Where the Ice Tells Stories

An expedition cruise with Swan Hellenic takes you into the quiet vastness of Antarctica, combining state-of-the-art polar ships with a spirit of discovery.

A once-in-a-lifetime adventure: to behold the seemingly endless, surreal ice of Antarctica, to feel at one with the wildlife, and to learn firsthand the fascinating stories of this extraordinary corner of our planet. This becomes possible during an expedition cruise aboard Swan Hellenic’s modern 5-star ships. Those who step aboard are not seeking a floating resort but rather a voyage that redefines perspective.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: Observations in Fournier Bay.

The leading provider of expedition cruises continues to strengthen its position in Antarctica. The world’s most modern fleet of three expedition cruise ships will set course for the White Continent during the Antarctic summer from October through March in the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons, each offering more than 30 distinct itineraries. The new 5-star vessels SH Diana, SH Vega, and SH Minerva are heading to places where travel still feels like a true discovery—and they all carry significantly fewer passengers than comparable expedition ships, reaching locations that remain hidden from other vessels.

The SH Minerva and SH Vega boast the very high ice class PC 5—the next higher classification would be an icebreaker. Very few expedition vessels are so ideally suited to the planet’s polar regions, enabling them to navigate pack ice up to 1.2 meters thick. This guarantees a safe passage through the Antarctic Ross Sea en route to New Zealand during the 2027/28 voyage season. In the upcoming season, beginning in November 2026, all three Swan Hellenic vessels will be cruising in Antarctica. A total of 33 expedition cruises ranging from 9 to 17 days are scheduled, along with four “Grand Voyages,” each lasting three weeks; even more extensive is the longest route—32 days—from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Dunedin, New Zealand.


Yet routes and numbers tell only part of the story. Those who voyage to Antarctica with Swan Hellenic will notice how the eye gradually adjusts to the nuances of white and how seemingly static ice transforms into a living landscape. Whether it is a nine-day voyage or longer, expeditions through Antarctica redefine perspectives and reveal to all who set foot there the breathtaking beauty of nature and one of the planet’s most fascinating habitats for wildlife. The snorting of whales in the crisp air, the distant cracking of pack ice, the silent glide of Zodiacs between shimmering ice giants—these are the impressions that linger.

Life on board,

with an all-inclusive package,

eschews rigid schedules; every voyage is a unique expedition. Each day is guided by weather, ice conditions, and—most importantly—the chance to observe wildlife. Captains and expedition teams determine where an excursion is worthwhile and when a shift in light transforms a bay into a stage where you “can see what others cannot.” The ships’ modern amenities, their serene elegance, and the international, inquisitive community of guests provide the setting; Yet the true protagonist remains Antarctica itself.

SWAN HELLENIC AT A GLANCESwan Hellenic is setting sail with three new expedition cruise ships to the most remote regions of the Earth. The new vessels are being built at Helsinki Shipyard Oy with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion, a battery pack, and an SCR catalytic converter, and offer 5-star elegance. The SH Minerva and SH Vega (Ice Class PC 5) accommodate up to 152 guests, while the SH Diana (PC 6) accommodates 192 guests; all ships are designed in accordance with SOLAS “Safe Return to Port” regulations.

www.swanhellenic.com