Silversea's "Shackleton Centenary Voyages" explores Antarctica during 2015 and 2016 and displays iconic artifacts and images in an exclusive exhibition on board the Silver Explorer
Silversea Expeditions, the expedition line of the luxury cruise company, has scheduled a series of four unique cruises to Antarctica aboard the Silver Explorer. The “Shackleton Centenary Voyages” program commemorates the centenary of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s feat aboard the Endurance, one of humanity’s most remarkable stories of survival, determination, and leadership.
The Endurance, captained by Shackleton, set sail from Plymouth, UK, in 1915 for Antarctica. Just 200 miles from the Antarctic continent, it became trapped between two ice floes in the Weddell Sea. The Endurance's crew initially remained where they were, hoping the winds would change and free the ship, but after a long wait of 10 months, six of the crew members, led by their captain, were forced to go ashore and search for help with only the frigid ice beneath their feet. The story of how Shackleton guided his men across the Weddell Sea, over ice and ocean, to safety is one of the greatest tales of survival in human history.
Silversea Expeditions has created an 18-day itinerary called “Shackleton Centenary Voyages” that departs from and returns to Ushuaia, Argentina. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the lands and waterways of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Elephant Island, and the Antarctic Peninsula on foot or by Zodiac. Departure dates are November 14, 2015, and January 3, February 2, and December 22, 2016.
On this wonderful journey, guests of the Silver Explorer will be able to experience firsthand the landscapes where six men traveled in a small lifeboat across the Southern Ocean in search of help for their companions and how the rest of the crew managed to endure 138 days in one of the most inhospitable places on the planet.
This program includes a variety of activities and lectures led by a top team of experts, including eminent naturalists, geologists, biologists, historians, and ornithologists. Participants will have the opportunity to observe a wide array of native species, such as rockhopper penguins, gentoos, king penguins, Adélie penguins, and chinstrap penguins. They will also have the chance to see other magnificent wildlife, including seals, dolphins, whales, albatrosses, shearwaters, and petrels.
Visiting places of great historical interest discovered by the first explorers in our history is yet another attraction that will make this icy sea adventure unforgettable.
For this unique occasion, Silversea is embarking with the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), offering all travelers an exclusive onboard exhibition that includes objects and images taken by the Endurance's official photographer, Frank Hurley, who documented the expedition with film footage and through iconic still photography.
All Silversea customers who are part of this expedition will have the privilege of VIP treatment at the major exhibition “The Enduring Eye: The Antarctic Legacy of Sir Ernest Shackleton and Frank Hurley,” held at the Royal Geographical Society in London from the end of November 2015 to the end of February 2016, and which will tour worldwide from 2017. This exclusive visit for Silversea passengers can take place before or after departure for the white continent, where they will be able to view a wealth of artifacts, photographs, archives, maps, letters, and books that tell the story of the Endurance and Antarctica from its beginnings to the present day, thus helping to gain a deeper understanding and greatly enriching this experience.
As with all Silversea experiences, the Silver Explorer's Shackleton Centenary Voyages program includes gourmet meals, wines, spirits, and personalized butler service in every suite. All Zodiac excursions are also included. Naturally, a special Shackleton Centenary dinner will be held during the voyage, featuring an elegant menu designed by Silversea's renowned chefs.
