Reviews
What Our Guests are Saying
Antarctica on the Eclipse
“We sailed on the Scenic Eclipse II to Antarctica in January 2024. Our cruise was handled perfectly by Scenic Cruises and Rick of SmallShipCruising.com. Scenic I and II are small, true 6-star all-inclusive discovery vessels, with just 200 passengers (OK, the onboard helicopters and submarine cost a bit extra). Our ship was spectacular, with wonderful food in seven restaurants, and an extraordinarily friendly crew. Our cabin was huge and our every need was attended to. Both Scenic ships are purposely built to explore places like Antarctica in comfort and safety. They go where the big ships can’t. A special shout-out to our brilliant naturalists, who prepared us for each adventure, took great care of us, and made sure we came away from each tour in absolute awe. On Scenic, there are no crowds, formal nights, casinos, art auctions, or other trappings of big ships. Who cares? What you do get is an experience of a lifetime.
Our trip was expertly handled by Rick from start to finish. His insider access to Scenic resulted in the absolute best prices, far less than other agencies or when we called the cruise line. He was on top of everything and communicated with us constantly. We would not hesitate for a moment to use him again.”
Marc and Harlene R.
Naples, Florida
Croatia on an Emerald Super Yacht
“In September of 2024, my wife and I really enjoyed the Emerald Super yacht cruise of Croatia from Venice to Dubrovnik. The ship was very spacious for just 100 people and we found the crew to be exceptionally friendly, helpful, and fun. The ports of call were fantastic and we enjoyed riding the free electric bikes at most ports. The sea sports day was fun, where the staff brought out all the kayaks and water toys off the back of the ship. And the meals were excellent, especially dinner outside at a table for two overlooking the harbor lights. All in all, a great experience, and what a great value with Rick. We highly recommend!”
Randy and Arlene C.
San Diego, California
Fiji on the Eclipse
“My husband and I traveled to Fiji on the Scenic Eclipse II in October 2024 for our 30th anniversary. Rick managed our trip from start to finish, ensuring a fantastic experience. We had no worries and enjoyed every moment. The yacht had a luxurious cabin, an attentive butler, and delicious food and drinks. We look forward to another trip with Scenic and working with Rick again.”
Joe & Carrie G.
Deer Park, Illinois
Egypt & Jordan
“Rick arranged a two-week trip to Egypt and Jordan, including a Nile cruise, for our family-and-friends group of six. We threw him a few curveballs when we asked him to add a couple of stops to our itinerary, but he knocked those balls out of the park. And when the local tour company in Cairo got a few wires crossed in our accommodations, Rick responded immediately and made things right. Our guides were wonderful, the cruise was relaxing, and the price? Way less expensive than what we would have had to pay one of the big tour companies. I'm already hatching plans for the next trip.”
Alan B.
Seattle, Washington
New Zealand on the Eclipse
”Our recent cruise to New Zealand aboard the Scenic Eclipse was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we stepped on board, we were struck by the elegant design of this ultra-luxurious yacht, which carried only 200 passengers. Dining was a true delight, with a choice of several world-class restaurants. Our favorite was the Japanese sushi-sashimi restaurant, which offered an exquisite culinary experience. Mornings at the breakfast cafe were always a delight with very personal service. Great variety of excursions, very well organized and safe.
Thank you to our agent, Rick, for recommending and booking this unforgettable trip for us, assisting with and booking our flights, and saving us literally thousands of dollars on both the flights and the cruise. We are looking forward to another trip with Scenic.”
Josee & Herman J.
Naples, Florida
New Zealand on the Eclipse
“My husband and I recently had the pleasure of sailing on the Scenic Eclipse II to New Zealand in December of 2024. It was our first time with Scenic, but it will not be our last. It was a wonderful experience. The cabins were spacious, quiet and very comfortable. Especially the bed. The food was delicious, with numerous restaurants to choose from. The staff was very attentive and learned our names and our likes and dislikes immediately. There were many excursions (all included) to choose from. One of the unique opportunities is to visit the Bridge, as they have an open door policy. Give them a try. I did my research and the price I received from Rick was unbeatable! You won’t be disappointed. And we have already signed up for Antarctica with Rick and are looking at others!”
