Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Punta Arenas, Chile. Located on the edge of the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas is a frontier town known for its brightly colored houses, plazas and mountainous backdrops and is the stepping off point for your Antarctic exploration. Arrive at your hotel for your one-night stay. Early in the evening you will meet your fellow Discoverer’s for a briefing and a welcome dinner. Your journey into wonder begins as you fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, where the crew will warmly greet you as you board Scenic Eclipse. Settle into your handsomely appointed suite and acquaint yourself with the luxurious facilities of your Discovery Yacht. Toast the start of your voyage at the welcome cocktail reception hosted by the Captain who will introduce your expert Discovery Leaders and their team. 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 step 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 7-mile-long Lemaire Channel where steep cliffs hem in the iceberg-filled passage just 5,250 feet 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. If conditions are favorable, there may be the opportunity to cross the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66°33’ South. 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. Discovery: Partake in daily Scenic Discovery excursions. Cruise on the Zodiacs around ice formations, step onto islands to view vast penguin rookeries and seals. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard around icebergs and hear the ice cracking and whales feeding below. Scenic Eclipse’s opulent Senses Spa has spacious areas for reflection and relaxation. Discover the ancient art of Nordic bathing in the Scandinavian-inspired plunge pools and saunas. Enjoy daily entertainment, Scenic’s unrivalled culinary experiences, some quiet time in the Observatory Lounge & Library, all this and more is at your fingertips. Disembark after breakfast to fly to Buenos Aires, taking away memories of a truly unforgettable experience.