Antarctica in Depth

Your Antarctic adventure begins in one of South America’s most captivating cities. Buenos Aires earns its nickname – the Paris of South America – with Belle Epoque boulevards, passionate tango clubs and the irresistible aroma of asado drifting from open-air parrillas. Spend the day exploring at your own pace: the kaleidoscopic street art of La Boca, the bohemian laneways of San Telmo with its antique markets and boutique hotels, or simply a leisurely afternoon in one of the city’s grand green spaces. Tonight you’ll stay overnight in Buenos Aires ahead of your early departure south.

Meals: Not included (overnight in Buenos Aires)

This morning, depart Buenos Aires on your included flight to Ushuaia – the world’s southernmost city, perched dramatically on the shores of Tierra del Fuego. The Captain and crew of Scenic Ikon will warmly welcome you aboard your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht. Raise a glass of Champagne as you set sail through the legendary Beagle Channel, tracing the very path of Charles Darwin’s historic voyage. From your private verandah or the Observation Deck, breathtaking views of snow-capped Andean peaks and pristine Patagonian wilderness mark the beginning of something truly extraordinary.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy breakfast in your suite as Scenic Ikon navigates the legendary Drake Passage, bound for Antarctica. The Southern Ocean stretches in every direction as each nautical mile builds anticipation. This morning, your Discovery Team briefs you on how Zodiac excursions, helicopter flightseeing, submersible dives and all other Discovery Excursions will operate throughout the voyage. Get acquainted with your polar equipment – your complimentary expedition parka and water bottle are yours to keep, with specialised polar boots, trekking poles, and kayak and paddleboard equipment available for use. Your gear will be stored between landings in a personal locker in the Discovery Centre. The team will do everything in their power to maximise landing opportunities and Discovery Excursions in the days ahead.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, Scenic Ikon crosses into Antarctic waters. Pull on your complimentary polar parka and make your way to the Observation Deck for your first glimpse of icebergs – a moment that will stay with you long after you return home. Watch the horizon for distant whale blows as your Discovery Team shares their expert knowledge of this extraordinary environment. Check your Daily Program for the biosecurity and boot fitting schedule, and join the enrichment lecture on marine and seabird life. This evening, sip Champagne at Lumiere’s Champagne Bar before choosing from Scenic Ikon’s remarkable selection of culinary experiences.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Slide open the floor-to-ceiling doors of your verandah suite to a world sculpted entirely by nature – icebergs hewn into impossible shapes, glacial mountains rising sheer from the ocean. Antarctica is one of the world’s great birdwatching destinations: wandering albatrosses, shearwaters and giant petrels are regular companions. Your experienced Captain and Discovery Leader will use their deep knowledge of Antarctic conditions to design a bespoke voyage each day, making the very most of the weather and ice. This morning, visit the open bridge on Deck 7 to meet the navigational team and take in the state-of-the-art technology that guides Scenic Ikon through these extraordinary waters.

Scenic Discovery: Daily experiences may include Zodiac cruising, penguin rookery landings, historic hut visits, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding around icebergs.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin your day with freshly squeezed juice and barista-made coffee delivered to your suite by your personal butler, before heading out on Zodiac excursions into breathtaking glaciated bays and pristine landing sites. On the ice, meet chinstrap, Adelie and gentoo penguins up close in small, carefully managed groups guided by your expert polar Discovery Team. Back aboard, warm up in the Senses Spa with infrared saunas and signature thermal loungers, or settle into the Observation Lounge where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the polar landscape in all its drama.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Antarctica’s wildlife continues to astound. Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins gather in vast colonies – hear their calls, watch them waddle and squabble, and observe the remarkable theatre of life on the ice. Minke whales, humpback whales and orcas may all make an appearance; witness them from a Zodiac or kayak alongside your Discovery Team, or from the comfort of your suite as they breach alongside the ship. For those wanting to venture above or below the waterline, optional helicopter and submersible experiences are available to book on board.
Scenic Discovery: Ask your expert Discovery Team for photography tips to best capture the incredible wildlife and landscapes surrounding you.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From the moment it was discovered, Antarctica has held an irresistible allure – the bold exploits of Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen fuelling a mystique that endures to this day. Today, cruise past stunning icy mountains before stepping ashore by Zodiac to immerse yourself fully in the polar wilderness. With ample time to explore each landing site, this is Antarctica experienced at a genuinely unhurried pace. Back on board, settle into the Observation Lounge with a warm speciality tea or coffee and scan the horizon through Swarovski telescopes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the untouched silence of this frozen wilderness, Antarctica speaks in extraordinary sounds – the endearing chatter of penguins squabbling over prized pebbles, and the thunderous roar of a glacier calving into the sea, sending a brand-new iceberg into the water before your eyes. Towering ice formations provide some of the most awe-inspiring spectacles of the entire voyage. This evening, explore Scenic Ikon’s indulgent spaces at your own pace – from the welcoming Observation Lounge to the expansive Senses Spa – before choosing from a selection of world-class culinary experiences on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Aboard Scenic Ikon, every moment is crafted for both comfort and genuine human connection. The Scenic Lounge provides the perfect setting to unwind and share stories with fellow travellers over fine wine or a perfectly aged whiskey. For the adventurous, today may bring the legendary Polar Plunge – an exhilarating dive into icy Antarctic waters, expertly coordinated by the Discovery Leader and Captain. Whether you take the plunge yourself or watch on with a steaming hot chocolate in hand, it is a moment of pure, joyful expedition spirit.

Scenic Discovery: Glide past towering icebergs on a Zodiac, step onto untouched white snow, and soar over vast mountain ranges in one of the world’s last truly pristine wildernesses.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

As Scenic Ikon turns north and begins the crossing back across the Drake Passage toward South America, this is your moment to reflect on the extraordinary journey behind you. Begin with an invigorating workout in the POWER: Gym, a guided Pilates session, or simply sink into the calm of the PURE: Yoga and Pilates Studio. Through the day, the theatre comes alive with captivating lectures from the Discovery Team – check your in-suite Daily Wonder for timings. As evening falls, raise a glass in the Scenic Lounge Bar – French Champagne, fine wine or a perfectly aged whiskey, all included as part of Scenic’s truly all-inclusive ultra-luxury philosophy.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The final day at sea is not a pause – it is part of the adventure. Days aboard your Scenic Discovery Yacht offer something genuinely rare: the chance to slow down, to breathe, and to hold onto the feeling of the journey a little longer. Book a final treatment at the tranquil Senses Spa – perhaps an ESPA facial, a deep tissue massage, or an Ayurvedic or Japanese shiatsu treatment – before lingering in the Zen-like Vitality Lounge. Return to a favourite bar for a pre-dinner drink, savour refined dining one last time, and let live music bring your evening gently to a close as Ushuaia appears on the horizon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, bid farewell to your expert crew and the fellow travellers who have shared this remarkable journey with you. After a final indulgent breakfast on board, disembark in Ushuaia and board your included flight back to Buenos Aires, carrying with you memories of one of the world’s last great wildernesses.

Please note: onward flights from Buenos Aires should be booked to depart no earlier than 9:30 PM.

Meals: Breakfast