What You Actually Get on an Ultra-Luxury Scenic Cruise (It’s A LOT)

Most cruise lines include accommodation, meals and entertainment. Some throw in drinks, WiFi or gratuities too. But, Scenic takes things much further.

When I sailed on Scenic Eclipse II, I quickly realised that almost everything was included in the fare. I never had to reach for my cruise card to order drinks. In fact, I found it virtually impossible to spend any money at all.

Of course, an ultra-luxury cruise comes with a premium price tag. But when you look at everything that’s included, that starts to make much more sense.

After all, it’s not what you pay to get on the ship that’s important. It’s what you pay to get off. And for many cruisers who sail with Scenic, that will be zero.

Here’s what you actually get when you book a Scenic cruise….

1. A Spacious Veranda Suite

One thing that immediately sets Scenic cruises apart is that every guest stays in a suite.

There are no inside cabins. There are no oceanview cabins. There aren’t even standard balcony cabins. Every accommodation category comes with a private veranda, giving all guests their own outdoor space to enjoy the sea views.

I stayed in the entry-level Verandah Suite, which is officially the smallest room on the ship. Yet it still felt incredibly luxurious.

The suite featured a comfortable sitting area, a spacious bathroom, a walk-in wardrobe and a large furnished balcony. There was plenty of storage, premium toiletries and thoughtful touches throughout.

On many cruise ships, a room of this standard would be considered an upgrade. On Scenic Eclipse II, it’s simply the starting point.

2. Your Own Butler

One of the biggest surprises for first-time Scenic guests is that every suite comes with butler service.

Not just the top suites. Every suite.

Your butler can help with whatever you’d like them to. Restaurant reservations, room service requests, laundry arrangements and general assistance throughout your cruise.

If you’d like help unpacking your luggage when you arrive or packing before you leave, they can even assist with that too.

It’s the kind of service usually reserved for the most expensive accommodation on other cruise lines, yet Scenic provides it to every guest.

3. Up To 10 Dining Experiences

Most cruise lines charge extra for their best restaurants. Scenic Eclipse II takes a different approach. The ship offers up to ten dining experiences, all included in your cruise fare.

• Elements – The main restaurant featuring Italian, steak and seafood from an à la carte menu
• Lumière – Fine dining restaurant with a seven-course set menu
• Koko’s – Contemporary Asian fusion restaurant
• Sushi & Saké @ Koko’s – Sushi bar where up to 18 guests can watch as chefs prepare the meals
• Night Market @ KoKo’s – Exclusive Teppanyaki grill experience for only eight guests
• Chef’s Table @ Elements – Exclusive invitation-only experience for only ten guests, with a window to the kitchen
• Azure Bar & Cafe – A relaxed cafe that’s open from early morning until late evening for meals and snacks
• Yacht Club – A buffet-style restaurant for breakfast, lunch and special themed dinners
• In-Suite Dining – Your personal butler can arrange for you to dine in your suite at any time of the day or night
• Culinary Masterclasses – On some cruises, guests can enjoy local cuisine and wines at the Chefs garden or even within the galley

The food on Scenic Eclipse II was genuinely the best food I’ve ever experienced on land or sea. Whether it was a seven-course meal with wine pairings, or a simple pizza at lunch, everything was cooked to perfection.

It’s worth noting that while the ship does have a lot of dining venues, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to try all of them during your cruise. Many of the venues are very small, and places book up quickly. The Chef’s Table is available by invitation only.

4. Premium Drinks Throughout The Ship

Drinks packages can easily add hundreds of pounds to the cost of a cruise.

On Scenic cruises, premium beverages are already included. That means wines, beers, spirits, cocktails, soft drinks, speciality coffees, teas and water are all available for you to enjoy freely.

When we arrived at the ship, we were handed a welcome glass of fizz. But it didn’t stop there. Drinks were regularly offered throughout the cruise, and often at times when I wouldn’t have expected.

For example, during a hiking excursion, the guide pulled out two bottles of Italian sparkling wine as we stopped for a rest. And as we climbed back aboard the ship’s marina platform after kayaking, we were greeted with ice buckets of drinks, including several varieties of sparkling wine and Champagne.

5. A Daily-Restocked Minibar

The all-inclusive experience extends to your suite too. Every room comes with a minibar that’s restocked daily.

When we arrived, our butler asked our preferences and stocked the fridge with a bottle of my favourite wine. He also added a bottle of soya milk, which is my preferred milk for coffee, although I’m still not sure how he knew that!

There were also carafes available should you want particular spirits, although we didn’t take advantage of this perk.

Those small details make a huge difference. After returning to the ship after an excursion, it was so nice to have cold drinks waiting in the room, and knowing that the fridge would always be stocked.

6. Tips And Gratuities

On some cruise lines, daily service charges can add hundreds of pounds to the cost of a holiday. On Scenic Eclipse, gratuities are all part of the included cost.

There’s no pressure to tip any extra or even a suggestion that you should do this. However, given that each suite has a butler, I assume that most guests would leave something for them at the end of the cruise.

7. Shipwide WiFi

Scenic cruises include WiFi throughout the ship, and in my experience, it’s faster than the WiFi that other cruise lines charge a considerable daily fee for.

I was able to upload photos and videos to social media, check emails and keep in touch with family back home without needing to purchase a separate package.

For many travellers, especially those who work remotely or like to share their travels on social media, this inclusion adds significant value.

