The crew will warmly greet you as you seamlessly board the ship. Settle into your luxurious suite and acquaint yourself with the world-class facilities of your Discovery Yacht. Toast the start of your voyage as you sail away from New Zealand.

Please book your flight to arrive into Dunedin prior to 02:00 PM.

During these several days at sea, meet the expert Discovery Team, who will enrich your experience with their knowledge of various fields. Cross the Southern Ocean and attend daily lectures on ecology and photography. The ship's advanced technology ensures smooth navigation through Antarctica's waters. Be prepared for exciting activities such as Zodiac cruising, kayaking, and optional helicopter and submersible experiences, weather permitting.

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.