Swan Hellenic changes 2022-2023 cruises due to Russia-Ukraine crisis

   March 23, 2022 ,   Accidents

Swan Hellenic announced a series of changes to the line's 2022-2023 cultural expedition cruises, thus responding both to the situation in Ukraine and the ongoing COVID-related restrictions in the Far East.

As a result, Swan Hellenic's SH Minerva will be sailing a new course into the Northern Hemisphere for her refocused Arctic season, preceded by brand new UK Celtic discovery voyages exploring unique cultures and landscapes.

SH Minerva cruise ship

The cultural expedition pioneer’s 2nd purpose-built polar class expedition vessel, the 5-star SH Vega, is due to leave Helsinki Shipyard in September.

The newbuild will then set sail to Argentina to join her sistership for the 2022-2023 Antarctic season, which remains unchanged, retaining the itineraries that were highly acclaimed in Minerva’s maiden voyages.

The cruise company's third vessel (TBN) was ordered in October 2020 and scheduled for completion and delivery in 2023-Q1. While Minerva and Vega are with PC5 ice-classed hulls and with 76 staterooms (max passengers 152), the 3rd ship is slightly larger (12100 vs 10600 GT-tons/volume), PC6-classed, and with 96 staterooms (max pax 192).