Now picture a hotel so southern, that the next stop is Antarctica. The idea behind The Cormorant at 55 South in Puerto Williams, Chile is that of the world's most southerly hotel. There is one caveat, however. Just simply booking a room is not enough. The hotel can only be booked by guests aboard selected cruises of Silversea.

What the hotel offers, how Silversea fits into their plans for Antarctica and why it is so interesting to the cruise world.

This is the Route of a New Hotel at the Bottom of the World

It's also the official announcement of the opening of The Cormorant, part of luxury cruise lines subsidiary Silversea and a part of Royal Caribbean Group. Guests can enjoy a long journey south after resting in the 150 rooms at the hotel, which features several dining and beverage options.

• The primary restaurant is called latitude 55, and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner for the family.
• Bar Sur offers beverages, snacks and afternoon tea.
• Keep the Fireplace Lounge open in the evenings.

Latitude 55's family-style restaurant fits a hotel this size, where guests are first meeting others on their travels before embarking on a great adventure. The bar is a laid back place for a drink or afternoon tea, and the Fireplace Lounge would seem an excellent place to relax in the evening.

The hotel also has a 24-hour gym, which is convenient for those who arrive late from their flights. In addition to the property, guests can enjoy a variety of activities such as sea kayaking, horseback riding, and bird watching. Even a single night here is enough to get a taste of the landscape before the cruise departs for this far southern location.

You can't Book Directly at This Hotel

Although it's all the talk, this hotel cannot be booked alone. There is only one way to get a stay: it is only available as part of a cruise package, for guests of Silversea who book a trip on an Antarctica Fly Cruise package. If you were looking to take it on a solo trip, it's not happening anytime soon.

Those who enjoy the quirky hotel collection experience will be disappointed at that restriction. Nonetheless, it seems logical from the cruise line's perspective. The hotel is designed to accommodate the very purpose it was built for: which is a faster path to Antarctica and not general tourism.

How the Antarctica Fly Cruise Works

Over the years, cruising to Antarctica has become increasingly popular and there are all different types of cruises. Most cruises depart from the southernmost tip of South America so that you will be cruising for two days each way over the Drake Passage. The seas are so rough that this stretch is sometimes referred to as the Drake Shake.

Others are pressed for time, and that's where Silversea's Antarctica Fly Cruise program steps in:

• Fly a chartered flight from Santiago to Puerto Williams
• Visit The Cormorant at 55 South for a night
• Fly to Antarctica
• Go on board your cruise ship there

This reduces travel time and the possibility of the Drake Passage being unpleasant. Some itineraries are as short as 6 days. The absence of a sea-leg is a great benefit to travelers who have a limited vacation time, or to anyone who is prone to getting sea sick. It makes a long and rough start more convenient and a smooth transition from the comfort of a hotel to the ship.

The 2026-2027 Season

The season has just kicked off for Silversea. The cruise line currently has three ships in Antarctica: Silver Endeavour, Silver Wind and Silver Cloud. Between them they will be flying a total of 40 voyages, of which 29 are Antarctica Fly Cruise voyages.

The cruises last anywhere from 6 to 21 nights and a few also head south to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. That provides travelers with a lot of options whether they are looking for a quick getaway or a long expedition. The overwhelming majority of voyages (29 of 40) are in the fly cruise format, so this program isn't just a side offering but is the focal point of Silversea's Antarctica plans.

The Investment in Antarctica, However, is a Big One

The construction of such a hotel is a very costly endeavor but it demonstrates Silversea's dedication to this market. It's a difficult place to build or operate such a vessel, so the choice indicates the cruise line sees high demand for Antarctic travel in the years to come.

While this is not one of the most obvious lines to consider for expedition cruising, it sure sounds like an excellent start to a voyage to Antarctica! If you're looking to make a challenging destination more mobile-friendly, you can mix a comfortable hotel stay, a charter flight and a ship waiting on the other side.

The Unique Geographic Experience was Truly a Wonderful One

If you're someone who enjoys extremes, this hotel is an attraction. The original writer has already been able to sleep in the northernmost hotel, the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and would like to experience the Hotel in the south as well! It would be an excellent travelogue to go to both ends of the world.

Geographically, the writer is fascinated with the hotel, but a cruise to Antarctica with Silversea is not in the cards for him any time soon. That is a feeling that many readers will be familiar with. It's a great concept to sleep at the edge of the map, although at this time it might be a dream due to the cost and planning.

The Bottom Line

The Cormorant at 55 South has just opened in Puerto Williams, Chile, and it is the world's most southerly hotel. You can’t independently book the 150-room property, since it is meant only for Silversea guests who book an Antarctica Fly Cruise voyage.

Guests spend one night here, and then board their ship on a chartered flight to Antarctica. Silversea's ship count, number of voyages and number of fly cruise departures are clearly predicting that they believe it has a lot to offer with their three ships this season, with 40 voyages and 29 fly cruise departures. If you're someone who has ever wanted to go to Antarctica, it is an interesting new way to go.