Silversea Endeavour Cruises to Antarctica
By Tully Luxury Travel | 03-30-2023 |
“It felt as if I was landing on the moon, like a completely different planet. Everything was snow-covered and pristine. It was unbelievable, breathtaking.”
Tully Luxury Travel Designer Cheri Ozimac is talking about her incredible Antarctic luxury voyage with Silversea onboard their newest ship, the Endeavour. “It is by far the most luxurious expedition ship to date,” she says. “So while it is an expedition Polar Class 6 ship, it is also a luxury cruise in every sense of the word.”
Cheri was on an Antarctic Bridge cruise, flying by charter plane from Puntas Arenas, Chile, right to King George Island off the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. This route bypasses the need to sail across the Drake Passage – one of the most notorious bodies of water in the world. “You never know whether you’re going to get the Drake Lake or the Drake Shake, as they say, so I was glad to fly in,” she says. “My dad came with me on this trip, which was really special. Flying into an army base in Antarctica was really thrilling for him – it felt like a real expedition. And the Endeavour was right there waiting for us. It was the coolest thing ever.”
Everyone gets to do a little bit of everything.
Typically, there are two outings every day with regard to excursions in Antarctica, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The group is split in two, the first one going on a Zodiac cruise and the second landing on shore for a hike, after which the groups switch. Silversea plans a more active hike for those who want more exercise, which takes them to a higher vantage point. “You don’t have to be super active to make the shore landings,” Cheri says, “and everyone can use walking sticks if they want. My favorite part of the trip was hanging out with the penguins. I just love them. We saw Gentoo, Adélie, and chinstrap penguins. And for seals, we encountered leopard, elephant, and Weddell seals.”
Back on board at lunchtime, guests grab a bite, relax for a few hours, and then head back out in the afternoon. You have your own locker for storing gear, and a boot rack keeps them warm and dry, ready for the next excursion. Silversea supplies you with a parka and snow pants, which guests get to keep. All the sizing is determined beforehand, so everything you need is there waiting for you on the ship. “Happily, Antarctica is not as cold as everyone thinks, because you’re visiting during its ‘summer,’” Cheri says. “It was never really more than 20º F. My dad even did the polar plunge – I was so surprised. He’s still pinching himself from the whole adventure.”
The Endeavour’s expedition team is on hand at all times, helping you get from A to B, filling you in on the geology, biology, and zoology of the moment, providing insider details, and making sure everyone stays safe. “The Expedition Team was really on the ball and always had a backup plan in case the weather or the sea conditions or the state of the landing sites weren’t cooperating,” Cheri says. “I just can't say enough about how knowledgeable and wonderful they were.”
A new era in ultra-luxury expedition cruising
As you can imagine, the Silversea Endeavour is like a floating hotel, complete with every luxury amenity you could imagine. All suites feature butler service, a refrigerator stocked with your preferences, Champagne on arrival, and a warming closet, so everything you wear on shore is kept toasty. Some suites even have heated verandas. Public spaces are elegant and ample, and the bars and lounges are cozy and comfortable. In addition to the main dining room, The Endeavour also offers definitive Italian cuisine in Il Terrazzino, along with the French-inspired La Dame.
Cheri thought the restaurants were to die for. “The Grill is like a solarium, with windows the whole way around. I’ve never seen anything like it before. This is the place to be to take in all the views. La Dame was over the top, a Michelin-quality experience. And there’s a little bistro that’s open in the afternoon for snacks, a hot lunch item, fresh sandwiches, and sweets.
Cheri’s Tips on Antarctic Travel
“Tully Luxury Travel can make sure your airfare is booked through the cruise line,” Cheri says. “That way, if there’s a delay with regard to the cruise itinerary – say, the weather strands you in Antarctica for an extra day – you don’t have to worry about rebooking your flights home.”
Cheri also suggests allowing the Tully Luxury Travel team to arrange for a VIP greeting at the airport in Santiago, Chile, the first step of your Antarctic journey. Bypassing a customs lineup is easy to arrange.
When it comes to packing, Cheri recommends bringing fewer formal outfits than you might take on other cruises. “While this is a luxury cruise, the clothes are more casual, more about sweaters and scarves than cocktail dresses.” She also suggests bringing sunscreen to combat the combination of sun and snow, and also a selfie stick, because Antarctica is the ultimate backdrop for videos. “Break off from the group while you’re on a shore landing and set yourself up with the penguins in the background to take a video. This will be a memory to treasure.”
One last bit of advice? “Live in the moment – because it truly is incredible. Put the camera down after a while, and just soak everything in.”