Antarctica in Depth
Six planned days exploring Antarctica, with the dining, service and private verandah suites of Scenic Eclipse. Sail the Drake Passage in both directions, with travel from Buenos Aires included.
Enquire about this voyageFrom US$18,973 per person. Selected departures; subject to availability.
Why we picked it
A strong option when the expedition and the experience back on board both matter.
This route gives the Peninsula six planned exploration days within a 13-day journey. Between Zodiac outings and landings, you return to a private verandah, butler service and a broad choice of dining. It particularly suits couples who want wildlife and discovery without giving up the food, space and attentive service they enjoy on a luxury holiday.
Best for
Couples and friends who value comfort, food and service alongside an active Antarctic expedition.
What stands out
Six Antarctic days, included guided discovery activities and a substantial spa and dining offering.
Bear in mind
Both Drake crossings are by sea. This is a Peninsula route, with no promised Antarctic Circle crossing or South Georgia visit.
The Expedition Advisory difference
Why book this voyage with us?
Choose your voyage and cabin with confidence. We’ll help with the rest of your journey.
Operator Pricing
You pay the expedition operator’s fare. We check applicable offers and promotions for your voyage. Our advice and booking support cost you nothing extra.
Independent Advice
Compare this voyage with other Antarctic options. We match the ship, season and cabin to your priorities. We search all available itineraries from our partner operators, including voyages not listed on our website.
Field Experience
Our polar guiding experience helps you understand the crossing, time ashore and daily expedition life before you choose.
Beyond the Cruise
Your trip overview brings together recommended flight routes, buffer days, travel and packing tips. You can also book a hotel and transfer package through us.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
Voyage overview
From Buenos Aires to the Antarctic Peninsula, via Ushuaia.
The programme begins with a Buenos Aires hotel night. An internal flight takes you to Ushuaia to board the ship, followed by the Drake Passage and six scheduled days in Antarctic waters. After sailing north, you disembark in Ushuaia and fly back to Buenos Aires.
The Captain and Discovery Team choose the daily route around weather, ice and operating requirements. Named places below are examples of possible visits, not guaranteed stops. Shore visits, Zodiac cruises and wildlife encounters vary.
Day-by-day expedition
The 13-day outline for our featured 6 February 2027 departure.
The programme below applies to the featured February 2027 voyage. Scenic also lists Weddell Sea variations under tour code 101S, so other departures can have a different Antarctic focus and day-by-day schedule.
Arrive in Buenos Aires
Settle into your included hotel for the night before the polar journey begins. If your arrival time allows, explore the city independently: neighbourhood cafés, the colourful streets of La Boca and the historic streets of San Telmo offer a sense of the Argentine capital. Any extra nights or sightseeing should be arranged separately.
Fly to Ushuaia and embark
Take the included flight south to Ushuaia and meet your ship. After boarding, settle into your suite and attend the safety briefings. The voyage begins through the Beagle Channel, with mountain scenery and the first opportunity to explore the observation areas and meet the Discovery Team.
Cross the Drake Passage
The crossing is part of the voyage. Presentations introduce Antarctic wildlife, landscapes and expedition procedures, while the open decks offer opportunities to watch seabirds. Prepare your clothing and equipment for the first outings. The ship has stabilisation technology, but motion can still be substantial and a calm crossing cannot be promised.
Begin exploring Antarctica
The first of six planned Antarctic days brings a change of pace. The team selects suitable landing sites and Zodiac routes to make the most of local conditions. You may step ashore near a penguin colony, cruise past icebergs or watch wildlife from the ship. Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding may be offered when conditions, suitability and available places allow.
Peninsula shores and island landscapes
Possible sites include Portal Point or Deception Island, although neither is a fixed appointment. Guided walks and Zodiac cruising reveal different perspectives on the coast, its geology and the history of exploration. Back aboard, compare photographs with fellow guests and choose where to dine.
Wildlife and photography
Watch for gentoo, chinstrap or Adélie penguins, seals and whales as the voyage continues. Species and sightings vary by location and season. The Discovery Team can help with wildlife identification and photography guidance, while Zodiac excursions bring you closer to the scale and texture of the landscape without disturbing it.
Channels, ice and changing light
If conditions permit, the ship may navigate the Lemaire Channel or another scenic passage. Keep your camera close and spend time outdoors for the changing light on mountains and ice. Between outings, the Observation Lounge gives you a warm place to watch the landscape and continue learning with the team.
