What to expect from a cruise to the North or South Pole
What to expect from the adventure of a lifetime.
| THIS ARTICLE WAS CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Silversea |
Longing for the adventure of a lifetime? Silversea’s newest ultra-luxury expedition vessel, Silver Endeavour, is the ultimate choice for thrilling voyages to Antarctica and the Arctic.
Human beings have been irresistibly drawn to exploring the wider world for hundreds of years but until relatively recently, voyages to the polar regions were the sole preserve of intrepid expeditioners. Today’s adventurous travellers, however, can trace the routes taken by early explorers with Silversea Antarctica and Arctic voyages to the wilder reaches – sailing in extreme comfort with seasoned expedition experts.
Silversea, which celebrates 30 years of pioneering luxury cruising this year, knows ultra-luxury expedition cruising inside out. Guests enjoy the highest levels of personalised, professional service – frequently described as “intuitive” – that starts with butler service in every suite and flows through every area of the ship, from fine dining experiences to the bartender knowing not just your name after one visit, but your drink of choice.
Discover rugged beauty on land and by sea. A team of highly qualified scientists, historians and cultural specialists is on hand to enhance your polar voyage, both onboard and ashore. Prepare to be inspired by these passionate experts – there’s nothing quite like taking a zodiac cruise in icy, aquamarine waters in the company of a marine biologist who will quietly point out the most incredible facts about the amazing natural and wildlife wonders you will encounter.
It’s all about deeply immersive experiences for curious travellers – a hallmark of Silversea’s ultra-luxury expedition cruises.
Silversea’s magnificent new expedition vessel, Silver Endeavour, was designed for discovery. Her PC6 ice-class rating and state-of-the-art technology and equipment allow deeper exploration of far-flung shores, while providing unrivalled crew-to-guest, zodiac-to-guest and expert-to-guest ratios.
No expense has been spared on Silver Endeavour’s interiors, either. The ship showcases elegantly appointed, all-balcony suites, beautifully designed Observation and Explorer lounges, and world-class dining in five venues. Other sophisticated, relaxing public spaces include The Science Room, a library and the gorgeous Otium Spa.
Now all you have to do is decide whether your once-in-a-lifetime adventure will take you South or North.
The ultra-luxurious Silversea Endeavour.
Expedition Voyages to the Arctic
Silver Endeavour spends the season of the midnight sun, from May until August, exploring destinations far from the madding crowds in Norway, Greenland, Canada and Iceland.
One expertly crafted itinerary is the 16-day voyage from Reykjavik to Churchill, Manitoba, setting sail on July 9, 2022. After leaving Iceland’s charismatic capital, Silver Endeavour calls at 16 ports in Greenland and Arctic Canada, offering one mesmerising spectacle after another.
Daily excursions in both vast, and vastly diverse countries, range from hiking, kayaking and zodiac cruises in glacial fjords – spotting wildlife and photographing epic landscapes – to browsing local markets and absorbing centuries of Inuit and Viking culture at museums and art galleries in remote, colourful towns.
Meeting people in tiny communities is as much a part of the Arctic experience as encountering wildlife – you might learn about traditional Indigenous artwork from a local Inuit artist one day, and kayak alongside beluga whales the next.
Visit colourful remote Arctic towns.
Another cruise of a lifetime departs from Longyearbyen in Norway on June 6, 2025 for a 13-day journey to Reykjavik. Silver Endeavour spends five full days sailing the icy Svalbard archipelago’s northern and southern regions, home to Arctic foxes, polar bears, seals, walruses, whales, reindeer and countless colonies of seabirds.
Visitors to Svalbard are often stunned by the silence. You are surrounded by snow-clad mountains and vast stretches of blue-tinged sea ice punctuated by icebergs. The creak of glaciers calving sounds like gunshots. Landscapes are wild and dramatic and, unsurprisingly, much of the archipelago is sparsely inhabited – even the biggest settlement at Longyearbyen, on Spitsbergen Island, only numbers about 2,000 people.
Heading south, Silver Endeavour calls at eight stunningly different ports in Iceland. It’s not called the Land of Fire and Ice for nothing – bubbling lava fields, gushing geysers, starkly beautiful volcanic peaks and valleys and spectacular fjords and waterfalls form a compelling backdrop to the country’s cosmopolitan cities, Akureyri and Reykjavik.
Traverse the land with Silversea’s experts.
Expedition Voyages to Antarctica
An Antarctic voyage takes you into an unearthly world of fantastical icescapes, constantly changing conditions and mind-blowing encounters with wildlife. Silver Endeavour sails a series of different itineraries in the ‘frozen continent’ between October (spring) and March (autumn), including 10- and 15-day round-trip voyages from Puerto Williams, Chile in December.
Both voyages traverse the infamous, Drake Passage en route for the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. The 15-day voyage includes three days at South Georgia Island, often nicknamed the Galapagos of the South because of its sheer abundance of wildlife.
Drake Passage can be wildly intimidating or surprisingly serene – but rest assured, Silversea’s highly experienced captains and crew have crossed it many times in all weathers. However, a new six-day Antarctica Bridge option from Punta Arenas flies guests directly to Antarctica. Enjoy all the highlights of an Antarctic cruise while getting to skip the Drake Passage.
Be guided through ice floes and wild landscapes by Silversea
experts.
Unlike the Arctic, Antarctica belongs to no country and is inhabited only by visiting teams of international scientists and support staff. It is an extraordinary wilderness, harsh and fragile at the same time – many measures are in place to protect the environment and wildlife, and you quickly get used to disinfecting boots and equipment between landings.
Although wildlife sightings are astonishing whatever time of the season you go to Antarctica, the weather in December is usually ‘warmer’ and daylight lasts for nearly 24 hours. Humpback whales are feeding on krill in the icy waters, fluffy penguin chicks parade with their parents on rocky beaches, seabirds are nesting or feeding young, and several varieties of seals and their pups can be seen ducking and diving around ice floes and bergs.
As in the Arctic, daily hiking, kayaking and zodiac excursions are flexible and weather-dependent. When you return from an exhilarating adventure ashore, take a dip in the heated pool, relax in your suite, or order a cocktail before the evening’s recap and briefing – this is expedition cruising, Silversea ultra-luxury style.
Spot amazing wildlife.
This would be a lifelong dream to be able to participate.