Legendary photographer Steve McCurry has photographed Antarctica for the first time in his career, on a 10-day voyage to the White Continent in December 2019 aboard the Silver Cloud.
McCurry crossed the Drake Passage to capture inspiring images of the Antarctic Strait, the Antarctic Peninsula, and the South Shetland Islands. His spectacular photographs reflect the area's unique natural beauty, the captivating wildlife that inhabits the region, the unforgettable experiences it offers, and the singular talent of one of the world's foremost visual storytellers.
“Antarctica is unlike any other destination in the world. I felt like I was on another planet,” McCurry declared. “I left Ushuaia excited to see enormous icebergs and unusual landscapes, but Antarctica’s diverse ecosystem greeted me with whales, seabirds, penguins, and seals, as well as vast glaciers and relics of history, frozen in time. Being able to experience the continent so authentically, accompanied by experts in their field, was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life.”.
Among the highlights of his expedition, McCurry cites very close sightings of whales and elephant seals as the most memorable: the animals voluntarily approached the photographer, but McCurry maintained a safe and respectful distance to avoid disturbing them.
“We had some incredible encounters with elephant seals, which were fascinating,” McCurry continues. “They are such enormous creatures with big, beautiful eyes, very expressive and full of emotion.”.
Another highlight for McCurry was the opportunity to travel with Silversea's expedition experts, who enriched his experience with their vast and extensive knowledge. The photographer attended themed lectures in the Explorer Lounge aboard the Silver Explorer, delivered by the Silversea expedition team, before going ashore in one of the ship's 18 Zodiacs to discover the natural beauty of Antarctica firsthand.
“Being surrounded by experts in their fields taught me a lot about what I was experiencing, which enriched the experience,” says McCurry. “I always looked forward to all the lectures and learning about this unique part of the world. I shared many meals with experts and scientists, talking and learning about the region.”.
“The abandoned whaling station we visited in the South Shetland Islands was fascinating. The region has numerous whaling stations, scientific bases, and way stations that have been abandoned. They are now covered in snow and ice, but still serve as extraordinary time capsules. I saw an airplane hangar, a dormitory, a cemetery, and huge oil storage tanks.”.
“A master of his craft, Steve McCurry is the perfect storyteller to capture the authentic beauty of Antarctica for our guests,” says Barbara Muckermann, Silversea’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Antarctica is a unique destination, but Steve certainly rose to the challenge. His curiosity mirrors that of our guests, as does their yearning to travel deeper to discover exceptional and authentic moments. Aboard Silver Cloud, Steve did exactly this, and his inspiring images perfectly capture the range of unique experiences that our industry-leading expedition team offers guests.”
SILVER CLOUD: AN IMMERSIVE EXPEDITION JOURNEY WITH SUPERLATIVE COMFORT
Steve McCurry traveled to Antarctica aboard Silver Cloud in superlative comfort, enjoying a spacious ocean-view suite and all-inclusive amenities, including sumptuous cuisine in four excellent restaurants; 24-hour room service; personalized butler service; complimentary premium wines and spirits, specialty coffees, bottled water, juices, and soft drinks served throughout the ship; an in-suite bar stocked with guests' favorite beverages; and free Wi-Fi. In addition to a fleet of 18 Zodiacs, Silver Cloud carries 10 kayaks to allow travelers to explore the destination from the sea at their own pace.
ANTARCTICA BRIDGE: THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE TO THE LAST CONTINENT
Silversea has recently revolutionized polar expedition travel by launching Antarctica Bridge, the world’s first ultra-luxury cruise with flights to the White Continent. Enjoying direct flights from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island in Antarctica starting in December 2021, passengers will fly 1,240 km over the Drake Passage on a private jet, reserved exclusively for Silversea guests and specially adapted to land on King George Island. Arranged by Silversea representatives and offering guests the comfort of business class, the flight will take just two hours each way, meaning guests will avoid approximately four days of sailing on the return journey. Following an onboard entertainment program, which will include briefings tailored to Antarctic expeditions, passengers will enjoy five full days—the same amount of time as on traditional Silversea Antarctic voyages—traveling deep into the destination, accompanied by Silversea’s team of expedition experts.
For the upcoming season, three Silversea ships will offer immersive Antarctic experiences starting October 28, 2020, including the Silver Wind, recently converted into an icebreaker; the Silver Explorer, which will travel to the Ross Sea on a once-in-a-lifetime voyage; and the Silver Cloud.
For more information about the Antarctica Bridge:
https://www.silversea.com/destinations/antarctica-cruise.html
