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SH Minerva was built in Finland’s Helsinki Shipyard, and offers a truly unforgettable cruising experience. Unobstructed views throughout the ship, welcoming spaces to relax, and world-class restaurants, staterooms and amenities make traveling on this modern cruise ship a complete pleasure.
Swan Hellenic was great. I had not even heard of them before we started our research for an Antarctic expedition cruise. This was definitely the luxury, small ship way to actually experience Antarctica. The itinerary the expedition crew enabled us to do, assessing the weather and skillful sailing of officers and crew was excellent. The expedition team was great. We crossed the Drake Passage and lucked out on the weather. We have had rougher Mediterranean cruises. We had multiple landing on the actual continent as well as the South Shetland islands. The scenery and the animals were amazing. The entire ship staff was outstanding. They provided very informative and entertaining presentations on what we would be seeing and the history, both recent and ancient. The food was the best ever on a cruise. The ship was beautiful and well-maintained by staff. They enabled us to have a cruise of a lifetime with great experiences and memories.
The Cruise was fantastic thoug I think we should have stayed for two more days to see more wonders. The crew, the guests and the ship were great and Antarctic is a place so magical and full of energy that something inside yourself is "more" just for being there. I have always dreamed about going to the 7th Continent and see it by myself not in movies or series and even magazines so we made the decision to travel and selected Swan Hellenic for the size of Minerva and also because it was designed and produced in Finland. Is there a country that better understand the needs of such a remarkable and demanding place such as The Antarctic ? So we took the trip and also the plunge into the freezing waters of these wonderfull place. All in all it was a trip to remember forever !!! One word define the Trip : MESMERIZING
Fantastic bucket list trip to Antarctica. All the details were handled smoothly, from the pick up in Buenos Aires to the farewell again in Buenos Aires. Staff and crew were so very helpful, attentive and considerate. Our cabin was wonderfully comfortable and scenic, with huge port windows almost floor to ceiling. There was tons of storage, and a curtain to separate bedroom from living area. The food was fresh, plentiful and delicious. It was so great to be on a smaller, more personable ship, and we got to know staff and fellow travelers. The onboard experts and lectures were outstanding and informative. Best of all though, we had a sense of genuine, personal caring from staff on board. The expeditions were so exciting, and safely managed. We also got to keep some cool gear- parka I love, waterproof backpack and water bottle. We saw thousands of penguins, lots of other birds, humpbacks and orcas. Highly recommend this cruise line and ship!
I’ve cruised several times on various size ships with a variety of cruise lines, and this was by far the best crew and hospitality staff I’ve encountered. The expedition team got to know us and were as excited as we were on each expedition. They guided us and encouraged us as we trudged through snow. The hospitality staff, including the kitchen team, were thoughtful, helpful and extremely friendly. They took time to understand our likes, dislikes and allergies. They were readily available and took very good care of us. The team’s eagerness to provide a stellar experience made this cruise an even better one. The ship itself is well cared for and state of the art. The food was high quality and plentiful. Antarctica is a beautiful place to visit, walk on and zodiac around. To have the experience of a lifetime, I suggest taking a Swan Hellenic cruise when you go!
