​20 Apr 2022 // 2 minute read
Text by Cruise & Harbour News | Photos by Cruise & Harbour News Team

Scenic Eclipse Revolutionizes The Tour Side of the Industry

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours' very own Scenic Eclipse, one of the most innovative cruise ships ever, is revolutionizing the tour-side of the cruising industry, taking it by storm with it's unprecedented helicopter and submarine tours. In fact, the Cruise & Harbour News team was able to register the moments when the Scenic Eclipse became the first cruise ship to ever undertake such peculiar expeditions in Portugal, taking guests on it's very own chase boat - or submarine, as you prefer - and the ship's helicopter.

It happened in Funchal, Madeira Island, when on a cruise from and to the portuguese capital of Lisbon, the Scenic Eclipse launched her chase boat before docking at the main harbour pier just before 8 AM. Mid-afternoon, she would launch two helicopter tours aswell. All this, on Easter Sunday, 17th of April.
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The chase boat was supported by three of the ship's zodiacs throughout the day, quickly transfering guests back and forth between the ship and the submarine, which explored the Garajau Nature Reserve, on the East side of Funchal's breathtaking bay. The Scenic Eclipse had just made her maiden call there six days prior to the events, on a transatlantic cruise which ended in Lisbon on the 13th.

The Garajau Nature Reserve in Madeira offers the chance to see some endemic species, including the Mero (Epinephelus Marginatus) which is the reserve's emblematic species, but most importantly looks to take care of the rich biodiversity of Madeira's marine life. The submarine was seen doing tours for the Scenic Eclipse's passengers throughout the entire morning and early afternoon of 17/04. As the day progressed, it was time for the icing on top of the cake though, as the ship surprised locals with it's very own helicopter, which took two flights around Madeira's south coast, ranging from the hills of Garajau to neighbour cities on the Southwest side of the island like Ponta do Sol or Calheta, offering an unbeatable view of Madeira's dramatic landscape.

The delivery of a second ship of the same class is scheduled for 2023, as the Scenic Eclipse 2 is scheduled to be delivered.

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