Silversea Cruises plans a return to Antarctica with three ships in 2021-22.
The luxury line has reached an agreement with Chilean authorities to depart from Punta Arenas.
This will enable Silver Cloud and Silver Wind to sail from the port while Silver Explorer will continue with departures from Puerto Williams in Chile from November 2021.
Silver Cloud and Silver Wind passengers will now fly into Santiago for an overnight hotel stay before flying into Punta Arenas the next day for embarkation.
More: Silversea reveals details of ‘game-changing’ Evolution-class ships
Silversea to debut wellness programme on new ship Silver Dawn
Silversea’s Antarctica programme includes a series of mostly ten-day sailings to the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, as well as shorter cruises.
Two sailings will offer the chance to witness the solar eclipse on December 4 from Antarctica.
Silversea president and chief executive Roberto Martinoli said: “Leading the return of cruising in Antarctica, as facilitated by our agreement with the Chilean government, represents our commitment to delivering unforgettable travel experiences for our guests.
“I commend the Chilean government for its unwavering dedication to restarting cruising to the White Continent in a safe and enriching manner.”
The line’s expeditions, turnaround operations and destination management vice president Conrad Combrink added: “Thanks to our unique destination expertise, we are able to lead the return to cruising in Antarctica with the precious addition of Punta Arenas as a departure port.
“We commend the Chilean authorities for their collaborative approach and we look forward to building a long-term partnership for an enhanced guest experience.
“Chile is a fantastic gateway with a stable infrastructure and excellent services. From here, our guests can discover the unique allure of the Final Continent in luxurious comfort.
“With four ships already sailing in other regions of the world, we have demonstrated our commitment to delivering unforgettable travel experiences for our guests in the safest possible manner.”
More: Silversea reveals details of ‘game-changing’ Evolution-class ships
Silversea to debut wellness programme on new ship Silver Dawn