Antarctica

Going with the Floe

Written by Gary Buchanan

The most expensive expedition ship ever built, Silver Endeavour is introducing a new echelon of experiential luxe. Panache Ambassador, Gary Buchanan extols the rapture of an expedition voyage to Antarctica and reports on Silversea’s latest trailblazer.

An armada of steep-sided, flat-topped icebergs paraded past us like a welcoming party, each one illuminated by the glow of the sun. We were navigating Antarctica’s scenic Lemaire Channel, where mountains of rock erupt sheer-sided from the sea. Crabeater and Weddell seals lying together on frozen rafts of ice were awakened from their midday nap and slid back into the sea. The surface of the ice-strewn ocean suddenly erupted as mother and calf humpbacks spouted before arching and fluking. It was just one spine-tingling moment during a cruise overflowing with rapture. Our first steps on the vast White Continent were taken at the Chilean research station of González Videla, in the aptly named Paradise Bay. Here Gentoo penguins were feeding their offspring. It’s impossible to ignore the grace of these birds; for in spite of their comic, officious waddle on land, in their natural habitat, their agility is outstanding. The sheer escarpments guarding Deception Island are cleaved by a passage called Neptune’s Bellows, where the ocean pours into an interior lagoon that’s actually a flooded caldera.

Exploring a battalion of tabular icebergs from the nifty Zodiacs, we marvelled at the exotic shapes and discovered this was far from simply a continent in monochrome - of white ice and black rock. Threedimensional stripes of incandescent delphinium blue streak through these towering structures created aeons ago. Trillions of pixels captured the stunning beauty of an immense aquamarine sculpture whose 100-foot ice arch swept above us. As far as the eye could see, lustrous monoliths were being calved from the frozen blue cliffs of ancient ice.

It’s almost twenty years since I ventured to Terra Australis – the frozen continent that lies at the bottom of the globe. For ten surreal days, the vessel I called home short-changed on creature comforts, but was as good as it got in those nascent days. In recent years, ships have upped the ante in lavishness, and now there’s a veritable flotilla of superbly-appointed vessels finely-tuned to Polar exploration – it’s predicted that by next year there will be 90 ships. But nothing can compare with the latest paragon from the undisputed maestros of this niche cruise conceit – Silversea Expeditions. In July 2022, the trailblazing, 200-guest Silver Endeavour was acquired by Silversea Expeditions. First launched in June 2021 as Crystal Endeavor, the most expensive expedition ship ever built has an impressive crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1; it also has the highest space-to-guest ratio of any luxury ship crafted exclusively for exploration. On 19th November, this aristocrat of the seas arrived at the majestic Lemaire Channel for her rechristening ceremony. Media and industry partners were joined by British expedition leader and climate scientist, Felicity Aston MBE - Godmother to Silver Endeavour. Clad in red Silversea parkas, thick gloves and beanie hats, guests embarked a convoy of Zodiacs to witness the Godmother consign an icesculpted magnum of Champagne to smash against the ship’s hull. Silver Endeavour’s Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; Italian cuisine is created nightly at the intimate Il Terrazzino; while gastronomic specialities feature on the dinner menu at La Dame. Located beside the pool, the casual Grill serves breakfast and lunch, a more intimate vibe is created in the evening when the menu is à la carte.

The Explorer Lounge is the locale for onboard lectures; there’s also a Connoisseur’s Lounge; Arts Café; Observation Lounge with wraparound windows; plus Library; Boutique; Otium Spa, with three treatment rooms, thermal areas for men and women, and Beauty Salon. A two-deck high, glassenclosed Solarium covers a sizable swimming pool and whirlpool. Accommodation includes: Classic Veranda Suites; Superior Veranda Suites; Deluxe Veranda Suites; Premium Veranda Suites; Silver Suites; an Owner’s Suite; and a Grand Suite. All have king-sized beds, televisions, walk-in wardrobes, plus warm storage for drying parkas, bathrooms with heated floors and rainfall showerheads. All guests are pampered in the care of butlers.

Accompanying all landings and Zodiac excursions is a 20-strong team of Expedition specialists. There’s also a Marina where guests can climb into two-person ocean kayaks to explore the seascape accompanied by expedition team members. With a maximum service speed of 19 knots, Silver Endeavour is the ‘fastest ship in the Poles’, the draft of 6.1 metres and raised bow also ensure excellent stability. Silversea Expeditions offers guests the exclusive Antarctica Bridge, which takes away any nagging doubts about crossing the infamous Drake Passage. With European-style business-class seating, the dedicated Antarctic Airways BAe146 flies from Punta Arenas to King George Island, just north of the Antarctic Peninsula, in two hours. There’s no disputing that Silversea Cruises fifth expedition ship is infusing Polar cruising with a bolt of indulgence. From May 2023 through March 2024, guests aboard Silver Endeavour will journey to 116 of the planet’s most remote cold-weather destinations across Northern Europe, the Arctic, and Antarctica Silver Endeavour sails in Antarctica, the Arctic, and Northern Europe. Prices start from £10,260pp, call for more details.

Silver Endeavour

Antarctica

Unforgiving, harsh, and rugged

Windy, relentless, and terrifyingly cold: Antarctica doesn’t sound like the most alluring of holiday destinations. True in some ways but not in others, this one is not for the fainthearted nor the unsteady-on-their-feet. This is a place for intrepid adventurers. It’s perfect for people who don’t mind getting a little bit wet and a little bit cold as they hoard unforgettable life experiences. The Antarctic Peninsula is undoubtedly the most unexplored region on earth, but so abundant with stuff that needs to be explored. Watch cheeky rockhopper penguins wobble by, come eye-to-eye with a colossal blue whale as it breaches and spouts, and watch seals float along on bergy bits as you enjoy afternoon tea. Sea kayak, snowshoe, and paddleboard; worldclass cuisine, beautifully made-up suites, and an intimate atmosphere shared with like-minded people. Just don’t forget your gloves!

Antarctica with Silversea Expeditions

Travel to the ends of the Earth aboard Silver Endeavour. Silversea’s newest ship redefines the meaning of ultra-luxury expedition cruising. Spread over eight public decks, not only does she feature ample onboard space, multiple restaurants, plus a huge choice of bars and lounges, but her large and luxurious suites are some of the best in Expedition cruising. Superbly designed, all her suites feature a balcony and our highest standards of service thanks to an impressive crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.

What’s the weather like?

Cold. Antarctic weather ranges from about −10°C on the coast, to −60°C at its highest points towards the centre. Sometimes the temperature can exceed 10°C on the coast.

Which wildlife can I expect to see?

You’ll see unique, diverse wildlife on an Antarctic expedition cruise. The only place on earth with no terrestrial mammals, the icy continent is heaven for all species of marine animals like whales, seals, and walruses. Above all, the penguin is king. You’ll find no less than seven species waddling, slipping, and sliding around.

Antarctica in numbers

• The Antarctic ice sheet is 13,829,430 km² • Minus 89.2°C is the lowest temperature recorded on earth • Sea levels would rise by 60m if all Antarctic ice melted • 30 countries help maintain Antarctica • 5,000 people work there in summer, only 1,000 in the winter • Sheet ice can be 1.6km thick • 90% of the earth’s ice is in Antarctica

Puerto Williams Roundtrip

22ND FEBRUARY 2024 - 11 NIGHTS

Silversea | Silver Wind | Fly Cruise

Highlights: Santiago, Puerto Williams, Antarctic Sound, South Shetland Islands

Includes: Brand-new ship: Flights & overseas transfers, door-to-door private transfers, butler service, zodiac landing tours

Prices from Was £10,400pp Now £9,880pp