Further delay for Scenic Eclipse, but future of Scenic’s “Discovery Yacht Fleet” is now assured.
Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours has just confirmed that its long-awaited Scenic Eclipse luxury expedition yacht is now scheduled to launch on 15 August 2019 – almost 12 months after its initially planned debut.
The delivery has been repeatedly put back due to financial issues at the Uljanik shipyard in Croatia, with Scenic stepping in to directly employ hundreds of staff to keep the project moving. Initially scheduled to launch on 31 August 2018, Eclipse was first delayed until Jan 2019, and then the ship’s debut was further revised to 13 April 2019, followed by today’s announcement of 15 August 2019.
An update from Scenic Group Chairman Glen Moroney today detailed the latest delay, assuring passengers and agents that “the revised departure of 15 August is most definitely achievable”.
The assurance follows confirmation of a restructuring program for the Uljanik shipyard by a consortium comprising Croatian group DIV and Italian shipmaker Fincantieri.
Scenic has also formed a joint venture with DIV/Fincantieri to design and project manage the expansion of the Discovery Yacht Fleet.
Production of Scenic Eclipse II will commence as soon as the restructuring program is approved, while detailed design of an “entirely new series of Scenic Discovery Yachts” has also commenced. “The support of the Scenic Group is of great importance for the survival of the shipyard and the continuation of the business processes at Uljanik,” said the shipyard’s Chairman Emil Bulic.
Moroney said Scenic was confident the new owners of the shipyard would bring “stability and focus to current and future ship builds.
“Please be assured we are working hard to complete the delivery of Scenic Eclipse – a whole new benchmark in design, innovation and luxury – to bring you this amazing cruising experience,” he said.
Scenic has committed to providing guests a full refund for the cost of their Scenic Eclipse cruise and consideration of any other reasonable associated costs incurred with their travel plans. Any passengers who rebook a Scenic Eclipse voyage will also receive a future cruise credit to the value of 25% of the cost of their rebooked cruise.
More details in tomorrow’s issues of Travel Daily and Cruise Weekly.