Scenic Cruises Recent Press Releases
DAME HELEN MIRREN CHRISTENS SCENIC ECLIPSE AGAINST ICONIC NYC SKYLINE
Heralding a new and exceptional era in ocean cruising, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours today celebrated the official christening of Scenic Eclipse – the World’s First Discovery Yacht™ .
Having set sail on her maiden voyage from Reykjavík Iceland, Scenic Eclipse arrived at Pier 88, Manhattan Cruise Terminal, set against the world-famous backdrop of New York City.
Scenic Eclipse Godmother Dame Helen Mirren was joined by her husband, Academy Award-winning director Taylor Hackford and welcomed on board by ship’s co-owners Glen and Karen Moroney.
“It was an honour to welcome Helen and Taylor on board and to share with them our vision and passion which together with the dedication and talent of the Scenic team has created an experience which has set a brand new bench mark in discovery cruising”, said Mr Glen Moroney, Chairman and Founder, Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours.
Ensuring the event ran smoothly, master of ceremonies Claire Newell was on hand to introduce Scenic Eclipse Captain James Griffiths and NYC Ports General Manager Ken Winkler who presented the 1st Visit Plaque to Mr Moroney.
Mr Moroney then delivered a short speech that spoke of the creative drive and determination to deliver such a unique sailing experience and detailed the history of the build from its first moment of conception. Mrs Karen Moroney and her design team comprising Carmen Mikus (Interior Project Design) and Niksa Fiorienni (Architect) were acknowledge as the creative drive behind Scenic Eclipse.
Reflecting the ship’s stylish and exclusive ethos, the official naming ceremony was attended by over 350 global media, agents and VIPS who witnessed Dame Helen Mirren christen the ship dockside by breaking the ceremonial bottle of champagne against the hull and bestowing the traditional blessing of safekeeping over all those that sail in her.
Dame Mirren added: “I was thrilled to be invited to take on the role of Scenic Eclipse godmother, even more so now that I have stepped aboard and seen the level of design detail and technology that have gone into her creation. She is an exceptional cruising experience, and I’m honoured to have christened her. I wish her crew and guests many years of sailing adventures and discovery”.
Designed to deliver the ultimate experience of a lifetime for 228 guests, (200 in Polar regions), Scenic Eclipse takes ocean cruising to a whole new level – marrying luxury and discovery with the ultimate in safety and sustainability, giving guests the opportunity to explore above and beyond what was previously imaginable.
Scenic Eclipse has 114 all-verandah suites ranging in size from 32 m² to 247 m²; 10 dining options from Asian Fusion to French fine dining, Chef’s Table to a poolside buffet; the 550 m² Senses Spa with latest technology-equipped gym and separate yoga and Pilates studio. Two six-guest helicopters and one six-guest submarine Scenic Neptune capable of depths of nearly 200m; a state-of-the-art theatre for entertainment and lectures; indoor and outdoor plunge pools; butler service for all guests; and an almost 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio.
And then there is the technology: innovative zero-speed stabilizer fins, 50% larger than standard to provide greater stability cutting roll by more than 85%; the highest passenger ship ice class rating – Polar Class 6; redundancies in propulsion, navigation, safety systems and food refrigeration; state-of-the-art bridge systems; and a GPS dynamic positioning system allowing for stationary positioning without an anchor, reducing environmental impact and enhancing safety during Zodiac operations.
ABOUT SCENIC
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has grown over its 33-year history to include award-winning, all-inclusive escorted tours that take participants to many of the world’s most fascinating destinations. Since 2008, Scenic has grown to offer truly all-inclusive, five-star river cruises in Europe, SE Asia, Russia and Egypt. On August 15, 2019 launched the World’s First Discovery Yacht™, the 228-guest Scenic Eclipse. Sister brand Emerald Waterways has seven Star-Ships offering European river sailings with an eighth (Emerald Harmony) launching this year for SE Asia’s Mekong River.
Scenic Eclipse Sets Sail on its Inaugural Voyage
Boston & Vancouver, August 2019 – Scenic Eclipse set sail today with it first guests on its inaugural voyage, a 13-day discovery itinerary from Reykjavik to Quebec, before heading to NYC for its Sept 10 christening by Godmother Dame Helen Mirren. And presenting to the world for the very first time are images of its luxurious interiors, showcasing some of the reasons
this vessel sets a new standard in exploration and luxury cruising.
