Into The Depths of Antarctica on board Scenic Eclipse

When it comes to travelling the world, highly acclaimed Australian photojournalist David Adams has visited an impressive number of destinations. Into the depths of Afghanistan, through Central Asia and onto the historical lands of Europe, to name just a few.

He confesses, however, there has always been one region of the planet that has eluded him – Antarctica. That was until January, when David was one of just 200 guests on board Scenic Eclipse’s, first Antarctica and South Georgia Expedition Voyage of 2022.

In 6-star ultra-luxury, he embarked from Ushuaia in Argentina, then set sail to the most southerly continent in the world. Once David arrived in the icy waters of Antarctica, he admits nothing could have prepared him for the pristine beauty that awaited.

“I say this without exaggeration, it is like travelling to another world,” explains David. “You are initially crossing the Drake Passage. So, for two days you are crossing this large void, an expanse of blue, and in our case, it was really misty when we arrived.

We cruised into the Bradfield Strait and the mist lifted. We were all confronted with a one-or two-hundred-meter high ice wall. It was like arriving on Venus. It was totally different to anything I've ever experienced".

ABOVE: David Adams in Antarctica

Innovation Design Unlocks Endless Exceptional Experiences

Since Scenic Eclipse’s maiden voyage in 2019, the Discovery Yacht is one of the most innovative ships within the White Continent’s waters. With a Polar Class 6 rating, oversized stabilisers, GPS Dynamic Positioning System and a strengthened hull, she can venture further into this region than most, and with sophisticated ease.

David says, “You are in the wildest place on earth, and it's an extraordinary experience to sail on board Scenic Eclipse. In some cases, you go into these very tight areas and the captain can literally turn the ship on its axis. It wasn't pulling up an anchor chain like on the old ice breakers.

“I happily spent some time with the captain, Radomir Novosel on the bridge and one of the questions I asked him was, ‘how does this ship compare?’ He's a very experienced Croatian captain. Many years, many waters, many different ships and he said no comparison. This is the best ship I've ever sailed.”

Every design detail of Scenic Eclipse has been considered to ensure each Expedition Voyage unlocks an abundance of exploration.

Voyages to the polar regions are reserved for 200 guests only, an this is an important number given site landings are capped by authorities in Antarctica at a 100 guests per site. So, Scenic Eclipse is able to ensure multiple daily shore landings.

The GPS Dynamic Positioning System ensures the Discovery Yacht holds its position without ever dropping an anchor onto sensitive seabeds. It enables guests to embark and disembark Zodiacs with ease.

Quicker to access onshore excursions and provides longer experiences once there. Each day is filled with an unrivalled number of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Observing large rookeries of Emperor penguins. Kayaking past seals as they laze on glassy icebergs. Stand-up paddleboarding past glaciers that rise up into vivid blue skies. Each moment truly takes your breath away.

ABOVE: David Adams on board Scenic Eclipse, David Adams on board Zodiac.

An Extraordinary Destination Unlocked by Exceptional Experiences

While the vastness of Antarctica moved David, offering an abundance of extraordinary moments to capture on camera during his journey as presenter for Channel Nine's Getaway, which aired on 2 April and 7 May this year. It was the unscripted wildlife encounters that the documentary maker admits he will remember for a lifetime.

“Really, the main reason for me to go to Antarctica was because of the wildlife. From a photographer’s point of view, it is something else,” explains David. “The animals live in a state of original innocence. So, the penguins are not afraid when the Discovery Team takes you on the guided wildlife excursions.

Another major highlight was the chance to soar above this pristine continent in one of two of Scenic Eclipse’s on board helicopters^. “To fly above mountains, peaks and glaciers,” says David. “It was dramatic, and beautiful.”

For exceptional experiences, guests can also explore beneath the ocean on Scenic Eclipse’s custom-built submarine, Scenic Neptune^. At the Marina, you can also take out kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, to explore around marine-rich icy waters.

“Then you have the Discovery Team, who are like this umbrella of knowledge throughout your Expedition Voyage,” says David. “I really felt they built your confidence throughout the journey.”

The expert Discovery Team are at the core of all Scenic Eclipse journeys, with up to 20 members in the Polar regions who share their unique insights and highlights of these incredible regions. Each are experts within their fields, ranging from geologists, historians, naturalists and marine biologists.

ABOVE: Emperor Penguins, Antarctica. Scenic Helicopter, Antarctica

Truly All-Inclusive 6-star Ultra-Luxury

On board Scenic Eclipse, a day of exploration ends in indulgent 6-star ultra-luxury. An abundance of sophisticated spaces, luxuriously appointed suites, and up to 10 dining experiences, including nine bars and lounges. A favourite for David was the Whiskey Bar, with over 100 varieties on offer.

“You have this dramatic and at times unrelenting environment, in Antarctica, contrasted with the grandeur and luxury of Scenic Eclipse. It was incredible,” he explains. “You’ve been out all day, often wet through and you’ve seen penguins, or whales, and then you walk into what is essentially a 6-star hotel.”

David admits that while on board, there are moments when your breath is taken away as you are reminded of where you are. Whilst doing yoga in the cutting-edge studio, you could see blue-tinged glaciers float by. A glimpse of passing Arctic terns out of the window of your sophisticated suite.

“I will never forget this moment. I was having a late lunch and just looking at the view. We were just sailing along. Then a whale comes up adjacent to Scenic Eclipse. Then in front of my window, the whale continued swimming as I was having my pasta. It was surreal me watching this whale popping up the whole time. That is something else. That is something I will always remember.”

So, has a Scenic Eclipse Antarctica voyage set a high bar for David’s future travels? “I don’t think the phrase ‘once-in-a-lifetime' will ever have the same meaning to it again,” David says with a smile.

ABOVE: Whiskey Bar, Scenic Eclipse; Pure Yoga Pilates Studio, Scenic Eclipse

Scenic Eclipse sets the Benchmark in Ultra-Luxury Cruising

Scenic recently unveiled its biggest destination release in its 37 years history. In 2023/24, Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery YachtsTM, will take you further than ever before.

With the arrival of Scenic Eclipse II, with two Discovery Yachts, we will now sail 357 inspiring ports in 54 remarkable countries, spanning over seven continents.

In Antarctica, we will take guests even deeper into this magnificent region, with a new fly-in option where guests will take a flight over the Drake Passage and straight into this pristine ice world, where Scenic Eclipse awaits. As well as venturing to reach the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66° 33’ South. Cross the Circle to enter Crystal Sound, a remarkable landscape of sculpted icebergs, snowclad mountains and the mysterious, ill-fated Base W on Detaille Island.

Whilst into the Canadian High Arctic, the historical lands of Scotland and even further into the fjords. There will also be a spectacular maiden voyage into Australia, and onto the untouched beauty of the Pacific Islands, Polynesia, and Indonesia.

Whichever you choose, you will indulge in truly all-inclusive 6-star ultra-luxury journeys, which is in a class of its own.

ABOVE: David Adams, Scenic Neptune, Antarctica. Scenic Neptune