Antarctica and the Weddell Sea

Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Welcome to Buenos Aires, where you’ll have an overnight hotel stay. Perhaps plan to spend some time in the city, nicknamed the ‘Paris of South America’. Resplendent with Belle Epoque buildings, sidewalk cafes and green spaces, there’s the fiery passion of Latin America - a collective love for football, flame-cooked meats (asado) and the tango. Some of the highlights are La Boca, a colorful, creative mecca with a must-do art walk, and San Telmo, a former aristocratic neighborhood that was abandoned during a 19th-century epidemic. Mansions were turned into conventillos (shared housing), boutique hotels, antique shops, and tango clubs, exuding a captivating bohemian vibe.

Board your included flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, the main island of Tierra del Fuego and the southernmost city in the world. The Captain and crew will warmly greet you as you board your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse. Toast the start of your once-in-a-lifetime expedition as you depart South America and cruise through the calm and scenic Beagle Channel, named so for the ship that carried Charles Darwin on his five-year discovery journey.

Admire the dramatic views of the Andean mountains from the comfort of your private verandah or from the Observation Deck with its commanding view of the bow. Meals: B. D.

Wake up in your own time as we cruise across the Drake Passage, the infamous waterway that connects South America to Antarctica. Perhaps ask your butler for breakfast to be delivered to your spacious suite or meet fellow guests in the Yacht Club. Today, join an introductory presentation about your polar expedition by the Polar Discovery Team in the state-of-the-art theater. Feel the excitement building as they explain how your Zodiac and other Discovery Excursions will work in the coming days. The theater is where you can watch talks, lectures, movies and documentaries during the day. At night, enjoy world-class productions from musical theater and cabaret to pop music, dance and fun interactive game shows. Meals: B. L. D.

Slide open the floor-to-ceiling doors of your verandah suite to see icebergs sculpted by nature and glacial mountains rising thousands of meters from the ocean. Antarctica is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with more than 40 different species, so keep your eyes peeled for wandering albatrosses, which have the largest wingspan of any flying bird, as well as shearwaters, giant petrels, and more.

Due to the extraordinary nature of the region, excursions throughout your Expedition, Voyages are dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Your experienced Captain and specialist Discovery Team, who have made countless journeys to Antarctica, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, making the most of the 18-20 hours of daylight. Don’t worry about sleeping with all the light as your suite is equipped with blackout curtains. Meals: B. L. D.

Discovery: Daily experiences may include cruising on Zodiacs, stepping ashore to view vast penguin rookeries or historic huts, and kayaking or paddle boarding around icebergs. Wherever your voyage takes you, you will have countless “pinch me” moments.

Portal Point – a former British refuge hut – may be a potential landing site during your voyage. Or, you may visit Deception Island as part of your itinerary. Nestled in the South Shetland Islands archipelago, it is one of the only places in the world that ships can sail directly into the center of a submerged caldera of an active volcano. With her world-class design and state-of-the-art technology, Scenic Eclipse can sail through a rocky gap into the horseshoe-shaped harbor. The island is also home to a few small scientific outposts and hundreds of thousands of chinstrap penguins. Tonight could be the night you enjoy Sushi @ Koko’s with your new friends. Stay up late in the bar or retire to the library for a moment of blissful solitude before bed. Meals: B. L. D.

Various species of penguins can be found in Antarctic and the sub-Antarctic region, with around 12 million penguins living on the Peninsula, including Adélie, Chinstrap, Gentoo, and the very rare Emperor penguins. Guided by the expert Polar Discovery Team, you’ll witness colonies up close; hear their mighty calls and watch as they clumsily waddle along and interact with each other. Whales are another majestic creature you may encounter, whether a minke, a humpback or an Orca. Watch them from the comfort of your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, in a Zodiac with an experienced Polar Discovery Team member, or from their level in a kayak or stand-up paddleboard – a breathtaking experience.

Discovery: When enjoying daily Scenic Discovery excursions, ask for your expert Discovery Leader for photography tips and guidance on how to spot the wildlife around you. They will help you immortalize these incredible moments while cruising on the Zodiacs, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding around impressive ice formations.

