Silversea launches Antarctica cruise season with expanded expedition programme
Silversea has launched its 2026/2027 Antarctica cruise season, with three expedition vessels scheduled to operate 40 voyages through March 2027, including a series of itineraries supported by the company’s new hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile.
The season began with departures by Silver Endeavour from King George Island and Silver Wind from Puerto Williams. Together with Silver Cloud, the vessels will offer voyages ranging from six to 21 nights, covering destinations across the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.
Of the 40 scheduled voyages, 29 form part of Silversea’s Antarctica Fly Cruise programme, which combines expedition cruising with charter flights designed to provide alternative ways of reaching the Antarctic region.
Three expedition ships serve Antarctica routes
The Fly Cruise programme includes 14 sailings aboard Silver Endeavour, allowing passengers to travel by air across the Drake Passage in both directions before exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding waters.
A further 15 one-way Fly Cruise itineraries, operated by Silver Wind, Silver Cloud and Silver Endeavour, will combine an aircraft journey with a sea crossing of the Drake Passage.
The remaining 11 voyages will cross the Drake Passage by ship in both directions, departing from Puerto Williams.
Among the scheduled itineraries, Silver Wind will operate an 18-night voyage departing on 7 November, visiting the Falkland Islands and South Georgia before continuing towards the Antarctic Peninsula.
Silver Cloud is scheduled to operate four 15-night voyages combining South Georgia, Elephant Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, with the first departure planned for 9 November.
The vessel will also operate a 12-night itinerary departing on 9 December that includes a planned visit south of the Antarctic Circle.
The season’s longest voyage will be operated by Silver Endeavour, departing on 4 March 2027 for a 21-night itinerary from Puerto Williams to Buenos Aires via Antarctica, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands and Puerto Madryn.
New Puerto Williams hotel joins Fly Cruise programme
A significant addition to Silversea’s Antarctic operations is The Cormorant at 55 South, a new hotel in Puerto Williams that forms part of the company’s Antarctica Fly Cruise programme.
All 29 Fly Cruise itineraries will include a hotel stay in Puerto Williams, supported by Silversea-branded charter flights from Santiago.
The company has scheduled the hotel’s official grand opening for 5 November 2026, although guests travelling on earlier departures will have access to the property before that date.
The hotel will also accommodate Silversea’s expedition specialists, who will support guests before they begin their Antarctic voyages.
By incorporating the hotel into its expedition programme, Silversea is extending its travel arrangements beyond the ships themselves, integrating accommodation and air transportation into the wider cruise operation.
Silversea expands Antarctic expedition options
The 2026/2027 season combines traditional expedition voyages with itineraries that allow passengers to fly across the Drake Passage in one or both directions.
This approach provides different travel options while maintaining the company’s programme of Antarctic landings and expedition activities.
The three-vessel deployment also enables Silversea to offer itineraries extending beyond the Antarctic Peninsula to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.
With 40 voyages scheduled through March 2027 and the addition of its Puerto Williams hotel, Silversea is strengthening the infrastructure supporting its Antarctic expedition cruise operations.
