6 star cruise line in 2018????

[MomC]

Since Seabourn is one of the most luxurious cruise lines, I was wondering if any of the loyal passengers are reading about a new cruise ship--Scenic Eclipse--which is saying it will provide a 6 * experience. A yacht holding 228 passengers & boasts a helicopter & submersible craft for underwater excursions.

 

I am a loyal Seabourn passenger but this sounds like it's taking luxury to the next level. Any other loyal Seabourn cruisers learning about this? Like who owns it and what experience the group has in cruises? I just got their brochure for its 2018 Debut. I would assume they are hoping to market to Seabourn, Silver Seas, Crystal and RSSC alumni.

 

Mom C

[Host Dan]

Since Seabourn is one of the most luxurious cruise lines, I was wondering if any of the loyal passengers are reading about a new cruise ship--Scenic Eclipse--which is saying it will provide a 6 * experience. A yacht holding 228 passengers & boasts a helicopter & submersible craft for underwater excursions.

 

I am a loyal Seabourn passenger but this sounds like it's taking luxury to the next level. Any other loyal Seabourn cruisers learning about this? Like who owns it and what experience the group has in cruises? I just got their brochure for its 2018 Debut. I would assume they are hoping to market to Seabourn, Silver Seas, Crystal and RSSC alumni.

 

Mom C

"6 star" is a marketing ploy. (used by Regent and hotel in Dubai) Scenic is a river cruise line anyway, not competition to Seabourn.

[MomC]

OK, I am familiar with Scenic river cruises and I agree that 6 star is just trying to say more luxury than other ships sailing now. BUT I encourage you to look at their online brochure. The artist renderings and the copy that goes with them makes you wonder if this ship won't be a step above the bigger ships on the luxury scale. Please look and then give me your feedback. Their 12 day Cuba cruise RT from Miami with 10 stops in Cuba looks amazing!

[cruising kirby]

I agree MomC. Sure, you have to get past the marketing, however I think this new cruise ship will be worth a look. Scenic are river cruise specialists, I don't know how well known they are elsewhere, but in Australia they are one of the 2 leading luxury river cruise companies. The early information about this cruise ship looks tempting and I am following it with interest. An on board helicopter and submarine makes it different already.

[Jim Avery]

I also received the brochure and have seen the video. Agree that this looks like something special. Scenic River Cruises generally gets very good reviews and we have had a little experience with Scenic Tours. An Australian company entering ocean cruising with a splash.:eek::D Again, agree that the r/t Miami circling Cuba is a sure hit. The per diem in the brochure seems competitive with other top lines so time will tell if they deliver.

[findacruise]

Just received the hard version and have been paging through it. It is being called a yacht. It is lovely. Suite are nice. We are interested in the Arctic, but they will not be sailing there until 2019. I am not going to put nonrefundable money down for something unknown that far in advance, even though it would save money to get the preview price. We may want to go before then, as we aren't getting any younger. :)

 

We did a Scenic river cruise a loved it. Were very impressed with the service, our suite and staff, etc. So we will keep this in mind as we plan our future adventures.

[Nigella]

We are also very interested in this. We were sent some information by our TA a couple of months ago and agree with others that it does look special, the ship is like a yacht and very attractively designed.

It will of course depend on the product delivered, if they can provide great food and service it looks like a winner to us.

[MomC]

This itinerary looks great. My only hesitation is that the ship doesn't debut until August 31, 2018 and the Cuba sailings are in early October. I couldn't find the transatlantic itinerary so maybe it's just staff and they will work out any kinks on the crossing. I know I would book the second sailing to Cuba so any kinks with their tours in Cuba would be solved--hopefully.

 

Thanks for the feedback on this new "product." I also see that Crystal debuts their new 68 passenger yacht in 2018 as well.

[Catlover54]

CC's community person Laura S. started this thread last month about the Scenic Eclipse under the Luxury Cruising forum

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2301326

[Corony]

Looks very interesting but I'd love to see a pool area which I didn't notice on any of the concept drawings.

[2SailingNomads]

We too have been following this for a few months and agree it could be a great option especially with the itineraries they are showing. Price is a little higher than I'd like at the moment but likely list price. Although I will consider at the posted price if it really delivers on the promised experience. Also the Crystal yacht is a serious competitor except for the limited itineraries..

[Keith1010]

As they say the devil is in the details not how many stars it calls itself.

 

Yes, the use of a six star description is marketing.

