Starting in November 2021, Silversea will debut Puerto Williams, Chile as its new departure port for Silver Explorer’s expedition cruises to Antarctica. The addition of Puerto Williams, Silversea says, will have 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.
Private Flights Included
As part of Silversea's all-inclusive Antarctica package, guests will depart from a private terminal in Santiago, Chile on an exclusive lunchtime flight reserved only for Silversea guests to Puerto Williams—with extra legroom and additional baggage allowance. Escorted by a Silversea representative during the flight, guests can enjoy a set of gourmet experiences inspired by S.A.L.T., Silversea's new culinary program. Upon arrival in Puerto Williams, guests will not need to clear customs; instead, they will enjoy a quick transfer that will whisk them directly to the pier to embark Silver Explorer.
Following their expedition cruise to the “White Continent,” guests will 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 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 Expedition Ships
Silversea has three expedition ships—Silver Explorer, Silver Cloud and Silver Wind—servicing Antarctica during the region's summer season. Each all-suite, butler-serviced ship has specialist experts who lead shore excursions for guests; these professionals offer 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 unique sailings will offer the chance to witness the solar eclipse on December 4, 2021, from Antarctica.
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