---

November 15, 2025

For those who wish to experience the holiday season in a truly different way, far from city lights and the noise of traditional celebrations, Scenic Cruises offers a unique adventure: 25 days among the ice of East Antarctica, from December 13 to January 6, aboard Scenic Eclipse II.

It is a journey that blends exploration, luxury, and natural wonder, following in the footsteps of the legendary explorer Sir Douglas Mawson through one of the most remote and pristine regions on the planet. Imagine waking up on Christmas morning surrounded by an endless horizon of ice, where the silence is broken only by the crackling of shifting floes and the distant calls of penguins. There are no colorful lights or frenzied festivities—only a profound sense of peace and gratitude for being in one of the purest places on Earth. This is the spirit of Mawson’s Antarctica: Along the East Coast, a voyage that transforms the holidays into a moment of deep connection with nature and with oneself.

Aboard Scenic Eclipse II, every detail is designed to offer total comfort without compromising the essence of exploration. With spacious suites featuring private terraces, gourmet restaurants, and a team of polar experts, this cruise is both a scientific expedition and an experience of pure indulgence.

The journey begins in Queenstown, New Zealand, where an overnight stay allows guests to acclimate amid mountain landscapes and crystal-clear lakes. The following day, a scenic transfer leads to Bluff, at the southern tip of the island, the departure point for the Antarctic adventure. Here, after boarding Scenic Eclipse II, the southward crossing begins, through waters that grow progressively colder and richer in wildlife. Albatrosses, whales, and seals offer a preview of the encounters to come with the White Continent.

On board, time flows gently between lectures by geologists, glaciologists, and marine biologists from the Discovery Team, polar photography sessions, and moments of relaxation in the Senses Spa or at the Lounge Bar, where guests can sample more than 130 types of whisky and French champagne, always included in the Scenic experience.

As the ship crosses the Antarctic Convergence, the temperature drops and the first icebergs come into view. It feels like entering another world—a silent, majestic realm where every element reveals both the power and fragility of nature. In the days that follow, excursions alternate between Zodiac outings among the ice, walks on uninhabited islands, sightings of Adélie penguins and seals, and quiet moments of contemplation from the ship’s panoramic deck terrace. One of the most captivating places on the journey is the Mertz Glacier Tongue, a massive glacier extension that juts out into the sea. If conditions allow, guests may witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of ice blocks calving and plunging into the ocean with a thunderous crash.

December 25th is a special day. On board, the Christmas spirit is celebrated in a refined and intimate way: elegant decorations, gourmet holiday-inspired menus, traditional desserts, and a champagne toast. But the true magic lies outside, where the white horizon and clear sky remind you just how extraordinary it can be to spend Christmas far from the world—yet so close to the essence of life. For those who wish, an optional helicopter excursion offers a unique perspective on a landscape that seems to belong to another planet.

In the days that follow, the ship reaches Commonwealth Bay, one of the most iconic locations in Antarctic exploration history. Here lies the base camp of Australian explorer Sir Douglas Mawson, leader of the 1911–1914 expedition. Thanks to an included helicopter flight, guests can visit his perfectly preserved huts, now protected as a valuable historic site. Stepping inside those wooden structures, surrounded by snow and wind, is like reliving the heroic age of polar exploration—imagining the lives of men who braved extreme cold with rudimentary tools and immense courage. During the stay in the area, lectures and meetings are planned with scientists and researchers from the Mawson’s Huts Foundation and the Cape Denison Seabird Research Team, who share stories, discoveries, and conservation projects.

On December 31st, as the ship sails among icebergs and shimmering waters, the sun never fully sets. It is under the midnight sun that guests gather on deck to toast the new year. A New Year’s Eve without darkness, where champagne blends with golden light and time seems to stand still. There are no fireworks, but the glow of the ice and the awareness of being at the most remote point on the planet make this moment unforgettable.

As the new year begins, Scenic Eclipse II sets a course northward, offering more days of sailing, lectures, moments of relaxation, and convivial gatherings. The voyage concludes in Hobart, Tasmania, where the city’s vibrant, artistic atmosphere welcomes travelers with a touch of warmth after weeks of ice and silence. Here, guests can choose between contemporary art museums, tastings of local wines and oysters, or excursions into the natural landscapes surrounding the city. It is a gentle and refined way to ease back into reality.

Mawson’s Antarctica: Along the East Coast is not just a cruise—it is an expedition of the soul. It is an experience that invites you to slow down, observe, and marvel. Spending Christmas and New Year’s in Antarctica means letting go of the superfluous and rediscovering the value of authenticity: a luxury that only nature can offer.

Don’t miss news, updates, and reviews of Scenic Cruises on Cruising Journal, with photos, videos, and cruise deals.

Giorgia Lombardo

Comments