South Georgia and Antarctica via Elephant Island
Antarctic Expedition: Wilderness and Wonders of the South
In the warm water on deck while the glaciers drift past outside.
Interested in this voyage?
Personal advice, no call centre - a reply within 24 hours.
Antarctica & Cape Horn from/to Puerto Williams
This fifteen-night expedition aboard Silver Cloud links the wildlife-rich island of South Georgia with the ice worlds of the Antarctic Peninsula. From Puerto Williams in the Chilean Beagle Channel, the route first crosses open seas to South Georgia, where king penguin colonies and the whalers' cemeteries of Shackleton lore await. Across the Drake Passage, the voyage reaches Elephant Island, legendary setting of the Endurance rescue. The Antarctic Sound opens a world of tabular icebergs, before the South Shetland Islands with penguin colonies and seal beaches shape the final leg. An expedition team, Zodiac landings and Silversea's all-inclusive offering create an intense polar experience.
Route highlights
- King penguins and whaling heritage on South Georgia
- Crossing the legendary Drake Passage
- Elephant Island as the setting of the Endurance story
- Tabular icebergs in the Antarctic Sound
- South Shetland Islands with penguin colonies
- Zodiac landings with an expedition team
The Route
Puerto Williams
15 nights
Puerto Williams
The exact route is set by the expedition team on site, depending on ice and weather:
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TUE · 24 Nov 2026Puerto Williams · Embarkation
Puerto Williams on Navarino Island is considered the southernmost town in the world and sits on the Beagle Channel with views of the Cordillera Darwin. The small Chilean town is a starting point for tours to Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn.
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WED · 25 Nov 2026At sea
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THU · 26 Nov 2026At sea
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FRI · 27 Nov 2026At sea
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SAT · 28 Nov 2026South Georgia
South Georgia is regarded as the most spectacular wildlife destination in the world. More than 100,000 king penguins nest in a single meadow at Salisbury Plain; fur seals and elephant seals occupy the beaches; wandering albatrosses breed on the slopes. Ernest Shackleton's grave at Grytviken is a must-see pilgrimage.
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SUN · 29 Nov 2026South Georgia
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MON · 30 Nov 2026South Georgia
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TUE · 01 Dec 2026At sea
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WED · 02 Dec 2026At sea
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THU · 03 Dec 2026Elephant Island
Elephant Island is the destination of Shackleton's legendary 1916 voyage: after the Endurance was crushed and sank in the ice, his crew reached this bleak rocky island in open lifeboats. Point Wild, where the men waited for 105 days, is one of the most moving sites in expedition history.
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FRI · 04 Dec 2026Antarctic Peninsula
The Antarctic Peninsula is the heart of every Antarctic voyage: glaciers calve directly into the sea, humpback whales swim between drifting ice floes, penguin colonies of tens of thousands populate the rocky shores. Zodiac excursions take you right up to ice walls and sleeping seals.
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SAT · 05 Dec 2026Antarctic Peninsula
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SUN · 06 Dec 2026South Shetland Islands
The South Shetland Islands are an Antarctic archipelago with active volcanism, vast penguin colonies and international research stations. Deception Island with its volcanic crater harbour is one of the most impressive landings in Antarctica.
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MON · 07 Dec 2026At sea
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TUE · 08 Dec 2026Puerto Williams
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WED · 09 Dec 2026Puerto Williams · Disembarkation
Silver Cloud Expedition
Silver Cloud Expedition was converted in 2017 from luxury liner to expedition ship: ice-reinforced hull, Zodiac fleet, 296 guests. What remained: Silversea service, the all-inclusive philosophy and a standard of comfort unmatched in the expedition class.
In Antarctica, Silver Cloud Expedition combines Silversea luxury with genuine expedition spirit - Zodiac excursions among icebergs, then champagne in the heated pool.
The Ship
Cabins
Owner's Suite
The most prestigious suite on board, available with a second bedroom. A separate living and dining area, a generous marble bathroom and a private veranda overlooking the sea. Butler service included.
Grand Suite
The most spacious suite on Silver Cloud, available with two bedrooms. An elegant living and dining area, two bathrooms and a large veranda in the forward position. Ideal for the highest demands on space. Butler service included.
Royal Suite
A stately suite with a separate living and dining area, available with a second bedroom. A marble bathroom and a private veranda with sweeping forward views. Butler service included.
Medallion Suite
A generous midship suite with a sitting area, a marble bathroom and a veranda with floor-to-ceiling glass doors. Butler service included.
