Alan Fine, Apr 30, 2021
Starting in November 2021, Silversea will introduce Puerto Williams, Chile, as its new departure port for select Silver Explorer’s expedition cruises to Antarctica. The addition of Puerto Williams will see guests travel seamlessly between Santiago and Antarctica, with private flights enhancing their comfort. Located on Isla Navarino in the Beagle Channel at the southern tip of South America, Puerto Williams is a sparsely populated frontier town surrounded by snow-capped peaks and accessible only to smaller ships.
“The addition of Puerto Williams as a new departure port, combined with our exclusive private flight service between the city and Santiago, highlights our commitment to unlocking seamless expedition experiences to the White Continent in unparalleled comfort,” says Conrad Combrink, Silversea’s senior vice president of expeditions, turnaround operations and destination management. “With an Antarctica voyage to suit the interests and needs of every discerning traveler, Silversea’s collection of voyages to the White Continent is the most diverse offering in the ultra-luxury segment. Aboard our intimate ships, guests enjoy the most inclusive cruise experience available, while benefiting from our team’s destination expertise, which is unrivaled.”
As part of Silversea’s all-inclusive Antarctica package, guests will depart from a private terminal in Santiago, Chile, on an exclusive lunchtime flight with extra legroom and additional baggage allowance reserved only for Silversea guests to Puerto Williams. Escorted by a Silversea representative, guests will enjoy a set of gourmet experiences inspired by S.A.L.T., Silversea’s immersive new culinary program. Upon arrival in Puerto Williams, guests will bypass customs, enjoying a quick transfer directly to the pier to embark Silver Explorer.
Following their expedition cruise to Antarctica, guests will once again board a private aircraft for the return flight from Puerto Williams to Santiago. The round-trip, private flight service complements an array of all-inclusive Antarctica package benefits, such as round-trip transoceanic flights in economy class (or reduced business class airfares) to Santiago; a welcome dinner reception and one-night, pre-cruise hotel stay in Santiago; transfers and luggage handling between airport, hotel and ship; and a post-cruise overnight hotel stay (with transfers) for guests who do not have a return international flight on the day of disembarkation.
The private flight benefit is facilitated by Silversea’s exclusive partnership with DAP Antarctic Airways, the carrier selected to provide the flight component of Antarctica Bridge, Silversea’s fly-cruise program that will provide the fastest, most direct route to Antarctica, starting with Silver Explorer voyages in December 2021.
Three luxury expedition ships—Silver Explorer, Silver Cloud, and Silver Wind—will be deployed to Antarctica during the region’s summer season. Each all-suite, butler-serviced ship features specialist experts who lead immersive shore excursions for guests. These professionals offer informative lectures, discussions and recaps on board, in addition to Zodiac and kayak tours, hikes, and nature walks ashore, all of which are included in the fare.
Silversea’s Antarctica collection includes a series of 10-day (or 12-day) explorations of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, as well as shorter sailings of just five, six, or nine days as part of the Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise program. Longer journeys encompass the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands, the Falkland Islands, Elephant Island, and South Georgia. Two “deep Antarctica” itineraries will spend 20 days tracing a path beyond the Antarctic Circle, as they attempt to reach a latitude of 69 degrees south. Plus, two sailings will offer the chance to witness the solar eclipse on Dec. 4, 2021, from Antarctica, the only place on Earth where it can be viewed in totality.
As part of the inclusive expedition offering to Antarctica, guests traveling on Silversea’s expeditions to Antarctica will enjoy international roundtrip flights or air credit for some countries; in-country flights; pre- and post-cruise hotel night/s, or day-use hotel, depending on Silversea’s air program flight schedule; transfers and luggage handling; highly-qualified expedition team, comprising experts in their field; guided Zodiac, land and sea tours, and shore-side activities; enrichment lectures; complimentary expedition parka; complimentary backpack and water bottle; butler service in every suite category; onboard gratuities; multiple open-seated restaurants, serving diverse cuisine and an in-suite 24-hour dining service; sustainable caviar on demand 24 hours per day; beverages in-suite and throughout the ship, including champagne and selected wines, premium spirits, soft drinks; and unlimited Wi-Fi.
Silversea said it will continue to work closely with relevant governing bodies and health authorities to evolve its health and safety procedures, as new health recommendations are issued and as the fluid situation advances. For more information, click on Silversea Antarctica Cruise.
