Scenic Eclipse II, a vessel that’s less cruise ship and more floating sanctuary of ultra-luxury and exploration, arrived in Fremantle early this morning just after 4 am from Busselton and is presently berthed at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal – making it difficult for us to get a good pic of her just now.
Here’s a file pic of her courtesy of Scenic New Zealand.
She is the kind of ship that turns heads in port – as she will tonight when she parades out of Freo harbour at 6 pm to the admiration of VIPs and delegates attending the Australian Cruise Association Conference and standing at Gage Roads to watch her pass by!
We will bring you more pics of her tonight when she departs.
After a sojourn south to Busselton, she then heads to the Kimberley and onwards.
Here’s more about the vessel, oops ship, oops yacht!
🚢 Overview & Ownership
• Owner: Scenic Eclipse II is owned by Scenic Group, founded by Australian entrepreneur Glen Moroney, who envisioned a new class of “Discovery Yachts” blending expedition capability with six-star luxury.
• Sister Ship: She follows the original Scenic Eclipse, launched in 2019, and improves upon it with enhanced amenities and tech.
• Construction: Built in Croatia and launched in 2023, Scenic Eclipse II was crafted to Polar Class 6 standards—meaning she’s ice-rated and ready for Antarctica, yet sleek enough for tropical waters B.
🌍 Voyages: Past, Present & Future
• Past Voyages: Her inaugural season took her through Europe, then Antarctica, where she explored remote regions like the Ross Sea. She’s also sailed through the South Pacific, Indonesia, and New Zealand.
• At 6 pm she departs Fremantle as part of her Oceania homeporting strategy. Broome and Kimberley coast expeditions, Top End adventures, and a voyages into Asia and Polynesia await after that!
• Future Plans: Scenic Eclipse II will continue year-round operations in the region, offering direct sailings to Antarctica from Australia—no need to fly to South America.
🛏️ Capacity & Crew
Guest Capacity 228 (limited to 200 in Antarctica)
Crew ~200, nearly 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio
Suites 114, all with private verandahs.
🧘 Wellness & Relaxation
• 550 sqm Senses Spa with plunge pools, saunas, and salt therapy
• Yoga & Pilates studio, gym, and outdoor vitality pools.
🍽️ Dining & Bars
• 10 dining venues, including:• Lumière (French fine dining)
• Koko’s (Asian fusion with sake bar)
• Night Market @ Koko’s (chef’s table experience)
• Scenic Lounge Bar, Sky Bar, and in-suite butler service.
🧭 Exploration Tools
• 2 helicopters and a submersible for aerial and underwater excursions
• Fleet of Zodiacs, kayaks, paddleboards, and SEABOBs
• Up to 20 Discovery Team members on expedition voyages.
🎭 Entertainment & Education
• State-of-the-art theatre for lectures, performances, and film
• Observation lounge with panoramic views and curated programming
🌿 Sustainability & Tech
• GPS dynamic positioning (no anchor damage to seabeds)
• Oversized zero-speed stabilizers for smooth sailing
• Advanced HVAC with 100% fresh air circulation
• Low-sulphur fuel and wastewater treatment systems.
All in all a luxury yacht, definitely not a mere ship!
By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News
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