October 21, 2026 — Silversea, part of Royal Caribbean Group, has started its 2026–27 Antarctica season. Guests on its fly-cruises now stay at The Cormorant at 55 South in Puerto Williams, Chile, described as the world’s southernmost hotel; this is Silversea’s first season hosting guests there. Its grand opening is November 5, 2026; guests on earlier voyages get a preview.
The season
- Ships: Silver Endeavour (first departure from King George Island), Silver Wind (first departure from Puerto Williams) and Silver Cloud.
- Volume: 40 voyages through March 2027, including 29 Antarctica fly-cruises. Every fly-cruise includes a stay at The Cormorant.
- Fly both ways: 14 Silver Endeavour sailings fly guests over the Drake Passage in both directions.
- Fly one way, sail one way: 15 sailings on Silver Wind, Silver Cloud and Silver Endeavour.
- Sail both ways: 11 voyages cross the Drake by sea from Puerto Williams.
Sea-crossing departures named so far
| Departs | Ship | Voyage |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 7, 2026 | Silver Wind | 18 nights round trip from Puerto Williams: Falklands, South Georgia, Elephant Island, Antarctic Peninsula |
| Nov 9, 2026 | Silver Cloud | First of four 15-night voyages: South Georgia, Elephant Island, Peninsula |
| Dec 9, 2026 | Silver Cloud | 12 nights round trip, reaching about a day south of the Antarctic Circle |
| Dec 22, 2026 | Silver Wind | 15 nights: Peninsula and South Georgia |
| Mar 4, 2027 | Silver Endeavour | 21 nights, Puerto Williams to Buenos Aires via the Peninsula, South Georgia, the Falklands and Puerto Madryn |
Getting there
Silversea-branded charter flights link Santiago with Puerto Williams. Seatrade Cruise News says this is the only direct flight between Chile’s capital and the town. Charter flights, Zodiac outings and expedition activities are included on every trip. At the hotel, Silversea’s expedition team runs kayaking in the Beagle Channel, hikes on Navarino Island and horseback outings. Silversea president Bert Hernandez said the season gives guests “even greater choice in how they reach it.”
What it means for airline travelers
- Your own flight ends in Santiago. The Santiago–Puerto Williams leg is a Silversea charter included in the fare, so the flight you arrange yourself is to Santiago (SCL). Charters keep a fixed schedule; arrive in Santiago at least a day early, and more if you are flying standby on long-haul routes.
- Check where your voyage ends. The March 4, 2027 Silver Endeavour voyage finishes in Buenos Aires, so book your flight home from Buenos Aires, not Santiago.
- Drake Passage weather can shift fly-cruise schedules. Keep your return flight flexible and buy travel insurance that covers delays.
- No travel-industry or interline rates were mentioned.
Sources
- Seatrade Cruise News, “Silversea opens Antarctica season with its new Chile hotel gateway“
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