In a Nutshell: Pressed for time? Not a fan of the “Drake Shake” experience?

What You’ll See: The great majority of voyages to Antarctica require ships to navigate through the Drake Passage from Argentina’s Ushuaia to the last continent. For some travelers, that requires a traverse through oft-rough seas. Even if the Drake Passage is mirror-calm, the route also adds four days onto any Antarctica cruise and if time for getaways is limited, there’s a solution.

Antarctica Bridge is a totally new itinerary, with voyages to February 2023 that eliminates the Drake Passage experience. This fast track to Antarctica begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, with a flight to King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, bypassing the sea crossing in business class comfort in just an hour and a half. By saving those four days at sea, they can spend them exploring Antarctica instead.

The arrival on an Antarctic Airways specially adapted plane can be spectacular as the frozen continent comes into view. After landing on a gravel runway, you deplane fully dressed in parka and rubber boots and ready for your Antarctic adventure. And just think: You’ll be part of only a few thousand people in the world who fly to Antarctica each year. Talk about bragging rights!

Choose This Cruise: The 144-guest Silver Explorer offers 6 day itineraries that fly directly from South America to the Antarctica Peninsula. In addition to its late 2021 cruises, Antarctica Bridge itineraries will be offered in December 2022 and January 2023.

Article by: Veronica Stoddart | Silverseas Cruises