Where’s Puerto Williams? The port in southern Chile is about to be discovered as Silversea Cruises‘ luxury expedition ship Silver Explorer debuts sailing from there to Antarctica.
Starting in November, guests arriving in Santiago will get private flights to the small frontier port on Isla Navarino in the Beagle Channel, at the southern tip of South America. The sparsely populated town surrounded by snow-capped peaks is accessible only to ships as small as the 144-guest Silver Explorer.
Guests will depart from a private terminal in Santiago on an exclusive lunchtime flight reserved only for Silversea guests to Puerto Williams — with extra legroom and additional baggage allowance enhancing the journey. Guests will enjoy gourmet dining inspired by S.A.L.T., Silversea’s immersive new culinary program.
The private flight package is part of Silversea’s exclusive partnership with DAP Antarctic Airways for what is known as Antarctica Bridge, a fly-cruise program designed to provide the fastest, most direct route to Antarctica, starting with Silver Explorer voyages.
With three luxury expedition ships — Silver Explorer, Silver Cloud, and Silver Wind –being deployed to Antarctica during the region’s summer season, options are expanding. Silversea’s varied 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 — the only place on Earth where it can be viewed in totality.
Each all-suite, butler-serviced ship features specialist experts who lead immersive shore excursions for guests and offer informative 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.
