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Adelie penguins

Antarctica's Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & Wildlife

Hobart - Dunedin - Example 24 Day Cruise aboard Scenic Eclipse II
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Embark on a 24-day cruise from Hobart to Dunedin aboard the Scenic Eclipse II. This expedition takes you to the Ross Sea Region of Antarctica, a place that will take your breath away. You can witness stunning landscapes, including glaciers, icebergs, and mountain ranges, and experience some of the most prolific wildlife displays on the planet, such as penguins, seals, whales, and orcas. The expedition follows the path of some of the world's greatest explorers, and you're sure to experience the region's unpredictability. The expert team onboard will work with the weather and ice conditions to ensure a fantastic voyage.
Crabeater sealElephant seal on the coastColorful boats in Hobart Harbor, TasmaniaA Weddell seal watches the ship cruise byCoastal beauty of DunedinAdelie penguins
Highlights
  • Explore Hobart, Australia's picturesque harbor, art galleries, and farm-to-table restaurants
  • Discover Macquarie Island's wildlife spectacle with penguins, leopard seals, and albatrosses
  • Experience the remote Balleny Islands and witness humpback, fin, and minke whales
  • Explore Sturge Island's Important Bird Area with southern fulmars and snow petrels
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Hobart, Australia | Embark

The Tasmanian capital always leaves a lasting impression with its picturesque harbor, captivating art galleries, and farm-to-table restaurants. As soon as you board the ship, the crew greets you warmly and assists you in settling into your lavish suites. You can explore and enjoy the world-class facilities of the Discovery Yacht. You can toast the beginning of your voyage as you sail away from Australia.

Please book your flight to arrive in Hobart before 02:00 PM.

Day 2-3: At Sea

This morning, get ready and transfer by coach from Queenstown to Milford Sound. This secluded area in the Fiordland of the South Island boasts some of New Zealand's most breathtaking scenery, including crystal-clear lakes,  fiords carved by ancient glaciers, and lush rainforests.

As you board the ship, greet the friendly crew who will accompany you throughout your voyage. To kick off the cruise, you can enjoy champagne and mingle with your fellow passengers. It's a great way to start your adventure in this picturesque part of New Zealand.

Day 4: Macquarie Island

Macquarie Island is a place that sparks every sense. First, smell, then sound, then sight. From a distance, Macquarie’s earth appears to be moving. As Scenic Eclipse approaches, you realize that the land is heaving – under the weight of millions of penguins.

Subject to permits, you can see this spectacle of epic proportions, an extraordinary landscape hosting one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the Southern Ocean. You may witness countless tuxedoed, bushy-eyebrowed, and golden-crowned penguins – king, rockhopper, Gentoo, and the endemic royal. Or they may greet guests who step ashore with squarks and squeaks. Occasionally, one flops for ice surfing, paddling on its belly like a torpedo-shaped toboggan. The fluffy, impossibly cute youngsters have the gleeful look of children allowed to stay up past their bedtime for a grown-up gathering.

You can likely see leopard seals patrolling the waters, southern elephant seals peeking from tussocked dunes, and sooty albatrosses circling overhead.

Day 5-6: At Sea

It’s time to ease back into your ultra-luxury suite and surrounds for a few days at sea. This might be the day you sleep in, conserving energy for the activities ahead, then spend lazy hours relaxing in your suite because there’s a lot to love about your accommodation.

 

Day 7: Balleny Islands, Young Island

Almost entirely mantled by ice, Young Island is the northernmost island in the Balleny archipelago, a 160-kilometer-long chain of volcanic islands (some still active) that is a delightful surprise and utterly different from the rest of the Antarctic landscape.

The Balleny Islands are remote and ravishing, their location straddling the Antarctic Circle, leaving them heavily glaciated. Landings aren’t permitted, but in favorable weather conditions, you may have the chance to explore by Zodiac for 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 you are nearby, breaching, blowing, and slapping their tails. Crabeater, Weddell, elephant, and leopard seals loll about, sunbaking between swims. And Adélie and chinstrap penguins march and squark, creating a melodic cacophony.

Make sure you head to the Observation Deck for an unbroken view or enjoy the comforts of your private verandah to take in every moment navigating this incredible region.

Day 8: Balleny Islands, Sturge Island

At the other end of the chain, Sturge is the southernmost island in the Balleny archipelago. Pull out your binoculars or head for the telescopes in the Observation Lounge because BirdLife International has declared this particular slip of land an Important Bird Area (IBA).

