Low Prices On All Scenic Cruises

Key Dining Venues

Elements — Italian, Steak & Seafood

• Main restaurant offering elegant yet relaxed dining.
• Open seating policy.

Lumière — Contemporary French

• Fine dining experience paired with a Champagne bar.
• Reservations required.

Koko’s — Asian Fusion

• Features a Sushi & Sake Bar and a Night Market with Teppanyaki-style dining for intimate groups.

Yacht Club — Grill & Buffet

• Casual indoor and outdoor dining.
• Open for breakfast, lunch, and themed dinners.

Azure Bar & Café — Light Bites

• Offers all-day grazing, pizzas, salads, and barista-made coffee.

Chef’s Table — Degustation

• Exclusive, invitation-only 11-course dining experience.
• Limited to just 10 guests.

Epicure — Culinary Masterclass

• Dedicated space for cooking classes and beverage tastings.

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.

Deposits & Payments

• Standard reservations require a percentage deposit of 10% to 25% of the total cruise fare (itinerary dependent), due within 7 days of booking. Final payment is due exactly 120 days prior to departure (160 days prior for Galapagos and Amazon charters).
• Standard deposits serve as a firm guarantee and are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable. Booking amendments (such as name or date changes) are treated legally as cancellations and require new bookings. Reservations created inside standard payment windows require immediate full payment.

Cancellation & Refunds

Cancellation fees scale progressively based on days remaining prior to departure.

120+ Days Prior to Departure

• Cancellation Penalty: Loss of non-refundable deposit (10%–25%).
• Refund Eligibility: 100% of additional fare paid is refunded.

119–61 Days Prior to Departure

• Cancellation Penalty: 35% of total cruise fare.
• Refund Eligibility: 65% of total fare paid is refunded.

60 Days or Less Prior to Departure

• Cancellation Penalty: 50% of total cruise fare.
• Refund Eligibility: 50% of total fare paid is refunded.

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 offers travel protection options, including the Flexible Booking Plan, Platinum Protection, and an automatic guarantee:

1. Flexible Booking Plan (FBP): Costs $250 per person. Must be paid at deposit. Allows cancellation or deferral up to 120 days (ocean) prior, with the non-refundable deposit issued as a Future Travel Credit (FTC) valid for 24 months.
2. Platinum Protection Plan (PPP): Flat fee cancellation waiver ($595 Scenic Eclipse) paid at deposit. Cancel for documented medical emergency: 100% cash refund at 31+ days; 70% cash refund at 15-30 days; 0% inside 14 days.
3. Allianz Partners Travel Protection: Covers Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Medical ($100k), and Evacuation ($500k).

Scenic enforces a strict 100% all-inclusive tipping policy. All gratuities onboard and ashore are fully included in the cruise fare (covers hotel crew, waitstaff, bartenders, butlers, local shore guides, drivers, and porters). No daily service charges are added to accounts; the daily auto-charge is strictly $0. Prepayment is not available or required, and gratuities cannot be adjusted, removed, or refunded on board. Onboard crew are compensated under professional contracts and are trained to politely decline additional cash tips. The tipping policy is completely uniform across all cabin classes and itineraries.

Daytime wear is yacht-chic / resort casual. Evening dress in Elements, Koko’s, or Lumière is elegant smart casual (collared shirts, slacks, dresses, or pantsuits; jackets/blazers optional, ties not required).

Formal Nights

• Scenic maintains a relaxed and ultra-luxurious atmosphere with no formal nights across its Scenic Eclipse ocean vessels.

• Enhance your cruise vacation by pre-booking your excursions (recommended for most savings and to guarantee availability) via the cruise line app or book while onboard. Space is limited and popular excursions sell out fast!

• 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.