Aboard Scenic Eclipse II with Scenic Ocean Cruises
Cruise Overview
Darwin is Australia's most colorful, and exotic, capital city.
Surrounded on three sides by the turquoise waters of the Timor Sea, the streets are lined with tropical flowers and trees.
Warm and dry in winter, hot and steamy in summer, it's a relaxed and casual place, as well as a beguiling blend of tropical frontier outpost and Outback hardiness.
Thanks to its close proximity to Southeast Asia and its multicultural population it also seems more like Asia than the rest of Australia.
Darwin is a city that has always had to fight for its survival.
The seductiveness of contemporary Darwin lifestyles belies a history of failed attempts that date from 1824 when Europeans attempted to establish an enclave in this harsh, unyielding climate.
The original 1869 settlement, called Palmerston, was built on a parcel of mangrove wetlands and scrub forest that had changed little in 15 million years.
It was not until 1911, after it had already weathered the disastrous cyclones of 1878, 1882, and 1897, that the town was named after the scientist who had visited Australia's shores aboard the Beagle in 1839.
During World War II it was bombed more than 60 times, as the harbor full of warships was a prime target for the Japanese war planes.
Then, on the night of Christmas Eve 1974, the city was almost completely destroyed by Cyclone Tracy, Australia’s greatest natural disaster.
It's a tribute to those who stayed and to those who have come to live here after Tracy that the rebuilt city now thrives as an administrative and commercial center for northern Australia.
Old Darwin has been replaced by something of an edifice complex—such buildings as Parliament House and the Supreme Court all seem very grand for such a small city, especially one that prides itself on its casual, outdoor-centric lifestyle.
Today Darwin is the best place from which to explore Australia's Top End, with its wonders of Kakadu and the Kimberley region.
Vansittart Bay is a beautifully protected large bay with several islands and coves.
Jar Island contains ancient rock art galleries depicting the Gwion Gwion style unique to the Kimberley region.
Mainly neglected by, or unknown to, the early European researchers of Aboriginal culture in the Kimberley in favour of the dominant & more dramatic Wandjina art, Gwion Gwion art has in recent years gained world prominence.
Join your Expedition Team ashore for a short walk, past some fascinating rock formations, to the site of the Gwion Gwion art galleries.
Ashmore Reef is a sanctuary for seabirds, shorebirds, marine turtles, dugongs, and many other marine species.
Each year around 100,000 seabirds breed on Ashmore Reef including great knots, crested terns and white-tailed tropicbirds.
The sanctuary zone provides the highest level of protection for wildlife.
Surrounded on three sides by the turquoise waters of the Timor Sea, the streets are lined with tropical flowers and trees.
Warm and dry in winter, hot and steamy in summer, it's a relaxed and casual place, as well as a beguiling blend of tropical frontier outpost and Outback hardiness.
Thanks to its close proximity to Southeast Asia and its multicultural population it also seems more like Asia than the rest of Australia.
Darwin is a city that has always had to fight for its survival.
The seductiveness of contemporary Darwin lifestyles belies a history of failed attempts that date from 1824 when Europeans attempted to establish an enclave in this harsh, unyielding climate.
The original 1869 settlement, called Palmerston, was built on a parcel of mangrove wetlands and scrub forest that had changed little in 15 million years.
It was not until 1911, after it had already weathered the disastrous cyclones of 1878, 1882, and 1897, that the town was named after the scientist who had visited Australia's shores aboard the Beagle in 1839.
During World War II it was bombed more than 60 times, as the harbor full of warships was a prime target for the Japanese war planes.
Then, on the night of Christmas Eve 1974, the city was almost completely destroyed by Cyclone Tracy, Australia’s greatest natural disaster.
It's a tribute to those who stayed and to those who have come to live here after Tracy that the rebuilt city now thrives as an administrative and commercial center for northern Australia.
Old Darwin has been replaced by something of an edifice complex—such buildings as Parliament House and the Supreme Court all seem very grand for such a small city, especially one that prides itself on its casual, outdoor-centric lifestyle.
Today Darwin is the best place from which to explore Australia's Top End, with its wonders of Kakadu and the Kimberley region.
Vansittart Bay is a beautifully protected large bay with several islands and coves.
Jar Island contains ancient rock art galleries depicting the Gwion Gwion style unique to the Kimberley region.
Mainly neglected by, or unknown to, the early European researchers of Aboriginal culture in the Kimberley in favour of the dominant & more dramatic Wandjina art, Gwion Gwion art has in recent years gained world prominence.
Join your Expedition Team ashore for a short walk, past some fascinating rock formations, to the site of the Gwion Gwion art galleries.
Ashmore Reef is a sanctuary for seabirds, shorebirds, marine turtles, dugongs, and many other marine species.
Each year around 100,000 seabirds breed on Ashmore Reef including great knots, crested terns and white-tailed tropicbirds.
The sanctuary zone provides the highest level of protection for wildlife.
Cruise Itinerary
Aboard Scenic Eclipse II
Launch Year: 2021 Length: 168 Width: 22 Currency: USD Capacity: 228 Crew Count: 172 Deck Count: 8 Cabin Count: 114
The second discovery yacht in the Scenic Eclipse fleet will set sail on her maiden voyage from Athens to Lisbon, before her debut season, when the luxury ocean cruise ship will chart its way to the European and Russian Arctic, sailing through both the White Sea and Northwest Passage.
Russia’s White Sea is still in many ways a great mystery due to geographic isolation; however, it is one of the most naturally stunning locations on the planet, and an ideal destination for avid explorers. Meanwhile, the Northwest Passage, which routes from the Pacific to the Arctic Ocean, along the coast of North America, offers an exceptional polar exploration experience.
Scenic Eclipse II Facilities
Scenic Eclipse II Includes
Cabin Details
Watch the world go by from your private verandah suites in 6-star luxury. Dedicated butler service is available to every guest, along with an almost 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio. The Comfort Class 1 notation, featuring the highest sound insulation and vibration as per the marine class society Bureau Vista spans throughout all public spaces and suites.
Your Hotel Director & Team
Consistent with the 6-star standards of our suites, which exceed many of the best hotels, we have the finest team of Hotel Directors on board to take charge of all accommodation and catering operations. The Hotel Director and their dedicated team ensures every detail meets your expectations, starting from the moment you check in through to the services desk, housekeeping, butler team, room service and the exemplary cleanliness and hygiene standards throughout the entire ship.
Ultra-luxury Suites with Butler Service
Every one of the 114 spacious and beautifully designed suites features elegant furnishings, state-of-the-art amenities, a separate sleep zone and lounge area.
Watch the world go by from your private verandah or terrace, as your butler pours you a glass of champagne. It’s your ultimate retreat after a day of discovery