Twitchers will rejoice at spotting the enormous breeding colonies of southern fulmars and snow petrels based on the ice-free cliffs along the western and northern coasts. Trust your expert Discovery Team for insights about the region and its rich birdlife.

Day 9-17: Antarctica's Ross Sea Region

Over 9 days, explore Antarctica's Ross Sea Region—witness wandering albatross, icebergs, orcas, seals, penguins, and whales. Enjoy kayaking and paddling around Possession Island, or add an optional excursion of flightseeing over the Ross Sea region and deep diving into Antarctic waters in a custom-built submersible. Other activities involve observing wildlife, such as Adélie penguins and Weddell seals, and visiting historical monuments on Ross Island. You can also have the chance to experience the extreme desert landscapes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys.

Day 18-23: At Sea

During these several days at sea, there are opportunities for relaxation, fitness activities, and indulging in the yacht's facilities. You can also learn about the ship's environmentally sustainable systems and enjoy various dining experiences and all-inclusive beverages. You can also have a chance to reflect on the journey and seek final insights from the Discovery Team before disembarking.

Day 24: Dunedin, New Zealand | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Your voyage ends in Dunedin – knowing nothing between you and Antarctica but swathes of icy ocean. After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your intrepid new friends and your incredible Scenic Eclipse crew, who have made your voyage so remarkable.  

Please book your flight to depart out of Dunedin after 12:00 PM.

Ship/Hotel

Scenic Eclipse II

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

  • Jan 6, 2026from $68,190
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Deal available

Deals

2-for-1 Savings 26570
Connect with a Trip Planner to discuss 2-for-1 fares on select sailings.  Valid on new bookings.
Applies to select departures and subject to availability.

Special Deals 27257
Book your 2025 Scenic/Emerald Europe River cruise by March 31, 2025, and take advantage of the reduced deposit offer of $100 per person and air credit of $2000 per person. A deposit is required at the time of booking. These promotions apply to new bookings only. Offer is combinable with 2-for-1 Fares, Pay in Full offers, Emerald Exclusive/Scenic Select Savings, Flash sales, and Holiday Deals. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
Applies to 2025 Scenic and Emerald Europe River Cruises.

Spring into Savings Sale 27364
Book your Scenic Europe River cruise for select 2025 departures between March 17-31, 2025, and enjoy 2-for-1 fare on your cruise pricing.

An additional bonus savings of up to $1,750 per suite on select departures. Savings vary by departure.

Free air offers are also available based on suite category and destination when you pay in full 10 months before departure. If sailing is within 10 months, you can pay in full within 30 days to receive these offers or 90 days prior to departure - whichever is soonest. Bonus savings options are available instead of air with the same payment terms.

Bonus savings of up to $500 per person on select departures with non-refundable booking terms. Full payment is required within 48 hours of booking, with no exceptions. Code: NONREF

Single Supplement: A free single supplement is available on select departures. Full payment is required. Other departure dates may have a 45% single supplement. Single supplement offers do not apply to  RP, RR, RO, R, RA, RD, RS, or RJ cabin categories.

Flexible Booking Plan allows you to defer your booking to an alternative date or cancel your journey until 90 days before departure. Enjoy a Future Travel Credit to use on an alternate tour/cruise, valid for 24 months. The offer is valued at $125 per person—no substitutions, no cash value.

Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
Applies to 2025 Scenic Europe River Cruises.