Another day shaped by the expedition
The additional exploration time gives the team more flexibility to follow good weather and suitable landing opportunities. A walk, a beach visit or a Zodiac cruise may feature, with the final plan announced aboard. Return to the ship for the sauna, a quiet lounge or a meal with a view.
Final Antarctic exploration
Make the most of the last scheduled day in Antarctica. A polar plunge may be offered during the voyage if conditions and the team permit; participation is optional. The expedition remains flexible to the end, with wildlife, ice and local conditions guiding the day.
Sail north to Ushuaia
Cross the Drake Passage towards South America. There is time to review your photographs, attend further presentations and enjoy the dining and wellness spaces. Bridge visits may be possible under the ship’s open-bridge policy, subject to navigational requirements. Spa treatments are an additional charge.
Disembark and return to Buenos Aires
Disembark after breakfast and take the included internal flight to Buenos Aires. For the featured February 2027 departure, Scenic advises booking onward flights after 9:30 pm. Reconfirm the current flight schedule and connection advice before purchasing international tickets.
Watch the expedition
See the voyage through Scenic’s own films.
These films illustrate the expedition experience. Locations, wildlife and activities vary with each departure; helicopter and submersible experiences cost extra when offered.
Departure dates and example fare
Scenic publishes fixed departures for this itinerary from 2026 to 2028, with fares that vary by cabin category, season and current promotions. Below is one example fare and the full published departure schedule — request a quote for exact pricing on the date you want.
For the 6–18 February 2027 departure, Scenic Eclipse Deluxe Verandah Suite (Scenic’s discounted “Preferred Fare”) — the lowest published cabin category available for that departure at last review; standard Verandah categories were sold out. Excludes international airfare.
Fares vary by departure and change with Scenic’s promotions. Prices last checked 12 September 2026 — ask us for current pricing.
Dates run from the first Buenos Aires hotel night to the final return flight. Ship and category allocation can vary by departure — we will confirm the exact suite and current fare with your quote.
Check the exact route variation. The 24 November 2027 departure is published as Antarctica in Depth and the Weddell Sea, with a different daily programme. The six Antarctic days described on this page refer to the 6 February 2027 example. Ask EA to confirm the route version and ship for any other date.
Compare the whole journey. The lowest published rate is not automatically the best cabin or best departure. Ask us to compare timing, suite position, promotion conditions, activity priorities and the full cost from home. Solo, third-guest and family pricing require a separate quote.Life aboard Scenic Eclipse
Scenic Eclipse brings a substantial luxury hotel experience to an expedition ship.
The first Scenic Eclipse carries up to 200 guests in Antarctica, with 114 suites, Polar Class 6 construction and a crew-to-guest ratio close to 1:1. Its scale gives it room for multiple dining venues and wellness facilities. Outings still operate in groups, and the programme depends on landing permissions and conditions rather than a promise that everyone will be ashore at once.
A personal butler serves every suite. Up to ten dining experiences range from relaxed meals to specialty settings such as Koko’s and Lumière. Selected venues require reservations; rare wines, vintage Champagne and a small selection of other premium drinks cost extra. The Observation Lounge and theatre support the learning side of the voyage, while the Senses Spa offers a place to unwind between excursions.
Complete suite gallery
Every suite has a private verandah and butler service.
These seven category families and official images describe Scenic Eclipse, the ship used for the February 2027 example. Sizes are the operator’s published suite figures; check the specific floor plan and outdoor area before choosing, as exact configuration varies. Scenic changes category grading from March 2027, so the final code, deck and plan must match your selected date.
Verandah Suite
32 m² · private outdoor space
Private verandah, a separate sleep zone and lounge area, with a king-size Scenic Slumber Bed. The bathroom includes a shower, vanity and luxury amenities. A practical starting point for the ship’s suite range.
Deluxe Verandah Suite
32 - 34 m² · private outdoor space
The category used in our February 2027 example. A separate sleep zone and lounge open to a private verandah. Butler service, a personalised minibar and in-suite dining are included. Position and category code vary by deck.
Grand Deluxe Verandah Suite
38 - 40 m² · private outdoor space
More room than the standard and Deluxe categories, while retaining the private verandah, separate sleeping and sitting areas, and full butler service. Ask us to check the precise layout and deck position.
