Reaching Antarctica Has Never Been Easier—Thanks to This Epic Cruise

With its wind-swept glaciers, craggy snow-covered peaks, and curious penguins punctuating the pristine polar scape, Antarctica is as untouched as it is unforgettable. And it's a destination that, for many people, tops travel dreams. But reaching the most remote region on earth has historically been an adventurous journey through the Drake Passage, a scenic, albeit rough-watered route vessels have long had to cross when sailing from the southernmost tip of South America to Antarctica.
But the long haul has become a simple jaunt thanks to Silversea Antarctica Fly Cruise, which whisks passengers to the edge of the world faster, smoother, and more luxuriously, by way of their combined and all-inclusive Antarctica Fly Cruise. Silversea charts a shortened course, bypassing the Drake Passage altogether and flying passengers to Antarctica directly by charter plane from Santiago to Punta Arenas, Chile. And starting in 2026, passengers will have the added option of flying from Santiago to Puerto Williams, Chile before making their way to Antarctica. This truncated trip is a quick under-two-hour hop, compared to the two-day trek it would typically take to cross the Passage by water. For travelers eager to make the most of their time and stay, it's the perfect option. And of course, for those who want the full experience, there are longer options that sail through the Drake Passage.
Easing Into the Adventure
While Antarctica's crystal frontier, rich wildlife, and remote wilderness regions are a lure for the intrepid traveler, Silversea Antarctica Fly Cruise makes the experience comfortable and altogether lavish, starting with a stay at The Cormorant at 55 SouthSM.
Images are intended as general reference. Features, materials, finishes and layout may be different than shown.
Located in Puerto Williams, Chile, exclusively for Silversea guests, the 150-room property, set to open in 2026, will be the southernmost hotel on earth. Named for both its location (it sits 55 degrees south of the equator) and the cormorant bird, which symbolizes a seafarer in ancient South American culture, The CormorantSM complements the experience at sea by steeping guests in its idyllic location and lodging them in the lap of luxury. Set on a bluff overlooking the Beagle Channel, the hotel brings the outside in thanks to its earthy décor, expansive windows, and open-plan design.
Luxury by Land and Sea
Whether you're embarking on a 6-, 9-, or 15-day journey, every Silversea ship delivers refined luxury at sea in an intimate vessel equipped to reach the unreachable. The experience begins from the moment you step outside your door to find the Silversea chauffeur service waiting to shepherd you and your luggage to the airport in style. It continues as you walk onto the ship's gangway and into the heated mudrooms, where your expedition outerwear is carefully removed, expertly cleaned, and sanitized before it's delivered to your suite by a butler who'll cater to your every whim during the length of your stay.
With a higher space-to-guest ratio on board each vessel, private and public spaces feel generously roomy. All-suite accommodations offer sweeping ocean views and private verandas. And here, all-inclusive means 24-hour access to gourmet cuisine from multiple fine dining options or butler-served courses enjoyed in-suite. There are premium spirits available for toasting at every turn, a world-class spa in which to unwind, and sophisticated nightly entertainment.
An Immersive Expedition
Antarctica may be the most faraway realm on the planet, but Silversea Antarctica Fly Cruise brings it closer to home. The journey begins to unfold as soon as you're welcomed aboard the ship. A team of naturalists, biologists, and geologists helps the destination come to life through lectures and workshops, offering rich insight and context to the quest ahead. But what truly makes this a voyage of discovery is the expert-guided journey through the wonder of this destination unknown. Choose your own adventure by zodiac boat, kayak, or on foot, to cross frozen terrain far off the grid and brave uncharted waters for deeper discovery and up-close encounters with wildlife.
Agile Zodiacs make it possible to navigate through narrow inlets, glide over sheets of ice, and float by towering icebergs in Pleneau Bay and historical whaling relics in Whalers Bay. If you're lucky, you might see a whale or two breach the surface along the way. Kayaking puts you even closer to nature and its nautical inhabitants. As you paddle through fjords, a leopard seal may swim alongside for the ride. Walk ashore in the footsteps of explorers who came before on a guided hike through majestic geological formations and icy expanses where colonies of gentoo penguins play and wandering albatross roam the earth.
Whether you're plunging into polar waters or trekking across glacial plains, every moment is an opportunity to take exploration to the extreme.
Set sail for the extraordinary by visiting silversea.com.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Travel + Leisure

an hour ago

• Travel + Leisure

As a Floridian, I've Tested Dozens of Sandals—and I'm Packing This Supportive Platform Style on Every Trip

