If travelling to Antarctica 91 times was not impressive enough, Silversea senior vice president Expeditions, Conrad Combrink, is also part raconteur, part rescue diver and researcher extraordinaire who has curated the luxury expedition line’s destinations for decades.
“Every single one of those 91 trips was different,” he said in a wide-ranging conversation with travel media at The Lands by Capella, one of Sydney’s ‘newest’ heritage buildings.
Over a lunch of Balmain bug, Murray cod and berry meringue, Combrink covered everything from comfy pillows at Silversea’s yet-to-open pre-Antarctic accommodation, The Cormorant at 55 South in Chile to observing chinstrap penguins on isolated islands, watching the tower divers of Pentecost Island and engaging Sumo Experts on Silver Cloud‘s Japan itinerary in 2027, which marks a return after a hiatus of its expedition offering in the region.
After 33 years in the travel business, he’s also frank, and doesn’t mince words when it comes to his continuing aspirations to ensure Silversea continues to innovate and maintain its ethos of ‘Above the Expected, Beyond the Extraordinary’.
“We have this attitude to deliver in the best possible way,” he said. That is aided by the line’s field staff training that could include knowledge on everything from rifle handling in the event of a polar bear interaction to knowing the geology of a site, or why icebergs calve the way they do. But that only happens after they get a 95 per cent pass at the Silversea ‘University’.
“We set ourselves the goal to have the best expedition staff in the industry,” he said of the 198 currently employed by Silversea. “If your expedition is rubbish, the whole experience is rubbish.”
Combrink said that with so many expeditions competitors, the quest was now to invest in new offerings, experiences and additions, such as the world’s southernmost hotel The Cormorant, or revisiting former destinations such as Japan or getting a better understanding of cultural practices such as those in remote Pacific islands, instead of orchestrating events for visitors.
“We don’t own this place, we are visitors. We don’t dictate,” he said.
Destinations done differently
When he started, there were a handful of non-scientific Antarctic expeditions. Today 47 ships will visit the frozen continent this year.
“Because there are so many ships, people believe it has become easier, but that’s a misconception,” he said. That said, the line’s fly-cruise option accommodates guests for a night The Cormorant at 55 South in Puerto Williams, Chile before they board the Silversea Expeditions charter plane to King George Island – skipping the Drake Passage – before they board the ship.
The Cormorant at 55 South will be for Silversea guests only and will only be open from October to April. Handover of the keys to Cormorant happens on 18 June, with the first guests expected on 19 October.
“The Cormorant is a product that stands on its own to support our fly-cruise,” he said “But it had to reflect the Silversea standard.”
Meanwhile the challenge to elevate Silversea above and beyond continues, supported by Royal Caribbean Group which has owned the brand since July 2020.
“The Group is relentless when it comes to guest experience,” he confesses. “Relentless!”
The Lands by Capella
The Lands by Capella is one of Sydney’s most impressive heritage buildings which has recently been restored. The former Department of Lands building features 10,000 square metres of experiential luxury and bespoke retail, elevated dining, unique workspaces, boutique lifestyle concepts, and grand event spaces.
The five luxury event spaces on Level Two feature restored heritage architecture with contemporary design and advanced audiovisual capability, designed for corporate conferences, product launches, gala dinners and weddings.
Silversea director Brand Marketing – APAC, Philippa Walker said the Silversea lunch – also attended by Silversea campaign marketing manager – APAC Josephine Hanschmann – was held at The Lands by Capella as they wanted it to reflect the luxury and style available onboard Silversea and at The Cormorant at 55 South.
