Our Six-Star Experience On The Scenic Cruises’ Eclipse I

We sailed Scenic Cruises’ Eclipse I from Bermuda to Miami and it was every bit the six-star experience it promises to deliver. 

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The Itinerary And Inclusions

This particular trip was a seven-day journey as part of the vessel’s repositioning from the Mediterranean to a brief stint in the Caribbean before heading south to Antarctica. We caught up with Eclipse I in Bermuda and made a terrible mistake – we should have spent a few days there. In particular, I’ve since been introduced to the Rosewood Tucker’s Point and it would have perfectly complemented our experience as would a visit to Bermuda’s famous pink sand beach (Horseshoe Bay.)

From Bermuda, we were to sail for four days to Exuma in the Bahamas, swim with the pigs and enjoy the beach. Another three days slowly through the shallow Caribbean waters to Miami for disembarkation. With Scenic excursions in each destination are included, and they have some that go above and beyond for a premium.

Due to weather in the Caribbean (remnants of a tropical storm) altered our timeline and destination. We sailed at a peaceful 10 knots as we avoided the Bahamas on the outskirts of the weather and instead ended up in Freeport, Bahamas instead. More on that later.

Typical Mediterranean Scenic cruises would include stops in places like St. Tropez, Monaco, and Capri. In the Caribbean, the stops are similar to Explora Journeys with places like St. Lucia, St. Barth’s, etc.

As we were traveling with our children, the staff wanted to demonstrate applying the life vest for our (then) one-year-old son. Our butler tried it on himself, and the safety officer applied it himself.

While Freeport was not on the intended itinerary, any port will do in a storm. We spent two stunning days in the sun, and the included excursion at this unintended stop was a visit to a resort or, as we did, you could walk to a nearby public beach that we had all to ourselves.

We were the only family onboard the 200-passenger vessel which suited us fine. Scenic is a different type of vessel as you’ll see but our kids loved it.

Panorama Suite

There are just two Panorama Suites on the vessel, both at the bow on Deck 8. Every cabin onboard is a balcony suite at minimum with oceanfront views and butler service. That said, the Panorama is certainly a step above the standard suite, in fact, it’s the second largest on the ship.

Living Room

The door opens to the living room with an entry way table, a table for two that was made into four, two swiveling chairs, and a large couch that the staff were kind enough to convert into a bed each night for our daughter. Against the wall was a TV, plenty of plugs, storage, a mini bar, and Illy coffee machine if we chose to make coffee ourselves.

Massive windows let the light in when the shades were open.

Balcony/Deck

Outside was a wrap-around deck with two loungers, a table for four, and plenty of room to take in the ocean breeze with a cup of coffee.

The partition glass between the other Panorama Suite is reflective and allows for privacy.

Bedroom

The bedroom featured floor-to-ceiling windows, chargers on either side of the bed and a large tv embedded into mirrored glass.

The walk-in closet was sufficient for our family of four. Life vests were inside as were slippers for each of us, a safe for our valuables, our butler returned our ironed clothes daily.

Bathroom

The bathroom was jaw dropping. En suite at one end from the bedroom, with a second entry from the living room at the other side, this is the largest bathroom I have seen at sea. A double vanity ran along one wall meeting a massive soaking tub (ten-year-old child inside for size.) That was separate from the two person, glassed-in shower with bench seating, a toilet in between the shower and tub.

Around The Ship

Luxury is about space, and on a small ship suitable for the harshest climates in the world (rated and travels to the Arctic and Antarctic circles), every inch onboard has to be accounted for. Still, the Eclipse I provides space for the most important needs for guests.

Fitness Center

The fitness center and yoga studio were sufficiently sized for classes of up to 20 (10% of the ship.) Meditation sessions (?) are also held in the same room. Traditional weights and fitness equipment is also available including treadmills. Scenic’s sister brand, Emerald, has a new yacht that features a yoga studio wall that opens just feet over the water for an unforgettable yoga class.

Theater

There’s no Broadway shows on Scenic cruise line, that’s simply not the vibe. There are nightly shows and occasional lectures. In the polar regions, this space is used to showcase wildlife and site specific details for the next day. It’s an impressive space given the size of the ship. All chairs recline and swivel.

Expedition

This sailing wasn’t an expedition but we were able to see the expedition spaces while onboard. When the Eclipse is in a polar region it has an access area on Deck 3 to take a polar plunge as well as board the Zodiacs (black rubber boats built for making landfall in difficult climates.)

