VANCOUVER — Scenic Canada has unveiled brand new fly-cruise itineraries as part of its 2023/2024 Antarctica program that will allow guests to bypass the Drake Passage journey.

Rather than spend nearly two days sailing through the passage, guests will instead board a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas, Chile to meet the line’s ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, the Scenic Eclipse, at Antarctica’s King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands.

Scenic is also introducing a 16-day bucket-list opportunity to explore south of the Antarctica Circle – latitude 66° 33’ south, a rarely visited region of the world.

Guests booking any of the newly launched 2023/204 Antarctica itineraries can save up to 20% when paying for their cruise in full 12 months before departure and is reflected in the pricing below. Scenic is also offering an air credit of $1,500 per guest.

Here are some program highlights:

• ‘Antarctica Insights: Fly & Cruise’: This new nine-day voyage will be Scenic Eclipse’s first-ever fly-cruise, allowing guests to travel over the Drake passage one way by air. They will fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island to embark the yacht, and return by yacht to Ushuaia, Argentina for a flight to Buenos Aires and then home. Fares start at $21,087 per person, double. The reverse 10-day itinerary – flying from King George Island to Punta Arenas at the end of the cruise – is priced from $21,437.
• ‘Wild Antarctica: Fly the Drake’: For those looking to avoid the Drake Passage crossing completely, this nine-day option includes flights both ways between Punta Arenas and King George Island. Guests will spend one night at each end of the cruise in Punta Arenas and the rest of the time is spent exploring the White Continent. There are three departures and fares starting at $19,301.
• ‘Beyond the Antarctic Circle’: This 16-day voyage explores the Antarctic Circle, heading south of latitude 66° 33’ south. This once-in-a-lifetime voyage offers a chance to make more landings and spend more time taking in Antarctica’s wildlife-filled landscapes. Prices for the 16-day itinerary on Feb. 9, 2024 start at $25,220.

All Scenic Eclipse voyages include itinerary-required flights, transfers, up to 10 fine dining experiences, premium branded beverages, immersive excursions, butlers, use of the spa (services are extra), and more.

In addition, all new bookings are covered by Scenic’s Flexible Booking Policy, which allows guests to defer their cruise to another travel date or itinerary up to 60 days prior to departure, and come with Scenic’s Deposit Protection plan.

For more information go to www.scenic.ca, call 1-866-689-8611 or email info@scenic.ca.