28 Jul PORT OF POOLE WELCOMES SCENIC ECLIPSE II
Poole welcomed the ultra-luxury expedition cruise ship Scenic Eclipse II on Sunday 27 July, marking the vessel’s maiden call to the port with the traditional plaque exchange between the ship’s Captain and local representatives.
The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the very best of Poole and the surrounding region to guests. Guests enjoyed a wide range of shore excursions , including visits to RSPB Arne, Stonehenge, and Winchester, while many guests chose to explore Poole’s historic quayside, independent shops and cafés on foot.
A particular highlight of the visit was Scenic’s exclusive Enrich experience, with a bespoke evening for all guests at Lighthouse Poole, Centre for the Arts. Following a reception, guests enjoyed a specially-curated performance by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by a Q&A session led by the orchestra’s Chief Executive, Dougie Scarfe.
The moving performance showcased the exceptional cultural assets the region has to offer and demonstrated why Poole is an outstanding destination for cruise visitors seeking authentic and memorable experiences.
As the day came to a close, Scenic Eclipse II departed Poole at 20:00, receiving a memorable farewell from the Bournemouth Youth Marching Band, who provided a fitting soundtrack as the ship sailed from the harbour.
Rosie Macnamara, Strategic Projects Manager at Poole Harbour Commissioners, said: “This successful maiden call reflects the strength of collaboration between the port teams, local partners, agents, excursion providers and all of our local partners, working together to deliver an exceptional welcome. We extend our sincere thanks to the Captain and crew of Scenic Eclipse II for their warm hospitality, the commemorative plaque exchange and the opportunity to tour this beautiful yacht.”
Captain Brian Murphy, PHC’s Chief Executive, said: “We are incredibly proud to have welcomed Scenic Eclipse II to Poole for her maiden call. It was an honour to showcase not only our exceptional harbour and port facilities, but also the outstanding natural beauty, heritage and cultural experiences that make Poole and the surrounding area such a compelling destination for cruise visitors. We thank all of our partners who worked together to make this visit such a memorable success and look forward to welcoming Scenic Eclipse II back to Poole in the future.”