Lemaire Channel, renowned for its picturesque views and often referred to as ‘Kodak Alley’, could be our next exciting destination. If during your voyage the Scenic Eclipse weaves through this channel, make sure you set your alarm and embrace the cool air from the Observation Terrace. Pass through the narrow channel and be amazed at the dramatic rocky mountains and glowing blue icebergs so close to the ship. In between Scenic Discovery experiences, enjoy a specialty tea or coffee in the Observation Lounge and watch the world float by through Swarovski telescopes. Meals: B. L. D.

In the distance on a clear day, you can see Mount Francis standing tall as Anvers Island’s highest peak, showcasing the rugged beauty of Antarctica. Every day is unique, you might get the chance to hike or spend time on the pebbled beach, enjoying the view surrounded by curious penguins.

Back on board, explore some of Scenic Eclipse’s indulgent spaces, from the welcoming Observation Lounge to the expansive Senses Spa. Soothe your muscles in the sauna or heated therapy lounge, or join a yoga or Pilates class.

Choose one of up to 10 world-class dining experiences on board tonight. Meals: B. L. D.

Be sure to pack your swimming suit because you could be going for a swim today. For many, the Polar Plunge is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a rite of passage on an expedition to Antarctica. Once throughout your voyage, the Scenic Eclipse will stop, and the team will set up the marina ready for the brave people who want to jump into the freezing Antarctic waters. Excitement will spread through the Discovery Yacht, and you will start hearing the contagious nervous laughter. As you stand on the edge, ready to jump, you will feel the adrenaline rush while you second-guess whether this is a good idea. When you jump, the moment before you hit the water will feel like it goes forever, but soon, an invigorating, exciting, and surprisingly refreshing sensation will take over.

If you choose to skip the polar plunge, make sure you find a good viewing location as you feel the chills of everyone coming out of the water. Join them for a cup of hot chocolate or toast with a glass of whiskey. Meals: B. L. D.

 Explore by Zodiac, kayak or stand-up paddleboard with possible shore landings (weather and ice permitting). To see Antarctica from above or below the horizon book a helicopter^ or a submersible^ experience. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

For a truly unique and exclusive experience, book a helicopter excursion^ to visit Snow Hill Island, one of only two Emperor penguin colonies of its kind in the Peninsula. Departing by helicopter from your Discovery Yacht in the Weddell Sea, you’ll land on Snow Hill Island and walk 1.5 kilometres with your Discovery Team to see the colony. Emperor penguins are only present at this location at the start of the Antarctic season, and there are only a few voyages that offer this experience. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The mesmerizing Weddell Sea is best known as the location where Ernest Shackleton’s expedition to cross the Antarctic came to a crushing end, when his ship, Endurance, was trapped in ice. Today, it’s one of the most pristine and intact ecosystems on Earth. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On board your Discovery Yacht will wind through the dense ice floes and tabular icebergs. From your verandah, listen for the ghostly call of the Weddell seal welcoming you to their kingdom. They are one of the toughest mammals on the planet, permanently living further south than any other mammal.

Have you visited the bridge yet? Thanks to the Captain’s open bridge policy, guests are welcome any time to learn more about the technical abilities of The World’s First Discovery Yacht and see it in full operation. The bridge is also one of the best viewing areas on the ship. Make sure you book a treatment at the tranquil Senses Spa before your Discovery expedition ends. Perhaps an ESPA facial or massage or an alternative therapy, including Ayurvedic massage or Japanese shiatsu. Afterwards, hold on to that feeling of calm for a while longer in the Zen-like space of the Vitality Lounge. Meals: B. L. D.

Cruising the Drake Passage back to the tip of South America, there is plenty of time to indulge in the ultra- luxury of your Discovery Yacht and reflect on the magic moments you’ve experienced in the Southern Ocean. Freshly squeezed juice, steaming barista-made coffee or tea delivered to your door by the butler will help start your day. Head to the gym for an invigorating workout or the studio for a Pilates class, some guided stretching

or aerial yoga. In the evening, settle in at the spacious Scenic Lounge Bar to enjoy your beverage of choice, whether it be aged whiskey or a glass of wine. With Scenic’s signature all-inclusive ultra-luxury philosophy, indulge in top-shelf spirits, over 130 whiskeys, a premium wine list, and French champagne. Meals: B. L. D.

Your voyage ends this morning as you farewell the crew and fellow guests. Disembark after breakfast to board your included flight to Buenos Aires, taking away memories of a truly unforgettable experience. Please book your flight to depart from Buenos Aires after 9:30 PM. Meal: B