Silversea

" Something that makes a Silversea Expedition so special is the destinations that they allow you to explore. Visiting the Polar Regions is something that not everyone can say they've experienced, so when I was offered the opportunity to sail around Antarctica on-board Silver Endeavour, I felt extremely lucky! An Expedition Cruise is something I've always dreamed of experiencing and it's safe to say it went beyond all of my expectations! Silversea boasts the largest group of Expedition Ships in the industry and each vessel with its' individual amenities and a history of exploration that dates back to 1995, is a testament to Silversea's success at providing passengers with unforgettable expedition experiences. Despite its smaller size, like the rest of the ships in Silversea's fleet, you'll never be short of ways to entertain yourself on-board Silver Endeavour. When it comes to mealtimes, take your pick of four delightful dining options including Silversea's signature, The Restaurant, as well as The Grill and Il Terrazzino serving up authentic Italian dishes. If you'd prefer a light bite, the Arts Café is the perfect place to grab something to eat and enjoy a quiet catch up with your fellow passengers. We spent our time on-board staying in Silver Suite, which is a firm favourite amongst Silversea guests, featuring a private veranda boasting stunning ocean views, spacious living and dining areas and a personal butler service that made our voyage feel extra special. No matter which suite you choose to stay in, you can be sure to find everything you need to experience ultimate comfort at sea! Embarking from St George Island, we were so excited for our first landing in Orne Harbour. It was there that we took our first steps onto the Antarctic Peninsula, taking a hike to see colonies of chinstrap penguins and phenomenal views. That same afternoon we headed out on our first zodiac cruise at Whilhelmina Bay, during which we saw dramatic icebergs and humpback whales, which was an unbelievable start to our voyage.

It's hard to put into words how truly breathtaking Antarctica as a destination is. Kayaking through the pristine waters of Paradise Harbour, paddling through icebergs and seeing penguins up close was truly incredible. In true Silversea style we were welcomed back aboard the zodiac with champagne, hot chocolate and cookies! They truly go above and beyond to make every stage of your voyage incredible. From taking a stroll along snow covered plains and stopping in awe of the elephant seals posing with their huge, beautiful eyes to leaping into 1C water for the polar plunge, it was an exceptional trip beyond anything I could have ever wished for. Stepping aboard alongside Specialist Cruise Concierge, Katie, I was immediately in awe of not only Silver Endeavour's beauty but also Silversea's staff who gave us the warmest welcome! The ship is simply stunning with clean fresh décor and beautiful spaces, all built with a purpose. The staff were amazing and what stood out most was that they were as excited as us to be there as we departed, spotting whales and taking in the breath-taking scenery. Another highlight of our Antarctic trip was the day we headed out on a kayak excursion. Taking a short zodiac out, we slid into the two-man kayaks and then we were off to explore the tranquil waters of Paradise Bay and Skintorp Cove. It was phenomenal, the water was so still and calm and we kayaked in our group of 12, led by two guides Tommy and Tyler for around 4km, before stopping still for a moment to take in the calm and quiet, which was simply amazing. The next morning's activity was at Peterman island, so we took a short zodiac to shore where the knowledgeable on-board expedition team had designed three trails, one out to see colonies of Gentoo penguins, another up to an amazing view point and finally to see some more colonies of Adelie penguins, which was a real bucket list ticker for us! "