This was published 4 years ago
Cruising news: Submarines and helicopters aboard luxury vessel Scenic Eclipse
By Brian Johnston
The owner's penthouse suite on luxury liner Scenic Eclipse.
SAIL AWAY
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has taken delivery of its much-awaited Scenic Eclipse, which is now operating its inaugural 13-day voyage from Reykjavik to Quebec. The company's first ocean-sailing vessel has 114 butler-serviced suites, 10 dining options, outdoor and indoor plunge pools, and an expansive spa with gym and separate Pilates and yoga studios, as well as the highest ice-class rating for passenger ships. Perhaps the most fabulous feature of the luxury vessel is its six-guest submarine and two six-guest helicopters, which promise to push the boundaries of expedition cruising to new limits.
Phone 13 81 28. See scenic.com.au
A STAR IS BORN
Evergreen Cruises & Tours' new Star-Ship Emerald Harmony sets sail on the Mekong River at the end of August. The 84-guest ship includes the line's signatory Sun and Pool decks, wellness area, Horizon Bar & Lounge and Reflections Restaurant, and has an additional Lotus Lounge. Evergreen's eighth Star-Ship is the first to operate outside Europe, and will sail on 13-day 'Majestic Mekong Discoverer' cruises, which start with a three-night hotel stay in Siem Reap before guests join Emerald Harmony in Prekkdam to sail through Cambodia and Vietnam, finishing with a two-night hotel stay in Ho Chi Minh City.
Phone 1300 383 747. See evergreentours.com.au
EAST AND WEST
Star Clippers has released its 2020 cruises, which in south-east Asia feature a new round-trip itinerary from Koh Samui in Thailand that includes two new ports in Cambodia; and itineraries between Singapore and Kota Kinabalu that explore the dense rainforests of Sarawak and wildlife in Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. In the western Mediterranean, Royal Clipper sails itineraries that take in Corsica, Sardinia and French Riviera, and others to Italy, Montenegro and Croatia. The company calls at two new ports in Croatia, Zadar for its old town and stunning Roman ruins, and Vis Island.
Phone 1300 295 161. See starclippers.com
GLOBAL CONQUEST
Crystal Cruises is offering a full-circumnavigation world cruise from Miami or Los Angeles on Crystal Serenity in 2022, which transits the Panama Canal and visits Hawaii, Tonga and Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Egypt and Israel, the Black Sea, Greece and the French Riviera. The 'Myths, Marvels & Monuments' voyage will have five embarkation and disembarkation choices, with the cruise length ranging from 86 to 116 nights. Segments of the cruise of between 12 and 19 nights can also be booked, including in Australia and New Zealand, and in Polynesia and the South Pacific.
Phone 1300 059 260. See crystalcruises.com
NEW VENTURE
Seabourn has unveiled some details of its two new luxury expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and its yet-to-be-named sister ship, launching in June 2021 and May 2022 respectively. Both ships will have an Expedition Lounge with a bar with two large touchscreens to supply information including photos, navigational charts, weather charts and maps, plus an adjacent Discovery Centre to host lectures, briefings and enrichment programs. The ships will also feature two landing zones for access to Zodiacs and water sports, and will carry a 26-person expedition team of wilderness experts, scientists, historians and naturalists.
Phone 13 24 02. See seabourn.com
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