Silversea to Open 150-Room Puerto Williams Hotel for Fly-Cruises

Silversea has wrapped up its 2025-26 Antarctica program after operating 38 voyages on three expedition ships between October 5, 2025, and March 5, 2026. The luxury expedition line is now looking ahead to a larger 2026-27 season that will add guest stays at its new 150-room hotel, The Cormorant at 55 South, in Puerto Williams, Chile.

How Silversea’s 2025-26 Antarctica season was structured

The season sailed aboard Silver Endeavour, Silver Cloud, and Silver Wind, with two primary ways to reach Antarctica: classic expeditions that cross the Drake Passage and Antarctica Fly-Cruise itineraries that use flights to reduce time at sea.

Across the October-to-March operating window, Silversea ran 20 voyages that included Drake Passage crossings and 18 Antarctica Fly-Cruise sailings. Silversea President Bert Hernandez said the company’s program is built around offering multiple formats for visiting the region: “What makes Silversea’s approach truly unique is the variety of ways we invite guests to experience the polar region,” including fly-cruises, classic Drake crossings, and longer itineraries that can include South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

Guest activities and wildlife encounters highlighted during the season

Silversea said landings, wildlife viewing, and onboard enrichment remained central to the Antarctica experience, with expedition programming balancing time ashore with briefings and activities designed for polar conditions. The company also highlighted its polar plunge, noting that one voyage set a season record with nearly 140 guests entering Antarctic waters during the activity.

In addition to shore exploration, the line pointed to wildlife sightings that can include penguin colonies, seals, whales, and seabirds, along with onboard educational programming intended to deepen guests’ understanding of the region.

A larger 2026-27 season, anchored by a new hotel in Puerto Williams

Silversea’s 2026-27 Antarctica season is scheduled to expand to 41 voyages. A key change is the debut of The Cormorant at 55 South, described by the company as its first luxury hotel and positioned as a purpose-built base for Fly-Cruise operations in Puerto Williams, which Silversea identifies as the southernmost city on Earth.

The 150-room property is expected to open in October 2026 and operate seasonally through March, matching the Antarctica travel window. Silversea said the hotel’s inaugural season will support 29 Antarctica Fly Cruise voyages operating from October 20, 2026, through March 10, 2027.

The Cormorant at 55 South: design, views, and public spaces

Silversea said each of the hotel’s 150 guest rooms will offer either forest views or water views of the Beagle Channel, with interiors featuring warm wood tones and handcrafted items made by Chilean artisans. Hernandez described the opening as “an exciting new chapter for Silversea,” adding, “This unique property will offer our guests the same hallmark comfort and personalized service they expect while on board our ships and will immerse them in the rich culture, traditions and natural beauty of the region.”

• The Fireplace Lounge is designed as a relaxation space with seating, as well as a menu that includes wines and cocktails.
• Latitude 55 is set as the hotel’s restaurant, with Silversea describing a focus on Patagonian flavors alongside chef-driven dishes tied to the property’s southern latitude concept.
• Bar Sur is positioned as a central gathering spot, serving teas and light bites during the day and shifting to wines and spirits in the evening.

How the Antarctica Fly-Cruise routing is planned to work

Under the program outline shared by Silversea, Fly-Cruise guests will begin with a hotel stay in Santiago before taking a charter flight to Puerto Williams. Guests will then spend one night at The Cormorant at 55 South and continue to King George Island to embark on their expedition cruise.

With the 2025-26 season complete, Silversea’s next milestone is the planned October 2026 opening of The Cormorant at 55 South, followed by the first Fly-Cruise departures incorporating the Puerto Williams hotel stays beginning October 20, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which ships operated Silversea’s 2025-26 Antarctica season?

Silversea sailed its 2025-26 Antarctica program on Silver Endeavour, Silver Cloud, and Silver Wind.

How many Antarctica voyages did Silversea operate in 2025-26, and what were the main itinerary types?

Silversea operated 38 voyages from October 5, 2025, through March 5, 2026. The season included 20 voyages with Drake Passage crossings and 18 Antarctica Fly-Cruise sailings that used flights to reduce time at sea.

When is The Cormorant at 55 South expected to open?

Silversea expects the 150-room hotel, The Cormorant at 55 South, to open in October 2026 in Puerto Williams, Chile, and operate seasonally through March.

How many 2026-27 Fly-Cruise voyages will the new hotel support, and when are they scheduled?

Silversea said the hotel’s inaugural season will support 29 Antarctica Fly Cruise voyages, scheduled to operate from October 20, 2026, through March 10, 2027.