Sep 23, 2021
Scenic’s expert team are excited to be resuming voyages in Antarctica in early 2022. Learn why you can feel confident in discovering this unique ecological wilderness on board Scenic Eclipse – while knowing it has world class health and safety features, best practical protocols, advanced technology, arrange of ultra-luxury features and experiences.
The Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration that began at the end of the 19th century, pioneered by such intrepid explorers as Roald Amudsen, Sir Ernest Shackleton and Douglas Mawson began a global fascination with the incredible wildlife and land, sea and pristine icescapes of Antarctica, the world’s highest continent. It wasn’t until the 1960s that travellers could visit this spectacular continent for themselves, imprinting once-in-a-lifetime memories during voyages that felt like you were traversing the planet’s last frontier.
Operating with the same innovative spirit intrinsic to those early explorers for more than 35 years, Scenic Group launched Scenic Eclipse, the World’s First Discovery Yacht™ in 2019 and set a new benchmark in 6-star, ultra-luxury cruising.
An Exclusive Discovery Yacht Experience
Offering a small-ship cruise experience with capacity for just 200 guests in Polar regions, Scenic Eclipse has pioneered a private-superyacht experience with expert staff and crew, with an unparalleled level of ultra-luxury features. You can experience truly all-inclusive cruising with up to 10 dining experiences, nine bars and lounges, in your luxurious and generously sized veranda suite. Or relax in the extensive indulgent spaces, including the Observation Lounge and Library, state-of-the-art theatre, expansive 550 sq m Senses Spa, gym, and the only yoga and Pilates studio at sea.
Enhanced Safety & Wellness Protocols
During each Antarctica voyage in 2022, you can expect to enjoy the unrivalled facilities, amenities and service synonymous with Scenic Eclipse – now enhanced to meet the strictest health and safety protocols with carefully developed programs to provide guests with peace of mind when cruising.
The Discovery Yacht has been designed and built with the latest uncompromising standards for vessels operating in Polar waters with a Polar Class 6 rating, equipped with dynamic GPS stabilisers that hold the ship in place and negate the need to drop anchor on sensitive seabeds. Throughout the ship is an advanced HVAC (Heat, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) system which provides 100 per cent fresh air, all day and every day, through both a UVC and HEPA filter treatment.
Essentially, there is no recirculated air moving throughout any of the suites or public spaces, ensuring the most advanced and effective air filtration system to giving you peace of mind of the purity of the air you’ll breathe.
Expert Discovery Team & Unrivalled Excursions
Scenic Eclipse also enables guests to soar above and below the horizon – in one of two on board Airbus helicopters^ or by submerging up to 300 metres beneath the surface of the ocean in the on board submarine, Scenic Neptune^. An up to 20-member team of curated experts form the Discovery Team who are highly knowledgeable experts across a range of disciplines, including botany, science, history, glaciology, marine biology and photography.
The Discovery Team assist guests to fully immerse themselves in the wondrous sites and experiences of Antarctica. Joining them in Zodiacs, kayak or stand-up paddleboards, you can spot seals resting on ice beds, feel the gentle sea splash from breaching humpback and minke whales nearby your Zodiac, or walk among thousands of Emperor Penguins in South Georgia.
For nearly two years, the icy waters of Antarctica have been devoid of visitors. Global circumstances beyond everybody’s control has seen a suspension of cruising and travel in general.
Experienced Crew
Now, with much anticipation, the world is opening up again. Pristine destinations such as Antarctica will be ripe for discovering once more. Our Captain, crew, staff and Discovery Team members on board Scenic Eclipse, many of whom have visited Antarctica multiple times, are as eager as our guests to return once again to witness and share with you the majesty of this unforgettable destination.
Here we chat to Jason Flesher, Expedition Operations Manager of Scenic Eclipse who shares his insights just how comfortable and confident you can feel to travel to this exceptional destination on board Scenic Eclipse.
The world is starting to travel again. Why should I travel as far as Antarctica?
Antarctica is such a magnificent destination that provides endless experiences every day on every excursion. This season will be like no other, with only a few who will be operating this return season. As there will have been no tourists to have visited Antarctica for nearly two years, I am expecting unbelievable encounters and experiences with the wildlife. Early 2022 will be the season to go to Antarctica. I can assure you that after your trip, the next time you look at a globe or a world map, your eyes will go straight to the bottom and stir up thoughts of when you can be back there again.
