12 members of Silversea’s Expedition Team spent four days at pre-season training in the Chilean Andes ahead of the Antarctica season. Between October 29 and November 3, the team of expedition specialists undertook several educational activities, building on their existing skillsets and enabling them to enrich the offering for Silversea’s guests. In its 10th season of deep travel in Antarctica, the cruise line is investing heavily in the training and development of its knowledgeable Expedition Team.
The camp included four days and three nights of camping with skills-based learning and leadership development. In addition to a high ropes course, snow and ice awareness workshops, route-finding and orienteering sessions, a wilderness medicine refresher, and an emergency evacuation scenario, several team-building activities were peppered throughout the program.
With a base camp located near Chile’s El Morado Natural Monument, the activity-rich program was a highly challenging, high altitude, skills-driven, experiential learning and leadership building tour-de-force. After camping in the rough, practicing emergency medical scenarios, and brushing up on ice and snow skills, the team members parted ways ready to greet the wilds of Antarctica and welcome Silversea Expeditions’ guests aboard. Of the 12 Expedition Specialists who participated in the training, eight embarked Silver Explorer ahead of the Antarctica season.
Silversea’s Expeditions Team’s skills will be put into practice on several voyages in Antarctica, including the following sample itineraries:
1925 – Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
Silver Cloud will begin the Antarctic season in 2019, departing the city of Buenos Aires for Ushuaia on November 24. This 16-day voyage will see the ship call at Puerto Madryn, New Island, West Point Island, Stanley, Elephant Island, Antarctic Sound, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, and Drake Passage. During this tour of Antarctica, guests will witness penguins and other wildlife, journey to see where Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men were stranded for four months, and cruise around icebergs by Zodiac craft, among other experiences. Fares begin from EUR 13,230 per person, based on two sharing, including a 10 percent Early Booking Bonus.
1927 – Ushuaia to Ushuaia
Departing December 20, 2019, Silver Cloud will unlock several of Antarctica’s highlights for guests on this 15-day roundtrip voyage from Ushuaia. After a day at sea, guests will reach West Point Island, from which they will journey to Saunders Island, Stanley, Elephant Island, Antarctic Sound, the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands, and Drake Passage. Fares begin from EUR 14,940 per person, based on two sharing, including a 10% Early Booking Bonus.
7004 – Ushuaia to Ushuaia
Aboard the Silver Explorer, guests will traverse Drake Passage to explore the Antarctic Peninsula on this 12-day roundtrip itinerary. Departing February 21, 2020, the voyage will take guests to Antarctic Sound via Drake Passage, before calling at the Antarctic Peninsula, and the South Shetland Islands, before returning to Ushuaia via the Drake Passage. Four overnights at the Antarctic Peninsula will enable guests to take to the water on Zodiac crafts, as they journey to witness penguin rookeries, seals, whales, and rare birds; tabular icebergs; and sites of historical interest. Fares begin from EUR 12,060 per person, based on two sharing.
Included aboard the Silversea’s expedition ships are premium wines and spirits, specialty coffees, bottled water, juices and soft drinks served throughout the ship; an in-suite bar, stocked with guests' preferences; a 24-hour in-suite dining service; and unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi (location permitting).
This article was originally posted on travelagentcentral.com
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