Silversea is launching the 2026–2027 Antarctica season with a novelty that changes expedition logistics: in Puerto Williams, the southernmost city in Chile, The Cormorant at 55 South is opening — according to the company, the southernmost hotel on Earth. Instead of the traditional start from Punta Arenas, fly-cruise passengers now spend a night in this hotel before a charter flight to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Through March 2027, three expedition ships — Silver Endeavour, Silver Wind and Silver Cloud — will operate 40 voyages lasting from six to 21 nights. Of these, 29 are fly-cruise, where each itinerary includes a night in the new hotel and a flight from Santiago. Silversea emphasizes that this is the only direct charter between Chile's capital and Puerto Williams, which shortens travel time and reduces the fatigue of the Drake Passage.
The hotel is positioned not merely as a place to spend the night, but as a full-fledged part of the expedition. Guests will be able to kayak along the Beagle Channel, walk the trails of Navarino Island, or go horseback riding with local Patagonian guides. The Latitude 55 restaurant serves family dishes of Patagonian cuisine, while Bar Sur offers Chilean wines and cocktails made from local ingredients. Silversea's expedition specialists will be on duty on rotation.
The official opening is planned for 5 November 2026, but the first guests will gain access earlier. The company states that the hotel will become the "southern gateway" to Antarctica, allowing guests to adapt better and gain more impressions even before setting out to sea. At the same time, all 29 fly-cruise itineraries include Zodiac outings, landings and, optionally, visits to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.
Amid growing interest in the polar regions, Silversea is betting on a combination of luxury and logistical convenience. Yet behind this lies a broader question: how to preserve the feeling of a genuine adventure when access to Antarctica is becoming ever more comfortable and predictable. The new hotel in Puerto Williams is not just a convenience, but the company's attempt to control the entire guest journey from Santiago to the icy continent.
For those planning a trip, the 2026–2027 season offers more options than before, but also demands careful choice: a fly-cruise with the hotel or a classic sea crossing through the Drake Passage. In any case, Silversea emphasizes that Antarctica remains at the center of its expedition program.