Susan & Scott B.
Hawthorn Woods, Illinois
Lisbon to Dublin on the Eclipse
“My wife and I both have Hospitality degrees and worked with an upscale Hotel chain in the US for 15 years, so our expectations and critical eye come into play when we travel. The trip on the Scenic Eclipse was exceptional.
We had a great time and the ship was awesome. The staff is incredible, our butler and his assistant were the best. The Yacht Club buffets for breakfast and lunch were incredible and the fish they served everywhere was delicious. Mostly, we had dinner at Elements, the Italian restaurant, and the daily menu was excellent. Our cabin was very comfortable.
We had an incredible cruise with the yacht, so comfortable, the food excellent, and the port of calls. We really appreciated all your tips for traveling and the great rate. It was a great experience.
If you're going to cruise, this is the way to cruise! ”
Todd and Laurie M.
Naples, Florida
New Zealand on the Eclipse
“Our journey through New Zealand aboard the Scenic Eclipse II was nothing short of extraordinary. Every included excursion was thoughtfully planned and unforgettable, but a few moments stood out as absolute highlights, including witnessing a pod of 500 dusky dolphins swimming alongside our whale-watching tour boat, which was pure magic.
The ship itself exceeded all expectations. With a choice of eight diverse restaurants offering exceptional cuisine, we were spoiled for choice every night. Our cabin was incredibly spacious and came with the luxury of a private butler, making us feel truly pampered throughout the voyage.
A special thank you to Rick, who curated this unforgettable journey for us. Thanks to his expertise and attention to detail, and the fantastic deal he gave us, this was truly the trip of a lifetime. We’ve already booked our next adventure—to Antarctica with Scenic in 2027—and we wouldn’t consider traveling with anyone else.”
Suzi and Lou G.
Antioch, Illinois
Australia on the Eclipse
—“We took an unforgettable adventure to Australia to explore the breathtaking, remote Kimberley coastline! Australia is an absolutely incredible destination. We boarded in Broome on the rugged north coast to board the magnificent Eclipse II. Once we set sail, there were no ports of call until Darwin—11 thrilling days later!
What’s a discovery cruise? It's a pure, nonstop adventure! Every day, Zodiacs whisked us away to explore hidden rivers, inlets, and bays teeming with wildlife and marine life. We stepped ashore in untouched, remote areas, immersing ourselves in the rich Aboriginal heritage.
Without a doubt, the cruise was the highlight of the trip. The Eclipse II was phenomenal—pure luxury, exceptional dining and service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It was also an amazing chance to meet and connect with so many wonderful Australians who quickly felt like old friends.”
George & Joan G.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Antarctica on the Eclipse
“We travelled on the SCENIC 2 yacht to Antarctica and as seasoned travelers, my wife and I, can safely say it was the trip of a lifetime. The boat was simply outstanding in all respects from the luxurious cabin, to the scrumptious food and drinks and the superb cabin and excursion staff. We cannot recommend the cruise highly enough.”
Mark & Petra M.
Toronto, Canada
Antarctica on the Eclipse
“Our recent journey to Antarctica aboard the Scenic Eclipse II was nothing short of extraordinary—a true once-in-a-lifetime experience that exceeded every expectation and expanded our comfort zone.
From the moment we embarked in Ushuaia, Argentina, the service was impeccable. The crew was not only attentive and professional but also warm and genuinely enthusiastic about the adventure ahead. Our guides were simply fantastic. Their extensive knowledge, experience and communication skills really helped us enjoy our trip.
The ship we were on was built specifically for polar explorations in 2023 and combined state-of-the-art technology with fantastic comfort, making the Drake Passage smoother than anticipated, and we did not get sea sick. This was more than just a vacation—it was a profound experience. In summary, the cruise was flawlessly organized, luxuriously comfortable, and deeply moving.
For anyone with a sense of adventure and appreciation for nature's raw beauty, We can’t recommend this experience highly enough.”
Mike & Lorriane B.
Spring Lake, Michigan