Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has unveiled new Antarctica itineraries for 2023-24 that allow guests to avoid the nearly two-day Drake Passage journey—flying from Punta Arenas (Chile) to meet the line’s Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse, at King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands (Antarctica). Guests utilizing the two-hour flight on the new nine- and 10-day trips will be able to enjoy a fully focused Antarctica adventure. Scenic is also introducing a 16-day cruise for expedition-lovers, where they will have the opportunity to explore south of the Antarctica Circle—latitude 66°33’ south—a rarely visited region of the world.
The new nine-day “Antarctica Insights: Fly & Cruise” voyage will be Scenic Eclipse’s first fly-cruise, allowing guests to travel over the Drake Passage one way by air— flying from Punta Arenas, Chile to King George Island to embark the luxury yacht, and returning by yacht to Ushuaia, Argentina for a flight to Buenos Aires and then home. The flight option to Antarctica provides a shorter overall voyage and allows for even greater exploration of Antarctica.
For guests looking to avoid the Drake Passage crossing completely, Scenic is also offering the nine-day “Wild Antarctica: Fly the Drake” itinerary, with flights both ways between Punta Arenas and King George Island. Guests will spend one night at each end of the cruise in Punta Arenas and the rest of the time exploring the "White Continent." There are three departures.
The new 16-day “Beyond the Antarctic Circle” voyage departing February 9, 2024, will explore the Antarctic Circle in greater depth in more remote locales. Heading south of latitude 66°33’ south (Antarctic Circle) brings with it a change in scenery, more sea ice and wildlife living off the krill-rich waters. This voyage offers a chance to explore more places and make more landings and to spend more time taking in Antarctica’s wildlife-filled landscapes.
Visiting Antarctica on-board Scenic Eclipse provides guests with the opportunity to cruise on Zodiacs or kayak and paddleboard around towering ice formations, step onto islands uninhabited by humans and walk among penguin rookeries and seal colonies and, conditions permitting, visit a working scientific base and meet the staff located there. They can explore below the horizon aboard Scenic Neptune, the ship’s six-guest submarine, taking in the wildlife and scenery beneath the continent’s icy surface, or explore above the horizon on one of the ships two helicopters for a bird’s-eye view of the remote landscape.
On board, the 20-strong Specialist Polar Discovery Team will host an engaging and educational series of lectures about Antarctic history, geography and its ecosystem, besides designing the perfect itinerary for the expedition, making the most of the 18-20 hours of daylight.
All Scenic Eclipse voyages are all-inclusive, including itinerary-required flights, transfers, up to 10 fine-dining experiences, premium beverages, immersive excursions, butlers and use of the spa (services are extra). Guests booking any of the newly launched 2023-24 Antarctica itineraries can save up to 20 percent—10 percent for early booking and 10 percent for paying for their cruise in full 12 months before departure.
Good to know: All new bookings are covered by Scenic’s Flexible Booking Policy, enabling guests to defer their cruise to another travel date or itinerary up to 60 days prior to departure and come with Scenic’s Deposit Protection Plan included.
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