Silversea bolsters fly-cruise Antarctica programme

Silversea Cruises has added three new fly-cruise voyages to Antarctica for the 2023-24 season in response to “strong demand” for the destination.

The luxury cruise line claims its so-called Antarctica Bridge voyages provide the fastest and most direct route to Antarctica by enabling travellers to fly over the notoriously choppy Drake Passage.

Guests can choose from two new five-day expedition voyages, departing February 2 and February 7, 2024, as well as a six-day sailing departing February 12, 2024. All three voyages will take place on ice-class expedition ship Silver Cloud.

Guests will fly in and out of Chile's Eduardo Frei Montalva air base on King George Island.

Due to the time it takes to navigate Drake Passage via ship, Silversea said guests will spend the same amount of time exploring Antarctica as on the luxury cruise line’s conventional itineraries.

The programme will include visits to destinations including the Antarctic Sound, the Arctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, with guests visiting large penguin rookeries and observing several species of seals, whales and birds.

The line’s expedition team will guide Zodiac tours, kayaking adventures and explorations ashore as well as hosting lectures on the region’s geology, wildlife and history.

Silversea also recently launched round-trip voyages from Puerto Williams in Chile for cruisers keen to cross Drake Passage.

The line cited closer cooperation with the Chilean authorities and local stakeholders for allowing it to offer guests more convenient flight times, personalised service during a private charter flight and quicker transfers to the ship from the new Puerto Williams gateway.

"In response to exceptional demand, we have added three new fly-cruise voyages aboard Silver Cloud for 2024, enhancing our industry-leading Antarctica offering and strengthening our destination leadership,” said Silversea’s president and chief executive Roberto Martinoli.

"We offer guests the luxury of choice, with the most diverse offering in ultra-luxury Antarctica cruising. Our pioneering Antarctica Bridge option is tremendously popular with time-conscious travellers who prefer to experience the White Continent without crossing the Drake Passage."