Silversea Cruises will operate its 2022/23 Antarctica season aboard three ice-class expedition ships from Puerto Williams, Chile.
Silver Cloud, Silver Wind and Silver Explorer will each operate from Puerto Williams next season, building on a successful debut for Silver Explorer from the port over the recent White Continent deployment.
The luxury cruise line says there are multiple advantages embarking and disembarking from Puerto Chile as opposed to the commonly used Antarctica turnaround of Ushuaia, namely “more convenient flight times, personalised service during an exclusive charter flight, and quicker transfers to the ship, among other advantages”.
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Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO of Silversea said: “I extend my gratitude to the Chilean authorities and local stakeholders who have enabled us to unlock the most comfortable and convenient route to Antarctica for international travellers. As the only cruise line currently offering Antarctica expeditions from Puerto Williams, we are immensely proud of this accomplishment, which is representative of our commitment to delivering truly unique experiences in this iconic destination.”
“Such innovations reflect Silversea’s destination leadership in Antarctica,” adds Conrad Combrink, Silversea’s Senior Vice President of Expeditions, Turnaround Operations and Destination Management.
“Puerto Williams is a magnificent gateway for accessing the natural treasures of Antarctica. As the only company currently operating a private charter flight between Santiago and Puerto Williams, Silversea can now offer guests an enhanced level of service and a more seamless connection as they journey to Antarctica in style.
“This innovation has been many years in the making, and it is an incredibly proud moment to see our guests departing from Puerto Williams on three of our ultra-luxury ships,” Combrink said.
Part of the all-inclusive Antarctica offering, guests’ enhanced journeys to Antarctica will incorporate the following benefits for the 2022-2023 season:
- An overnight stay in a five-star hotel in Santiago, with a welcome reception dinner and breakfast
- A comfortable transfer to Santiago’s airport the following day, with a flight departing from a private airport terminal
- An exclusive charter flight to Puerto Williams, fully escorted by a Silversea’s representative
- An upgraded, personalised flight experience, including extra legroom, greater luggage allowance, and regionally inspired gourmet lunch
- A quicker transfer to the ship in Puerto Williams
- Upon disembarkation from the ship, a direct transfer to the airport and charter flight to Santiago for the onward journey
Departing from Puerto Williams will also enable Silver Cloud and Silver Wind to call at Cape Horn in southern Chile on select voyages, conditions permitting, enabling travellers to disembark at one of the continent’s southernmost point.
Silversea’s three ultra-luxury expedition ships provide a series of 10-day explorations of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, as well as shorter sailings aboard Silver Explorer from King George Island as part of Silversea’s Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise program – which unlocks the fastest, most direct route to Antarctica. Longer voyages encompass the Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Falkland Islands, Elephant Island, and South Georgia. Moreover, a ‘Deep Antarctica’ itinerary will spend 20 days tracing a path beyond the Antarctic Circle, attempting to reach a latitude of 69 degrees south.
More details on Silversea’s all-inclusive Antarctica cruises at silversea.com/destinations/antarctica-cruise.html