Hi, I’m Jo, a Senior Product Executive for SixStarCruises. I have travelled to all seven continents, and I absolutely love travel! I get so excited talking about all the incredible destinations I have explored in the world. My favourite country in the world is New Zealand; I spent four weeks travelling around both the north and south islands and fell in love with its tranquility and beauty. From the coastlines right through to the mountains and lakes, the scenery is simply stunning; it’s so quiet and unspoiled and there is so much to see and do, whether you’re wanting to explore the beautiful wildlife and nature or participate in exhilarating sports. My favourite experiences were taking a helicopter ride up to Franz Josef glacier, dolphin watching, discovering glow worms in the caves in Waitomo and sailing on Milford Sound. Seeing the mesmerising colours of the geothermal pools near Rotatua is also a must! I’ve road tripped through the United States which was amazing, but I’d really recommend Canada if you’re considering North America. Toronto is amazing, and Vancouver is one of my favourite cities! I also travelled on the Rocky Mountaineer rail, which you need to add to your bucket list if you haven’t experienced it! Banff is also another must-see destination; it was absolutely breathtaking.
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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 meal times, 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 breath-taking 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 2 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!
Whilst you are waiting for the the polar plunge in the mud room, take advantage of a small tipple on offer whilst waiting to warm your inside up a little! The atmosphere in the mud room is great - the staff are there to encourage you, music is playing and there is a nervous excited feeling among those waiting. When it is your turn, staff will take your robe and keep it safe for when you are out of the water. It is a little scary walking down the last steps in your swim things, getting the belt tied on and stepping on to the zodiac! Make sure that you get a good video of you doing it and if you want something specific let them know. My video isn’t the best, so I wish I had been a little more bold and said what I would have liked! Make sure you ask for some of the scenery to be captured and which way round you want the camera etc. When it comes to jumping, just go for it – jump in, don’t just step if you can. The photos will be much better! When you get out, the staff are waiting with your robe and a towel ready to get warm, and you can again have a little tipple of your choice to warm back up! Some people headed straight for the sauna on board to warm up, which was very popular. I opted to dash back to the Suite for a lovely warm shower and dry dressing gown. The shower and warmth felt lovely! My top tip would be to ask your butler to have a bottle of champagne on ice for when you get back to the suite, which you can crack open and toast to you successfully doing the polar plunge!
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