Day 1 - Friday - Nov 24, 2023
| Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile |
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This colorful city is the Chilean capital's bohemian cousin, a place that draws artists, poets, painters, and nature lovers in equal measure. A maze of staircases and alleys, eclectic restaurants, and elegant Victorian architecture have earnt it a UNESCO World Heritage listing. And then there's the eye-popping street art - at every turn of a corner, a new, larger-than-life painting awaits. Begin this voyage the way you intend to continue it - on a high. Toast the start of your journey with a glass of champagne as you board Scenic Eclipse, before meeting the world-class crew and expert Discovery Team who will guide you through some of the world's most remote regions. It's their encyclopedic knowledge and passion for this region that brings the destinations you're visiting to life. The Discovery Team are experts in navigation, geology, glaciology, photography, marine biology, history, ecology and more... Plus they all come with fascinating back stories. Each day you can talk to them one-on-one or hear from them in fascinating group lectures and discussions in the Discovery Yacht's state-of-the-art theater. That might be an Enrichment Lecture on the seabirds you'll soon witness, or a hands-on tutorial about how to use your smartphone to capture the perfect photo. Please book your flight to arrive into Santiago prior to 12 PM.
Day 2 - Saturday - Nov 25, 2023
Feel the excitement building as your Discovery Team explains how your Zodiac and optional helicopter, submarine, Scenic Freechoice, and other Discovery Excursions will work in the coming days. Get familiar with the provided clothing you will need for kayak excursions. Between landings, your polar boots will be stored in a personal locker in the yacht's convenient Discovery Centre. Explore your yacht's culinary offerings, with up to ten extraordinary all-inclusive dining experiences, and nine bars and lounges. You may decide to venture to the Yacht Club for lunch, or opt for Azure Bar & Cafe, where you can graze throughout the day. If you're feeling inspired, you may have the opportunity to join a wine tasting in Epicure with your Discovery Yacht's head sommelier. You may also wish to become acquainted with the extensive wellness offerings at the expansive Senses Spa - the trainers and therapists here will become your best friends over the course of your Discovery Voyage.
Day 3 - Sunday - Nov 26, 2023
A busy town in the Chilean Lake District, Puerto Montt sits near the end of the Pan-American Highway - this epic stretch of road begins in Alaska and continues to Ushuaia in Argentina. Puerto Montt is the gateway to the Andean Alps and Patagonian fjords, so your stop here will be full of anticipation; around the corner lie gorges, far-flung islands, snow-capped volcanoes, and windswept shores. Back onboard Scenic Eclipse, settle into your luxurious accommodation. Your suite cocoons you with comforts, the design throughout is elegant and spacious. Take a steam shower using your suite's ultra-luxury amenities, curl up with a birding book in your reading alcove, getting acquainted with the creatures you'll soon spot. Or simply open your suite doors to relax on your verandah while taking in the dramatic landscapes as you make your way toward some of the world's southernmost reaches.
Day 4 - Monday - Nov 27, 2023
You may wish to begin your day with positive vibes, joining a Yin Yoga class with the Discovery Yacht's wellness coach. Feeling Zen, it's time to step ashore. The island of Chiloe is a special part of the world, home to UNESCO World Heritage-listed wooden churches, vast woodlands, and small farming communities where weekly markets show off local wares. The main town of Castro is a blend of architecture, particularly along the waterfront where wooden houses sit on stilts. But it might just be your setting that steals the scene, with a fjord on the east and a national park on the west. After a day of exploration, wave goodbye to Castro with a cocktail at the Panorama Bar, then recap the wildlife you've seen at the daily Critter Club. When it's time to ease into the evening with your new friends and share today's adventures, make your way to dinner in one of the all-inclusive restaurants. Perhaps a fine-dining degustation at Lumiere - begin with champagne and oysters at the bar before proceeding to your table, where the menu and wine will transport you straight to France.
Day 5 - Tuesday - Nov 28, 2023
Today is the perfect day to make the most of your Discovery Yacht's expansive facilities and immersive experiences. Stretch your limbs in a Pilates class with the yacht's wellness coach, who will also host a spa lecture on pain management and mobility. Reward your healthy start to the day with a cooking demonstration at Chef's Table @ Epicure, perhaps, hosted by the executive chef. In between, be sure to make the most of lively trivia sessions in the Lounge and Enrichment Lectures the Theatre, the latter of which delve deep into topics ranging from wildlife and upcoming ports to glaciology, reveal fascinating insights like the fact that the Patagonian ice fields have the third-largest freshwater reserves in the world, behind Antarctica and Greenland. You may also hear stories of how the islands you are cruising past were given names by English explorers: Sidney, London, O'Brien. Your eagle-eyed crew may call you to the Observation Deck at any time to spot dolphins and sea lions following in your wake - be sure to keep your ears open. End your evening with a nightcap in the Theatre, where your Discovery Yacht's cruise directors host live vocals ranging from pop and opera to musical theater.
