During the very first Antarctic voyage, we managed to get the ship down to the ice sheet near Cockburn Island, deep in the Weddell Sea. This was only possible due to the ability of Scenic Eclipse. It was a huge relief to know that, after several years of planning, the ship was every bit as technically capable as we had hoped.
We were the first ship of the season to get so far south, and we even managed to get the ship ‘parked’ alongside the ice to allow our guests to walk on the sea ice. The absolute highlight was, of course, when several Emperor Penguins arrived, and proceeded to spend several hours with our guests.
What stands out for me as a testament to the unique technology and capabilities of Scenic Eclipse, was our visit to the protected island of Little Inagua, in the Bahamas. Thanks to the manoeuvrability and exceptional environmental standards of Scenic Eclipse, we obtained official authorisation from the Bahaman authorities to organise a discovery day on this protected island – something few people have ever experienced.
And, with special discovery excursions including snorkelling, kayaking and beach yoga to enjoy, our guests were able to make the absolute utmost of their time spent in this untouched, serene paradise. Given this is a place few have ventured in decades, it was a unique and memorable experience for everyone.