The ship, which is under construction in Croata, was due to launch on August 31.
However, the river line and tour operator on Thursday (July 5) revealed the ship will now debut in “late January 2019”.
Scenic said the delay to its “six-star ultra-luxury mega yacht” was due to construction issues at the shipyard.
Glen Moroney, Scenic founder and chairman, said: “Despite the best efforts of our Scenic Eclipse 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 late August launch date.”
Moroney confirmed Scenic would provide all prospective guests a full refund on their cruise, and any other “reasonable associated costs” relating to their travel plans.
He added the line would also provide support for its trade partners affected by the delay.
“We recognise the inconvenience this will cause agents and their clients,” he said. “In addition to the full refund, the Scenic team are committed to working closely with agents and their clients to reschedule their trip to a suitable time for travel within the next two years.
“Scenic will also provide all guests who rebook a Scenic Eclipse voyage during this time a future cruise credit to the value of 25% of the cost of their rebooked cruise, and agent commission will be protected on all affected bookings.”
Scenic says it will contact all agents with clients affected by the delay “as a matter of priority” in order of impacted sailing date.
The line announced Eclipse in January 2016, billing it as the world’s “first discovery yacht”, marking Scenic’s first move into ocean cruising.
Eclipse will feature 114 all-veranda suites and a 233sq/m two-bedroom owner’s penthouse suite, as well as five restaurants, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis and a spa.
It will be all-inclusive, with butler service, complimentary drinks, WiFi and shore excursions, plus two onboard helicopters and seven-seat submarine.
Eclipse had been due to sail itineraries in the Americas, Antarctica, Europe and the Mediterranean and the Arctic and Norwegian Fjords.
The line will add a sister ship, Scenic Eclipse II, in 2020, also to be built in Croatia to a similar spec to Eclipse I.
