On 19 September 2025, in the picturesque harbour of Honfleur in Normandy France, two custom-designed river and yacht cruising ships met for the very first time. Scenic Gem, purpose-built for the historic Seine River, and Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yacht™️marked a significant milestone with a day of celebrations.

A unique convergence of river & ocean design

Honfleur, with its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and picturesque harbour, provided the ideal backdrop for this extraordinary event. Scenic Gem, purpose-built to cruise the winding Seine, is one of only a few river ships able to dock directly in Honfleur’s historic heart. This unique capability allows guests to step off the ship and immediately explore the charm of Normandy’s markets, galleries, and cafes, and enjoy a seamless shorter travel experiences to the historic Normandy beaches.

By contrast, Scenic Eclipse is designed to roam the farthest reaches of the globe. The World’s First Discovery Yacht™️, it is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for advanced exploration. GPS Dynamic Positioning allows the ship to hold position without dropping anchor on sensitive seabeds. Extended stabilisers and advanced Azipod propulsion also ensure a smoother journey even in open seas. And for guests seeking the extraordinary, Scenic Eclipse carries two helicopters and a custom-built submersible, opening access to destinations most travellers can only dream of. Seeing these two ships side by side in Honfleur Harbour was an incredible moment for the crew and guests. One is designed to navigate a historic river, and another built to cross oceans and explore remote polar regions converged in one harbour, a feat made possible by Scenic’s vision and innovative ship-building.

A symbolic ceremony

To mark the occasion, the captains of Scenic Gem, Captain Ludovic Libs and Scenic Eclipse, Captain Radomir Novosel shared a ceremonial presentation on deck. Rather than a simple exchange of gifts, the moment was symbolic - an acknowledgement of the seamanship, design ingenuity, and shared values that unite Scenic’s diverse fleet. Inspired by the occasion, Scenic Eclipse Pastry Chef Jed Samson, Executive Chef Viktor Malek, and the culinary team unveiled an elaborate cake masterpiece. The creation showcased Honfleur’s picturesque harbour skyline, complete with a delicately crafted edible Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Gem. Guests on board were also invited to visit each of the ships for a view into the unique opportunities to sail on these vessels. Whilst also gaining insights from a special guest, guide Ben Baillie, who shared the rich history of the region.

You may be wondering, what does a banana have to do with sustainability? The answer is – more than you think. Almost 120 million tonnes of bananas are produced around the world each year, but as much as 40% goes straight to waste. Banana peels contain a carbon rich organic matter that can take up to two years to decompose.

At the same time, they are packed with nutrients, including dietary fibre, protein and carbohydrates. They also contain amino acids, minerals and healthy unsaturated fats. So, the Scenic Eclipse culinary team set to find ways to utilise the banana peels and cut down on waste.

Tom Goetter, Vice President Hotel Operations – Scenic Group Oceans, began his career as Executive Chef of Scenic Eclipse. He is well versed in the challenges of balancing 6-star dining and sustainability.

“As a chef on board ultra-luxury expeditions ships, we walk a fine line between offering an exceptional range of fine food and beverages and working within the limitation of on board storage and capacity,” he says. “The key to success comes down to a few essentials: careful organisation and clear recipes, precise provisioning calculations, and a sustainability mindset.”

After months of experimentation, The Whole Banana was born. This unique dish uses 100% of the banana, including the peel, and is on the Scenic Eclipse Chef’s Table menu. It showcases the creativity of our chefs, the versatility of common produce and an original way to approach sustainability on board.

It’s easy to make the most of your Scenic Club membership by bundling loyalty benefits and combining them with other offers.
 
After each Scenic cruise or tour, Scenic Club members receive a Welcome Home Voucher to use on your next journey with us. Redeemable on your next booking, this voucher is worth $250 for Gold members, $300 for Platinum, $350 for Diamond, $400 for Emerald and $500 for Scenic Chairman’s Club members. 
 
Members can also enjoy priority access to our new itineraries, including Super Earlybird offers. Combine your Welcome Home Voucher with early access to our lowest fares to bundle your benefits and secure the best rate possible. Platinum members and above can also take advantage of a complimentary private transfer and pre- or post-night stay on trips of 20 days or more. 
 
You’ll accrue more points each time you travel with us on an ocean cruise, river cruise or land journey, with additional points for premium accommodation and added extensions. Be rewarded for following your passions and creating stories for life.