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Nov. 18 update: Silversea in Antarctica but delays Down Under

Silversea Cruises resumed Antarctica sailings but delayed its Australia restart until February.

2 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

Silver Explorer kicked off Antarctica sailings with its departure from Puerto Williams, Chile, Nov. 10. Silver Cloud subsequently joined its fleetmate in Antarctica, sailing from Punta Arenas, Chile, Nov. 14.

'We are making history. By embarking on a private, direct flight from Santiago to Puerto Williams, we are unlocking a flight path that has not been operated for more than 30 years — and never in such luxury,' said Silversea's Conrad Combrink, SVP expeditions, turnaround operations and destination management.

He acknowledged Punta Arenas Mayor Claudio Radonich, Puerto Williams Mayor Patricio Fernández Alarcón, Antarctica Chilena provincial Gov. Nelson Cárcamo Barrera, DAP Antarctic Airways' Nicolas Pivcevic and his team.

DAP Antarctic Airways is providing Silversea travelers with private, round-trip flights between Santiago and Puerto Williams. DAP Antarctic Airways is also the carrier providing the flight component of Antarctica Bridge, Silversea’s new Antarctica fly-cruise program.

Silversea will inaugurate this option on Dec. 11, enabling travelers to skip the Drake Passage and fly straight to Antarctica to start their cruise.

Cancellations Down Under

The first three departures of Silver Muse’s 2021/22 Australian season, which was due to commence next month with the arrival of the 596-passenger ship, have been cancelled.

Silversea, which had to cancel 10 Kimberley cruises earlier this year, is now planning for the first departure of the new season to take place on February 5.

‘While the government has made positive indications about cruise’s return, including verbal commitment to end the cruise ban on Dec. 17, no concrete decision has been made,’ MD Asia-Pacific Adam Radwanski said.

Radwanski said the lead time required to bring a ship to Australia requires 60-90 days minimum, which is why the company has delayed the start-up.

‘Silversea is committed to delivering a domestic season in Australia and eagerly anticipates the green light from the relevant authorities in coming weeks,’ he said.

‘We hope to support the local Australian economy when the season is permitted to operate.'

About the Authors

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

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