Gaynor Galbraith Neill

Sailing Antarctica with Silver Endeavour

20 Mar 2023 - by Gaynor Galbraith Neill

It’s Sunday afternoon, late November 2022 and I find myself standing at an icy air force base on King George Island in the South Shetlands, Antarctica. It’s springtime, so the snow is still lying thick, base vehicles are driving up and down the gravel paths, there is a snow plough and a bright green fire engine parked nearby.

While Silversea expedition crew are expertly taking care of operations, I am in conversation with British Explorer, Scientist and Silver Endeavour Godmother, Felicity Aston MBE, enthralled as she explains some of the day-to-day activities at the South Pole station where she was previously based during her research.

This is the end of what has been the most epic adventure, which for me, in every way, checks every box under ‘Expeditions’.

We watch our incoming ‘Penguin’ (so-called on account of its paintjob), Antarctic Airways’ BAe 146-200 appear on the horizon, flying over the Silver Endeavour in the bay nearby and landing on the short gravel runway, ready to fly us from the ends of the earth back to the world.

I feel like I am on the set of a James Bond movie on a travel experience like no other as our executive jet takes off with the backdrop of a magnificent sunset highlighting the ice floes below. Antarctica, I will be back!

For the prior five days we had explored the Antarctic Peninsula from our exquisite base on board the Silver Endeavour, the world’s most luxurious expedition ship.

We had landings at Robert Point, Neko Harbour, Cuverville Island and Peterman Island and we sailed Deception Island, with sightings of Fur seals, Elephant seals, Gentoo, Adélie and Chinstrap penguins, Snow Petrels and Skuas. Well protected in our thermal layers, parkas and polar boots, we boarded Zodiacs, accompanied by experienced expedition crew and negotiated the snow and ice to stand in awe and enjoy the antics of the polar wildlife.

Then, back on board, enjoying the company of colleagues and friends old and new, being treated to gourmet dining and fine wines, we sailed through nature’s art gallery of sparkling icebergs of all shapes and sizes, as a light snow fell. We were speechless – and then, a sudden flurry when an announcement is made: “Humpback whales spotted at the bow, port-side.” It is magical.

Naming ceremony

Just when it couldn’t get better, nature played along, making conditions perfect for the ship to traverse the stunning Lemaire Channel, normally very icy at that time of year, but no trouble for this sleek PC6 Ice-Class vessel.

All guests boarded the Zodiacs to sail the magnificent, icy channel, followed by the Endeavour, and then, against the backdrop of blue sky and snowy mountains, we paused, were handed a glass of champagne by the expedition team and with our earpieces in place, we witnessed the official naming of the ship with a magnum of Champagne sculpted out of ice.

About Silver Endeavour

Built to PC6 polar class specifications, Silver Endeavour is designed for polar exploration, along with Silversea Cruises’ hallmarks of luxury suite accommodation, such as butler service and a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1. Endeavour carries state-of-the-art amenities, industry-leading Zodiac-to-guest ratio, kayaks and cutting-edge navigation and exploration technology.

Antarctic sailings

Silver Endeavour’s extended inaugural season includes five- to nine-day voyages of the Antarctic Peninsula with the Antarctic Bridge programme (flying straight to King George Island to join the ship). Some guests might prefer crossing the Drake Passage from the new home port of Puerta Williams, including a 20-day in-depth exploration of Antarctica’s deep south. All fully-inclusive.

Community responsibility

With a company goal of positively impacting local communities that it visits, Silversea announced several initiatives to support the social needs of the residents of Puerto Williams. This is the southernmost city in the world and an important gateway to Antarctica and it has become Silversea Cruises’ new homeport for the region. Silversea has sponsored a new physical education activity room and donated mobility equipment to a school caring for disabled children. It also donated four Zodiacs to the Cedena Nautical School in Puerto Williams, a non-profit organisation training young people in nautical sports.