Spa Suite
46 - 50 m² · private outdoor space
A larger suite with a lounge and an expansive bathroom designed around relaxation. The bathroom and bathing facilities are a central part of its appeal. Deck allocation and layout should be checked against the departure’s current plan.
Panorama Suite
110 m² · private outdoor space
A generous terrace and separate living and sleeping spaces create more room for relaxing privately. Dining and bathroom space make this a substantial upgrade for travellers who spend more time in their suite.
Grand Panorama Suite
105 m² · private outdoor space
A large terrace, separate lounge and bedroom, and spacious bathroom. Despite the name, the published example size differs from Panorama; compare the specific layout, deck and terrace rather than choosing on category name alone.
Owner's Penthouse
195 m² · private outdoor space
The top one-bedroom option offers a large terrace, separate bedroom and lounge, a dining area and an oversized bathroom. It suits guests who want considerably more private space and a distinctive suite experience.
Travelling as a family or on your own
Some suites can connect, including a two-bedroom Owner’s Penthouse configuration. Suitability, occupancy and child policies need checking for the specific voyage. Solo guests should request a sole-occupancy quote; the example is based on two sharing. Confirm the bed arrangement and accessibility needs with us before choosing a suite.
Activities and time ashore
The Discovery Team plans the excursions around weather, ice, wildlife and local operating rules. Six planned Antarctic days give useful flexibility, but no fixed landing count or daily activity is guaranteed.
| Experience | Included or extra | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Zodiac cruising and guided landings | Included | Conditions and landing permissions determine the programme. |
| Guided walks, lectures and discovery | Included | Different terrain and activity levels; discuss mobility before booking. |
| Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding | Included when offered | Limited places; conditions, safety and suitability apply. This is not a guaranteed daily paddling programme. |
| Photography guidance and wildlife watching | Included programme | Guidance from the Discovery Team; species and encounters are not guaranteed. |
| Polar plunge | Optional participation | Offered at the team’s discretion if conditions permit. |
| Helicopter and submersible experiences | Additional cost | Regulatory approval, availability, weight and medical restrictions, weather, ice and tides apply. |
| Spa treatments | Additional cost | Book separately; spa facilities and treatments have different inclusions. |
No departure-specific kayaking places or helicopter/submersible availability are promised by this page. Ask us to confirm any activity that is central to your decision before booking.
What is included, and what costs extra
Included in this programme
- Your selected suite, butler service and onboard dining.
- Included beverages and a personalised minibar, with stated exceptions for rare premium selections.
- The Buenos Aires hotel night and internal flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia.
- Specified arrival, departure and programme transfers.
- Discovery Team, lectures and scheduled Zodiac, landing and discovery activities.
- A polar parka and refillable water bottle to keep; polar boots on loan.
- Onboard Wi-Fi, included wellness facilities, and tipping aboard and ashore.
Budget separately
- International flights for the featured Preferred Fare, plus extra hotels, transfers or touring beyond the programme.
- Travel insurance, visas where required, and personal equipment.
- Helicopter flights, submersible experiences and spa treatments.
- Rare fine or vintage wines, Champagne and spirits excluded from the included selection.
- Personal purchases and any services not expressly included in the confirmed booking.
Scenic’s offer and booking terms govern the final inclusions. Confirm the full itinerary invoice, currency and promotion eligibility before payment.
Before you choose
Does this voyage fly over the Drake Passage?
No. The included flights are between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. The ship crosses the Drake in both directions.
Is an Antarctic Circle crossing included?
No planned Circle crossing is promised by this route. Choose a dedicated Circle itinerary if that is a deciding priority.
Are helicopter flights and the submersible included?
No. They cost extra and are subject to operational, regulatory, medical and weather conditions.
Do all the listed dates use the example suite and fare?
No. The named fare applies to 6 - 18 February 2027 in Deluxe Verandah DA or CA. Other dates, ships, suite grades and offers must be quoted separately.
Plan your Antarctic expedition
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Tell us your dates, wishes and questions. We will compare departures, check the cabin and help you understand the complete cost.
Voyage information
Reviewed 12 September 2026 against Scenic’s live Antarctica in Depth itinerary, dates and suite fares, Scenic Eclipse ship and deck-plan information and the operator’s published offer conditions. Photographs are official operator images unless credited otherwise. Images illustrate the ship, suite category or region; layouts and finishes may vary. Dates, fares, activities and availability can change. EA will confirm the departure, travel arrangements and conditions before booking.