Day 6 - Wednesday - Nov 29, 2023
Wake up reinvigorated after a good night's sleep on your signature Scenic Slumber Bed, having made the most of the pillow menu at your disposal the previous night. Then, begin your day with a workout, a barista coffee brought by your butler, and breakfast in the Yacht Club. You will need your energy, as you're about to enter one of the most spectacular pockets of southern Chile and won't want to miss a minute, whether glimpsed from your private veranda, the Observation Deck or Sun Lounge. If the conditions allow, today you'll explore the fascinating car-free town of Tortel, built almost entirely of wood. Explore the labyrinthine maze of boardwalks that ring the bay and snake down the mountainside, your setting made even more special by the backdrop of ferns lichen and wild mosses. Throughout your voyage you will have the opportunity to experience your Discovery Yacht's two helicopters, offering an unrivaled bird's-eye view over the glaciers and gorges of Patagonia. There's also the option to dive below the surface the custom-built submersible, Scenic Neptune II. As fascinating as the landscape is above ground, below the surface, another world awaits. Talk to the pilots to find out what your underwater encounter might entail.
Day 7 - Thursday - Nov 30, 2023
Navigating southern Chile's fjords is a complex task - the surrounding geography is rugged, dotted with islands, and carved by channels and estuaries. Join your Discovery Team on the Observation Deck at sunrise to fully appreciate the immensity of the task and the beauty of the landscape as your skilled captain guides Scenic Eclipse through the English Narrows. Be sure to keep watch for diving petrels, steamer ducks, and dolphins while you sip steaming mugs of coffee paired with breakfast treats. Or see how it's done first-hand by visiting your captain and crew at the Open Bridge, where they will also share details on how they navigate Scenic Eclipse through this complex and narrow channel. Celebrate the day in one of your yacht's all-inclusive nine bars and lounges. Make tonight the night you visit the Scenic Bar & Lounge, where more than 100 whiskeys from around the world are available.
Day 8 - Friday - Dec 1, 2023
| Cruising the Straits of Magellan |
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Today, you're cruising the Strait of Magellan, a navigable sea route separating mainland South America to the north and Tierra del Fuego to the south. It's considered the most important natural passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, discovered and first traversed by the Spanish expedition of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1520, after whom it is named. The strait notoriously difficult to navigate, but it's shorter and smoother than using the Drake Passage, the alternative in these southern reaches. Magellan's fleet took 38 days to cross the strait. You have a day here to cast your imagination back to the golden days of exploration. Today's Enrichment Lectures in the Theatre reveal the importance, and yet fragility, of the landscapes you're cruising past. Listen to your Discovery Team's marine biologist discuss where marine pollution comes from, and what we can all do about it, then spread your wings for an insightful lecture on the birds of southern Chile. With an unrivaled choice of dining experience, Elements is the main restaurant, where the menu ranges from Italian to steak and seafood. Channel the spirit of Asia at Koko's Asian Fusion, which also features a sushi bar and private Night Market experience (by reservation onboard). Or journey to France at Lumiere, replete with a champagne bar. With a guest-to-crew ratio of close to one-to-one, you will enjoy the most attentive service at sea.
Day 9 - Saturday - Dec 2, 2023
Strengthened hull. Forward bow thrusters. An electronic Azipod propulsion system and oversized zero stabilizers - these are just a few of the state-of-the-art features and technology that make your journey into Punta Arenas smooth and safe. Right on the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas is a magnet for wildlife lovers and history buffs. You only need to tour the city to get a feel for how significant it is in history, with its grand European architecture nodding to its role during the California Gold Rush.
Day 10 - Sunday - Dec 3, 2023
| Cruising the Chilean Fjords, Chile |
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Today, Scenic Eclipse will navigate the fjord-threaded Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Hanging off the bottom of Patagonia, the region represents nature at its most raw and isolation at its most extreme. This is one of the most extensive fjord systems in the world, with kelp forests, channels, and estuaries providing shelter for dolphins, sea lions, and Magellanic penguins. When not covered in ice, the shore is a unique mix of temperate and Sub-Antarctic flora, from deciduous beech trees to edible calafate berries. Your Discovery Team knows how to best manage the environment during your visit and will explain the intricacies of the fragile ecosystem. Back on the yacht you can decode the day at the Critter Club - the ideal place to remind you just how special this part of the world is.
Day 11 - Monday - Dec 4, 2023
| Cruising Garibaldi Glacier, Chile |
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Begin the day with a yoga class, followed by a soak in the heated vitality pool, with the endless horizon your backdrop. Your active start to the day means you can reward yourself by calling on your butler to bring breakfast to your room as you venture toward yet more fjords: Seno Garibaldi and Pia. If there was ever a part of the world to make you feel humbled by nature, this is it. Returning to the ship, the only thing you need to decide is which bar or lounge to move to, making the most of the truly all-inclusive beverage menu, including premium wines and spirits. For a dose of sunshine, retire to the Scenic Bar & Lounge, order a cocktail, glass of wine or a whiskey, and let your cares drift away.
