- 25 day expedition cruise experience from Queenstown to Hobart includes:.
- 1 night pre-cruise accommodation in Queenstown including breakfast.
- 23 Night cruise from Queenstown to Hobart onboard Scenic Eclipse II in a Deluxe Verandah Suite.
- The service of a dedicated Travel Advisor managing your booking.
- Only 200 guests for an exclusive small-ship experience.
- Spacious all-verandah ultra-luxury suites.
- Up to 10 culinary experiences from casual to fine dining.
- All-inclusive available all day premium beverages, including premium spirits, cocktails, wine and beer.
- Complimentary in-suite mini-bar.
- Restocked daily, soft drink, juice, wine and beer.
- Dedicated butler service for every suite.
- Indulgent 550m@ Senses Spa, gym, yoga and Pilates studio and Vitality Pools.
- A Polar Discovery Team of up to 15 experts.
- Engaging lectures and education program with on board experts.
- Scenic Discovery excursions and shore side expedition program.
- Complimentary expedition parka and water bottle, plus use of special polar boots.
- Enjoy Swarovski Telescopes in the Observation Lounge and in-suite binoculars.
- Included program of Zodiac and guided paddling Discovery Excursions.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi.
- Tipping and Gratuities included for all staff/crew and onshore guides.
Airfares are additional and can be arranged by your Travel Associates Advisor to suit your travel plans.
In the Footsteps of explorers (and penguins)
Experience a different side of Antarctic in its most extreme and spectacular form, where everything is on a grand scale. Witness sprawling penguin colonies, majestic whales and basking seals. Marvel at colossal icebergs and towering glaciers while re-living stories of fearless explorers who first navigated this untamed continent.
For centuries, avid travellers and explorers have been fascinated by the world's most southern continent, a place where penguins congregate in the thousands and people are few and far between. With an ever-changing landscape of glaciers and icebergs, Antarctica's realms are wild - particularly along the East Coast, where Australia has a rich history of exploration thanks to the pioneering efforts of explorer Sir Douglas Mawson. You'll have the rare opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Mawson and his team, navigating remote bays and ravishing coves and islands where wildlife rules supreme. And you'll see it in 6-star ultra-luxury on board Scenic Eclipse, in the company of only up to 200 guests. The itinerary provided is an example of what you may experience. Antarctica is an incredible destination, and you will be exposed to the unpredictability of the region. The expert team on board will work with the weather and ice conditions to deliver a wonderous voyage.
Day 1 Queenstown, New Zealand
Welcome to Queenstown, for your overnight stay to enjoy the high altitudes of the Southern Alps, mirror-like Lake Wakatipu, vine-laced countryside and atmospheric town. Enjoy your one-night hotel stay in Queenstown.
Day 2 Queenstown to Bluff, Embark ship
This morning you will be transferred via coach from Queenstown to Bluff, where your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht awaits. Marvel at the awe-inspiring scenery of rugged mountains, serene lakes, and lush forests.
Step on board Scenic Eclipse II and be warmly greeted with a glass of Champagne. Settle into your luxurious suite, meet your butler and fellow guests and toast to the journey ahead. (B,D)
Day 3 Bluff, New Zealand
At the very southern tip of the South Island, Bluff is one of New Zealand's oldest European settlements. It began life as a whaling station in the 1830s and has retained its strong ties to the sea, with one of the world's few natural oyster beds sitting just offshore in the Foveaux Strait. Bluff is the gateway to Stewart Island and Antarctica beyond, offering travellers a taste of the rugged character of an oystering port. (B,L,D)
Days 4 to 6 At sea
While exploring the you'll have the chance to meet some of the experts who will bring the places you visit to life. The Discovery Team will enrich your East Antarctica experience with their encyclopaedic knowledge of geology, glaciology, photography, marine biology, history, ecology and more.
It's time to ease into your ultra-luxury surroundings. This might be the day you sleep in, conserving energy for the activities ahead, then relax in your suite, which provides you with the comforts of a 6-star hotel. Learn more about your new home from your Captain and crew at the open bridge. They will share details about your Discovery Yacht's world-class technology, which includes two on board helicopters^ and a submersible^, offering exclusive ways to explore across your journey. Then visit the theatre to hear today's presentations from the Discovery Team.
Today you'll cross the Antarctic Convergence, where the cold waters of the Antarctic circumpolar current meet and mingle with warmer waters to the north. Icebergs will begin to pop up around you, albatross are a common sight, and the nutrient-rich waters are popular among orcas, seals, penguins and whales. Feel the excitement build as the polar Discovery Team shares with you all the details on how your Zodiac and other discovery excursions will work. Get familiar with the team and your polar equipment.