The expert Discovery Team forms the core of our Expedition Voyages and are so passionate about this part of the world and they will be ecstatic to be back in Antarctica. Their excitement and love for this region is contagious and is at an all-time high after two years away. They all bring this unique region to life for our guests and enrich the experience with their passion, personal experiences and knowledge.
Will it be safe to travel to Antarctica?
While the world may have changed, our commitment to our guests, the guest experience and their health, safety and wellbeing remains our key priority.
On board Scenic Eclipse, all guests and crew will be fully vaccinated, with negative COVID tests received 72 hours prior to arrival and testing taking place again before boarding Scenic Eclipse for Antarctica. There are increased hygiene practices, state of the art ventilation systems, a medical centre, hand sanitisation stations throughout the ship and we will be practicing social distancing while on board.
The entire Scenic Group works closely with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), local and international Government Health agencies, to ensure our protocols not only meet but exceed the latest regulatory requirements. In addition, we are implementing the newest insights that help us to safeguard the health and safety of our guests and staff, while ensuring a truly wonderful guest experience.
We will continuously update our protocols to safeguard both the health and the experience of our guests.
Learn more about or health and safety protocols here.
What wildlife can I expect to see in Antarctica?
When visiting Antarctica, prepare to possibly see up to eight species of penguins, five species of seals, eight species of whales and several species of birds. A fun fact – penguins did not evolve to fly as there are only a few terrestrial predators in Antarctica, so there was no evolutionary need.
The main Antarctica region is completely devoid of land mammals, but instead, the thrill of Antarctica is in its abundant marine animals, including penguins, seals, orcas, whales such as the blue whale and the newest classified species of Orca in 2021, the Delta Orca.
I heard that it was possible to pass COVID on to wildlife in Antarctica. Is that true?
As we all know, COVID-19 can be very unpredictable and while research has been conducted that suggests that seals and birds such as penguins are a very low risk of infection, we will nonetheless be taking all precautions necessary during our excursions in Antarctica to ensure maximum protection of wildlife. All guests and crew will be fully vaccinated and as always, we will be maintaining safe distances from all wildlife.
Renew your passion for discovery again. Debut your 2022 travels by booking with confidence to visit what many consider the pinnacle of destinations, Antarctica. When you travel in ultra-luxury on board Scenic Eclipse, with her expert Discovery Team and crew, you can rest assured that your safety and wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do – in tandem with facilitating travel memories that will last a lifetime. We are confident that you’ll find that the wait will have been worth it.
About Jason Flesher
Jason has been Expedition Operations Manager since July 2019, overseeing all aspects of the discovery program and team on board Scenic Eclipse. Jason has been committed to all aspects of experiential and wilderness education, guiding and managing programs along with wilderness search and rescue missions on every continent, for more than 35 years.
In 2010, Jason’s professional Polar experience began as an Expedition Guide, becoming the Lead Antarctic Expedition Guide and Program Operations Manager for six years. Prior to joining Scenic, Jason worked with several other Polar Expeditions operators. He was on board Scenic Eclipse as Discovery Leader for her maiden voyage in 2019.
Our Guests' Stories
"Kayaking in Antarctica with Whales around us was a life highlight"
Joanne H. - Scenic Guest - Australia
"Pure joy recovering in the wonderful spa onboard the Scenic Eclipse after Kayaking around Glaciers during our breathtaking trip to Antarctica"
Amanda R. - Scenic Guest, Australia
"OMG Antarctica here we come... wow, wow, wow, best trip ever!!"
Bernadette K. - Scenic Guest, Australia
"In Antarctica - the beauty, the colour, the vastness, the closeness to wildlife and nature all around"
Sandra R. - Scenic Guest,United Kingdom
"Antarctica in all its glory and Scenic Eclipse take your breath away"
Peter K. - Scenic Guest, United Kingdom
"Zodiac landing in Antarctica. What a wonderful and pristine part of the world that we were so lucky to see on Scenic Eclipse."
Jennifer T. - Scenic Guest, Australia
Discover More
^Helicopter, helicopter excursions and submarine at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, weight restrictions, weather and ice conditions. Helicopters are unbale to operate in South Georgia.