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After being bought by Silversea, the former Crystal Cruises' expedition vessel Crystal Endeavour was relaunched in November 2022 as Silver Endeavour. The vessel is named after British explorer Captain James Cook's research ship, HMS Endeavour, and Silversea has returned to the original spelling.
Silver Endeavour deck plans are well thought out, with a lot packed into a small space, including an extraordinary aft restaurant, The Grill. Almost all dining on Silver Endeavour is included in the price (bar one, La Dame), as is alcohol, gratuities, excursions, and Wi-Fi. The ship's public spaces include a gorgeous Observation Lounge, library and map/chart room, the multi-use Arts Cafe, and the Explorer Lounge for lectures.
Silver Endeavour maintains Silversea's high levels of luxury with a crew-to-guest ratio of approximately 1:1 and butler service for every suite. When the ship was ordered by Crystal Cruises and constructed at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Germany, it was billed as the first purpose-built polar-class mega-yacht. Designed to explore both polar regions and travel to remote and hard-to-access destinations, Silver Endeavour offers the highest Zodiac-to-guest ratio in expedition cruising, according to Silversea. The vessel is equipped with some of the latest exploration technology, including a remote Shotover gimbal camera system and a robotic Remote Operated Vehicle. The camera can capture high-quality images of wildlife from a distance of 3 miles, and these are streamed directly to TVs on the ship, including the large screens in the Expedition Lounge. Similarly, the remote vehicle can explore depths of nearly 2,000 feet to take underwater images.
Silver Endeavour's expedition team is outstanding. They include an ornithologist, a biologist, a photographer, a naturalist, a historian, and a geographer, amongst others, who are all experts in their fields. They are also all enthusiastic, helpful, and extremely knowledgeable. They hail from all over the world, and it’s fascinating hearing their stories. You might get a little bored with the endless safety briefings, but once we were on our first Zodiac, we realised how important they are. Antarctica is an unforgiving and sometimes hostile terrain, and we advise you to listen and take notes at every safety briefing. Once you have made land, the expeditions are very light -- at most you will have to head up a hill in deep snow or walk along a flat beach, all along prescribed, marked paths. You are told not to stray from these so you don't disturb the wildlife. The only on-land dangers might be slipping on wet rocks or penguin guano. If the weather turns, be prepared to cut your trip short. The expedition team will be placed at strategic spots on the routes to point out birds, wildlife, or any other facts and stories they come up with (like the research scientist who was drowned by a leopard seal).
Silver Endeavour also offers the Polar Plunge, should you wish to take part in this activity, diving into the icy Antarctic waters. (We did not.)
Silversea opted not to carry a helicopter or a sub on Silver Endeavour, so guests are limited to the more traditional modes of transportation in Antarctica: Zodiacs and kayaks. There are 18 Zodiacs -- enough to ensure everyone can do an excursion simultaneously. However, you are put into four colour-coded groups to avoid crowding in the Mud Room and in the Marina area, and you have to listen for announcements for when your group is called. Wrap up warm as you will be exposed to the elements, and keep both hands free. Wear sunglasses -- the sun is blinding off the ice -- and smother yourself in sunscreen. Take your waterproof parka and waterproof trousers, whatever the weather, and wear layers -- it can get warm midseason, especially if you are hiking. Listen closely to what the expedition leaders say in terms of safety; Antarctica is not a place to mess with, and accidents, though rare, can happen.
From the Mud Room, you head down to the Marina where the Zodiacs line up. Grab the expedition team member's arm just below the elbow, then sit down immediately and shuffle along to your place -- don't stand up. (Guides will provide plenty of instruction on this process as well as the "Viking" or "sailor's" grip.) If you need to stand to take pictures, make sure you ask the boat driver, who will stop so you can stand. Don't stand while the boat is moving; you could fall in. You will be told what type of landing it is -- normally a "wet landing" -- i.e., you will step into the sea at the shore, as there are no jetties in Antarctica. Note: None of these landings are accessible, and it's best to speak to the expedition team if you have any concerns about your ability to participate.
Kayaking: The only other activity on offer is kayaking, which is free. Silver Endeavour carries 14 kayaks, and you have to sign up the night before to get a place -- and even this is not guaranteed. It's a bit of a lottery and entirely weather-dependent, so if someone missed a paddle the day before they will roll over to the next day and so on. Kayaking is often called off for weather reasons. Again, this is not an accessible activity and also not recommended for absolute beginners. Speak to the expedition team if you have any doubts about your ability to participate. Tip: Kayaking sounds fun -- and can be -- but bear in mind this isn't the Caribbean -- you are in a dry suit and will likely survive the cold should you fall in, but the weather changes quickly here, so be prepared to cut short your paddle at a moment's notice.