Per person starting at
$68,190
Select a Date
D Verandah
344-366 sqft. Verandah Suites, located on Deck 5, provide a spacious and comfortable introduction to ocean cruising with the finest appointments and amenities including a luxury king-size bed, separate lounge area, en-suite bathroom with shower, butler service.
Select a Date
DA Deluxe Verandah
344-366 sqft. Deluxe Verandah Suites located on Deck 5, provide a spacious and comfortable introduction to ocean cruising with the finest appointments and amenities including a luxury king-size bed, separate lounge area, en-suite bathroom with shower, butler service.
Select a Date
DB Deluxe Verandah
344-366 sqft. Deluxe Verandah Suites located on Deck 5, provide a spacious and comfortable introduction to ocean cruising with the finest appointments and amenities including a luxury king-size bed, separate lounge area, en-suite bathroom with shower, butler service.
Select a Date
DD Grand Deluxe Verandah
409-430 sqft. Choose a Grand Deluxe Verandah Suite, located on Deck 5, which provides additional room to relax. Amenities include a luxury king-size bed, separate lounge area, en-suite bathroom with shower, butler service.
Select a Date
C Verandah
344-366 sqft. Verandah Suites, located on Deck 6, provide a spacious and comfortable introduction to ocean cruising with the finest appointments and amenities including a luxury king-size bed, separate lounge area, en-suite bathroom with shower, butler service.
Select a Date
CA Deluxe Verandah
344-366 sqft. Deluxe Verandah Suites located on Deck 6, provide a spacious and comfortable introduction to ocean cruising with the finest appointments and amenities including a luxury king-size bed, separate lounge area, en-suite bathroom with shower, butler service.
Select a Date
CD Grand Deluxe Verandah
409-430 sqft. Choose a Grand Deluxe Verandah Suite, located on Deck 6, which provides additional room to relax. Amenities include a luxury king-size bed, separate lounge area, en-suite bathroom with shower, butler service.
Select a Date
GP Grand Panorama
344-366 sqft. Verandah Suites, located on Decks 5, 6, 7 or 8, provide a spacious and comfortable introduction to ocean cruising with the finest appointments and amenities including a luxury king-size bed, separate lounge area, en-suite bathroom with shower, butler service.
Select a Date
B Verandah
344-366 sqft. Verandah Suites, located on Decks 5, 6, 7 or 8, provide a spacious and comfortable introduction to ocean cruising with the finest appointments and amenities including a luxury king-size bed, separate lounge area, en-suite bathroom with shower, butler service.
Select a Date
BA Deluxe Verandah
344-366 sqft. Deluxe Verandah Suites located on Decks 6, 7 or 8 provide a spacious and comfortable introduction to ocean cruising with the finest appointments and amenities including a luxury king-size bed, separate lounge area, en-suite bathroom with shower, butler service.
Select a Date
BD Grand Deluxe Verandah
409-430 sqft. Choose a Grand Deluxe Verandah Suite, which provides additional room to relax. Amenities include a luxury king-size bed, separate lounge area, en-suite bathroom with shower, butler service.
Select a Date
A Verandah
344-366 sqft. Verandah Suites, located on Decks 5, 6, 7 or 8, provide a spacious and comfortable introduction to ocean cruising with the finest appointments and amenities including a luxury king-size bed, separate lounge area, en-suite bathroom with shower, butler service.
Select a Date
AA Deluxe Verandah
344-366 sqft. Deluxe Verandah Suites located on Decks 6, 7 or 8 provide a spacious and comfortable introduction to ocean cruising with the finest appointments and amenities including a luxury king-size bed, separate lounge area, en-suite bathroom with shower, butler service.
Select a Date
AD Grand Deluxe Verandah
409-430 sqft. Choose a Grand Deluxe Verandah Suite, which provides additional room to relax. Amenities include a luxury king-size bed, separate lounge area, en-suite bathroom with shower, butler service.
Select a Date
S Spa
495-538 sqft. Located on the higher decks, luxurious Spa Suites include a luxurious king-sized bed, spa bath, steam shower, butler service, and additional features and services that will
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P Panorama
1,184sqft. Located at the front of the yacht on Deck 8 these opulent suites feature spacious curved terraces, a king-sized bed, full bath with steam shower and additional features and services.
Select a Date
SA Spa
495-538 sqft. Located on the higher decks, luxurious Spa Suites include a luxurious king-sized bed, spa bath, steam shower, butler service, and additional features and services
Select a Date
SB Spa
495-538 sqft. Located on the higher decks, luxurious Spa Suites include a luxurious king-sized bed, spa bath, steam shower, butler service, and additional features and services
Select a Date
OP Owner's Penthouse
2,099sqft. The oversized Owner’s Penthouse Suites are the ultimate indulgence. Located on Deck 9 and elegantly appointed with spacious curved terraces featuring a private Jacuzzi and the best views onboard, you will never want to leave.

Notes

All rates are quoted in USD and represent cost per person, based on double occupancy.
Included
  • 23 Breakfasts, 22 Lunches, 23 Dinners
  • 23 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Wifi
  • Porterage
  • Port taxes and charges
  • All tipping and gratuities
  • Complimentary beverages
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Select drinks including a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, champagnes and spirits are not included in the package and may be available at an additional charge
  • Passport or Visa fees
  • All travel invoice risks. We strongly recommend you to take out comprehensive travel insurance with a reputable insurance company to cover you against risks associated with your tour. Including cover for loss of luggage, medical expense, and cost and expenses incurred due to cancellations, delays, or other disruptions

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