As a Floridian, I live in sandals almost year-round. When it gets really hot outside, the last thing I want to put on my feet are socks and sneakers. You might think that sandals are too flimsy and unsupportive to wear for all-day walking, but I've found they can be just as supportive as sneakers, while doubling as a stylish yet comfortable swap for heels for an evening out. If you're traveling carry-on only, packing versatile sandals is a huge pro for saving serious luggage space. Comfortable walking sandals do exist, and no, they don't all look like clunky podiatrist-prescribed orthopedic shoes. As a former cruise ship performer and current travel writer, I've tested dozens of sandals in my lifetime—and I own more than 30 pairs at this moment. When I test a new pair of sandals, I'm comparing them against years of personal trial, so I was surprised at how well the Kuru Loma Sandals performed, given the stiff competition they were up against. I wore the Kuru sandals exploring all 66 acres of Sarasota's John & Mabel Ringling Museum of Art, including the Ca' d'Zan mansion, the Circus Museum, and Bayfront Gardens. It's a lot of walking, and the Lomas delivered. The campus is so big you really need several days to explore it, but if you want to try and see it all in a day, it can be done with the right comfy footwear. I was initially hesitant about investing in a platform shoe because I typically prefer my sandals to be thin, lightweight, and packable to save space and weight in my carry-on. However, the platform sole is made out of lightweight, foam-like material that is virtually weightless. Another crucial aspect I noticed about the Kuru Lomas is the way they hugged my heels each time I took a step. The cork footbed cups your heel pad, while the platform material flexes to absorb impact. Our heels are the first thing to strike the ground when we walk, and they take the brunt of the impact of the stride, which is why the cushioning on these sandals is so important to absorb some of that impact. I also loved the impressive arch support in these shoes. I have the kinds of arches that don't touch the ground when I stand, so I need a high level of arch support from my shoes and sandals. Luckily, the same design that cups my heel when I walk in these Kuru platform sandals also cradles my arches and makes them supportive enough for all-day wear. The adjustable straps and flexible design add to the comfort of these shoes because I can get the perfect fit without the shoe being too tight or loose. And, the elastic cross strap on the Lomas is perfect because it wraps my foot and gives it the flexibility to move without a rubbing effect that could cause blisters. Finally, the Loma cork footbed wicks away moisture, which adds to the shoe's overall comfort by preventing wet, sweaty feet (that can lead to blisters). Since roaming the Ringling Museum, I've worn these shoes a lot more on daily walks and uneven terrain. They're still one of the most comfortable pairs of sandals I own. That said, the Velcro strap is starting to wear with heavy use, so I'd love to see a buckle option for durability. As an avid sandal wearer with above-average standards for arch support and long-wear comfort, I can say that the Kuru Lomas are worth buying. I recommend them if you're headed somewhere hot where you'll be on your feet all day. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Yahoo

2 hours ago

• Yahoo

Summer travel predicted to break records for the Fourth of July

AAA projects a record 72 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the nine-day Independence Day holiday period — from June 28 to July 6 — with new highs expected for both drivers and air travelers as summer travel reaches peak season. The auto club forecasts nearly 62 million people will drive over the Fourth of July weekend, representing an increase of 1.3 million from last year. Air travel is expected to rise more than 1% over last year's record numbers. "The top 10 heaviest travel days in TSA history have all happened within the past year, and we expect to see more heavy volumes this summer," said Kristie Jordan Smith, a Transportation Security Administration official at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. How technology at airports is reducing wait times The Independence Day travel period is expected to be the summer's busiest travel stretch. Airport officials are implementing new technology to reduce wait times. At DFW, customs officials report wait times are down 25% thanks to enhanced passenger processing technology that uses facial recognition, now operational at nine airports nationwide. CBP will soon test a program allowing customs to review X-ray images of checked bags from London flights, eliminating the need for connecting passengers to clear security twice in Dallas. "This program streamlines and improves the travel experience for our customers, saving them time and reducing the complexity of clearing security while continuing to maintain the highest security standards," said Jim Moses, Senior Vice President DFW Hub Operations at American Airlines. DFW is the airline's largest hub. AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said travel demand reflects both practical and emotional factors. "We're seeing travel in record numbers because travel isn't just an economic and practical decision, it's also an emotional decision," Diaz said. "People don't have to spend a lot of money when they go on these trips, but people want to get away and not be home." According to Priceline, top summer destinations include Las Vegas, Orlando, Tokyo and London. SpaceX Starship upper stage blows up Hurricane Erick approaches Mexico with destructive winds, major storm surge AI's extreme human imitation makes it act deceptively, cheat and lie, "Godfather of AI" says

Yahoo

2 hours ago

• Yahoo

What happens when two alpinists have kids? Patagonia releases new short film series 'Parenting: Disaster Style' but nervous moms and dads might want to skip this one...

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Patagonia has launched a new short film series: Parenting: Disaster Style and the first episode has just dropped. The series follows the adventures of alpinists Zoe Hart and her husband, Maxime Turgeon, as they introduce their children, Mathias and Mika, to the great outdoors and all things adventure. The series sees the young family go backcountry skiing in Italy, dirtbag along the French coast and cultivate food at their Chamonix home, beneath the watchful Mont Blanc. Hart and Turgeon hope to engender the same love of the natural world and mountain adventure that they enjoy to their kids, while also increasing their resilience and self-belief. Hart says: "if you push your kids past what they think is possible, whether it's being cold or tired or wet, they'll learn they have the capacity to do way more than they thought they could.' Before having kids, in their search for mountain adventure on some of the world's most technical peaks, Hart and Turgeon had endured their fair share of epics and freezing cold nights on some far-flung wall or other. Tongue firmly in cheek, they called their style 'Disaster Alpinism', which is how the series got its name. "Go at it, throw everything into it, it's usually epic and afterwards it's really awesome," says Hart about both alpinism and parenting. Zoe Hart is a Chamonix-based International Mountain Guide originally from the East Coast of the US. A passionate adventurer and mother, she is determined to live life to the limits and strives for never-ending growth. Episode one went live on June 18, introducing the family and their ethos, as they set off on family adventures to climb and enjoy the tranquility of the great outdoors. Watch it here and keep one eye on Patagonia's YouTube channel for future epsidoes. The best family tents: spacious shelters for the whole tribe The best winter hiking boots: for unbeatable performance in the cold