Scenic
Eclipse
a submarine and two helicopters, which is not a typo
Scenic Eclipse is the ship people do not believe me about. It is a small luxury expedition yacht that carries a submarine and, on the vessels equipped for it, helicopters. Not as a gimmick bolted on afterwards but as part of how the trip is designed. It is also close to fully inclusive, which at this end of the market is rarer than you would think.
The submarine, since you are wondering
It is a real submersible carrying a small number of guests with a pilot, and it descends properly rather than bobbing about below the surface.
Availability depends entirely on conditions, permits and the region, so it is never guaranteed on a given sailing, and it usually carries an additional charge. Anybody who promises you a submarine dive before you sail is overselling.
When it does run, it is incredible, and for a teenager with any interest in the ocean it is the memory that outlasts everything else on the trip.
The helicopters
Two on the equipped vessels, used for scenic flights and for reaching landing sites that cannot be got to by zodiac.
Same caveats. Weather, permits, regulations and region determine if they fly, and there is an additional cost.
In places like Antarctica and the Kimberley, seeing the landscape from above is a different comprehension of the scale of it. Photographs do not do what a flight does.
The ship itself
Small, carrying a couple of hundred guests, all suites, most with balconies, finished to a high standard. It is a luxury ship that happens to be ice-capable rather than an expedition ship with nice bits.
There is a serious spa, a decent gym, a number of restaurants and a good bar. The public spaces are calm and there is a lot of glass.
Because it is Scenic, the butler service carries over from the river fleet, across all suite grades.
What is included
All meals across all restaurants, all drinks including spirits, gratuities, wi-fi, and the standard expedition activities including zodiac excursions and guided landings.
What is not included is the submarine, the helicopters, and some specializt activities. Those are the headline items, so be clear-eyed that the things the brochure leads with are the extras.
Even so, the base inclusion level is high and there is very little routine spending on board.
Children on board
Few, and there is no dedicated kids club. Minimum ages apply, particularly on polar sailings and absolutely on the submarine and helicopter activities, where the limits are strict and non-negotiable.
It works for older teenagers who are interested. The combination of a comfortable ship, serious equipment and real expedition activity is compelling at that age in a way it simply is not at eight.
If the submarine is the reason your child wants to go, check the minimum age before you book anything at all. I have had that conversation go badly and it is entirely avoidable.
Where it sails
Antarctica and the Arctic in their respective seasons, plus the Kimberley, the Pacific, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Americas in between.
On the non-polar itineraries it functions as a small luxury yacht rather than an expedition ship, which broadens who it suits considerably.
The polar voyages are the flagship product and the ones that justify the equipment.
What I would watch out for
The headline features are conditional and chargeable. Book the voyage because you want the region and the ship. Treat the submarine as a bonus.
It is expensive.
And as with all expedition travel, the itinerary is provisional and the weather decides. Go with that expectation or do not go.
Between Scenic Eclipse, Ponant and Seabourn’s expedition ships the differences are real and they matter, and they are not obvious from the websites. Tell me the region and who is coming and I will lay them out side by side.
Questions people actually ask
The ones that come up before anyone books. If yours isn’t here, ask me.
Does Scenic Eclipse really have a submarine?
Yes, a real guest submersible operated by a pilot. Availability depends on conditions, permits and region, it is not guaranteed on any sailing, and it usually carries an additional charge.
Does Scenic Eclipse have helicopters?
The equipped vessels carry two helicopters used for scenic flights and access to remote landing sites. Operation depends on weather, permits and local regulations, and an additional cost applies.
What is included on Scenic Eclipse?
All meals and restaurants, all drinks including spirits, gratuities, wi-fi, butler service and standard expedition activities such as zodiac excursions. Submarine and helicopter experiences and some specializt activities cost extra.
Are children allowed on Scenic Eclipse?
Children can sail but there is no kids club and few children on board. Minimum age requirements apply on polar itineraries and are strictly enforced for the submarine and helicopter activities.
Where does Scenic Eclipse sail?
Antarctica and the Arctic in season, plus the Kimberley, Pacific, Northern Europe, Mediterranean and the Americas, operating as a small luxury yacht on non-polar itineraries.
Everything here is subject to change. Cruise lines rewrite their inclusions, kids club ages, ship deployments and fare structures constantly, and what is true this season may not be true next. Before you book anything, talk to me and I will confirm the current details for your specific ship and sailing date.
More in Yacht & Expedition
- Aurora ExpeditionsOpen this guide →
- 02HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions)Open this guide →
- 03Ritz-Carlton Yacht CollectionA hotel brand at sea, and it shows.→
- Lindblad ExpeditionsNational Geographic naturalists on board.→
- PonantFrench, design-led, real polar ships.→
- Emerald YachtsThe accessible end of yacht cruising.→
- Atlas Ocean VoyagesSmall, newer, and often better value.→
Keep reading
Written and kept current by Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. If something here is out of date, tell me and I will fix it.
Tell me who is coming and how long you have.
That is usually enough to know if this is a ship, a train, or a car with the windows down.
