Silversea has successfully concluded its 2025/2026 Antarctic season. Between October 5, 2025, and March 5, 2026, Silver Endeavour, Silver Cloud, and Silver Wind welcomed guests on 38 voyages to the region's dramatic landscapes, demonstrating the power of immersive, expertly guided exploration. This comes ahead of the opening of The Cormorant at 55 South, the brand's 150-room hotel in Puerto Williams, which is expected to offer guests seamless access to the continent starting with the 2026/2027 Antarctic season.
“Antarctica remains one of the most transformative destinations on the planet, offering extraordinary moments of discovery for even the most seasoned travelers,” said Bert Hernandez, President of Silversea. “What makes Silversea’s approach truly unique is the variety of ways we invite guests to experience the polar region: whether through our Antarctica Fly Cruises, offering hassle-free access for those with limited time; our classic expeditions, including the iconic Drake Passage crossing; or our extended voyages to remote destinations like South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, rich in wildlife and exploration history. With the opening of The Cormorant at 55 South, we are entering an exciting new era of luxury polar tourism, making these voyages even more immersive, comfortable, and accessible.”
With 2026 marking 125 years since Captain Scott's Discovery expedition departed British waters for Antarctica, this season's polar voyages held special historical significance. Silversea's three expedition ships offered guests flexibility in reaching the southernmost continent, with 20 voyages crossing the legendary Drake Passage and 18 departures of the Antarctica Fly Cruise program available for those who preferred to fly directly to King George Island.
Unforgettable moments from the 2025/2026 season include:
- Silver Wind opened Silversea's Antarctic season, offering early landings on the continent and diverse wildlife sightings, from humpback and fin whales to killer whales and leopard seals. Several voyages showcased extraordinary whale behaviors, including bubble-net feeding and sightings from Zodiac dive tours.
- Silver Cloud offered intimate explorations with memorable landings at Orne Harbour and Cuverville Island, along with a rare emperor penguin sighting at Wilhelmina Bay. Guests also enjoyed historical experiences at Grytviken and scenic cruises through the Antarctic Sound and the Lemaire Channel.
- Silver Endeavour offered a remarkable season with multiple unique mainland landings, notable whale activity, and rare wildlife sightings, including emperor penguins and Arnoux beaked whales. Guests also enjoyed dramatic ice-bound sailing in the Weddell Sea, scenic transits through locations such as the Lemaire Channel, and memorable experiences in South Georgia, visiting the world-famous king penguin colonies.
- The 2025/2026 season included the participation of hundreds of travelers in the iconic polar bath, with a record trip registering almost 140 participants plunging into the icy Antarctic waters.
Across all three ships, guests enjoyed enriching wildlife sightings, access to diverse landing sites, expert-guided exploration and enrichments provided through Silversea's unique partnership with the Royal Geographical Society, as well as the highest ratio of expedition staff to guests on experiential luxury cruises: all hallmarks of Silversea's commitment to meaningful and immersive travel.
Silversea's expedition fleet combines exploration with all-inclusive comfort, personalized service, world-class cuisine, and ocean-view suites. Built to PC6 polar-class specifications, Silver Endeavour is designed for polar exploration, featuring state-of-the-art facilities, advanced navigation and exploration technology, and a team of up to 28 expedition experts, including biologists, geologists, naturalists, and historians, supported by a fleet of versatile Zodiacs. The team's extensive knowledge, coupled with the ship's unparalleled access to the region, ensures authentic moments of discovery in one of Earth's most remote areas.
The Silver Cloud and the Silver Wind, both meticulously refurbished and ice-strengthened, also offer an intimate and immersive expedition experience, with access to narrow channels and less-visited sites. Together, the three expedition ships provide guests with unparalleled variety.
The breadth and flexibility of Silversea's Antarctic offerings are designed to meet the expectations of today's luxury traveler. From Antarctica Fly Cruises, ideal for those with limited time who want to immerse themselves in the destination, to classic expedition voyages that include the legendary Drake Passage crossing as a must-do experience, Silversea offers multiple ways to reach Antarctica. For those seeking deeper exploration, extended itineraries venture beyond the Antarctic Peninsula to some of the world's most remote and iconic destinations, including South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, rich in wildlife, history, and the legacy of early polar exploration.
A new chapter: The Cormorant at 55 South
Silversea is now looking ahead to its 2026/2027 Antarctic season, with 41 voyages, the first to feature experiences at its new hotel, The Cormorant at 55 South, in Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost city in the world. The 150-room hotel is expected to open in October 2026, providing seamless access to Antarctica and the opportunity to immerse guests in the destination before their expedition.
The Cormorant's inaugural season will support 29 Antarctica Fly Cruise voyages between October 20, 2026, and March 10, 2027. Guests will also have the opportunity to cross the Drake Passage on 12 expedition voyages, continuing Silversea's commitment to providing flexible and deeply enriching experiences in the polar region.
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