8. The Senses Spa Thermal Area

The Senses Spa is one of the most impressive areas onboard and is free to use for all guests.

It features traditional and infrared saunas, steam rooms, heated loungers and relaxation spaces designed to help guests unwind. Outside, there’s a heated plunge pool with views over the wake.

This is the perfect place to relax after returning from an excursion.

9. Fitness Classes And Wellness Facilities

Scenic Eclipse places a strong emphasis on wellness. Guests have access to a modern gym with indoor and outdoor machines and a range of wellness-focused activities.

Whether you want to maintain your exercise routine, try a yoga class or simply enjoy a walk around the outdoor decks, there are plenty of opportunities to stay active.

There are even electric bikes that you can borrow and take ashore with you.

It’s easy to indulge on a luxury cruise, but Scenic also makes it easy to look after yourself.

10. Watersports From The Marina

One of the most unique features of Scenic Eclipse II is its marina.

When weather and sea conditions allow, the marina opens at the back of the ship, giving guests direct access to the water. Activities can include kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations.

Scenic has another cruise ship launching soon, Scenic Ikon, which will feature an even more impressive marine platform, so look out for that coming soon.

11. Shore Excursions In Port

Ordinarily, shore excursions can be one of the biggest additional expenses on a cruise holiday. Scenic includes a great selection of excursions each day through its Scenic Freechoice programme.

The exact excursions vary by itinerary, but they often include walking tours and hikes, tasting experiences and minibus trips. There’s something to suit most levels of activity.

As the ship is so small, excursions take place in small groups, sometimes with as few as six guests. This is a very different experience from being on an excursion with over 50 others!

I was also surprised to see evening excursions included. During our cruise, guests were also able to enjoy a private evening concert ashore with food and wine.

12. Expert-Led Expedition Experiences

This is where Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II become truly unique. While Scenic operates luxury cruises in destinations like the Mediterranean, these ships are also designed as expedition vessels, visiting the world’s most remote destinations such as Antarctica, the Arctic, Iceland and the Chilean Fjords.

On expedition itineraries, guests can benefit from experiences led by specialist expedition teams. Depending on the destination, this can include Zodiac landings, wildlife spotting, guided nature walks and educational lectures.

13. Access To The Bridge

Large cruise ships often offer tours of the bridge at an additional cost. Scenic, however, has an open bridge policy when operational requirements allow. So if the door’s open, you’re welcome to come in.

It’s incredible to be able to watch the crew members as they work. You’re even allowed to use the binoculars to take a closer look at your surroundings.

14. Airport To Ship Transfers

If your arrival and departure align with the itinerary’s first and last day, you’ll receive complimentary airport-to-ship and ship-to-airport transfers.

If you’ve booked through Scenic to stay at a hotel in the port city before or after your cruise, they’ll also organise transfers between your accommodation and the ship.

Depending on the number of guests on your transfer, this may be by coach or chauffeur.

What About Flights?

All Scenic Discovery Yacht Antarctica voyages include internal commercial flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. Guests staying in the top suites can enjoy travel by private jet.

Scenic sometimes has also special offers with return flights included on other itineraries, including regional UK flights on European itineraries.

Take a look at the Scenic Cruises website for more information and current offers.

What You’ll Still Need To Pay Extra For

For all its inclusions, there are still a few things that aren’t covered, and you’ll want to be aware of these.

Helicopter Rides

Scenic Eclipse carries two onboard helicopters and due to the popularity, flights come at an additional cost.

Each helicopter carries just seven guests. They take off straight from the ship, offering views of the scenery where it’s possible to do so. On our cruise, a 20-minute flight was priced at $500 per person, and they all sold out very quickly.

Sometimes, you may find special offers with helicopter rides included in the cruise if you book during certain periods. Take a look at the Scenic Cruises website for more information.

Submarine Rides

The ship’s custom-built submarine is another extra-charge experience. On expedition voyages, it allows guests to explore up to 1,000 feet beneath the surface in a way that very few travellers ever will.

The submarine seats six guests and costs around $800 per person, for a 40-minute ride.

Certain Wines

While premium drinks are included, a small number of ultra-premium wines and rare bottles are available for an extra charge.

Spa Treatments

Access to the thermal area is included, but treatments such as massages, facials and beauty services cost extra. The prices are similar to what you would expect on a cruise.

Boutique Purchases

If you decide to do some shopping onboard, naturally those purchases aren’t included either.

Is A Scenic Eclipse Cruise Worth It?

When considering a cruise, it’s vital that you look beyond the headline fare. After all, it’s not uncommon for your bill at the end to be as high as the ticket price itself.

When it comes to ultra-luxury cruising, there are huge variations in what’s included across the different lines. Scenic is certainly one of the most inclusive.

At the other end of the scale, we have the Four Seasons Yachts. The price looks similar at first glance, but doesn’t include dining, drinks or excursions. With a simple dinner costing several hundred dollars, the additional costs can quickly mount up.

So, whatever type of cruise you’re planning, it’s important to consider what’s included and what costs extra. With Scenic, the value doesn’t just come from unlimited access to what are usually ‘added extras’. It comes from the peace of mind of knowing that everything is taken care of before you depart.

If you’d like to take a closer look at what life is like onboard, then don’t miss my YouTube video:

Related Posts:

• My Scenic Cruise Review
• The Best All-Inclusive Cruise Lines (With Luxury & Value Options)
• Scenic Vs Emerald Cruises