The Málaga port was adorned in festive decorations for the recent christening of Scenic Eclipse II by NASA Astronaut Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, who raised a toast to the Discovery Yacht and all those who sail on her. Glen Moroney, president of the Málaga Port Authority, Carlos Rubio, Deputy Minister for Tourism, and Mr. Victor Gonzalez delivered speeches during the event. Scenic Group Founder and Chairman, Glen Moroney, was presented with a special plaque by Carlos Rubio. VIPS, trade guests and media attended the event.
Dr. Sullivan is an accomplished American geologist and oceanographer with an extraordinary career. She is a former NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy officer who has been on three shuttle missions. Dr. Sullivan is also famous for being the first American woman to walk in space and the first woman to visit the deepest ocean spot, the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench. This incredible feat occurred seven miles below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. After her extraordinary accomplishments, Dr. Sullivan was appointed Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2014. The U.S. Senate confirmed her for this position. Dr. Sullivan has received numerous accolades and awards throughout her career. She has also earned three Guinness World Records. The first was for being the first woman to reach the Challenger Deep. The second was for being the first person to visit space and the deepest point on Earth. The third was for having the greatest vertical extent traveled by an individual (within Earth’s exosphere). These accomplishments have earned her the title of the “World’s Most Vertical Person.”
“I was so honored to be asked to be Godmother of Scenic Eclipse II as it was not something I ever expected,” Dr. Kathy Sullivan said during the christening of the Discovery Yacht. “But now that I have had the opportunity to tour the ship with Glen and Karen Moroney and hear their story and see their vision for travel, I am eager to join her for a sailing. Seeing the level of luxury that is possible in what is truly an expedition vessel has me wondering what the Moroneys could do with the rather restrictive confines of the Space Shuttle and the super cramped environment of the submersible we used to dive the Mariana Trench. I am touched and honored to be Scenic Eclipse II’s Godmother.”
“It is rare to find anyone who has the list of unprecedented accomplishments achieved by Dr. Kathy Sullivan,” Moroney says. “The depth of her experiences above our planet, and on and below our seas, and her incredible passion for exploration is truly inspiring and is what we feel makes her the perfect representation of our newest Scenic Eclipse Discovery Yacht. Although we are not able to duplicate some of her more extreme adventures – yet – we do believe that Scenic Eclipse II offers our guests exploration possibilities unlike any in the industry. We are so honored to have Dr. Sullivan as the Godmother of Scenic Eclipse II and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”
After launching Scenic Eclipse in 2019, the company continues to lead the industry in innovation by introducing several new features on Scenic Eclipse II. The ship’s 5,920 square foot Senses Spa now boasts an expanded steam room incorporating aromatherapy, an integrated ice fountain and experience showers. Guests can also enjoy a KLAFS custom salt therapy lounge with heated beds. The ship also features an expanded dedicated infrared ‘ocean view’ lounge with color light therapy to energize and reinvigorate skin cells. Deck 10, the new Sun Deck, has been redesigned to include a new Sky Bar with indoor and outdoor seating, privacy cabanas, and a large, oval-shaped pool with relaxation space perfect for sail-away deck parties. Scenic Eclipse II also features a next-generation American-made electric submersible, capable of comfortably holding eight guests, in addition to the ship’s two state-of-the-art six-guest helicopters, Zodiacs, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and other activity amenities.
With the addition of the Scenic Eclipse II to their fleet, guests can now explore even more of the world with new itineraries, destinations, and discovery adventures. The combined fleet is set to visit 50 countries across all seven continents in 2023 and 2024. The ultra-luxury Scenic Eclipse II is specifically built to withstand the coldest climates, just like its sister ship, as it holds a Polar Class 6 rating. However, it also offers all the amenities and activities sought in warmer regions worldwide. This includes its custom-designed marina, which boasts Tiwal sailing boats, swim platforms, E-bikes, snorkeling gear, wakeboarding and water skiing equipment, and much more. In its inaugural season, the Scenic Eclipse II will explore the islands of Greenland, Svalbard, and Iceland above the Arctic Circle and the Caribbean.
In 2024 and 2025, new voyages will take guests to the Asia Pacific region, including destinations such as New Zealand, Western Australia’s remote Kimberly region and Coral Coast, Tahiti, Fiji, Borneo, and Japan. Both Scenic Eclipse Discovery Yachts will also spend the November to February Antarctica season taking guests to many of the most remote regions of this amazing continent, including the rarely-visited Weddell Sea, where the Emperor Penguin reigns supreme, and the world’s largest marine sanctuary, the seldom visited Ross Sea.
The Scenic Eclipse II boasts 114 all-verandah suites with sizes ranging from 345 feet to 2,659 feet (32 meters to 245 meters). Guests can choose from 10 dining options that cater to different tastes, from Asian Fusion to French fine dining to a Chef’s Table and even 24/7 room service. The ship also offers a 5,920 feet spa with a well-equipped gym, a separate yoga and Pilates studio, two helicopters, and an electric submersible. There is a state-of-the-art theater on board for entertainment and lectures, as well as indoor and outdoor plunge pools. All guests are provided with butler service, and the guest-to-staff ratio is almost 1:1. In terms of technology, the ship has innovative zero-speed stabilizer fins that are 50% larger than standard, providing greater stability and cutting roll by more than 85%. It also has 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 that allows for stationary positioning without an anchor, reducing environmental impact and enhancing safety during Zodiac operations.
Over its 37-year history, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has expanded its offerings to include exceptional all-inclusive river and ocean cruises and bespoke land journeys that transport guests to some of the world’s most intriguing locales. In 2019, Scenic unveiled the groundbreaking Scenic Eclipse, followed by Scenic Eclipse II on April 13, 2023, marking the world’s first Discovery Yacht™. Scenic is one of several travel brands that make up The Scenic Group, including Emerald Cruises, Mayflower Cruises & Tours, and Evergreen Tours.
Scenic can be found on Twitter at @ScenicLuxury, on Facebook as ScenicCruises and Instagram as Scenic.luxurycruisestours. Additional information on these and other cruises, brochures and reservations can be obtained via travel advisors; or in the U.S.: www.scenicusa.com, phone (844) 788-7985, email: info@scenicusa.com; in Canada: at www.scenic.ca, phone (866) 689-8611, or email: info@scenic.ca.
