The line said its Antarctica Bridge programme, which opens for sale on 10 December, features 12 voyages by Silver Explorer and sees guests fly over the Drake Passage “in business-class comfort”.
Departing from December 2021, fares lead in from $17,500pp based on two adults sharing.
Passengers will take direct flights from Punta Arenas in Chile to King George Island in Antarctica onboard an aircraft exclusively chartered for Silversea customers and adapted to land on King George Island.
The journey will take just two hours each way, meaning guests will avoid approximately four days at sea on the return journey.
An in-flight entertainment programme will include Zodiac and International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators briefings, tailored to Antarctic expeditions, to prepare guests for their experience.
Guests will spend five full days onboard Explorer – the same amount of time as Silversea’s conventional Antarctica voyages.
Conrad Combrink, Silversea’s senior vice-president of tour operating, expedition and destination management, said the inclusion of its business-class fly-cruise option was “a defining moment” for the line’s expedition programme.
“Antarctica Bridge will revolutionise the way in which our guests discover Antarctica. The luxury of choice is a key feature of our cruise line’s offering; our new Antarctica Bridge service expands our guests’ choices,” he said.
“Many will still choose to cross the epic Drake Passage, which is an unforgettable experience in itself, but Antarctica Bridge is perfect for time-conscious travellers, as it will immerse guests into the White Continent in a shorter timeframe.
Combrink said Antarctica Bridge built on Silversea’s existing offering – comprising 10-day voyages and 18-day expeditions – and with its launch guests would be able to choose 59 Antarctica sailings.
