Silversea has brought its 2025–2026 Antarctic expedition season to a close after operating a series of voyages to the southern continent between October 5th, 2025, and March 5th, 2026. During this period, the company deployed three of its expedition vessels—Silver Endeavour, Silver Cloud and Silver Wind—which together completed 38 voyages to the polar region.
The season represented another chapter in the line’s long-standing commitment to expedition cruising in Antarctica. Guests reached the region through two primary approaches: traditional sailings that crossed the Drake Passage and fly-cruise itineraries that transport travellers directly to King George Island before boarding the ships. In total, 20 voyages followed the historic sea route across the Drake Passage, while 18 operated under the fly-cruise model designed to shorten travel time to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Within the company’s leadership, Antarctica has been characterized as one of the most powerful destinations for travellers seeking exploration experiences. Silversea’s president, Bert Hernandez, indicated that the line’s expedition strategy rests on offering multiple ways to encounter the polar environment, from fly-cruise itineraries suited to travellers with limited time to longer expeditions that follow the traditional sea passage and extend toward remote locations such as South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.
The voyages themselves unfolded against a backdrop of historical reflection, as 2026 marks the 125th anniversary of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s Discovery expedition, one of the early milestones in Antarctic exploration. Throughout the season, guests encountered a range of wildlife typical of the Southern Ocean, including whales, seals and penguin colonies, while expedition teams led landings and Zodiac excursions across remote coastal sites.
Each vessel contributed to the exploration program in its own way. Silver Wind opened the season and recorded frequent whale encounters alongside early landings on the Antarctic continent. Silver Cloud conducted small-group shore excursions and scenic sailings through narrow channels such as the Lemaire Channel and the Antarctic Sound, while also visiting historically significant sites including Grytviken in South Georgia. Meanwhile, Silver Endeavour, the newest expedition ship in the fleet, navigated heavy sea-ice conditions in areas such as the Weddell Sea and carried guests to remote wildlife habitats, including the extensive king penguin colonies of South Georgia.
A number of traditional expedition activities remained central to the experience. Hundreds of passengers participated in the so-called polar plunge during the season, with one voyage recording nearly 140 participants entering Antarctic waters in a single event.
The three ships form Silversea’s principal Antarctic expedition fleet, each designed or adapted for polar navigation. Built to PC6 polar-class standards, Silver Endeavour carries advanced navigation systems and a team of specialists—biologists, geologists, naturalists and historians—who guide exploration ashore and interpret the region’s landscapes and wildlife. The ice-strengthened Silver Cloud and Silver Wind operate with similar expedition teams and fleets of Zodiac craft, allowing access to narrow waterways and remote landing sites beyond the reach of larger vessels.
Looking ahead, the company is preparing for the 2026–2027 Antarctic season, which will feature 41 voyages and introduce a new element to the travel experience. The season will coincide with the opening of The Cormorant at 55 South, a 150-room hotel under development in Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost city in the world. The property is intended to serve as a gateway for guests embarking on polar expeditions, particularly those joining the fly-cruise program that transfers passengers directly to Antarctica.
The forthcoming season is expected to include 29 fly-cruise departures supported by the new hotel between October 2026 and March 2027, alongside 12 voyages that retain the traditional Drake Passage crossing. Together, these options continue the line’s strategy of providing multiple routes to the polar continent while maintaining its emphasis on small-ship exploration and guided expedition travel.