Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has announced an exciting enhancement to its renowned Antarctic programme, with the addition of the Sentinel Expedition to its January 2026 East Antarctica voyages. *All details correct at time of publishing (24 June 2025).
This exclusive collaboration offers guests a unique sailing experience that blends ultra-luxury with frontier science in the remote Ross Sea.
To support the partnership, Scenic is offering agents a £500 Love2Shop, M&S or Amazon voucher for every new, deposited booking made on Q4 2025 and Q1 2026 Antarctica sailings*.
Guests are invited on board the world-class Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse II, for two exclusive sailings that offer front-row access to an extraordinary scientific expedition.
Joining these voyages are Dr. Scott Pallett and Bill Kwok, both Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society, who will embark on an overland mission to study antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
On the 6 January 2026 sailing from Hobart to Timaru, guests will journey alongside the explorers as they traverse the Ross Sea, an awe-inspiring landscape of towering ice cliffs, glaciers, and wildlife-rich waters, home to orcas, penguins, whales, and seals.
Following in the footsteps of legendary explorers Shackleton and Scott, guests will witness the Sentinel team disembark at Ross Island to begin their expedition across the Ross Ice Shelf.
They’ll summit Mount Erebus, and attempt to chart a new, previously untraversed route through the Transantarctic Mountains, with real-time updates on their progress shared on board.
During the 29 January sailing from Timaru to Timaru, the explorers will rejoin guests onboard Scenic Eclipse II to share the untold stories and scientific insights gathered during their expedition.
As the voyage continues through the majestic Ross Sea, guests will experience immersive wildlife encounters and explore breathtaking polar landscapes by Zodiac, helicopter and submersible.
Guests will enjoy exclusive debriefs, Q&A sessions, and casual fireside reflections with the Sentinel explorers and will now be joined by renowned polar explorer Sir Robert Swan OBE FRGS, offering a rare and personal window into one of the most ambitious scientific Antarctic missions of our time.
The scientific goal of the expedition is to understand how climate change may influence the evolution of AMR. In the pristine environment of East Antarctica, the team will conduct genomic sequencing and study the effects of extreme cold on human immunity under intense physical stress.
The project is backed by Zymo Research and senior researchers from NASA’s Extreme Microbiome Project and reflects Scenic’s deep commitment to environmental stewardship and scientific exploration.
Both explorers have undergone intensive polar training in Arctic environments across Norway and Greenland, ensuring they are expertly prepared for the rigours of East Antarctica’s remarkable terrain.
Join the adventure:
With Scenic’s Discovery Team providing vital communication support throughout the journey, guests will have a rare opportunity to witness history unfold from the comfort of a 6-star yacht.
6 January 2026 – Hobart to Timaru
- 24-Day Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & Wildlife is priced from £20,458 per person
- Sail alongside Dr. Pallett and Mr. Kwok as they prepare for their historic expedition, culminating in their departure from Ross Island
29 January 2026 – Timaru to Timaru (Roundtrip)
- 24-Day Antarctica’s Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & Wildlife is priced from £19,978 per person
- Welcome the explorers back aboard Scenic Eclipse II as they reunite with guests and share their findings through intimate, shipboard debriefings
Both sailings will provide:
- Onboard access to Dr. Pallett and Mr. Kwok through shared excursions, exclusive Q&As, and fireside conversations
- Scenic Eclipse II’s full suite of exploration tools: helicopters^, Zodiacs, kayaks, paddleboards, and submersible^
- A dedicated Discovery Team of up to 20 scientists, naturalists, and historians
- Itinerary highlights include Cape Evans, Scott’s Hut, Antarctica’s Dry Valleys, Mount Erebus, Snares Island and abundant wildlife sightings along the way
With a Polar Class 6 rating, GPS dynamic positioning, strengthened hull, and custom-built stabilisers, Scenic Eclipse II sails with confidence and ease through the world’s oceans.
On board, up to just 200 guests enjoy spacious all-Verandah suites, world-class dining and a 550m² wellness sanctuary, redefining what it means to explore in style.
For unrivalled destination immersion, Scenic Eclipse II is equipped with two state-of-the-art helicopters^, a custom-built submersible^, Zodiacs, plus kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
A team of up to 20 expert Discovery Guides, including scientists, naturalists and historians will also bring each moment to life in this white wilderness through enriching excursions and lectures.
For more information, training and marketing support, please contact your sales manager at agencysales@scenic.co.uk or visit Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours.
*New bookings made from 13th June 2025 must be confirmed and deposited or paid in full to apply. Only applicable to Antarctica departures in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026.
Email agencysales@scenic.co.uk to redeem by 5pm on Friday 1st August 2025. Incentive ends 31 July 2025; vouchers will be sent following the incentive end date.
Bookings cancelled during this time will not apply. Incentive is capped at the first 10 bookings.
Visit the Travel Pursuit News Hub for more exciting updates.
