Swan Hellenic will introduce its first cultural expedition cruises in the Asia-Pacific region in 2026, following the return of the SH Minerva to service. The vessel, which marked the brand’s relaunch, will operate at full fleet strength to deliver a programme of seven cruises—five in April and May and two in September—that may be taken individually or combined into longer voyages, including a continuous 55-day sailing from the Solomon Islands to northern Japan.
After completing her Antarctic season, SH Minerva will depart Honiara on April 5th, 2026 to commence a series of five cultural expeditions through the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan. Each port call is unique within the programme, enabling guests to link successive voyages without repetition of destinations. The April and May series concludes in Otaru, Japan, on May 30th, 2026.
The initial three cruises—Honiara to Jayapura, Jayapura to Sorong, and Sorong to Manila—will be offered in Swan Hellenic’s Cruise Plus format, which incorporates hotel stays, charter flights, and transfers to and from embarkation points in remote locations. The remaining two—Manila to Hiroshima and Hiroshima to Otaru—will be offered as Cruise Only, owing to their accessibility via scheduled air services.
In September 2026, SH Minerva will return to Japan for two further expeditions, sailing from Otaru to Hiroshima from 1st to 10th September, and from Hiroshima to Itozaki–Onomichi from 11th to 20th September. These can also be combined to form a single extended itinerary.
The voyages will include destinations noted for natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and maritime history, such as the coral-rich waters of Raja Ampat, the Batanes Islands, Kagoshima’s volcanic terrain, and the Kerama Archipelago. Bookings are now available through the company’s website and authorised agents.