The launch date for the Scenic Eclipse, the new Discovery Yacht from Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, has been pushed back again, to April 13, 2019, the company reports. Scenic said that the delay is due to ongoing financial issues at the Uljanik shipyard in Croatia, where the new ship is being built, as well as a strike by specialist engine and systems commissioning workers. While the specialist commissioning teams did return to work last week, it will not be possible to make up for the nearly six weeks of lost time due to the strike, Scenic said.
In July Scenic had pushed back the first sailing date for the Scenic Eclipse from late August 2018 to late January 2019, again citing issues with the shipyard.
In its latest statement Scenic said that it continues to be in constant contact with the shipyard, workers’ representatives and the Croatian government to complete the ship as soon as possible.
“Due to Scenic’s efforts, more than 600 employees continue to work on other aspects of the ship every day,” the company said in a statement announcing the new sailing date. “The progress on the ship’s interiors and other timings of the final build stage have seen far less impact from the industrial action and continue to progress at a good pace.”
Scenic said it will provide guests affected by the change in sailing date with a full refund for the cost of their cruise, as well as consideration of any other reasonable associated costs incurred with their travel plans. Additionally, the company will provide all guests who rebook a cruise on the Scenic Eclipse with a 25 percent future cruise credit.
Scenic has also established a dedicated phone number for affected guests, and has begun reaching out to guests and travel agents with details on the refund and rebooking process.
The Scenic Eclipse and its sibling vessel, the Scenic Eclipse II, are two new Discovery Yachts under construction for the luxury line. Like many new expedition ships currently under construction, both are being built to a Polar Class 6 ice rating – the highest possible – for expedition itineraries in destinations including the Russian Arctic, the Northwest Passage, Southern Greenland, Alaska and more. Other features aimed at expedition cruising include large zero-speed stabilizer fins for improved stability, as well as “Safe Return to Port” capabilities that will allow essential systems to remain operational in case of an incident.
The two ships will have a capacity of 228 passengers in 114 suites, all of which will have a private verandah and lounge. Other amenities will include a near 1:1 guest to staff ratio, a theatre, spa, butler service for all guests, 10 dining experiences and eight bars and lounges.
The Scenic Eclipse II is still expected to launch in or around 2020.
This story originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.
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