What you see in the Antarctic depends entirely on the season. Go at the start of the season (November), and you have more chance of seeing pristine snow, mating penguins, and plenty of icebergs. Go towards the end, and much of that snow has melted and the penguin colonies have become very dirty. You'll see seals (crabeater, Weddell, elephant) and penguins year-round; January is your best bet for penguin chicks and February is peak season for whale spotting.
All lectures occur in Explorer Lounge on Deck 4, which has a large wraparound screen and a small stage. In addition to talks and briefings from the expedition team, you can also expect guest lectures from visiting experts. These are also live-streamed to your suite. One of the outstanding lectures on our cruise came from a member of the expedition team, who gave us a fascinating talk about Antarctica! The facts and figures about the White Continent, from politics to geography and history, are incredible. Additional learning might take place in The Science Room, which is where you'll find members of the expedition team such as the photographer for pro tips or one of the marine biologists who will show you something down a microscope.
As you are not crossing the Drake Passage, there are no sea days: All your time in Antarctica will have the option of going ashore (weather permitting), so there is no formal onboard programming during the day that might clash with excursions. Between landings, you can catch members of the expedition team in the Science Room, where you can pick their brains about what you've spotted on land or in the sea.
The only nightlife onboard took place every night upstairs in the Observation Lounge, with quizzes, a pianist, and dancing. Silver Endeavour doesn't have a casino (it was removed when the line bought the ship from Crystal).
All drinks are included. There is a modicum of night-time action in the Explorers Lounge, but that is usually before dinner ahead of a lecture or presentation.
Arts Cafe has a bar, but people tended not to hang out here drinking; it's more of a coffee spot. The Observation Lounge is the place to go for a pre- or post-dinner drink, quizzes, live piano, and dancing. Connoisseur's Club is ideal for a post-dinner drink and conversation in comfortable surrounds, though bear in mind cigars are allowed so avoid if you don't like smoke.
For Coffee at any time of day: Arts Cafe is a hub of the ship, where you'll also find reception and you're likely to bump into folk.
For a Pre-Dinner Drink: Observation Lounge. Ask the barman to fix you up a dirty martini either before or after dinner and watch those 'bergs float by.
For a Post-Dinner Drink: Connoisseur's Corner: A cosy, clubby spot right beside Il Terrazzino, ideal for a post-prandial whisky or brandy.
While You Read: The Library has self-serve coffee machines and enough books to keep you occupied for the season.
For a View: If there is wildlife spotted and you find yourself at the forward observation deck, crew will often serve spiced hot drinks.
There is one pool -- at the aft, in the Pool Grill. The setting is sublime, with huge windows and breathtaking views. There is an adjacent indoor whirlpool. There is one other hot tub, perfectly situated right at the front of the ship on Deck 6 -- ideal for wildlife spotting off the bow.
Silver Endeavour has two main outdoor viewing spots -- at the aft of Deck 5, through the Pool Grill. This space gives uninterrupted views of the beauty of where you are travelling, and leads round to a promenade that almost wraps around the ship. The Pool Grill is also our recommendation for a long, lazy breakfast where you can sip a coffee and gaze in awe at the landscape. The other main spot is a deck above at the bow, where you'll also find a whirlpool. There is a small shelter here if the weather is inclement, and it's the best spot to watch whales breaching or spy seals on floes.
Wi-Fi service is included in all cruise fares, and Silversea has uses Starlink, so we found, even in the middle of nowhere, Wi-Fi was strong enough to send emails and even make video calls. On an excursion day, wait for everyone to leave the ship for faster speeds. It doesn't really vary where you are onboard; we found the cabins were as good as the Observation Lounge.
The Otium Spa offers a variety of treatments in two treatment rooms. There is also a mixed sauna and steam room.
There is a small gym on Silver Endeavour with two treadmills and weights, with a small yoga studio. There is also an onboard fitness instructor who runs yoga, Pilates, and stretch classes. Group classes are mainly free, but if you want a personal session, it will cost.
There are four restaurants onboard and one grab-and-go café, Arts Café, offering food onboard. Of the five, four are included in your cruise fare with just the upscale La Dame charging a fee. Silversea places a great emphasis on food with its S.A.L.T. program. The Restaurant is the ship's main dining room where most people eat most nights. There are two speciality restaurants: Il Terrazino, offering Italian cuisine in an intimate setting, and La Dame, offering upscale French food. Reservations are needed for both speciality restaurants, but not for The Restaurant. The Arts Café is a great spot to meet and grab breakfast or a light lunch, such as a sandwich or soup. Coffee is available here all day. Room service is available all day for free, and your butler will serve you a full three-course meal in your suite if you want to stay in.
The Restaurant: Silver Endeavour's main dining venue is on Deck 4 and has space for up to 192 guests, which is nearly the entire ship. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Restaurant offers a variety of international options, with a selection that rotates daily. There is no local (as in Antarctic produce, obviously), but you will sometimes find food sourced from Chile or Argentina, such as Chilean seabass and pork ribs. On some days you'll find a lovely selection of sushi, kimchi and other Asian-inspired dishes, and there is always a vegetarian option available.
