Sail to East Antarctica and the Ross Sea with Scenic Eclipse

The White Continent has piqued the imagination of explorers for centuries and an expedition to Antarctica’s Ross Sea, a seldom-visited marine sanctuary, should be high on top of your bucket-list. End-of-the-Earth landscapes, gem-like glaciers, immense icebergs and jagged mountain ranges are the setting for some of the planet’s most prolific wildlife displays, whether whales and orcas, penguins and seals or migratory seabirds. You’ll have the rare opportunity to follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s greatest explorers, from Shackleton to Ross, Amundsen, Mawson, Scott and others, navigating remote bays, coves and islands where wildlife rules supreme. You may witness countless tuxedoed, bushy eyebrowed and golden crowned penguins – from the king penguin, the second largest species after the emperor, to rockhopper, who can jump up to six feet, to fast swimming gentoos, as well as the native royal penguins. The youngsters, fluffy and impossibly cute, have the gleeful look of children allowed to stay up past their bedtime for a grown-up gathering. There are few destinations that spark travel wanderlust quite like East Antarctica and Scenic Eclipse offers unrivalled exploration options for you to enjoy.

The sleek design of the brand’s Discovery Yachts, allows for unparalleled access to some of the world’s most remote regions. Its custom design includes a Polar Class 6 rating, a strengthened hull and a GPS Dynamic Positioning system that holds the ship in place without dropping anchor onto ecologically sensitive seabeds. 

With just 200 guests on board and an almost 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio, you are ensured an extraordinary level of personalized service. A world-class culinary team creates exquisite cuisine, which you may enjoy at up to 10 dining experiences, ranging from contemporary French fine dining at Lumière Restaurant and Champagne bar, to your favourite fillet of steak at elegant Elements main restaurant, relaxed settings such as the Yacht Club or authentic Asian dishes at Night Market @ Koko’s. There are also 9 spacious bars and lounges, an indulgent 5,920 square foot Senses Spa, gym, Yoga and Pilates studio and a dedicated Observation Lounge and Terrace on the top deck offering sweeping views for guests to enjoy.

On board, you will find 114 luxurious suites spread across five decks. Designed as your own indulgent haven, each suite is incredibly spacious with stylish amenities, and filled with natural light, thanks to floor-to-ceiling sliding doors opening onto a private veranda or terrace. Be sure to keep your curtains open, as wandering albatross are a common sight. The yacht's beautiful accommodation features elegant furnishings, state-of-the-art amenities, a separate sleep zone and lounge area, as well as the finest toiletries, Egyptian cotton linen and all the ultra-luxury amenities you would expect from a 6-star hotel, including a complimentary mini-bar re-stocked daily. Revel in your Slumber Beds, complete with pillow menu and electronic control – adjustable for your most comfortable lounging or sleeping positions. Every guest also enjoys the services of a professional butler, who will ensure everything is taken care of, from bringing you a cup of coffee to your suite, taking care of your laundry, re-stocking your mini-bar or delivering Champagne or cocktails to be enjoyed on your private veranda. 

All Scenic Eclipse voyages are truly all-inclusive, featuring the finest selection of unlimited top-shelf wines and spirits,  complimentary Wi-Fi, all tipping on board and onshore, once-in-a-lifetime immersive excursions including a full kayak and stand-up paddle-boarding program, and exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences with unique and exclusively handcrafted encounters. Your expedition kit includes an expedition parka and water bottle that are yours to take home, plus the use of specialised polar boots, trekking poles, personal flotation devices and specific equipment you need for kayak and paddle-board excursions. Between landings, your outdoor gear will be stored in a personal locker in the Discovery Centre. There is also an up-to 20-member Discovery Team, the finest professionals in their field, providing expert lectures and shoreside guidance, enriching your on board experience with encyclopaedic knowledge in just about every field imaginable: from geology and glaciology, to photography, marine biology, history and ecology. They’ve been exploring the world’s most remote reaches for years and will fascinate you with little-known facts and stories about the destinations you’ll soon see. Join them for onboard education sessions in the state-of-the-art theatre, guided nature walks for prime wildlife viewing, as well as helicopter and Zodiac excursions past majestic fjords, glaciers and spectacular landscapes. 

The crew will make every attempt to have many landings and Discovery Excursions as possible. Pull on your swimsuit, throw off your robe and jump into the near-freezing Southern Ocean with flair – the more dramatic, the better – during the organized Polar Plunge. You’re going to feel invigorated at the end of this split second, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The cold plunge is exhilarating, and the shared experience with your fellow Antarctica ‘plungers’ immensely bonding. That hot drink as you emerge is restorative and reviving. This is an unmissable opportunity, typically available throughout your voyage in Antarctic waters.

When sailing with Scenic Eclipse, you will have the opportunity to add an optional flightseeing experience in one of two state-of-the-art Airbus H130-T2 helicopters, offering an unrivalled perspective of icebergs and glaciers over the Ross Sea region of Antarctica, including Coulman Island, where overlapping shield volcanoes are completely covered in ice, or the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Ross Island, a row of largely snow-free valleys, replete with saline Lake Vida and the Onyx River, a meltwater stream and Antarctica’s longest river. Nothing lives here, but it’s a dramatic sight, and the only way to glimpse it is by adding an optional helicopter excursion with a possible landing on this end-of-the-Earth landscape (weather permitting). 

You can also choose an optional deep dive into Antarctic waters in Scenic’s custom-built Triton 660/9 AVA submersible, Scenic Neptune, capable of submerging up to 656 feet below the ocean’s surface. The undersea and even under-ice landscape of Antarctica can be a technicolour contrast to the monochrome landscape above the water, thanks to a rich marine fauna of the area you are sailing through.

There are 3 itineraries featuring East Antarctica and the  Ross Sea available in the upcoming 2024/2025 winter season. Consider joining one of them to discover the remarkable sights of the world’s southernmost continent.

Mawson’s Antarctica: Along the East Coast
25-days Queenstown, New Zealand to Hobart, Tasmania
December 15, 2024 to January 8, 2025

Antarctica’s Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & Wildlife
24-days Hobart, Tasmania to Dunedin, New Zealand
January 8 to January 31, 2025

Antarctica’s Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & Wildlife
24-days Dunedin, New Zealand Roundtrip
January 31 to February 23, 2025

Fly home carrying once-in-a-lifetime memories with you, or choose to extend your journey to explore the captivating cities of Queenstown, Hobart or Dunedin before heading home.

Contact your Travel Professional for details or visit here.