 

Keith

[Suite Travels]

Here is the news on the future Crystal mega yacht hopefully launching 2018.

 

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/crystal-cruises-announces-the-worlds-largest-megayacht-crystal-endeavor-300235882.html

[oregon50]

Kind of a new market segment that should play well........for charters.

[findacruise]

Looks very interesting but I'd love to see a pool area which I didn't notice on any of the concept drawings.

 

The 139 page book a shows concept picture of a heated pool and shallow plunge pool. It will be on deck 7 aft and have a retractable roof. There will be an alfresco restaurant just forward of it. The fitness center will be on the same deck along with the Pilates and yoga room. Guess you can eat and then work it off, or work out and then reward yourself. :D

[wripro]

I agree that 6 star is a marketing ploy and any one who thinks Burj Al Arab is a 7 star hotel defines stars by the amount of gold leaf. BUT Scenic is a terrific river cruise line and I think they are very serious about creating a top level ocean cruise line as well. and I, for one, welcome the smaller size ship. Definitely worth exploring imo.

[Jim Avery]

I agree that 6 star is a marketing ploy and any one who thinks Burj Al Arab is a 7 star hotel defines stars by the amount of gold leaf. BUT Scenic is a terrific river cruise line and I think they are very serious about creating a top level ocean cruise line as well. and I, for one, welcome the smaller size ship. Definitely worth exploring imo.

 

Watch out, we will probably be right across the hall from you.:eek::D

[2SailingNomads]

Here is the news on the future Crystal mega yacht hopefully launching 2018.

 

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/crystal-cruises-announces-the-worlds-largest-megayacht-crystal-endeavor-300235882.html

 

Actually, I was referring to the Espirit, hardly a mega yacht.

[wripro]

Watch out, we will probably be right across the hall from you.:eek::D

 

Wouldn't that be great!!!!

[Les Picantins]

This is good news for all of us cruisers. If Scenic raises the bar for luxury cruising, the other luxury lines will have no choice but to raise their standards to keep up (to our benefit).

[Suite Travels]

Crystal is already raising the bar in luxury travel.

[Catlover54]

This is good news for all of us cruisers. If Scenic raises the bar for luxury cruising, the other luxury lines will have no choice but to raise their standards to keep up (to our benefit).

 

It is nice to see more choices overall, of course.

 

The Europa 2 already did raise the luxury cruising bar, but also has higher prices, (and German as the main language).

 

Scenic per diem prices are also pretty steep for what is offered. Base suites do not even have a tub on the descriptions, just a shower, though it is a luxury shower. I also wonder about the two-tiered level of booking preferences, e.g., the most expensive suites get first crack at specialty restaurants and excursions. Depending on how much total space there is for dining, and how good the MDR food is, this might or might not be a problem.

 

I wonder if the helo and sub excursions would be mostly booked up by the first-preference guests, just like some excursions on Regent are booked up unless you are concierge or higher, as it would be hard to make alternative private tour arrangements in the Arctic!

 

Still, it IS tempting to try at least once, to compare. Perhaps a spa suite short trip from Iceland to Quebec . . . .

[findacruise]

It is nice to see more choices overall, of course.

 

The Europa 2 already did raise the luxury cruising bar, but also has higher prices, (and German as the main language).

 

Scenic per diem prices are also pretty steep for what is offered. Base suites do not even have a tub on the descriptions, just a shower, though it is a luxury shower. I also wonder about the two-tiered level of booking preferences, e.g., the most expensive suites get first crack at specialty restaurants and excursions. Depending on how much total space there is for dining, and how good the MDR food is, this might or might not be a problem.

 

I wonder if the helo and sub excursions would be mostly booked up by the first-preference guests, just like some excursions on Regent are booked up unless you are concierge or higher, as it would be hard to make alternative private tour arrangements in the Arctic!

 

Still, it IS tempting to try at least once, to compare. Perhaps a spa suite short trip from Iceland to Quebec . . . .

 

They don't have a tub, but I do like that the toilet is separate and take that over a tub. I recall reading that helicopter and submarine carry extra charges so that might be a deterrent for some to early booking. At least the included shore excursion include tips for drivers and guides, which isn't true on some other luxury lines. Like having own coffee maker in the room.

 

My guess, and it is just that, is there would be some kind of allotment system for specialty restaurants whereby you are guaranteed X number of reservations so everyone gets to try each restaurant at least once per cruise.