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Silversea Cruises will be among the first to return to the Antarctic this year, with sailings also departing Punta Arenas, Chile.
In a statement release today, Silversea announced they had reached an agreement with the Chilean authorities to depart from Punta Arenas for the Antarctica season in 2021-22.
Punta Arenas is located on the Strait of Magellan, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is 250 km / 155 mi north of Ushuaia.
“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.”
Conrad Combrink, Silversea’s Senior Vice President of Expeditions.
Silversea’s Antarctic return to include three vessels
Three of Silversea Cruises expedition ships will operate voyages to the frozen continent. These will include Silver Cloud and Silver Explorer, as well as Silver Wind which will make its debut as an ice-class vessel following a major upgrade.
Silver Cloud and Silver Wind will set sail from Punta Arenas. However, Silver Explorer will depart Puerto Williams which is south of Ushuaia.
Silversea Antarctic inclusions
It’s worth noting the generous inclusions on Silversea’s Antarctic voyages. Guests on Silver Cloud and Silver Wind fly into Santiago where they get overnight accomodation. The next day they fly to Punta Arenas to embark the ship.
In addition, all Silversea Antarctic voyage guests enjoy an all-inclusive, all-suite, butler-serviced lifestyle. Also included are lectures, discussions and recaps by wildlife experts and expedition leaders. Not to mention guided Zodiac and kayak explorations, as well as hikes and nature walks.
Typical Antarctic voyages
Most voyages in the Silversea Antarctic return season are 10-days in duration. These explore the Antarctic Peninsula as well as the South Shetland Islands. However, Silversea also offer sailings as short as 5-days. These sailings utilise the company’s Antarctica Bridge program. It flys guests directly from Punta Arenas to King George Island in Antarctica where they join the cruise. The Antarctica Bridge program enables guests to avoid the notoriously rough Drake Passage.
Extra-long voyages
In addition, there are two extra-long voyages. These ‘Deep Antarctica’ itineraries will spend 20-days tracing a path beyond the Antarctic Circle. In fact, they will attempt to reach a latitude of 69-degrees south.
See the solar eclipse
Silversea’s Antarctic return will feature two unique sailings that will give guests the chance to see a solar eclipse. Indeed, the celestial event will only be visible in its totality from Antarctica. It will occur on 4 December 2021.
The first voyage in the Silversea Antarctic return season departs Puerto Williamson on 10 November 2021. For more information vist the Silversea website.
About the Author: Jason Kerr
