Scenic Eclipse to introduce Antarctica fly-cruises to King George Island. Three brand-new itineraries unveiled for 2023/24 Antarctica programme ahead of 2022 return
Earlier this week, Scenic Eclipse departed the Red Sea and is making its way to Antarctica in preparation for its highly anticipated return to the Antarctic peninsula this coming January.
Following an almost two-year hiatus, this marks a significant milestone for the luxury truly all-inclusive operator as Scenic Eclipse is set to resume the first of its scheduled sailing programme since the beginning of the pandemic and will be among the first ships in the world to return to Antarctica.
Scenic Eclipse will operate six scheduled sailings in the region – commencing on 8 January 2022 – as part of its 2021/22 season. Visiting Antarctica and South Georgia before venturing back across the Atlantic, sailing from Rio de Janeiro to Lisbon, to commence her first ever Mediterranean season.
In celebration of the return to Antarctic waters, Scenic has brought forward the unveiling of its 2023/24 programme on board its 6-star ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse.
Guests (UK) booking a last-minute once-in-a-lifetime voyage on board Scenic Eclipse on the 2021/22 Antarctica season can save up to 30 per cent* on selected departures, with an additional £200 per person Early Payment Discount applicable when booking and paying in full by 31 January 2022. Prices start from £9,650 per person for the 16-day Antarctica in Depth itinerary departing on 15 or 26 February 2022.
Guests joining Scenic Eclipse for its recommencement season will be the first to be wowed by a new underwater experience – as the ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht is set to become the first to operate a submarine in the waters of South Georgia Island.
Jason Flesher, Scenic Discovery Yachts’ expedition operations manager comments:
“We’ve been planning this season for months and we can’t wait to head back to the White Continent for a season of luxury and discovery. Thanks to the size and capabilities of Scenic Eclipse, we’ve been able to secure exclusive landings in Margarite Bay, a southern destination that very few other ships visit.”
For those planning ahead, Scenic has unveiled its 2023/24 Antarctic programme ahead of schedule – featuring three brand-new itineraries in the region.
The new 12-day Antarctica Insights: Fly & Cruise voyage will be Scenic Eclipse’s first-ever fly-cruise, allowing guests to travel over the infamous Drake Passage by air – arriving at King George Island to embark the yacht. The flight option provides a shorter overall voyage and ensures guests will land in Antarctica fresh and ready to explore. Prices for the 12-day fly-cruise start from £14,485per person based on 17 December 2023 departure, or from £13,450 per person for the 11-day fly-fly itinerary, Wild Antarctica, Fly the Drake departing on 24 December 2023.
In addition, the new 19-day Beyond the Antarctic Circle voyage includes an additional night to cross and explore the Antarctic Circle in greater depth. Discovering 66° 33’ south brings with it a change in scenery, more sea ice and wildlife living off the krill-rich waters. The once-in-a-lifetime voyage offers a chance to explore more places, landings and to spend more time in Antarctica’s incredible wildlife-filled landscapes. Prices for the 19-day itinerary start from £15,850 per person based on Feb 08 2024 departure.
Guests booking on the newly launched 2023/24 Antarctica programme can save up to 20% when paying for their cruise in full 12 months before departure.
Visiting Antarctica on board Scenic Eclipse provides guests with the opportunity to cruise on Zodiacs or kayak around towering ice formations, step onto islands uninhabited by humans and walk among vast penguin rookeries and seal colonies and, conditions permitting, to visit a working scientific base and meet the staff located there. Explore beyond the horizon with a submarine^ excursion underneath the continent’s icy depths, or take in unmatched bird’s eye views of the truly breath-taking, landscape on its two on board helicopters**.
On board, Scenic Eclipse will host an engaging and educational series of lectures about Antarctic history, geography and its ecosystem. The ship boasts a 20-strong Specialist Polar Discovery Team, whose expertise in the landscape, flora and fauna of the Antarctic will allow them to design the perfect itinerary for the expedition day to day, making the most of the 18-20 hours of daylight.
Scenic Eclipse has been sailing chartered itineraries in Saudi waters since 17 July 2021. Flesher added “We would like take the opportunity to publicly thank our partners at Cruise Saudi for their support over the past few months”.
All Scenic Eclipse voyages are truly all-inclusive, including return flights, transfers, up to 10 fine dining experiences, premium branded beverages and once-in-a-lifetime immersive excursions. 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.
* 30 per cent discount applies to the cruise-element only.
** Helicopter and submarine excursions available at an extra cost, subject to weather and approval permissions.
^ Third party fees may apply.
(Scenic – Luxury Cruises & Tours – UK)
