For Eclipse Expeditions, the essence of hospitality is found in knowing our guests, and in sharing the memories they make on board with us.
On most boats, the captain stays behind closed doors. On Eclipse, that door never exists.
There’s a reason so many Eclipse guests end up near the helm with the captain at one point or another during their voyage with us. It’s where the best stories are told, and guests get to immerse themselves in a unique experience not a lot of cruises offer. All our guests are welcome to sit with our captains while they safely navigate and operate the vessel, and ask ALL the questions they want.
“Guests love it,” says Jackson Howson, co-founder and captain. “They feel like they’re part of it. And for some, it becomes the thing they remember most.”
What Guests Always Want to Know
Jackson gets a lot of questions every voyage, but the same few always pop up. Here’s what he usually says to his most frequently asked questions:
How do you know the Kimberley so well?
“I was lucky to grow up in the Kimberley. My old man ran charter boats in the same area, and it meant that from a young age, I could be on boats and learn about the region.”
How did you learn to sail?
“I did some courses, which my dad pushed me through in high school summers. Then we bought a sailing catamaran in Broome. That’s when we really learned how to sail a catamaran.”
How did Eclipse Expeditions start?
“Once me and my business partner Ryan had a charter boat in Broome, we knew the Kimberley was where we wanted to be. It took time – pitching the idea, finding an investor, building business plans. But within about three years, everything came together and the dream became a reality. Eclipse was built in South Africa and sailed over to Australia.”
And then there’s the follow-up: Can I try sailing?
The answer is yes! If the winds offer sailing conditions, guests are shown the ropes, under the captain and the Eclipse crew’s guidance.
Most Cruises Tell You What You’ll Be Doing. Eclipse Asks.
Whether it’s questions about the business, life on board, or the adventures and experiences captains have had, we love chatting with our guests. We take pride in the relationships we build with every guest, and spending time with the captain in action is just the start of it.
That connection starts before the trip begins. One of our founders, Jackson or Ryan, gives each guest a call ahead of their departure to understand what kind of experience they’re looking for. From there, we uniquely tailor each journey to match each group’s interests and pace.
If you want a trip built around you, with captains who make you feel part of the crew, it starts here.