Day 12 - Tuesday - Dec 5, 2023
| Cruising Cape Horn, Chile |
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There will be a buzz of excitement on deck today thanks to the chance to land on Cape Horn. A sheer rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent Drake Passage, raged by winds, docking here is often impossible. But you're in good hands with your expert captain and crew - and state-of-the-art technology of Scenic Eclipse. As you approach, you'll notice the lonesome lighthouse-keeper's dwelling - home to a single family of five - and a memorial by Chilean sculptor Jose Balcells, featuring the silhouette of an albatross. Make sure you head to the Observation Deck for an ideal vantage point or enjoy the comforts of your private balcony to take in every moment navigating this incredible region. Today could also be the day for some downtime in the expansive Senses Spa. Choose to indulge in a range of treatments and wellness experiences, including massages and facials, body wraps and scrubs, manicures, and pedicures. Alternatively, take time out on one of the thermal lounges; your limbs will thank you later. This is a part of the ship you could easily lose track of time in. In addition to the gym, treatment rooms, and thermal lounges, you can make the most of temperature-controlled pools; women's and men's saunas, steam rooms and relaxation lounges; and specialist experience showers that do wonders for your mood.
Day 13 - Wednesday - Dec 6, 2023
Ushuaia is known as the southernmost city in the world. Set sail and cruise through the Beagle Channel and admire the dramatic views of the Andean mountains of Tierra del Fuego from the comfort of your private veranda.
Day 14 - Thursday - Dec 7, 2023
Relax and enjoy the amazing facilities of your floating resort as you cruise towards the Antarctic Peninsula. An entertaining presentation by the Discovery Team in the state-of-the-art theater will build up the excitement for what's to come or choose to relax in your suite and watch the live streaming on your TV.
Day 15 - Friday - Dec 8, 2023
| Cruising the Shetland Islands, Antarctica |
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As you reach the calmer waters of the Antarctic Peninsula, be greeted by the snow-capped mountains of the South Shetland Islands. Populated with large rookeries of gentoo and chinstrap penguins, this is the site where Ernest Shackleton and his crew survived the harsh winter of 1916.
Day 16 - Saturday - Dec 9, 2023
| Cruising the Weddell Sea, Antarctica |
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The Weddell Sea is as mesmerizing as it is extreme. Wind your way through dense ice floes and magnificent tabular icebergs, enjoying the eerie stillness and grandeur. Stand on your balcony, listening for the haunting cry of the Weddell seal welcoming you to their kingdom. Known as one of the toughest mammals on the planet, they live further south than any other mammal year round. Watch out for other wildlife such as crabeater seals, Adelie penguins, numerous species of whales, and the chance of seeing an emperor penguin with an optional helicopter excursion to Snow Hill Island to witness these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. This expedition has been meticulously planned to search and observe the breeding colony of Weddell Sea emperor penguins. Over the next five days, the experienced team onboard Scenic Eclipse will navigate through the ice, showing you this unique and inspiring region. Subject to weather and operational conditions. Sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Day 17 - Sunday - Dec 10, 2023
| Cruising the Weddell Sea, Antarctica |
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Day 18 - Monday - Dec 11, 2023
| Cruising the Weddell Sea, Antarctica |
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Day 19 - Tuesday - Dec 12, 2023
| Cruising the Weddell Sea, Antarctica |
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Day 20 - Wednesday - Dec 13, 2023
| Cruising the Weddell Sea, Antarctica |
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Day 21 - Thursday - Dec 14, 2023
| Cruising Antarctica, Antarctica |
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Welcome to Antarctica! Seeing the 7th continent for the first time is unlike anything you would have experienced before. Feel the fresh, crisp air on your face, and hear the snow crunch under your boot when you first set foot on land. Each new encounter will fill you will awe. Witness wildlife in their natural habitat, with no fear of humans. Antarctica is truly land of peace. Your expert captain and crew will navigate some of the most beautiful waterways, which may include traversing the stunning 11-kilometer-long Lemaire Channel where steep cliffs hem in the iceberg-filled passage just 700 meters wide at its narrowest point. There may be the chance to visit a working scientific base and discuss life in these harsh conditions with the staff. Enjoy the chance to visit areas alive with wildlife such as penguins, seals, and whales. You can also explore the remnants of a derelict whaling station and a vacant British base or climb to the rim of a volcanic crater. Due to the extraordinary nature of the region, a host of choices are open and dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Your experienced Discovery Team leaders, who have made countless journeys to Antarctica, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, making the most of 18-20 hours of daylight.
Day 22 - Friday - Dec 15, 2023
| Cruising Antarctica, Antarctica |
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Day 23 - Saturday - Dec 16, 2023
| Cruising Antarctica, Antarctica |
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Day 24 - Sunday - Dec 17, 2023
Delight your palate with the extensive range of dining options onboard, or have a butler serve you your meal in-suite. Farewell your adventure in the icy lands and sail heading north to the continent of South America. Share memories of your experiences with new-found friends.
Day 25 - Monday - Dec 18, 2023
Day 26 - Tuesday - Dec 19, 2023
Your cruise ends this morning as you farewell the crew. Disembark after breakfast to fly to Buenos Aires, taking away memories of a truly unforgettable experience. Please book your flight to depart out of Buenos Aires after 8 PM. The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above.
