Want to travel to Antarctica without the waves? This expedition lets you skip the roughest waters on Earth

Imagine sailing past the tip of South America and landing on the edge of the world, a place so remote it's often called Earth's final frontier. Welcome to Antarctica.  

When travelling to Antarctica, it often means crossing the Drake Passage, where the weather can be unpredictable. However, with this program, you can skip it entirely.  

Set to launch in early 2026, Silversea's new Antarctica Fly Cruise program offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience: skip the Drake Passage and arrive by air, where a new luxury hotel awaits. The Cormorant at 55 South℠, located in Puerto Williams, Chile - the world's southernmost city – will serve as the starting point for this polar adventure.  

From dry, icy terrain to the stillness of the southern skies, this experience is designed for travellers who crave the extraordinary – and want to do it comfortably. 

So, pack your parka (or enjoy the complimentary Silversea parka), grab your loved ones, and prepare to sleep under the stars at the edge of the world.  

The journey to the South Pole

Located on the edge of the legendary Beagle Channel, The Cormorant at 55 South℠ offers sweeping views of the Dientes de Navarino mountains – Patagonia's southernmost snow-capped peaks. Each of the 150 rooms features either a water or forest view and includes subtle design nods to the region's Indigenous Yahgan heritage.  

The hotel is more than just a place to sleep. Travellers can explore uninhabited islands, hike glacier-topped mountains, and take in icescapes and wildlife. Think penguins, whales, sea lions and more – all just steps from a luxury stay unlike any other.   

Travellers who choose the optional fly-cruise program can begin their trip with a flight from Santiago to Puerto Williams. There, they'll check in for a night at the hotel and will fly directly to Antarctica, avoiding the multi-day sea crossing through the Drake Passage. 

It's a faster, smoother route to Antarctica, combining air, land, and sea for one seamless adventure. 

A shortcut through time 

The Drake Passage, stretching between Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula, is often called one of the roughest stretches of water on the planet. 

While it can sometimes be calm and referred to as “Drake Lake”, many travellers prefer to avoid the risk of rough seas, seasickness, or potential delays that can occur during the crossing.  

Historically, the Drake Passage was a major obstacle for early explorers trying to reach Antarctica. Ships could be delayed for days, damaged in storms, or even wrecked. Even now, many modern travellers still endure days of rough seas and heavy swells when crossing by cruise ship.   

That's why the option to fly over it is helpful, allowing you to bypass possibly turbulent waters and stay comfortably at a hotel.  

See Antarctica 

In a place once reserved for the boldest explorers, travellers now have the chance to experience Antarctica without the rough seas.   

Book an appointment to learn more about this expedition from a CAA Travel consultant and get your CAA Member benefits when booking with Silversea.