Joining the ships that resemble those from a pirate movie docked in Pasaia during the Itsas Festibala, an important competitor for public attention arrived this Sunday: the 'Scenic Eclipse', an ultra-luxury yacht accustomed to exploring the planet's most remote locations.
Its entry into the bay occurred at seven in the morning, as the first light of dawn allowed for the tracking of the two Facal tugboats that accompanied it in the final meters of navigation. Accustomed to breaking through ice on its polar routes, the 'Scenic Eclipse' encountered no apparent difficulties accessing the Gipuzkoan dock nor while maneuvering for over thirty minutes once inside the port to dock at the Buenavista quay.
Measuring 168 meters in length and 21.5 meters in beam, the passenger vessel belonging to the shipping company Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has made the maritime stars that can be visited these days in the town, such as the 'Etoile du Roy', 'La Recouvrance', and 'Morgenster', appear small in comparison.
Although it has capacity for 228 passengers, this time only 144 are on board, mostly Americans, joined by approximately 190 crew members. This stop is part of a journey that began days ago in Lisbon and will continue through various Cantabrian ports. At seven this evening, it will depart Pasaia for Bordeaux. Its final destination will be Dublin, where it will complete twelve days of sailing.
“"What a lively port we have with so many special ships!"
Those who witnessed its arrival could not resist taking photos with their mobile phones. 'What a lively port we have with so many special ships!', commented some locals from the San Pedro shore. 'But this cruise won't bring any viruses, right?', wondered another passerby.
As a consequence of the hantavirus crisis, no special additional instructions have been issued to the Port Authority of Pasaia. When a ship calls at a port, it previously sends a specific report on the health of the crew and passengers, including the possible existence of any issues to consider. If any such issue arises, established procedures would be activated, such as notifying Exterior Health or Osakidetza, for example. This communication would trigger, if necessary, the health-related decisions required.
Ship calls, from this perspective, 'are safe and already have established procedures,' port sources assured this newspaper.
Designed to offer 'the best luxury cruise experience,' this six-star vessel has a total of eight decks. These decks feature indoor and outdoor swimming pools, as well as plunge pools. There is also a spa, a gym, a yoga and Pilates studio, and eight first-class restaurants. Additionally, travelers can enjoy butler service, helicopter transfers, and dives in its own submarine to sensitive marine environments. Prices for these types of expeditions range between 20,000 and 40,000 euros per person.
This is the first time the 'Scenic Eclipse' has arrived in Pasaia, although it has visited Donostia twice before, in both 2023 and 2025, anchoring near its bay. The ship is expected to return to the Gipuzkoan coast in May 2027 on a voyage very similar to the current one.
The vessel entering Pasaia port this Sunday is the fourth of the six cruises scheduled for the 2026 season. The next is expected in mid-June, when the 'Azamara Quest' will return to the bay.
The ship measures 185 meters in length and 25 meters in beam, dimensions that place it at the limit of what is permitted to access the dock.
