Accompanied by Scenic Group owners Glen and Karen Moroney, NASA Astronaut Dr. Kathryn Sullivan christened Scenic Eclipse II, one of the world's most technologically advanced ultra-luxury yachts, in Málaga, Spain.
With the beautiful port decorated for the festive occasion, speeches were made by Glen Moroney, President of the Málaga Port Authority Carlos Rubio, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Victor Gonzalez, and Dr. Sullivan. The event included VIPs, trade guests and media.
Dr. Sullivan is the first American woman to walk in space and a veteran of three shuttle missions. The American geologist and oceanographer also holds the honour of being the first woman to visit the deepest spot in the oceans, the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, seven miles below the surface of the Pacific Ocean.
"I was so honoured to be asked to be Godmother of Scenic Eclipse II as it was not something I ever expected," stated Sullivan.
"But now that I have had the opportunity to tour the ship with Glen and Karen Moroney and hear their story and see their vision for travel, I am eager to join her for a sailing. Seeing the level of luxury that is possible in what is truly an expedition vessel has me wondering what the Moroneys could do with the rather restrictive confines of the Space Shuttle and the super cramped environment of the submersible we used to dive the Mariana Trench. I am touched and honoured to be Scenic Eclipse II's Godmother."
"It is rare to find anyone who has the list of unprecedented accomplishments achieved by Dr. Kathy Sullivan," said Glen Moroney, Founder and Chairman of The Scenic Group.
"Although we are not able to duplicate some of her more extreme adventures - yet - we do believe that Scenic Eclipse II offers our guests exploration possibilities unlike any in the industry. We are so honored to have Dr. Sullivan as the Godmother of Scenic Eclipse II and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship."
The addition of the 228-guest (200 in the polar regions) Scenic Eclipse II to the fleet opens even more of the world to the guests with new itineraries, destinations, and discovery adventures. The combined fleet will visit 50 countries across all seven continents in 2023 and 2024.
Scenic Eclipse II will explore the islands of Greenland, Svalbard and Iceland above the Arctic Circle and the Caribbean in its inaugural season. New voyages in 2024 and 2025 will take in the Asia Pacific region, including New Zealand, Western Australia's remote Kimberly region and Coral Coast, Tahiti, Fiji, Borneo and Japan.
Both Scenic Eclipse Discovery Yachts will spend the November to February Antarctica season taking guests to many of the most remote regions of this amazing continent, including the rarely-visited Weddell Sea, where the Emperor Penguin reigns supreme, and the world's largest marine sanctuary, the seldom visited Ross Sea.
Scenic Eclipse II has 114 all-verandah suites range in size from 345 ft² to 2,659 ft², 10 dining options - from Asian Fusion to French fine dining to a Chef's Table to 24/7 room service; a 5,920 ft² spa with a well-equipped gym and separate yoga and Pilates studio; two helicopters and an electric submersible; a state-of-the-art theater for entertainment and lectures; indoor and outdoor plunge pools; butler service for all guests; and an almost 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio.
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