13-Day Antarctica in Depth

Welcome to Argentina. Upon arrival at Ezeiza International (EZE), you will be met for a private transfer to your hotel. Take the afternoon to explore the “Paris of the South,” perhaps wandering through the European-style boulevards of Recoleta or enjoying a traditional steakhouse dinner in Palermo.

Tonight, gather with your fellow explorers for a briefing on the journey south, preparing for your private charter flight to the end of the world tomorrow morning. Your stay in this vibrant capital provides a sharp, colorful contrast to the monochromatic beauty of the ice that awaits you in the Southern Ocean.

Board your private Scenic charter flight to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to the pier to embark the Scenic Eclipse I. Meet your private butler, who will introduce you to the ultra-luxury amenities of your suite and ensure your expedition gear is perfectly fitted.

As we navigate the Beagle Channel this evening, enjoy your first of many world-class meals at Koko’s or Lumière, watching the snow-capped Martial Mountains fade into the twilight. The yacht’s state-of-the-art stabilizers ensure a smooth departure as we leave the continent of South America behind and set course for the legendary Seventh Continent.

Today we begin our transit of the legendary Drake Passage. While these waters are known for their power, the Scenic Eclipse I utilizes custom-built stabilizers that are 50% larger than those on other ships, ensuring an incredibly stable crossing. Spend the day in the Discovery Lounge attending lectures by our 20-member Expedition Team, or visit the Senses Spa for a session in the infrared sauna.

This is the time to prepare your senses for the first sighting of ice on the horizon. Your butler is on hand to ensure every need is met, from a perfectly brewed morning coffee to your preferred evening cocktail as you gaze out over the vast, rolling Southern Ocean.

As we cross the Antarctic Convergence, the air turns crisp and the sea temperature drops. This is a day for wildlife enthusiasts; keep your binoculars ready for wandering albatrosses and the first tabular icebergs. Your butler can arrange for a private lunch on your verandah, or you can join the bridge team to learn about the state-of-the-art GPS dynamic positioning that allows the ship to remain stationary without an anchor.

This evening, the Captain hosts a welcome toast as the sun lingers on the horizon. The monochromatic beauty of the Antarctic threshold is now fully visible, with the first blue-ice fragments floating past the yacht’s observation decks.

Arrival in the South Shetland Islands marks your official entry into the Antarctic realm. These volcanic islands are a hub of biodiversity. Depending on conditions, you may land at Deception Island—a flooded caldera where you can walk upon black volcanic sands—or Half Moon Island, home to a massive chinstrap penguin colony.

Board your first Zodiac for a guided landing, feeling the crunch of the ice beneath your boots as you stand among thousands of unfazed penguins. Return to the yacht for a sunset soak in the vitality pools, surrounded by the towering, snow-dusted peaks of the islands.

We enter the heart of the Antarctic Peninsula today. Cuverville Island is famous for being home to one of the largest gentoo penguin colonies in the region. The island is surrounded by grounded icebergs that look like an outdoor sculpture gallery. Spend your morning ice-cruising in the Zodiacs to witness the deep sapphire blues of the ancient ice.

In the afternoon, you might choose to take a sea kayak out for a silent paddle through the glass-like water, listening for the blow of a humpback whale nearby. The 6-star luxury of the yacht remains your constant sanctuary, with gourmet afternoon tea waiting in the lounge upon your return.

Today offers the rare opportunity to set foot on the actual Antarctic continent at Neko Harbour. This deep-water bay is framed by a massive, active glacier that frequently calves ice into the sea with a thunderous roar known as “white thunder.” Hike up to a scenic overlook for a panoramic view of the yacht anchored in the mirror-still water below.

The sense of isolation here is profound. After your continental landing, return to the ship for a sushi lunch at Koko’s. Later, perhaps venture beneath the waves in the yacht’s custom-built submarine, Scenic Neptune, for a perspective on the Antarctic depths that few have ever witnessed.

We attempt a transit of the Lemaire Channel, often called the “Kodak Gap” for its staggering, vertical beauty. This 7-mile-long passage is so narrow that the mountains seem to lean over the yacht’s rails. On the other side, we explore the iceberg-filled waters of Pleneau, where grounded bergs create a maze of sculpted ice.

Watch for leopard seals basking on the ice floes and humpback whales feeding in the krill-rich waters. The Observation Deck provides a 360-degree theater for this glacial drama. This evening, enjoy a Michelin-inspired dinner at Lumière, the ship’s French fine-dining venue, as the midnight sun illuminates the peaks.

Paradise Bay is aptly named; it offers some of the most serene and reflective landscapes in the Antarctic. The bay is often filled with “bergy bits” and growlers, which we will navigate by Zodiac for a closer look at the glacial walls. Visit the Argentine research station, Almirante Brown, and hike to the top of the hill for a glissade back down the snow.

The afternoon is a showcase of polar biodiversity. Watch for minke whales and the occasional crabeater seal. Back on board, retreat to the Senses Spa for a personalized treatment, or join your butler for a private champagne toast on your verandah as the yacht glides past the sapphire icebergs.

Our final landing is at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. This historic British research station now serves as a museum and the southernmost post office in the world. You can send a postcard home to document your journey before exploring the surrounding penguin colony.

As we begin our turn back toward the north, the Expedition Team hosts a final recap in the theater, sharing the scientific data collected during our time on the peninsula. It is a day of reflection and celebration of the Seventh Continent. This evening, the Captain hosts a farewell gala dinner to toast to the “Discovery Yacht” and her cadre of explorers.

We re-enter the Drake Passage for our return journey. Far from a mere transit, this is a day for deeper learning in the ship’s Science Lab. Review the underwater footage captured during the week or join a photographic workshop to refine your editing skills with the on-board specialists.

Take advantage of the yacht’s all-inclusive spirit with a final afternoon of indulgence. Whether it’s a whiskey tasting in the lounge or a private pilates session in the Yoga & Pilates Studio, the Scenic Eclipse I ensures your return journey is as refined and restorative as your first steps on the ice.

As we approach the South American continent, the air warms and the first signs of green reappear on the horizon of Tierra del Fuego. Spend the afternoon on the Observation Deck scanning the Beagle Channel for hourglass dolphins and sea lions that frequently follow the yacht’s wake.

This is a time for shared stories and the bonding of travelers who have witnessed the end of the world. Enjoy a final sunset cocktail as the yacht approaches the lights of Ushuaia. The sense of achievement in having successfully navigated the depth of Antarctica begins to settle in as the peaks of the Martial Mountains come into view.

After a final breakfast on board, disembark in Ushuaia. A private transfer takes you to the airport for your Scenic charter flight back to Buenos Aires. As you connect with your international flight home from Ezeiza (EZE), the silence of the Antarctic fjords and the refined care of your butler remain with you.

You leave as one of the few humans to have witnessed the true “In Depth” majesty of the ice. The monochromatic beauty of the White Continent has been forever etched into your memory, marking the conclusion of a 6-star symphony in ice.