In the preparation room muck boots in all sizes await passengers as they prepare to take to the ice.

A unique feature of the Eclipse is that it features two helicopters and two submarines (no other vessel going to the poles have more than one of either, sometimes neither.) In our case, they brought out the helicopter to take guests to an island in the Bahamas that was otherwise inaccessible.

Spa

No six-star trip would be complete without a spa onboard. There are a number of treatment rooms including at least one with two tables for couples massages.

Library

Our favorite public space onboard was the library at the bow. For our journey, it was almost never occupied, but I’d imagine for a polar trip it would be quite full. In front of the library is outdoor space – perfect for taking in the sea ahead. The books in the library are all themed for exploration and range from literary classics like Hemingway to factual accounts of expeditions around the world.

There was also a bar and a tea wall as well as a coffee machine.

Food & Drink

What’s most surprising about the ship is that despite its limited size, there are plenty of large spaces and several restaurants to allow for variety especially on longer journeys with several days at sea.

Lobby Bar

In the center of the ship is the extensive lobby bar. Featuring seating for as many as 100 on couches, chairs, and bar stools, it’s key feature is more than 100 whiskeys including bourbon and scotch (single malt and blends.)

Yacht Club

The closest the ship comes to a buffet is in the Yacht Club. Nothing is self-service, but many of the dishes are prepared while some are made-to-order. Wait staff serves tables and brings wine and drinks. Seating is available inside and outside with beautiful views and a clear line of sight to the helicopter pad.

Lumiere

Perhaps the most elegant restaurant onboard is Lumiere, with international cuisine but a very French feel. My son wasn’t feeling well so my wife and daughter dined and raved about their experience; it was my daughter’s favorite meal on the ship. My wife enjoyed the Beef Wellington so much that she sent one back to me for dinner in the room.

Azure

For more casual meals throughout the day, Azure offers pastries that change daily as well as breakfast, lunch, and late night bites. It also offers seating both inside and outside, Vitalli, was an excellent barista and really connected with our family. We enjoyed breakfast here nearly every day from crepes to omelets, waffles, pancakes, French toast, with both US and European offerings available.

Koko’s

The pan-Asian restaurant onboard leans Japanese with a sushi bar at the front, and sunken tables throughout for a cozier feel. The quality of the food, variety of the menu (from curry to sushi and everything in between) was expertly executed. Mochi desserts, a cotton candy that turned our tongues blue, and a staff focused on execution elevated our dining experience.

Elements

A large international restaurant, Elements had a little bit of everything. The executive chef and winner of Top Chef Germany, Tom Goetter, was preparing dishes and visiting the dining room. On an unexpected sea day due to the weather, the chef arranged a special dinner with his custom menu. The image immediately below was a recipe from the chef’s mother, a small loaf of bread heavily seasoned and infused with butter. The potato chips were a nice touch, but I could have had the bread for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a midnight snack.

Nightmarket

A secret or pop-up restaurant of sorts in the back of Koko’s is booked separately for guests. There are two nightly services with seating for 10 each. The hibachi grill does not serve hibachi but rather an Asian take on regional dishes. Curry popcorn cooked on the grill, an Indian take on tacos, everything was thoughtful and incredibly well planned. Drink pairings accompany the dishes. Due to the limited nature of Nightmarket, every suite is guaranteed one sitting, but a second is very hard to come by.

In-suite Dining

It wouldn’t be a six-star experience without excellent in-suite dining. Burgers, filets, finger foods, and breakfast are all available without leaving bed. Our butler noticed which cookies (delivered daily) our kids were eating and started to bring only those cookies.

Value

The service was absolutely flawless. We called the onboard doctor to look at our son, the nurse accompanied him, and was able to help us treat some teething concerns that had extended to fever. Our butler was at our service whenever we called and stopped by to check on us frequently. The food was delicious, the ship over delivered and during a particularly difficult time including a number of unplanned alterations to the itinerary, the staff found ways to make the experience memorable and exciting.

Scenic prices at the top of the market but it’s an entirely all-inclusive experience with the exception of massages, helicopter and submersibles. Every drink, order from room service, tip, port charge, and tax is included in the rate. A panorama suite like ours prices between $12,000 and 17,000 per person depending on the journey; higher for Antarctica. My agency has access to unpublished rates so we did not pay retail for our journey. That said, for butler service as a standard, for the level of quality of the food, the opportunities the ship provides, Scenic is clearly the best-in-class and worthy of splashing out for an unforgettable experience.

What do you think? Have you sailed on Scenic? 

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