Silver Suite
A stylish suite with a separate living area, a marble bathroom with bathtub and separate shower, and a particularly large veranda. Butler service included.
Vista Suite
An elegant suite with a large picture window instead of a veranda, a cosy living area and a marble bathroom. Butler service included.
Deluxe Veranda Suite
A comfortable veranda suite in a particularly central location, with a seating area, a marble bathroom and a private veranda. Butler service included.
Veranda Suite
The classic Silversea suite: a welcoming living area, a marble bathroom and a private veranda with panoramic ocean views. Butler service included.
Standard inclusions of the ship voyage
On board
- Suite with butler service
- Complimentary WiFi throughout the ship
- Gourmet cuisine 24 hours a day
- Free-seating dining with À-la-carte menus
- 24-hour room service (complimentary)
- Premium beverages: champagne, fine wines, spirits, beers, water and soft drinks
- Personalised minibar, replenished daily
- Gratuities for all staff included
- All entertainment (shows, lectures, performances)
- Wellness facilities (fitness centre, sauna, steam bath in Otium Spa)
Not included
- Specialty restaurant La Dame (may have nominal charge)
- Flights and transfers (unless on All-Inclusive Plus fare)
- Additional paid activities and premium extras
Further options
Additionally included depending on voyage type (Classic / Expedition) and fare (Door-to-Door / All-Inclusive Plus):
- Shore excursions: at least one per port on Classic fares; all Zodiac cruises and guided landings on Expedition voyages
- Expedition extras: expert lectures, a parka to keep and rubber boots on loan
- Economy-class flights from and to your home airport (Door-to-Door and many All-Inclusive fares)
- Airport transfers between airport and ship (Door-to-Door and All-Inclusive Plus fares)
- Hotel night before and after the voyage (Door-to-Door and selected expeditions)
- Private chauffeur service from your door to the airport (Door-to-Door, within about 80 km)
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this voyage?
Send us a non-binding enquiry via the form on this page. Our team replies personally within 24 hours with availability, cabin options and a tailored offer. No enquiry fee, no upfront payment.
What is included in the price?
The base price per person (twin cabin) includes the cabin in your chosen category, full board, all port fees and the onboard programme. Flights and transfers are quoted separately. 15 nights from EUR 15.610 p.p. With Silversea, selected wines and beverages at meals are included.
How many guests sail on the Silver Cloud Expedition?
A maximum of 254 guests - extraordinarily intimate compared to standard cruise ships. The high crew-to-guest ratio ensures personal attention throughout the voyage.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes - all itineraries are subject to weather, port availability and the captain's decisions. This is part of the charm of small-ship cruising: flexibility allows for unexpected discoveries.
Are there specials for early bookers or solo travellers?
Yes. Early bookers receive discounts for timely booking. Solo travellers often benefit from a reduced or waived single supplement. Simply mention your preferences in the enquiry.
Is my booking protected?
Yes. As a German tour operator, ivent-sailing provides a travel protection certificate (Reisesicherungsschein) under German law. Your payment is fully insured.
What about flights and transfers?
We arrange flights and transfers on request as part of your personal offer. This allows us to find the best connections for your specific departure date and home airport.
Are there shore excursions?
Yes. All cruise lines offer shore excursions - from guided cultural tours to nature experiences. The concepts vary by fleet. We are happy to provide details on available excursions for your chosen voyage.
What water sports and activities are available?
Depending on the ship and route: snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddling, diving, and Zodiac landings (on expedition voyages). Many ships have a marina platform for direct access to the water. We will be happy to tell you exactly what is available on your voyage.
Travelling to Earth's last untouched continent
Antarctica is the last continent on Earth without permanent human settlement - a unique ecosystem of ice, ocean and wildlife protected by international agreement.
The Antarctic Treaty (in force since 1961) dedicates the continent to peace and science and prohibits any military or commercial exploitation. The IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) translates these principles into practical visitor rules: defined landing sites, maximum group sizes, strict biosecurity, minimum wildlife distances, no souvenirs.
All shipping partners with whom we work in Antarctica are IAATO members and have committed to these rules. Their crews are trained accordingly, expedition teams document each landing, vessels meet ice class and emission requirements.
At the same time, every guest contributes: please follow the briefings, keep your distance from wildlife, leave nothing behind and take nothing - not even a small stone. Only then can we, as visitors, preserve what makes this region unique.
Non-binding enquiry
Your enquiry reaches a person familiar with this voyage and ship.