Silversea has officially opened its first hotel, creating a new starting point for passengers travelling to Antarctica on the luxury cruise line’s expedition voyages.
The Cormorant at 55 South is a 150-room property in Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost city in the world. It will serve as the main accommodation hub for guests joining Silversea’s Antarctica Fly Cruise programme.
The hotel was formally inaugurated on 5th November 2026, with senior Silversea executives, Chilean government representatives, regional officials and members of the local community attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The opening also represents a new venture for parent company Royal Caribbean Group, extending Silversea’s involvement in the guest experience beyond its cruise ships.
A New Starting Point For Antarctic Expeditions
The Cormorant at 55 South has been developed to make the journey to Antarctica more convenient for Silversea passengers.
Under the new arrangements, guests travelling on the cruise line’s Antarctica Fly Cruise programme will arrive in Puerto Williams aboard Silversea-branded charter flights before spending time at the hotel.
This brings the pre-cruise accommodation experience under the cruise line’s own operation, allowing Silversea to offer a more consistent level of service before passengers begin their expedition.
Bert Hernandez, president of Silversea, said:
“Today marks a defining moment for Silversea. We opened The Cormorant at 55 South to make the journey to Antarctica easier and more comfortable for our guests,”
“Now the expedition begins here, in a hotel designed around Puerto Williams, with the same service our guests expect while on board our ships. Silversea has always been about going further, and this is another example of how we are continuing to invest in the guest experience.”
The opening comes as Silversea prepares for an extensive Antarctic cruise season.
Three expedition vessels, Silver Endeavour, Silver Wind and Silver Cloud, are scheduled to operate 40 voyages through March 2027.
Of these, 29 will form part of the Antarctica Fly Cruise programme.
Itineraries will range from six to 21 nights, visiting destinations across the Antarctic Peninsula and, on selected voyages, extending to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.
The Fly Cruise programme allows passengers to reach Antarctica by air rather than making the full sea crossing from South America, avoiding the often challenging Drake Passage crossing in one direction or both.
Hotel Brings Patagonian Culture Into The Guest Experience
Although designed primarily to support Antarctic expeditions, The Cormorant at 55 South also aims to introduce visitors to the culture and natural surroundings of southern Chile.
The hotel’s restaurant, Latitude 55, focuses on ingredients and cooking traditions associated with Chilean Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
Its menus draw inspiration from local culinary practices, including asado, the traditional South American method of cooking meat over an open fire.
Elsewhere, Bar Sur offers a changing experience throughout the day, serving teas and light refreshments before switching to Chilean wines and spirits in the evening.
Guests can also take part in guided Pisco experiences and wine tastings led by the hotel’s sommelier, with selections representing different regions of Chile.
A communal fireplace area provides another space for guests to gather, with large windows looking out towards the surrounding Patagonian landscape.
Local artwork has also been incorporated throughout the property.
Three major installations by Chilean artists feature prominently in the interior design.
These include Navarino, a suspended steel sculpture by Paola Vezzani in the main lobby, and Dientes de Navarino, a mural by Cata Flaño in the bar.
A third installation, La Memoria de las Piedras by Javier Canales, consists of 70 individually handcrafted ceramic stones.
The hotel also provides access to outdoor activities around Puerto Williams.
Guests can explore the Beagle Channel by kayak, walk the coastal trails of Seno Lauta or take guided horseback excursions through the surrounding landscape.
Wildlife encounters may include cormorants, dolphin gulls and upland geese, species commonly associated with the region.
The opening gives Silversea its own dedicated accommodation base in one of the world’s most remote cruise departure regions.
For passengers joining Antarctic expeditions, the experience will now begin in Puerto Williams before they step aboard their ship.
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