Royal Caribbean’s luxury cruise brand Silversea has commenced its 2024/2025 Antarctic season, launching an ambitious series of expeditions that will see three vessels navigate the southern continent’s waters. The inaugural voyage, an 18-day journey aboard Silver Endeavour, takes guests through South Georgia, the South Shetland Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula.
The seasonal deployment, running from October 29, 2024, to March 10, 2025, represents one of the most comprehensive luxury expedition offerings in Antarctica, with 34 scheduled voyages. The opening cruise has already delivered remarkable experiences, including an
extraordinary sighting of approximately 50 orca whales and a rare landing at Baily Head in the South Shetland Islands, where visitors encountered a colony of roughly 45,000 pairs of chinstrap penguins.
According to Silversea President Bert Hernandez, the company has expanded its Antarctic exploration capabilities, with recent scouting missions identifying 22 new landing sites. This addition brings Silversea’s total Antarctic landing locations to 80, significantly enhancing the diversity of experiences available to passengers.
The cruise line’s Antarctic program features three vessels – Silver Endeavour, Silver Wind, and Silver Cloud – offering voyages ranging from six to 22 days. For travelers seeking a shortened journey without sacrificing destination time, the six-day Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise program enables guests to bypass the Drake Passage by air. Traditional 10-day Antarctic Peninsula voyages departing from Puerto Williams provide approximately six days in the region, while extended 12-day itineraries venture deeper into the Polar Circle. The most immersive experiences are found in the 15-22 day expeditions, which offer comprehensive exploration of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
In a strategic move to enhance the guest experience, Silversea is developing a hotel facility in Puerto Williams, Chile, recognized as the world’s southernmost city. This development aims to create a seamless journey for travelers exploring Antarctica’s rugged landscape. The hotel will particularly benefit guests participating in the Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise program, who will fly from Santiago, Chile’s capital, to Puerto Williams before continuing to King George Island in Antarctica.
The current season has already demonstrated the exceptional nature of Silversea’s Antarctic expeditions, with visitors experiencing unique wildlife encounters and accessing rarely visited locations.
Destinations such as Wilhelmina Bay and Neko Harbour have provided stunning backdrops for these polar adventures, while the expedition team’s expertise has enabled access to remote landing sites that showcase the region’s pristine wilderness.
This expanded Antarctic program reflects Silversea’s commitment to providing diverse and enriching expedition experiences while maintaining the luxury standards expected of Royal Caribbean’s premium brand. The combination of multiple vessels, varied itinerary lengths, and innovative travel options like the fly-cruise program demonstrates the cruise line’s dedication to making Antarctica accessible to different types of luxury travelers.
The development of the Puerto Williams hotel facility represents a significant investment in improving the overall guest experience, ensuring that Silversea’s high service standards extend beyond the ships themselves to create a comprehensive luxury journey from start to finish. This infrastructure enhancement, combined with the expanded landing site portfolio, positions Silversea at the forefront of luxury Antarctic expedition cruising for the 2024/2025 season.