The launch of the Scenic Eclipse, a six-star, ultra-luxury mega yacht under development in Pula, Croatia, has been delayed. The ship, which was expected to set sail in August, will now undertake its maiden voyage in January 2019.

Glen Moroney, the company founder, says construction issues are to blame. Both the Scenic Eclipse and the identical Sister Eclipse II are being built by Scenic, an Australian luxury cruise and tour operator.

“Despite the best efforts of our build supervision team to make up construction time, we are not prepared to compromise the quality of the vessel and potentially impact guest experiences to meet the original launch date,” said Moroney.

Via Robb Report

Passengers who had already booked a cruise are expected to receive a full refund and consideration of other costs incurred. Those who wish to book again in the next two years will receive a 25% discount.

Scenic, founded in Newcastle in 1986, began conducting coach tours of Australia. In the early 1990s, the company expanded its operations to New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and Southern Africa, as well as Canada and Alaska. In the new millennium, destinations across Europe, Russia, Asia and South and Central America were added to the company’s itineraries.

Scenic Eclipse, the company’s first ocean liner, has 114 suites, each with their own private veranda and lounge area. The ship also has 10 restaurants, and a discovery fleet that includes zodiacs, kayaks, e-bikes, a helicopter and a submarine, for guests to explore areas of the Arctic and Antarctica.

Via Scenic Tours

“Scenic Eclipse also boasts a luxurious spa and, of course, our all-inclusive fares mean all dining venues, beverages, land excursions, gratuities on board and off, as well as butler service for every guest, are all included,” Moroney says.

The launch of tall-ship cruise line Star Clippers’ Flying Clipper, which will be the largest masted sailing ship in the world, has also been held up. The launch, which was expected to take place last August, still hasn’t been rescheduled.

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Moroney says that the Scenic Eclipse is “the first Mega Discovery Yacht that you don't have to be a billionaire to sail on.” Adding that the driving force behind his vision is “to provide discovery experiences in the world’s most exotic and remote destinations, where few have been able to see before.”