Due to the extraordinary nature of this region, Discovery excursions throughout your Expedition Voyage are dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Your experienced Captain and specialist polar 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 your time in this spectacular destination. (B,L,D)
Days 7 to 10 East Coast Antarctica
Commonwealth Bay was Australia's gateway to Antarctica. Embark on an unforgettable adventure as you step into the shoes of the legendary Sir Douglas Mawson, retracing his historic 1911 to 1914 Australasian Antarctic Expedition. Discover the remote, wild beauty of East Antarctica as you navigate the iconic Commonwealth Bay, explore Mawson's Main Base huts, and immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes that defined the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. This is your chance to experience the extraordinary - just as the pioneers did over a century ago.
Mawson famously named Commonwealth Bay "Home of the Blizzard" due to the dramatic weather conditions he faced during his expedition. Today, these historic huts and other significant sites offer a vivid and immersive experience of this remarkable era in Antarctic history, bringing it to life far beyond what any journal or book could capture.
This part of East Antarctica not only hosts Mawson's huts but also offers a rare ice-free sanctuary for Antarctic wildlife, including nesting Adelie penguins, snow petrels, and Wilson's storm petrels.
You might sail past a number of immense glaciers that carve through East Antarctica, making for incredible spectacles. It's hard to comprehend the scale of the Mertz Glacier, an enormous hunk of crystalised ice more than 30km wide that gleams like a turquoise jewel. Sunlight cascades over its waves like liquid silver; in the troughs between are shadows of azure.
The 9km-wide Suvorov Glacier is similarly impressive, an endless bank of white unfurling into the distance. There are no trees or shrubs; flora is just a sprinkling of occasional lichen, moss and algae. This is what infinity looks like.
Discovery: Weather and ice conditions permitting, you'll have the opportunity to step back in time and visit the historic Mawson's Huts, immersing yourself in the experience of the explorers from that remarkable expedition. All guests will receive a complimentary helicopter-shuttle flight to access the huts which will operate over the next three days for all guests to visit the huts.
As you venture further into the Antarctic region, join our Discovery Team in the theatre for lectures that provide deep insights about the fantastic world around you. Daily experiences may include cruising on Zodiacs, stepping ashore to view vast penguin rookeries or historic huts and kayaking around icebergs. Depending on ice conditions, submersible dives and paddling may also be possible.
Daily experiences may include cruising on Zodiacs, stepping ashore to view vast penguin rookeries or historic huts, and kayaking around icebergs. Wherever your voyage takes you, you will have countless pinch me" moments.
Enjoy daily Discovery excursions. Cruise on the Zodiacs around ice formations, step onto islands to view vast penguin rookeries and seals. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard around icebergs and hear the ice cracking and whales feeding below. To see more of East Antarctica from above or below the horizon book a helicopter^ or a submersible^ experience. (B,L,D)
Days 11 & 12 At Sea
After a couple of active days ashore, today is yours to do as much or as little as you want. Perhaps you'd like to take things slowly, starting with breakfast brought to your suite by your butler.
Sea days aboard Scenic Eclipse II offer a perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with fellow guests, and dive into the rich history, environment, and unique wildlife of this captivating part of the world. Our guest experts, as well as the Discovery Team, will deliver engaging talks and presentations on the local wildlife and history.
As we journey toward the Balleny Islands, take advantage of the Discovery team lectures designed to prepare you for the exciting visits ahead. (B,L,D)
Days 13 & 14 Balleny Islands
This 160-kilometre-long chain of volcanic islands, some of them still active, straddles the Antarctic Circle. Here, you'll have a front-row seat to one of the greatest convergences of wildlife in the world.
Humpbacks, fin and minke whales may put on a show while we are nearby, breaching, blowing, and slapping their tails. Crabeater, Weddell Ross Sea Seals and leopard seals loll about, sunbaking between swims. Join a Discovery Excursion or just take in the view from the Observation Deck or your private verandah.
Throughout the day, themed dining and entertainment experiences will keep the festive celebrations alive it will be the whitest Christmas you've ever had.
The chain is named after British mariner Captain Balleny, who reported seeing smoke billowing from its 1,340-metre summit when exploring the area in 1839. Almost completely mantled by ice, Young Island is the northernmost island in the archipelago. At the other end
Day 15 At Sea
Sea days aboard offer a perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with fellow guests, and dive into the rich history, environment, and unique wildlife of this captivating part of the world. Experts from various fields will deliver engaging talks and presentations on the local wildlife and history. As we journey toward the western part of the Ross Sea, take advantage of the Discovery team lectures designed to prepare you for the exciting visits ahead. (B,L,D)
Days 16 & 17 Ross Sea
Sea and ice conditions will guide your days in the western Ross Sea, where you'll find the Possession Islands an intriguing cluster of small, rugged islands and rocks spanning approximately 7 miles (11 km). These seldom-visited outcrops are home to tens of thousands of penguins. Enjoy panoramic views of the Admiralty Mountains across the water and explore the striking rock formations and coastal caves.