My husband and I recently completed the "Antarctic Wonders" cruise on the beautiful SH Minerva. I can honestly say that everything about this adventure was extraordinary. It was our first "Expedition Cruise" and the whole experience was amazing from start to finish. I would absolutely recommend it to others without hesitation. The staff (including the Captain, Hotel Director, Doctor and Expedition Leader by the way) were exceptional and approachable. The ship's capacity is 152 passengers but there were only 91 guests traveling on this particular voyage. Naturally, this made for a certain level of personalized service, but each and every staff member went out of their way 24/7 to ensure a perfect experience for all passengers. The dining and bar staff (Zerik, Allan, Silvester, Roan, Sagar) addressed us all by name after the 1st day. Beyond that, they were kind, funny and extremely accommodating. I must say that the other passengers were very welcoming as well. It seemed that we were all up for the adventure of a lifetime and we shared a "life changing" experience with one another that bonded us in an unexpected way. The food was all made from scratch daily and we enjoyed 5 star meals that were incredible. Chef Eddy can "read the room" and he tailored meals to fit the needs and desires of a diverse group of people (literally from all over the world). It was impressive and delicious. Our stateroom was lovely. It had more storage than any previous ship I have traveled on as well as an electric fireplace that was so charming! The common areas are also elegant but inviting and comfortable. The spa was beautiful and I enjoyed a massage with Jun that was outstanding. The sauna and hot tub offered views outside the ship that were spectacular. We didn't hop into the pool, but spent a fair amount of time on the deck enjoying the tables with heaters above them. You sure couldn't beat the view at lunch time!! The Expedition team was comprised of experts from many fields (Marine Biology, Ornithology, Geology). They were knowledgeable, helpful and so interesting to talk to. They gave informative lectures and were always available to answer random questions too. We even visited the onboard lab one day! Miriam, our Expedition Leader, was delightful. Her experience and planning allowed us to enjoy maximum time off the ship (via Zodiac cruises or landings) and made the adventure all that we had hoped for and more. The team had a photographer onboard (Werner Kruse) to document our experience and the video and photos we received (at no additional cost) were of "National Geographic" quality. It was a priceless gift of our memories and experience. The weather (and wildlife) was very cooperative during our journey, which I understand is not always the case. However, I can assure you that this team will go above and beyond to deliver the best guest experience possible on any voyage. They also facilitated a "Polar Plunge" for those of us who were interested (30 seconds of chilly, salty exhilaration for endless years of bragging rights!) If you are considering a cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula (and if you haven't been, you should be!), I would urge you to travel with Swan Hellenic. Their attention to detail (and, it should be noted, safety) is unmatched in my opinion. Go for it!
Each cabin welcomes you with a bottle of Champagne (75cl – Premium Suites, Suites, Junior Suites/37.5cl – Balcony, Oceanview) and there’s also free Wi-Fi, personal safe, and a pair of Nikon Prostaff 3S 10x42 binoculars to help you watch out for wildlife!
Amenities include TV service, stocked minibar with soft drinks & beer, Illy Espresso coffee machine with pods, kettle and Kusmi tea bags; towels for cabin, pool and gym, bathrobe, bedroom slippers, and toiletries by Lajatica.
When it comes to dining on your expedition cruise, our ships have a variety of welcoming venues.
From the gourmet offerings of the Swan Restaurant, and the Pool Bar & Grill’s delicious dishes, to the relaxed tapas-style dining of the Club Lounge, you’ll find exquisite cuisine, skilfully prepared by top chefs.
Plus, our carefully curated in-room menu offers a relaxing dining experience in the comfort of your own stateroom
If you are looking to experience the remote Polar regions or explore truly off-the-beaten path destinations and cultures of our spectacular planet, then you are in great company. Swan Hellenic exists to provide its guests with authentic, intimate and unforgettable moments in extraordinary locations and remote landmarks.
We know how important outdoor space is, so our spacious, relaxing public spaces provide wide open, unobstructed views throughout the ship. The destination will always be in view.
Fitness is a key part of the daily routine for many. Just because you’re on holiday your wellbeing routine need not stop.
SH Minerva and Vega’s state-of-the-art gym will please the most discerning of fitness fiends. Here, you will find everything from cardio machines and stretch bands to weights. We will also be offering a range of instructor-led classes. Why not try a morning stretch class or book a fitness assessment with one of our specialist body coaches?
You don’t have to be pounding the treadmill to enjoy our fabulous on-board fitness and spa facilities. Relax and revive in the sauna, outdoor pool or one of the jacuzzis and book yourself in for a healing massage or facial.
Our fitness areas are spotlessly clean, with luxurious changing facilities, water and towels provided.
Please note: there are no dedicated children's facilities on board.
