Expedition Cruise Diary

PROFILE
BROUGHT TO YOU BY SILVERSEA EXPEDITIONS
INTRODUCING
ANTARCTICA
INTRODUCING
THE GALAPAGOS
IT IS…
…a frozen continent surrounded by oceans with the South
Pole at its centre.
…the coldest, driest and windiest continent on earth.
…in the southern hemisphere, which means its seasons are the
opposite to those in the UK. Our winter is summer so that’s
when the cruise ships visit.
…rarely much above 2C, and that is in summer. In winter
temperatures drop below -49C (as a guide, home freezers
are about -15C).
…covered in the world’s biggest and thickest ice sheet – it
blankets 98% of the continent; the mean thickness is 2.16km.
…home to 17 species of birds including albatrosses, petrels,
skuas, shags and penguins.
…home to 235 species of marine mammals including
elephant, fur and leopard seals, baleen whales, toothed
whales and orcas.
IT IS…
…an archipelago of volcanic islands some 600 miles off the
coast of Ecuador in South America.
…made up of 19 main islands and more than 215 rocks and
islets.
…famous as the place where visitors can get close to wildlife
because the animals have no fear of humans.
…credited with having inspired Charles Darwin’s book The
Origin of Species when he visited in 1835.
…the only place in the northern hemisphere where penguins
live in their natural habitat.
…home to the only lizards in the world that swim (marine
iguanas) and the only cormorants that can’t fly.
…on the equator, which means there is an equal 12 hours of
daylight and 12 hours of night all year.
…always good to go. December to May is warmer (highs of
32˚C) and wetter. June to November is cooler (highs of
26˚C) and dry.
IN A NUTSHELL
MAIN ISLANDS:
Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, Santa
Cruz, San Cristobal, Espanola, Floreana
LOOK OUT FOR:
Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, land
iguanas, booby birds, pelicans, sea lions,
penguins, albatrosses, frigate birds,
flamingos
SILVERSEA IN ANTARCTICA
SILVER CLOUD
Guest capacity: 240
Crew capacity: 212
Last refurbishment: 2017
Total Expedition team members: Up to 28
Number of Zodiacs: 18
Kayak programme:
Yes
SILVER EXPLORER
Guest capacity: 144
Crew capacity: 118
Last refurbishment: 2017
Total Expedition team members: 12
Number of Zodiacs: 12
Kayak programme:
No
SILVERSEA IN THE GALAPAGOS
SILVER GALAPAGOS
Guest capacity: 100
Crew capacity: 75
Last refurbishment: 2017
Total Expedition team members: 8
Number of Zodiacs: 7
Kayak programme:
Yes
SILVER ORIGIN
Replaces Silver Galapagos: 2020
Guest capacity: 100
Crew capacity: 84
Expedition team members: TBC
Number of Zodiacs: 6
Kayak programme:
Yes
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