New Seabourn and Scenic cruise ships hit the seas

By James Harrison

Seabourn took delivery of its first expedition ship, Seabourn Venture, last week while Scenic Eclipse II, Scenic Group’s second ultra-luxury discovery yacht, entered the water for the first time.

To mark its expedition, Seabourn Venture received an official handover maritime ceremony at the T. Mariotti shipyard in Genoa, Italy.

Seabourn Venture is the first of the line’s two purpose-built, ultra-luxury expedition ships and the newest expedition ship in the industry.

“Today is so incredibly special and important as we take ownership of our first ultra-luxury expedition ship and welcome Seabourn Venture to the Seabourn family,” Seabourn President Josh Leibowitz said.

“The Mariotti team has done a wonderful job in the building of the ship and bringing Adam Tihany’s stunning design vision to life.

“Seabourn Venture will raise the bar in ultra-luxury expedition travel, and we look forward to introducing her to the world as she sets sail to explore remote destinations from the polar regions in the Arctic to the southernmost continent of Antarctica.”

Seabourn Venture has been designed and built for diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards.

The ship will provide a luxury small-ship experience with the addition of equipment that allows the line to offer its range of expedition activities led by a 26-person team of scientists, scholars, naturalists, and more.

The ship will offer complimentary Seabourn Expedition amenities such as Zodiac cruises, hikes, nature walks, scuba diving, and snorkelling, as well as additional curated complimentary excursions.

In addition, the ship will offer optional shore excursions and optional Seabourn Expeditions with kayaking and two custom-built submersibles at select destinations. Seabourn Venture features 132 oceanfront veranda suites.

Scenic Eclipse II was marked by a ‘float out’ ceremony, at the 3. maj shipyard in Croatia.

The 168 metres long and 21.5 metres wide discovery yacht is the sister to Scenic Eclipse which launched in 2019.

Scenic Eclipse II is due to launch in April 2023, with her maiden voyage sailing from Lisbon to Barcelona.

Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II Antarctica Landscape

Glen Moroney, chairman and founder of Scenic Group commented: “This is a big and important moment for all of us at Scenic. Scenic Eclipse II represents improved vision of our pioneering approach in the world of ultra-luxury cruising.

“We are grateful to be able to build the most technologically advanced discovery passenger ships in the world and to cooperate with shipyards with a long, proud tradition of shipbuilding.

“We were able to find the suitable partners in the Republic of Croatia and the 3. maj shipyard, and I would like to thank them for their co-operation, as well as all other stakeholders who recognised the seriousness of our intentions and the importance of this project for Croatian shipbuilding on a global scale, primarily Croatian government, Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR), OTP Bank and others.”

Scenic Eclipse II is due for completion by April next year and will join Scenic Eclipse sailing itineraries taking in the Mediterranean, Scotland, the Americas, the Caribbean and both Polar regions.

In 2024, Scenic Eclipse II will also visit Polynesia and Indonesia and Australia, where Scenic was founded 37 years ago.

Featured Image: Seabourn Venture – exterior rendering (front) rendering copy

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Glen Moroney Josh Leibowitz PC6 Polar Class standards Scenic Eclipse scenic eclipse II seabourn Seabourn Venture