Silversea Cruises has resumed its Antarctica sailings for the first time since March 2020.
Expedition ship Silver Explorer departed from Puerto Williams, Chile, last Wednesday (November 10) with Silver Cloud resuming operations from Punta Arenas, also Chile, on Sunday (November 14).
“We are proud and excited to be at the forefront of the comeback of ultra-luxury expedition cruising in Antarctica,” said president and chief executive Roberto Martinoli.
“Accompanied by our seasoned team of expedition experts, our guests will not only be in awe of the authentic beauty and unique wildlife of the White Continent, but they will also enjoy the signature distinctions that have made Silversea the leader in luxury expedition cruising.”
Conrad Combrink, senior vice president of expeditions, said Silversea was also “making history” with a private direct flight from Santiago to Puerto Williams with DAP Antarctic Airways for departures from Silver Explorer’s new port.
He said: “We are unlocking a flight path that has not been operated for more than 30 years – and never in such luxury – to deliver comfort and convenience to our guests.”
Several of the ships’ itineraries focus on the wilderness of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, while others include visits to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, where guests can see penguin colonies and other wildlife. Silversea is to inaugurate its Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise option on December 11, 2021, enabling guests to skip the Drake Passage and fly straight to Antarctica to start their cruise.
“I am thrilled to launch our 2021-22 Antarctica season from the Chilean port of Puerto Williams – the southernmost town in the world – which is a first for Silversea,” added Combrink.
“For their unwavering commitment to resuming expeditions to this unique part of the world, I would like to extend my gratitude to the respective authorities in Chile; the Mayor of Punta Arenas, Claudio Radonich; the Mayor of Puerto Williams, Patricio Fernández Alarcón; the Governor of Antarctica Chilena province, Nelson Cárcamo Barrera; Nicolas Pivcevic and the team at DAP Antarctic Airways; and my colleagues at Silversea Cruises.”