Scenic cruise adjusted for hull-cleaning to enter New Zealand

Scenic Eclipse II made significant adjustments to its current voyage to comply with New Zealand’s stringent anti-fouling requirements.

The 228-passenger expedition mega-yacht is currently on a two-year season in the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, New Zealand and East Antarctica.

She was to have made an 11-day ‘Treasures of the Pacific’ voyage from Lautoka in Fiji to Auckland on October 29, calling at Tanna Island in Vanuatu, Lifou and Isle of Pines in New Caledonia and Norfolk Island in Australia before heading to Bay of Islands, Great Barrier Reef Island and Tauranga, arriving in Auckland on November 8.

More cleaning needed

However, despite the operations team's efforts to clean Scenic Eclipse II’s hull in the Solomon Islands, a further inspection showed additional cleaning was needed.

The company was unable to get this done in Fiji and it will now take place off the coast of New Zealand.

Extra sea days

Extra days at sea are needed to complete the cleaning and get the required certifications for entering New Zealand waters prior to Scenic Eclipse II’s arrival in Auckland on November 8.

The company said the crew understand the itinerary changes have inconvenienced its valued guests and its reservations and support teams are working closely with passengers and their travel advisors.

The captain has briefed passengers about the changes and almost all have decided to continue the journey.