“Today is the fruition of many years of planning and work from a large and dedicated team to create a vessel and an experience which has set a brand new benchmark in ultra-luxury discovery cruising,” offered Glen Moroney, Chairman and Founder, Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours.
“We are extremely proud of this ship and what it brings to the world of cruising. In terms of innovation, technology and design, it is second to none. The onboard helicopters and submarine and our handcrafted itineraries that take our guests to 38 countries in some of the world’s most stunning and remote locations – these are what truly set us apart.”
Karen Moroney, Project Director – Design, led a small and dedicated design team creating and building partnerships with leading brands and artists across the world to create a ship of unrivalled luxury and quality.
“Our team, working with incredible partners such as B&B Italia, Walter Knoll, Tom Dixon and Jonathon Browning, has allowed us to create a look and feel that is the ultimate in guest luxury. In
addition, we have commissioned a number of artworks from renowned international artists which will be a focal point of the interiors.” she said. “This is more than just a cruise ship, this is a total sensory experience, from the entry foyer to the guest suites and the dining areas, the feel is one of calm, luxury and serenity to allow our guests to truly relax and take in the
total voyage experience.”
Designed to deliver the ultimate experience of a lifetime for only 228
guests, only 200 in the Arctic and Antarctica, Scenic Eclipse takes ocean cruising
to a whole new level – marrying luxury and discovery with the ultimate in safety
and sustainability, and giving guests the opportunity to explore above and
beyond what was previously unimaginable. From nature to cultural encounters, historic cities to ancient monuments, Scenic Eclipse is sure to feature a voyage that will excite guests from around the world.
Scenic Eclipse has 114 all-verandah suites range in size from 345 ft2 to 2,659 ft2; 10 dining options – from Asian Fusion to French fine dining to a chef’s table to a poolside buffet; and its 5,920 ft2 Senses
Spa with a well-equipped gym and separate yoga and Pilates studio. Two six- guest helicopters and one six-guest submarine capable of depths of nearly 1,000 feet; a state-of-the-art theatre for entertainment and lectures; indoor and outdoor plunge pools; butler service for all guests; and an almost 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio
ensure a total on board experience.
And then there is the technology: innovative zero-speed stabilizer fins, 50% larger than standard to
provide greater stability by cutting the ship’s roll by more than 85%; the highest passenger ship ice class rating – Polar Class 6; redundancies in propulsion, navigation, safety systems and food refrigeration; state-of-the-art bridge systems; and a GPS dynamic positioning system allowing for stationary positioning without an anchor, reducing environmental impact and enhancing safety during Zodiac operations.
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has grown over its 33-year history to include award-winning, all- inclusive escorted tours that take participants to many of the world’s most fascinating destinations and, since 2008, truly all-inclusive, five-star river cruises in Europe, SE Asia, Russia and Egypt on its 15 Space-Ships. On August 15, 2019, Scenic is introducing the world’s first Discovery Yacht, the 228-guest Scenic Eclipse. Sister brand Emerald Waterways has seven Star-Ships offering European river sailings with an eighth (Emerald Harmony) launching this year for SE Asia’s Mekong River. Exclusive charters are offered on SE Asia’s Irrawaddy River; the Volga River in Russia; yacht cruises out of Croatia; and Egypt’s Nile River.
Additional information on these and other cruises, brochures and reservations can be obtained via travel agents; or in the US: www.scenicusa.com; phone 844-788-7985; or email: info@scenicusa.com; and in Canada: www.scenic.ca; phone (866) 689-8611; or email: info@scenic.ca. Brochures can also be downloaded directly from the website.
Scenic Eclipse helicopter trials completed
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has today released footage of the final tests and trials of the state-of-the-art Airbus H130 helicopters. The video shows the helicopters landing on the deck of Scenic Eclipse and being stored in the specially designed on board hangars. As one of the quietest helicopters in the skies, the H130 sets the standard for tourism operations worldwide and will give guests the opportunity to explore beyond the horizon, with unparalleled access to some of nature’s most beautiful sites.
Final testing and certification of the helicopters coincided with formal testing and certification of Scenic Eclipse for the carriage of paying passengers.
“This is a daunting task for any ship,” said Scenic Founder and Chairman, Glen Moroney, “and particularly for a vessel of the technological sophistication of Scenic Eclipse. All systems need to be rigorously tested under normal operations and in emergency simulations. I’m very proud to say Eclipse has been successfully certified for passenger ship operations, and we are now in the final stages of preparations for our inaugural voyage”.
