deluxe, Oban, Glenfiddich, Highland Park 18, and so many more. The collection varies from port to port, depending on the whims of Scenic founder Glen Moroney, a whiskey enthusiast and collector, and Scenic bar manager Milos Brasnovic whose ready radar for special edition and hard-to-find bottles proves beneficial to whisky aficionados.

Scenic Eclipse II also boasts a fitness room, a yoga studio, and an Espa Spa featuring an infra-red and traditional sauna, steam, and a salt room. Treatments include what I heard several guests claim to be the best massage they’d ever experienced. I opted for hair care, befriending the spa’s hair stylist Alexandur, who twice ably tamed my frizzy, ocean-humid locks, saving me from “Monica in the Bahamas” hair shame.

Add to all of this a crew that nearly matches the number of guests; their presence of which creates a warm and hospitable environment during the ten days. Each becomes a familiar, friendly face, and each does their best to ensure memorable moments, such as the offering of an original “Stromboli” cocktail on the top deck as the yacht slowly glides past the lava-erupting volcano for which the vodka potion is named. The talented cruise director and co-director (one of whom is an Andrew Lloyd Webber protégé) keep guests entertained nightly with music and dance within the circular Scenic Eclipse II theater. And the navigation crew welcomes passengers into the yacht’s inner workings to witness state-of-the-art satellite technology.

Finally, one of the greatest aspects of a more intimate cruise such as this is the friendships made. It’s easy to bond over a four-mile hike along the shores of Otranto or while kayaking Hvar’s Pakleni Islands archipelago. Email addresses and phone numbers are exchanged in the hope that we might meet again on another marvelous Scenic Eclipse II itinerary. 