Written by Sally Staunton, Concierge Cruise Consultant
What an incredible few days we spent onboard Scenic Eclipse with so many fantastic experiences in such a short space of time! Some of the highlights included a private wine-tasting event hosted at a beautiful vineyard near St. Tropez, a guided walking tour of Nice, paddle boarding, a wonderful six-course French food and wine pairing dinner, visits to the bridge, a bike ride along the Corsican coast and so much more…
Upon arrival in St. Tropez, we were whisked aboard the ship by tender. After a swift check-in and a glass of Champagne, our butler took care of our luggage and escorted us to our suite before we began a tour of the ship. Our timing was perfect as we spotted the helicopters and managed to see one being prepared on the flight deck (although not permitted to fly in France) and chat with the pilots.
The ship is stunning, with a sleek super yacht design that accommodates only 228 guests, gleaming interiors and luxurious, spacious suites. She was purpose-built for expedition and discovery cruising, featuring state-of-the-art amenities and an ice-strengthened hull for Antarctic and Arctic exploration. Every suite boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and a private veranda, a comfortable yet stylish lounge seating area, butler service, a coffee machine, and a fully stocked mini-bar. Despite being a smaller ship, she has so much to offer: seven dining options, three bars (one which features over 100 whiskies!), an observation lounge and library, a discovery centre, a spa including two saunas, plunge pools, and steam rooms, two bubbling hot tubs, a well-equipped gym, a yoga studio, E-bikes, two helicopters, and a submersible. Plus, fine dining, drinks, tips, room service, explorations, and shore tours are also included.
During our first evening onboard, we had the pleasure of attending a Scenic Enrich exclusive event, where we ventured on a short journey to a vineyard located just outside St. Tropez. Here, we met local producers and sampled some fantastic wine, locally produced food and olive oil, and enjoyed a short tour of the vineyard, all while being entertained by live music on a warm and balmy evening. Back onboard, a gourmet buffet had been prepared in the main lounge, with musical entertainment provided by two lovely cruise directors, it was a truly ambient end to our first day.
The next morning, we glided into the beautiful bay of Villefranche-Sur-Mer, where, after a short journey along the coast, we enjoyed a morning walking tour in Nice. In the afternoon, we returned to Villefranche and took advantage of the opportunity to explore this charming and picturesque town. Back onboard, we decided to try out the kayaks and paddleboards from the marina, aft of the ship, and then plunged into the cool Mediterranean Sea – a fun and unforgettable experience! In the evening, we dined at Lumiere, a fine-dining French cuisine restaurant, where we enjoyed a six-course French food and wine pairing. Each dish was beautifully presented and delicious! The food was served with wines that were unique to this restaurant and not available anywhere else onboard. Then, we headed to the theatre, where we enjoyed a fantastic performance from the two cruise directors, followed by lots of dancing after.
With rather stormy conditions forecast, the Captain made the decision to change port in Corsica, which meant no tenders were required. The next morning, we docked in the delightful town of Bastia. Despite the last-minute change, the tours were seamlessly amended. We decided to try out the E-bikes that they have onboard (all included, of course) and took a ride around the small marina and then along the coast. Once we re-embarked the ship, we visited the bridge. The vessel has an open bridge policy, which means if the door is open, guests are welcome to pop in and speak to the officers and navigation crew, who are happy to answer any questions about sailing this ‘discovery yacht’ and talk about the incredible destinations she sails to. It was so interesting and something I would highly recommend. This evening, we dined at KoKo’s, the Asian fusion restaurant, where we enjoyed an array of diverse dishes.
The dining options aboard are all truly fantastic! Every dish we savoured was immaculately presented and bursting with flavour. A real highlight for me would have to be KoKo’s. The Azure Café and Yacht Club are open for breakfast and lunch, and again, all of the food was amazing! For a small ship, we were very impressed by the variety.
Of course, I also have to mention the wonderful staff onboard. Every single member was incredibly friendly and dedicated to delivering an extra-special experience for every guest. It was a truly exceptional experience.
