Low Prices On All Scenic Cruises

Key Dining Venues

Important Dining Policies

• All-Inclusive: All meals and unlimited premium beverages (fine wines, spirits, specialty coffees) are included in your fare. A very small selection of rare vintage wines or spirits may carry an additional charge.
• Reservations: Most venues operate on an open-seating basis, meaning you can dine when and with whom you like. However, specialty venues like Lumière and the Night Market @ Koko’s require advanced booking once on board.
• Dress Code: The standard is Elegant Resort Casual.
• Daytime: Casual and comfortable (shorts/t-shirts are fine).
• Evening: Smart trousers/slacks with collared shirts for men; dresses, skirts, or slacks for women. Jackets and ties are never required.

Note: Swimwear and flip-flops are not permitted in dining venues during dinner.

• Dietary Requirements: Scenic is highly accommodating of allergies and preferences (vegan, gluten-free, etc.). You must notify them in writing at the time of booking, and it is recommended to speak with the Maître d’ or Cruise Director upon embarkation to confirm your needs.
• In-Suite Dining: Available 24/7. If you’d prefer a quiet dinner on your private verandah, you can order from a comprehensive menu at no extra cost.

A Touch of Wit

While the Night Market teppanyaki is intimate and world-class, don’t expect the flying shrimp or onion volcano show found on larger commercial ships. Scenic leans more toward culinary artistry and less toward food-based acrobatics.

The Price Guarantee

Generally, Scenic operates under a Price Guarantee model. Once you have paid your full cruise fare, the price is locked in and protected against any subsequent fuel surcharges or currency fluctuations.

Conditions for Potential Surcharges

While Scenic strives to avoid post-booking charges, their standard Terms & Conditions include a clause regarding Journey Price variations:

• Before Final Payment: Scenic reserves the right to vary your Journey Price at any time before you have paid in full. This is specifically to cover increases in costs outside of their control, such as:
• Significant spikes in fuel costs.
• Changes in government taxes or port charges.
• Major exchange rate fluctuations.
• The Threshold: Many luxury lines, including Scenic’s competitors, often set a specific trigger (e.g., if West Texas Intermediate crude oil exceeds $70–$100 per barrel). While Scenic does not always publish a specific trigger price in their marketing, the legal right to implement a surcharge remains in the contract until the final balance is settled.

How to Avoid a Surcharge

• Pay in Full Early: Because the price is guaranteed only after the full Journey Price is paid, travelers concerned about rising oil prices (often influenced by global conflict or supply shifts) may choose to pay their balance ahead of the standard 90-to-120-day deadline to lock in the rate.
• Check Super Earlybird Offers: Some of Scenic’s top-tier promotional offers require full payment 10–12 months in advance. These are almost always immune to fuel surcharges once the payment is processed.

If a Surcharge is Applied

If Scenic does implement a surcharge before your final payment:

• Notification: They are required to notify you or your travel agent using your provided contact details.
• Right to Cancel: In many jurisdictions (and depending on the specific contract version), if a surcharge exceeds a certain percentage of the cruise fare (usually 2% to 10%), you may have the right to cancel the booking without penalty, though this varies by region and specific contract terms.

Payment Schedule

• Deposit: To secure a suite, a non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. For Scenic Eclipse, this typically ranges from 10% to 25% of the total cruise fare.
• Final Payment: The remaining balance is generally due 90 to 120 days prior to the departure date.
• Early Booking Offers: If you take advantage of Super Earlybird or Earlybird promotions, Scenic often requires full payment up to 12 months in advance (or within 7–10 days of booking) to lock in the highest discount and the Price Guarantee against fuel surcharges.

Cancellation Fees

Scenic uses a tiered penalty system. The closer you get to the sailing date, the more you lose:

Note: For ultra-long Grand Voyage itineraries, the 100% penalty window often starts at 60 or 90 days out.

Deposit Protection Plan (DPP)

Scenic offers a Deposit Protection Plan (usually for a small fee of around $125–$250 per person, depending on your region).

• How it works: If you cancel your cruise before final payment is due, Scenic will hold your non-refundable deposit as a Future Travel Credit (FTC).
• Validity: This credit is typically valid for 24 months from the date of cancellation and can be applied to a new booking.
• Important: This is not a refund to your credit card; it is a voucher to ensure your money isn’t lost forever.

Refund Methods

• Standard Refunds: If a refund is owed (e.g., you paid in full but cancelled 150 days out), Scenic typically processes the refund back to the original form of payment.
• Future Travel Credits (FTC): If Scenic cancels your cruise for operational reasons (e.g., extreme weather or ice conditions in Antarctica), they often offer a choice between a 100% refund or a 110% credit toward a future sailing.

The Gold Rule: Non-Smoking Indoors

Scenic Eclipse is a non-smoking vessel in all interior spaces. This includes:

• All Suites: Smoking is strictly prohibited inside your room.
• Public Lounges & Bars: There are no indoor cigar lounges or designated smoking sections in the Whiskey Bar, Lounge, or dining venues.
• Corridors & Lobby: All transit areas are smoke-free.

Balcony & Verandah Policy

• Strictly Prohibited: You cannot smoke on your private verandah or terrace.
• Why? This is a safety and comfort regulation. Smoke can easily drift into neighboring suites through open doors, and discarded ash poses a significant fire risk on a moving vessel.
• Penalty: Violation of this policy typically results in a steep cleaning fee (often $500+) added to your shipboard account and, in extreme cases, may lead to disembarkation.

