Delayed by almost a year, Eclipse will depart Reykjavik for Quebec on 15 August with Griffiths at the helm.

The line claims Eclipse, which comes complete with its Neptune submarine, is the first vessel of its kind.

“Eclipse is setting an entirely new standard in the cruise and expedition industry,” said Griffiths. “She is the first cruise ship to truly combine ‘go anywhere, see everything’ ability.”

Griffiths brings with him extensive background in expedition cruising. He served as expedition captain with Windstar and captained Lindblad’s National Geographic Explorer.

He also has 11 years’ experience with Cunard. During his 25-year career to date, he has worked on 12 ships, commanding six of them, and sailed to more than 100 countries.

“I am genuinely excited to see how guests will react to Scenic Eclipse,” he added. “Everyone will take away something different.”

Eclipse was due to launch on 31 August last year but construction at the Croatian shipyard where it is being built has been beset by lengthy delays.