A second day in the Possession Islands for further exploration or stay on board and spend some time in the Observation Lounge on Deck 5. Be enchanted by the endless horizons of the ocean from the panoramic glass windows or look through the Swarovski telescopes searching for wildlife.
Discovery: Enjoy daily Scenic Discovery excursions. Cruise on the Zodiacs around ice formations, step onto islands to view vast penguin rookeries and seals. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard around icebergs and hear the ice cracking and whales feeding below. To see more of East Antarctica from above or below the horizon book a helicopter^ or a submersible^ experience. (B,L,D)
Day 18 Ross Iceshelf Cruising
Experience the awe-inspiring majesty of the world's largest floating ice mass,a natural fortress that often unleashes fierce weather, with gale-force winds driving snow across the landscape. Just 800 miles from the South Pole, these towering 30-metre-high ice cliffs once halted early explorers in their tracks. As we cruise along, you might be lucky enough to witness the dramatic sight of icebergs 'calving,' a breathtaking moment to cherish. (B,L,D)
Days 19 to 24 At Sea
After almost three weeks of active explorations, enjoy some downtime. Thousands of penguins. Countless seals and whales. Unique birdlife. Endless expanses of ice. The remarkable sights of the world's southernmost continent take a while to digest. Sometimes, quiet contemplation is the best way to do that, perhaps editing images, writing in your journal, marking highlights on a map. Or join the Discovery Team for one last lecture to recap an extraordinary adventure.
When you're visiting some of the world's most fragile ecosystems, you have a commitment to protect them for future generations. Take advantage of our open bridge policy to meet with the Captain and his team to find out all about Scenic Eclipse II's state-of-the-art technology and environmentally sustainable systems that aim to leave as small a footprint as possible.>br/>
Day 19 brings in the New Year with joyful celebrations this evening. Sip Champagne as you cruise through the world's coldest, iciest and most mesmerising continent. It's a special New Year's Eve full of unforgettable moments shared with your new friends.
Enjoy the end of your cruise with all the luxuries that Scenic Eclipse II has to offer. From the expansive 550sqm Senses Spa enjoy a treatment# in the luxurious Senses Spa or stretching out in a class at the PURE: Yoga & Pilates Studio.
Or making a reservation for the Night Market @ Koko's, where chefs prepare unique dishes inspired by the street markets of Asia while you watch from behind the hot and cold grill. Knowing that you share this night with your chef and only seven other guests make it all the more memorable.
Or simply relaxing with friends and enjoying Scenic's unrivalled selection of premium beverages available on board all day, every day, across eight bars and lounges and including premium gin, sake and more than 130 varieties of whiskey.
The choice is yours. (B,L,D)
Day 19 At sea
The past three weeks have delivered an abundance of emotions and active explorations today could be the day for some downtime in the expansive 550sqm Senses Spa. There, be rejuvenated with yoga and Pilates included classes or choose to indulge in a range of high-quality treatments+ and wellness experiences, from dreamy massages and facials to body wraps and scrubs, manicures and pedicures. Then take time out on one of the thermal lounges; your limbs will thank you later. (B,L,D)
Day 25
Your voyage ends in Hobart, the culmination of an unforgettable journey into one of the last unexplored corners of the planet. After breakfast, it's time to bid farewell to your new friends and the dedicated Scenic Eclipse II crew, who have made your voyage so remarkable.
Fly home carrying once-in-a-lifetime memories or choose to extend your journey to explore the captivating city of Hobart.
Please book your flight to depart out of Hobart after 12:00 PM.
^Flights on board our two helicopters and submersible experiences are at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval and weather, ice and tidal conditions. #Spa treatments at additional cost. +All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. Specialty restaurants require a reservation, enquire on board.
Please Note: The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Locations listed within East Antarctica are subject to weather and operational conditions. Sightings cannot be guaranteed. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.
The above information has been obtained from the relevant suppliers and should be considered an indicative guide only as to the prices that may be available for these products. Travel Associates cannot guarantee that any particular product will still be available at the following prices, or for your exact dates of travel. At the time of making your booking, prices may differ to that price displayed on this website. Please contact a Travel Associates travel consultant to obtain the latest up to date information regarding applicable prices, fees and charges, taxes, availability, any blackout dates (such as school holidays), seasonal surcharges and other terms and conditions which may apply.
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- Prices quoted valid for sale until 31 July 2025 2025 for travel during the period specified (if applicable) unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
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