Il Terrazzino: Meaning "little terrace," this is the scaled-down version of La Terrazza restaurant on the rest of the fleet. The restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine from an à la carte menu, including fresh-made pasta. It seats up to 36 guests. The layout is a little odd in that half the guests are in a dedicated space and the other half are in the corridor outside.
The Grill: Located adjacent to The Pool Deck, The Grill features an à la carte menu of international dishes and can serve up to 80 guests for breakfast and lunch, and up to 48 guests for dinner. The setting is breathtaking, with the double-height space (there is a mezzanine) offering 270-degree views and is flooded with light most days. Tip: At lunch opt for the special—it's usually a delicious curry.
Arts Café is great for breakfast, offering granola, smoothies, juices and pastries as well as fresh-brewed coffee and teas; and for lunch where you can grab an open sandwich, a bowl of soup and fresh fruit.
La Dame: The line's signature French restaurant, La Dame, is the only for-fee restaurant (which Silversea says is purely to keep numbers down as guests would likely eat here every night). The space is where the former sushi bar was on Crystal Endeavour, and it has been turned into an open kitchen. Guests can enjoy an à la carte menu or opt for a six-course tasting menu with a wine pairing. Open for dinner only, La Dame has space for up to 20 guests by reservation only.
Our favourite food spot onboard was The Grill, and we found ourselves gravitating there most days and for most meals. In addition to the incredible setting (the other restaurants are a deck below and do not have as much light), the service here was exemplary. Lunch is particularly special—you'll always find an off-menu item such as curry, lovingly prepared by one of the chefs. You'll also find the best steaks on the ship here.
All of Silver Endeavour's menus and menu placards show what typical allergens might be included in that dish: dairy, nuts, gluten etc. Silversea caters to all dietary needs, but those passengers with special dietary restrictions should always inform your waiter (though they usually ask). Although vegan options are not included on the menus, the chef will be more than happy to make a special vegan menu for all meals (as happened on our cruise).
There are 100 cabins, all of which are designated suites, even if by definition they aren't (e.g. all entry-level suites are just one room and a bathroom). There are no inside rooms, and all cabins have balconies and butler service. The fittings and furniture are luxurious, every inch Silversea, in understated greys and browns, with thick drapes (and a curtain which divides the room, essential for those bright Antarctic mornings) and supremely comfy beds. All suites are modern and contemporary, so you'll find USB ports everywhere (even in the bathroom!) and plenty of outlets and a large, flatscreen, wall-mounted, interactive TV.
Regardless of category, all suites are spacious, with even the entry-level ones coming in at 304 square feet (356 when you include the balcony). There are 90 suites designated "Veranda," sub-classified into Classic, Superior, Deluxe and Premium, which is an indication of where they are on the ship, rather than size or amenities. All include twin beds or a double bed; sitting area with a sofa bed; vanity/writing desk; a minifridge; a cupboard with crystal glasses and coffee machine, and multiple charging points. There is a walk-in wardrobe and also an aforementioned drying cupboard. There is just one accessible cabin. All have balconies with two chairs and a small table. As you move up the categories, you'll find a few more perks.
There are eight Silver Suites on Deck 8, coming in at a generous 457 square feet, with a 78-square-foot balcony. The extra space gets you a dining area and a separate vanity/writing desk; two TVs and built-in sound system. The Grand Suite and Owner's Suite are both on Deck 7, opposite each other at the front of the ship. The Grand Suite is 1,668 square feet, which includes a 684 square foot balcony. It has one bedroom but can be combined with a Penthouse Suite to create a 2,025 square foot space with two bedrooms. It includes a living area, a separate dining area and a third TV. The 1,868-square-foot Owner's Suite has two bedrooms and a separate shower room, with a 737-square-foot veranda.
Bathrooms have a separate toilet, with a sliding door that can be opened, a large sink with two faucets and a large amount of storage space. The showers have glass doors. Just one cabin bathroom is accessible. Toiletries include shower gel, conditioner and shampoo from upmarket French brand Caudalie. The Grand and Owner's Suites are the only two staterooms with tubs; both of them are whirlpool baths and both have separate showers.
There really aren't any cabins to avoid on Silver Endeavour -- all are of extremely high quality. If you are prone to seasickness, you might wish to avoid those on the aft or the front on the higher decks and opt for lower cabins near the middle of the ship.
Budget: Veranda Cabin. This is hardly slumming it. The Classic is a great option for your entry-level digs.
Splash: Silver Suite. Opt for this for a bit more comfort and space.
Splurge: Owner's Suite. If you plan on doing any entertaining or are travelling with a friend, this is your best option.
Family: Grand Suite combined with a Silver Suite, for that extra bedroom.
