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SH Minerva Sets Sail For Antarctica On Maiden Cruise

Swan Hellenic’s new ship, SH Minerva had left Ushuaia on 31st December on her maiden cultural expedition cruise of the Antarctic, a 9-day New Year celebration of discovery.

Cruising in the expert hands of industry veterans Captain Tuomo Leskinen and Hotel Director Philipp Reutener, SH Minerva’s first guests celebrated the New Year in Antarctica where they explored sights and wildlife of the Peninsula and milder Shetland Islands in the company of Expedition Leader Pablo Brandeman, polar expert Steve Blamires and renowned ornithologist Andy Bunten.

Internationally acclaimed Chef Jörg Lehmann brought Swan Hellenic’s distinctive new gastronomic vision to life on board, with varied menus of freshly cooked delicacies that include original Italian and Asian fusion dishes created in partnership with multi-award-winning Consultant Chefs Andrea Ribaldone and Sang Keun Oh.

Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito commented: “We are immensely proud to have welcomed our first guests aboard this wonderful new ship to live unique new experiences that advance the revered Swan Hellenic tradition, taking them to see what others don’t in exceptional comfort and style.”

SH Minerva is the first in a series of three extraordinary high ice-class cultural expedition cruise vessels made for premium cruise experiences worldwide, with a strong bias for extreme latitude areas. 

SH Minerva features a 5-megawatt diesel-electric propulsion system with selective catalytic reduction and a PC5 ice-strengthened hull with extra-large stabilisers for exceptional passenger comfort. At 113 m, the 10,500-ton vessel has been specially designed to explore the most inspiring and inaccessible places on the planet.

The vessel has been designed to meet the latest environmental regulations and is equipped with exhaust gas cleaning, advanced wastewater treatment systems and the waste storage facilities required for operating in sensitive polar areas. In addition, she is completely self-sufficient for up to 40 days or 8,000 nautical miles, enabling extraordinarily immersive cruise voyages.

Providing spacious 5-star accommodation for 152 guests in 76 spacious cabins and suites, the vast majority with large balconies, SH Minerva is operated by an onboard team of 120 to provide the highest levels of personal service.

For more information, please visit Swanhellenic.com.

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