Scenic Eclipse Facts
- 114 all-verandah suites;
- 10 dining options – from Asian Fusion to French fine dining to a chef’s table to a poolside buffet;
- a 5,920 ft² spa with a well-equipped gym and separate yoga and Pilates studio;
- two six-guest helicopters and one six-guest submarine capable of depths of nearly 1,000 feet — to allow for explorations far beyond any done on expedition ships to date;
- a 240-seat theater for entertainment and lectures;
- indoor and outdoor plunge pools;
- butler service for all guests and an almost 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio.
- innovative zero-speed stabilizer fins, 50% larger than standard to provide greater stability;
- the highest passenger ship ice class rating – Polar Class 6;
- redundancies in propulsion, navigation, safety systems and food refrigeration;
- state-of-the-art bridge systems;
- and a GPS dynamic positioning system allowing for stationary positioning without an anchor, reducing any environmental affect in sensitive regions.
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has grown over its 33-year history to include award-winning, all-inclusive luxury river cruises and handcrafted 5-star land journeys tours that take participants to many of the world’s most fascinating destinations.
DATE : July 25, 2019
Dame Helen Mirren Announced as Godmother of Scenic Eclipse
Scenic today announced the appointment of Academy Award winner Helen Mirren as the Godmother for Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yacht. The maiden voyage of this luxury vessel is scheduled for August 15, 2019, departing Reykjavik Iceland on a 13-day discovery sailing, ending in Quebec on August 27.
“Scenic Eclipse is a unique ship that requires an equally unique person to act in this role,” said Glen Moroney, Founder and Chairman of Scenic. “We are delighted to welcome Helen Mirren as Scenic Eclipse Godmother – her style, beauty and spirit of adventure are true to those embodied in the design and ethos of Scenic Eclipse. Combined with the international acclaim as one of the world’s finest actresses, Helen Mirren makes the perfect Godmother to preside over the ship”
Helen Mirren added “I am very honored to have been chosen as the Godmother to such a beautiful vessel as Scenic Eclipse. She will have many adventures and a wonderful life as she transports her guests in immaculate style and great safety to beautiful places.”
In keeping with Scenic Eclipse’s stature as setting the standard for luxury exploration ocean vessels, it is only fitting that New York City has been chosen as the site for its christening on September 10, 2019.
Helen Mirren won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2007 for her riveting performance in The Queen. Mirren’s other Academy Award nominations include The Madness of King George (1994), Gosford Park (2001), and The Last Station (2009). Some of her other notable film roles include The Long Good Friday, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989), Teaching Mrs. Tingle (1999), Calendar Girls (2003), Hitchcock (2012), Woman in Gold (2015) and in television as Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect and Elizabeth I. She will next be seen in the highly anticipated HBO/SKY limited series in the title role of “Catherine the Great” and in the equally anticipated Warner Bros.’ film “The Good Liar.”
As a traditional maritime role – the Godmother plays an important part within the ship’s christening ceremony and is responsible for the breaking of the champagne bottle against the ship’s hull. Many royal figures, actors, sports personalities and other persons of note have acted as a Godmother.
Scenic Eclipse has 114 all-verandah suites range in size from 32 m2 to 247 m2; 10 dining options – from Asian Fusion to French fine dining to a chef’s table to a poolside buffet; a 550 m2 spa with a well-equipped gym and separate yoga and Pilates studio; two six-guest helicopters and one six-guest submarine capable of depths of nearly 200m – to allow for explorations far beyond any done on expedition ships to date; a state-of-the-art theatre for entertainment and lectures; indoor and outdoor plunge pools; butler service for all guests; and an almost 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio.
And then there is the technology: innovative zero-speed stabilizer fins, 50% larger than standard to provide greater stability; the highest passenger ship ice class rating – Polar Class 6; redundancies in propulsion, navigation, safety systems and food refrigeration; state-of-the-art bridge systems; and a GPS dynamic positioning system allowing for stationary positioning without an anchor, reducing environmental impact.
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has grown over its 33-year history to include award-winning, all-inclusive escorted tours that take participants to many of the world’s most fascinating destinations. Since 2008, Scenic has grown to offer truly all-inclusive, five-star river cruises in Europe, SE Asia, Russia and Egypt on its 15 Space-Ships. On August 15, 2019, Scenic is launching the World’s First Discovery Yacht, the 228-guest Scenic Eclipse. Sister brand Emerald Waterways has seven Star-Ships offering European river sailings with an eighth (Emerald Harmony) launching this year for SE Asia’s Mekong River.
