Luxpeditions to Antarctica: Transformational Travel Experienced in Ultra Luxury

How many ‘luxpeditions’ have you booked this year? Meaning expedition experiences delivered in an ambiance of ultra luxury. Luxpeditions are an outgrowth of the recent trends of transformational travel and authentic travel. And this niche is not only growing, but has the potential to be quite lucrative for travel advisors.

Let’s take a step back to first consider expedition cruising overall, which has been one of the hottest travel segments in 2022-2023. Expedition passenger volume was nearly 70% higher in 2022 than in 2016. And search results for expedition cruise travel to Antarctica increased 51% in recent years compared to 2019.

Now add a luxury component to these unique sailings, and you have the experience of where luxury meets discovery – a specialty for which Scenic has set an impressive benchmark with its Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II, the World’s First Discovery Yachts™.

The vessels transport guests in exquisite style, exploring the ethereal beauty of the Arctic to Antarctica and everywhere in between. But here we will focus on their once-in-a-lifetime expedition cruises to Antarctica.

The discovery aspect
Imagine this … You awaken in your luxury suite aboard the Scenic Eclipse to a beautiful morning on the White Continent (Antarctica). You attend the morning’s briefing with the Discovery Team to chart out the day’s plans. Your group proceeds to the mudroom to adorn your gear before starting your expedition. You join your travel mates on a Zodiac cruise on the icy blue waters surrounded by pristine landscapes and wildlife that relatively few have gazed upon. You land and hike on Paulet Island, where you take expansive deep breaths and snap photos of stunning vistas. Later back onboard, you gather with shipmates to share stories of the day’s adventures over scrumptious gourmet food and drink. All with the finest personal attention and service, with a 1-to-1 staff-to-guest ratio, given throughout.

This is what a day of discovery in Antarctica on a luxpedition with Scenic looks like. The brand’s pioneering polar expeditions host up to 200 guests. Also onboard is the Polar Discovery Team; with up to 20 specialists, the team includes experts from historians to geologists, who lead the wildlife encounters via Zodiac and kayak, as well as guided ice walks in Antarctica, and education sessions in the onboard theater.

The concept of discovery – of being curious to explore the wonder of what’s out there in the world – is the core of the Scenic experience. Guests explore Antarctica by air via its two state-of-the-art Airbus H130-T2 helicopters, delivering optimal flightseeing capabilities; on the water using the Zodiacs, kayaks, and standup paddleboards; under water in its ground-breaking submersible, Scenic Neptune, which was custom built to submerge to depths of 650 feet; and on land during immersive excursions. Scenic is the only expedition cruise brand that houses helicopters and a submersible on its vessels.

Scenic’s specially curated Discovery Excursions take guests to spectacular locations. For instance, guests can take the kayaks for a paddle around blue-tinged icebergs and observe minke, humpback, and killer whales up close during the Antarctica voyages.

The line’s Zodiacs are stored at the bottom of the ship, which means they can be deployed into the water in just 15-20 minutes. Other cruise lines have them located mid-ship or on the top deck, which requires a crane to move them in the water, taking a minimum of 45 minutes.

Scenic also affords guests more time onshore. Each ship is given an allocated time and space to weigh anchor in each landing site. Usually, the captain has about five hours in each location, weather permitting, which means that multiple landing sites can be visited each day.

The vessels were specifically designed to access smaller ports and remote destinations. Due to their smaller size, they are easier to maneuver, giving the captain greater flexibility to navigate and find the best spots to offer guests the best experiences. It is worth noting that only cruise ships with 500 or fewer passengers can even land on the continent of Antarctica.

Guests are, of course, fully outfitted for their adventures by Scenic, with complimentary expedition parka, use of special boots, and water bottle.

State-of-the-art vessels
Scenic Eclipse’s state-of-the-art technology allows for smooth navigation through all waters because of its Polar Class 6 rating, electronic Azipod propulsion system, and oversized stabilizers (50% larger than other expedition ships). Some say that the voyages are so smooth and comfortable, because of the advanced stabilizers, that you can hardly even feel that you are sailing.

The ship’s GPS Dynamic Positioning also allows the Discovery Yachts to maintain location without dropping anchors onto sensitive sea beds. This dedication to safety, environmental protection, and world-class innovation has allowed the brand to design the most inspiring and exciting itineraries possible.

In addition, custom-made technology makes the crossing of the Drake passage, in particular, more stable. Plus, the ships were specially designed for speed, stabilizing, and breaking through the ice. So Scenic moves through the Drake Passage in about 30 hours, while most other ships take a full 48 hours.

The most luxurious suites
Accommodations aboard Scenic Eclipse are top shelf. Every one of the 114 spacious and beautifully designed suites includes a private verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a separate lounge area. For the greatest comfort, there is a luxury king-size Scenic Slumber Bed, pillow menu, and luxury amenities including a Dyson hairdryer. The award-winning suites are akin to the finest hotels in the world.

What’s more, a dedicated butler service is included for every suite, and the complimentary mini bar is restocked daily.

World-class spa pampering
Options for optimal health and well-being are an integral part of the luxury experience. For pure indulgence, the exclusive 5,920-square-foot Senses Spa offers the personal services to revitalize guests after a vigorous day of exploration. It provides a fully equipped POWER: Gym; PURE: Yoga & Pilates studio; pool and spa terraces with sun loungers; saunas, steam rooms, Nordic plunge pool, and relaxation lounges; and massage and sound therapy services.

Immersive dining
Discerning attention has been given to the culinary offerings aboard the Scenic Eclipse, with a commitment to serving up transformative and immersive dining experiences for its guests. Because of the capacity and size of the restaurants, the Master Chef says that the staff cooks as they do in restaurants on land, offering many dishes that cannot be found anywhere else, especially at the invitation-only Chef’s Table.

Guests can choose from 10 dining experiences onboard, which is rare for a ship of its intimate size. The chefs draw inspiration from the lands they voyage through, and the food is locally sourced, resulting in deliciously fresh, in-season cuisine. An unrivaled selection of unlimited complimentary premium beverages is also available at the ship’s nine bars and lounges.

When you combine the gourmet cuisine with the luxury accommodations, world-class spa, state-of-the-art technology aboard the vessels – and most importantly, the privilege of sheer discovery in the most remote and spectacular places in the world – you have an unmatched, once-in-a-lifetime luxpedition experience that will live long in the hearts and minds of every traveler who is fortunate to board an all-inclusive Scenic Eclipse voyage to Antarctica.

FROM THE SPONSOR:

Scenic Group, encompassing Scenic Luxury Cruises and Emerald Cruises, offers award-winning, intimate river and ocean cruises spanning all seven continents.

Accommodating up to 228 guests, Scenic’s world-class, custom-built ships provide unique access to small ports by river or sea. Guests enjoy an extensive range of truly all-inclusive luxury, while immersive experiences await on shore with handcrafted Scenic Freechoice activities and exclusive Scenic Enrich events.

Scenic Eclipse, the Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Award winner for Top Expedition Cruise Line, epitomizes 6-star ultra-luxury. The Discovery Yachts ™ boast 114 sophisticated suites with personalized butler service, a 5,920 square-feet Senses Spa, yoga & Pilates studio, and a stunning Vitality pool on Deck 10. Offering 10 dining options and nine bars and lounges, Scenic’s all-inclusive approach ensures a wallet-free experience. Accommodating up to 228 guests (or 200 in Polar regions) with a remarkable 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio, Scenic Eclipse sets the standard for ultra-luxury cruising, further enhanced by an expert Discovery Team in remote landscapes.

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