Scenic: A Journey Among Majestic Glaciers
For those wishing to embark on a cruise following in the footsteps of legendary explorers like Shackleton and Scott, and marvel at whales, orcas, penguins, icebergs, and majestic glaciers, Scenic Luxury Cruises offers the chance to set sail for the White Continent directly from Australia.
This 24-day cruise, departing from Hobart, Australia, aboard the Scenic Eclipse II, allows you to explore this remote and rarely visited region, characterized by glaciers, immense icebergs, and jagged mountain ranges, not to mention the abundant wildlife.
Departing from Tasmania’s capital, the journey begins with two days of sailing during which you can explore and enjoy the luxurious spaces aboard the Scenic Eclipse, but most importantly, meet some of the experts who bring the destinations to life. The Polar Discovery Team enriches the Antarctic experience with their encyclopedic knowledge of geology, glaciology, photography, marine biology, history, ecology, and more.
Sscenic-cruises-ultra-luxury-antarctic-program-2022-23
Scenic_Itinerary_Antarcticas Ross Sea Majestic Ice & Wildlife
The first stop on the way to the White Continent is Macquarie Island, a place that hosts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the Southern Ocean, where countless penguins of various species, including king, rockhopper, gentoo, and others, breed. Next, the ship heads to the Balleny Islands for a two-day stop, offering the chance to thoroughly explore this 160-kilometer-long chain of volcanic islands (some still active) located across the Antarctic Circle. You can join a Discovery excursion or simply admire the panorama from the Observation Deck, spotting humpback whales, fin whales, elephant and leopard seals, or marching and squawking penguins. The islands are named after British sailor Captain Balleny, with Young Island, almost entirely covered in ice, being the northernmost of the archipelago, while Sturge Island lies at the southernmost end.
After these splendid islands, the journey enters the Ross Sea region, where wandering albatrosses put on a show, alongside incredible icebergs surrounding the ship. Depending on the weather conditions, fascinating places like Possession Island may be visited, where you can kayak around one of the least-visited islands by humans, home to thousands of penguins. The Polar Discovery Team is always available to lead active excursions, whether by kayak or stand-up paddleboarding, and if the opportunity arises, you may even land in a Zodiac to observe a large community of Adélie penguins, nesting seabirds, and Weddell seals resting on the shore.
Scenic Eclipse Helicopter
Scenic Cruises Arctic
In this region, a series of mostly snow-free valleys, the McMurdo Dry Valleys on Ross Island, comprise one of the world’s most extreme deserts, including the saline Lake Vida and the Onyx River, Antarctica’s longest river. This incredible landscape is accessible via an optional excursion aboard one of Scenic Eclipse II’s helicopters, and if weather permits, you may even land on this unique terrain. Additionally, throughout the voyage, you will witness various glaciers, such as the Mertz Glacier, a massive piece of crystallized ice that gleams like a jewel, and the snow-covered Suvorov Glacier, sprinkled with lichens and moss.
Another fascinating stop is the Bay of Whales, a natural ice harbor on the Ross Ice Shelf, populated by migrating whales. Here, you can enjoy a kayak and Zodiac experience as whales dance around, and it’s also the perfect spot to take the Polar Plunge, a rite of passage for polar explorers. The journey continues with six days of sailing, during which you can fully immerse yourself in the ship’s amenities, participate in interesting lectures, and relive memories with fellow travelers, before concluding in Dunedin (Port Chalmers) on the southeastern tip of New Zealand’s South Island.
An immersive voyage, discovering a remote and fascinating region that everyone dreams of visiting at least once in their lifetime, accompanied by the luxury service of Scenic Eclipse II.
Stay tuned for news, updates, and reviews of Scenic Luxury Cruises on Cruising Journal, with photos, videos, and special offers on cruises.