Designated Smoking Areas

There is generally only one designated area where smoking is permitted:

• Location: An outdoor section on Deck 6.
• Equipment: This area is equipped with wind-resistant ashtrays.
• Scope: This policy includes e-cigarettes and vaping devices, which are treated the same as traditional cigarettes and must only be used in this designated outdoor zone.

Specific Restrictions to Note

• In Port: Smoking is strictly prohibited on all outer decks while the ship is refueling (bunkering) in port. The crew will make an announcement when these no-smoking windows are in effect.
• Zodiacs & Landings: Smoking is absolutely forbidden while on Zodiacs or during any shore excursions, particularly in pristine environments like Antarctica or the Arctic, where strict environmental Leave No Trace protocols are in place.

Scenic’s approach to travel protection is two-fold: they offer an internal Platinum Protection Plan for cancellation flexibility, while strongly recommending (and sometimes requiring) external third-party insurance for medical and evacuation needs.

Scenic Platinum Protection Plan (PPP)

This is Scenic’s own protection product, designed specifically to address the non-refundable nature of their deposits. It is not a traditional insurance policy but rather a contractual agreement with the cruise line.

• The Cost: Typically, $595 per person for Scenic Eclipse voyages.
• What it Covers:
• Cancellation 31+ days before departure: You receive a 100% refund of your cruise fare (less the cost of the PPP and any third-party fees like airlines).
• Cancellation 15–30 days before departure: You receive a 70% refund.
• Key Benefit: It provides coverage for common issues like illness, injury, or natural disasters affecting your home, but it is often more flexible than standard insurance regarding change of mind or evolving circumstances.
• Constraint: You must usually purchase the PPP within a short window (often 7–14 days) of making your initial deposit.

Scenic Travel Protection Plus (US/North America)

In certain markets, Scenic partners with providers to offer a more traditional insurance package.

• Medical Coverage: Typically includes around $50,000 in medical expenses.
• Evacuation: Includes roughly $100,000 for emergency medical evacuation.
• Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR): The Plus version often includes a CFAR benefit that pays out 75% of the non-refundable cost in cash for reasons not listed in the standard policy.

Third-Party Comprehensive Insurance (Recommended)

For expedition cruises (Antarctica, the Arctic, or the Kimberley), Scenic and many travel experts strongly suggest a third-party policy (e.g., Allianz, Travelex, or Medjet) for several reasons:

• Higher Evacuation Limits: Remote expeditions can require helicopter evacuations that cost upwards of $150,000–$250,000. Many standard cruise plans have lower limits; a third-party policy can offer $500,000 to $1 million in coverage.
• Pre-existing Conditions: If you buy a third-party policy within 14–21 days of your first deposit, you can usually get a waiver for pre-existing conditions.
• Primary vs. Secondary: Many luxury travelers prefer Primary coverage, where the insurance company pays the hospital directly rather than requiring you to pay upfront and seek reimbursement later.

Scenic prides itself on a truly all-inclusive philosophy, which extends to their tipping policy.

The No Tipping Required Policy

• Onboard Gratuities: All tips for onboard staff—including your butler, cabin stewards, dining room servers, and bar staff—are included in your cruise fare. Unlike mainstream lines, there is no daily service charge added to your final bill.
• Off-Board Gratuities: Tipping is also included for local guides and drivers on all Scenic-organized shore excursions and Freechoice activities.
• Structural Philosophy: Scenic pays their crew higher base wages to ensure that service excellence is a standard, not something incentivized by individual tips.

Handling Above and Beyond Service

While tipping is neither expected nor encouraged, some guests still wish to recognize exceptional service. If you choose to do so, here is the protocol:

• Discreet Cash Tips: If a specific crew member (like your butler or a favorite bartender) has made your trip extraordinary, you may offer a small cash tip at the end of the cruise.
• The Reaction: Crew members may occasionally decline tips politely, as it is not part of the ship’s culture, but they are generally allowed to accept them if you insist.
• The Movie Production Rule: It is best to handle any extra tipping discreetly (e.g., in a small envelope or a handshake) to maintain the relaxed, non-transactional atmosphere for other guests.

What is NOT Included

While Scenic covers almost everything, there are a few niche areas where you might still need your wallet:

• External Services: If you take a private taxi or dine at a local restaurant independent of a Scenic excursion, a tip of 10–15% is customary, depending on the country.
• Pre/Post Hotel Stays: If you have booked independent hotel stays before or after your cruise, tipping for porters and concierge services at those hotels is at your discretion.

• Scenic Eclipse Discovery Yachts
• Truly all-inclusive 6-star expedition cruising
• Helicopters, Zodiacs, and expedition equipment included
• Ultra-luxury suites with butler service
• Multiple world-class dining venues
• High staff-to-guest and expedition leader ratios
• Seamless luxury in remote destinations
• Polar, ocean, and global expedition itineraries

What is included on Scenic Eclipse cruises?
Luxury accommodations, all dining, premium beverages, gratuities, shore landings, and expedition activities.

Is Scenic Eclipse a luxury expedition ship?
Yes, it combines ultra-luxury accommodations with advanced expedition capabilities.

Are helicopters included?
On select itineraries, helicopter experiences are included, subject to weather and operational conditions.

Are gratuities included?
Yes, gratuities are included.

Who is Scenic Eclipse best suited for?
Travelers seeking luxury exploration, remote destinations, and a seamless all-inclusive experience.