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Silversea switches 2022/23 Antarctica turnarounds to Puerto Williams

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Silver Cloud in Antarctica
Silversea Cruises will use Puerto Williams, Chile, as the Antarctica gateway for its ice-class expedition ships Silver Cloud, Silver Wind and Silver Explorer in the 2022/23 season.

The line said this will enable more convenient flight times with personalized service during an exclusive charter flight between Santiago and Puerto Williams and faster ship transfers, among other advantages.

Silversea President and CEO Roberto Martinoli thanked the Chilean authorities and local stakeholders 'who have enabled us to unlock the most comfortable and convenient route to Antarctica for international travelers.' Silversea, he added, is the only cruise line currently offering Antarctica expeditions from Puerto Williams.

'Magnificent gateway'

Conrad Combrink, SVP expeditions, turnaround operations and destination management, called Puerto Williams a 'magnificent gateway,' adding that the private charter flight between Santiago and Puerto Williams enables Silversea to give an enhanced level of service and a more seamless connection.

For the 2022/23 season, Antarctica travelers will overnight at a five-star hotel in Santiago, with a welcome reception dinner and breakfast. They'll transfer to Santiago’s airport the following day, with a flight departing from a private terminal. The charter will be escorted by a Silversea representative and offer an upgraded experience, including extra legroom, greater luggage allowance and regionally inspired gourmet lunch. After the cruise, travelers will transfer directly to the Puerto Williams airport for their exclusive charter flight to Santiago.

Cape Horn calls possible

Departing from Puerto Williams will also enable Silver Cloud and Silver Wind to call at Cape Horn in southern Chile on select voyages, conditions permitting, enabling travelers to disembark at one of the continent’s southernmost points.

Silversea will operate a series of 10-day explorations of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, as well as shorter sailings aboard Silver Explorer from King George Island as part of Silversea’s 'Antarctica Bridge' fly-cruise program. Longer voyages encompass the Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Falkland Islands, Elephant Island and South Georgia. A ‘Deep Antarctica’ itinerary, 20 days, goes beyond the Antarctic Circle, attempting to reach latitude 69 degrees south.

Each all-suite, butler-serviced ship carries expedition experts who lead Zodiac and kayak adventures, hikes and nature walks, and give lectures, discussions and recaps onboard.

At Seatrade Cruise Global

Chilean officials led by Tourism Undersecretary Veronica Kunze Neubauer will be participating in Seatrade Cruise Global, and Martinoli will be speaking on the 'Luxury Cruising Leaders' panel at 2:30 p.m. April 26 and on the 'Expedition CEO' panel at 10:15 a.m. April 28. Combrink will take part in 'Hybrid Luxury-Expedition Cruising' at 11:45 a.m. April 28.

Full conference details are here