I used to be invited aboard Swan Hellenic’s latest ship, SH Vega, for a brief cruise from Halifax to Boston. It was an amazing alternative to discover the ship and meet the expedition leaders and senior firm executives. Greeted by smiling crew members providing champagne and help to get registered and discover my stateroom, I instantly felt at dwelling on this swanky and classy floating boutique resort.
SH Minerva and SH Vega, two new 5-star Polar Code PC 5 expedition cruise ships with ice-strengthened hulls, respectively launched in December 2021 and July 2022. Every accommodates 152 friends in 76 suites and staterooms, the bulk with massive balconies. A barely bigger PC 6 ice-class vessel, SH Diana, accommodating 192 friends with 96 staterooms and suites will probably be launching in 2023. Every ship has extra-large stabilizers to make cruising as clean as potential.
What’s Expedition Cruising?
Expedition cruising, one of many quickest rising varieties of the cruises, focuses on technical sophistication utilizing ships that may navigate near the shore in shallow waters. All have fleets of Zodiacs for transporting passengers from the ship and for landings in distant pure environments. Some are geared up with sea kayaks and different toys as effectively. An onboard expedition crew educated about every itinerary and immersed in analysis and science, typically enhances the passenger expertise.
Swan Hellenic’s Expedition Staff contains 10-15 individuals per voyage together with expedition leaders, photographers, polar meteorologists, ornithologists, naturalists and invited specialists. No two voyages are ever the identical. Whereas an itinerary is marketed, the captain and expedition crew make actual time changes based mostly on climate, wildlife, snow and ice, and the distant host communities. Pack your sense of journey and be ready for surprises (good ones) alongside the way in which.
No two expedition cruises are the identical
True to the promise of spontaneity throughout an expedition cruise, on the second day whereas we have been cruising within the Atlantic close to Cape Cod, the Captain stopped the ship and made a shock announcement that the Zodiacs have been being lowered into the water and friends have been welcomed to go for a Zodiac tour. I returned instantly to my stateroom to fetch my life jacket and headed straight to Basecamp to switch onto a Zodiac. We have been capable of see and have been very entertained by some curious dolphins circling our Zodiac. Then our captain took us for an surprising enjoyable and quick cruise permitting for a 360-degree view of the SH Vega.
Exploring the brand new SH Vega
I used to be impressed by the open house of the highest deck.
The décor of SH Vega could be described as understated magnificence utilizing trendy Scandinavian designs and supplies. For an expedition ship the place the main target has usually been on off-ship adventures and exploration, Swan Hellenic has delivered type and luxury whereas providing journey, science and exploration. From the second I entered the reception space on Deck 4 and was greeted by smiling employees providing champagne, I used to be struck by the luxurious points of Swan Hellenic’s ships, coupled with their real hospitality. For instance, wandering all 9 spacious decks, largely utilizing the open glass centrally situated staircase, I instantly appreciated the choreography of Scandinavian furnishings and paintings. I even discovered an out of doors stargazing (or sunbathing) space and a helicopter pad used within the occasion of an emergency on the very best deck.
Panoramic Statement Lounge and Membership Lounge
The spacious Statement Lounge, occupying half of Deck 7, afforded panoramic views on each side of the ship and of the bow with a small round space on the entrance of the ship supreme to view wildlife, sunrises and sunsets, known as the Swan’s Nest.
The lounge was supreme for studying, having fun with a drink, listening to lectures by the ship’s specialists or the pianist taking part in softly on the white child grand piano…or to simply watch the surroundings. A present store promoting expedition gear, together with a well-used bar have been additionally situated on this lounge.
The Membership Lounge on Deck 7 featured a café/patisserie and a 24-hour espresso station, and entry to the pool and out of doors grill making this the busiest a part of the ship throughout our crusing. A heated infinity pool surrounded by comfy padded loungers supplies an opulent oasis to chill out and benefit from the surrounding surroundings.
Wellness Middle (Health club)
The Wellness Centre and Sundeck are situated on Deck 8 and embody an indoor fitness center with state-of-the-art health gear and weights. There’s additionally a sauna room with massive home windows and an out of doors scorching tub. The Magnificence Salon (and small therapy rooms for massages at further cost) is situated on Deck 2 subsequent to the Medical Clinic. I loved a soothing deep tissue therapeutic massage throughout the cruise.
The Expedition Lab – Science and Studying
There are alternatives to interact in scientific analysis within the Expedition Lab on Deck 3 adjoining to the Basecamp. Throughout our crusing Dr. Nathalie Cabrol, Director of the Carl Sagan Middle on the SETI Institute introduced on trying to find life within the “Cosmic Ocean”. The Expedition Lab was not being utilized throughout our quick cruise; nonetheless, I anticipate will probably be a hive of exercise throughout the upcoming expeditions in Antarctica. A Library is situated reverse the Expedition Lab.
Basecamp
Lockers and expedition gear have been present in Basecamp on Deck 3 with massive doorways used for friends to embark on off-ship adventures. Zodiac boarding is conveniently accommodated on each side of the ship.
Lodging
Positioned mid-ship on Deck 6, balcony stateroom #609, had 2 single beds facet by facet to create one King mattress, a cushty lavatory with bathe stall, a pair of enormous closets with sturdy wooden hangers, and a great deal of house to retailer sneakers, clothes and equipment. I’ve not had this a lot cupboard space in a ship stateroom earlier than.
I’ve by no means had a hearth glowing and crackling in my ship cabin earlier than, however there it was, constructed into the cupboards on the foot of my mattress. Whereas it wasn’t an actual working fire, fortunately, I used to be charmed a lot that I saved it on all evening and awoke to the crackling sounds.
One unusually sensible function in my stateroom was a heavy curtain that may be drawn between the mattress sitting space with a desk and small couch, providing some separation when two friends share the cabin. The desk had a built-in make-up mirror compartment that I used fortunately. My days started with a powerful morning espresso made recent in my cabin, whereas ready on my personal balcony (in my plush bathrobe) for the solar to rise.
Many of the 75 staterooms on the SH Vega are 302 sq. foot balcony staterooms, and there are 6 bigger suites and 16 ocean view staterooms, together with one that’s wheelchair accessible. Adjoining staterooms can be found for households. The entire staterooms are situated on Decks 5, 6 and seven.
Eating
With three eating venues, the Swan Restaurant, Membership Lounge and Pool Bar & Grill, there’s one thing for everybody. For early risers, a lightweight breakfast choice was additionally out there within the Membership Lounge. At 7:30am within the Swan Restaurant, a full breakfast might be ordered a la carte on the desk, or from a big buffet that included fruit, yogurt, freshly baked breads, pastries and eggs. The cappuccino got here out piping scorching with completely frothed milk.
The climate cooperated for friends to get pleasure from eating al fresco on the Pool Bar and Grill with an assortment of scorching canine, sausages, rooster, and steak accompanied by French fries and plenty of salad selections.
Dinner was served within the ship’s essential eating room, the Swan Restaurant with desk service from the menu together with each day specials famous by the wait employees. One spotlight was a bowl of French onion soup adopted by a Lobster tail served with greens.
On our first evening, we loved choosing our salads, soups, essential programs and desserts from a fantastically displayed buffet. A Caesar salad adopted by completely cooked lamb chops and diverse inexperienced greens hit the spot for me. A alternative of two crimson and two white complementary wines have been supplied by the wait employees, nonetheless, for wine aficionados a cellar of classic wines, premium spirits and craft beers are additionally out there, at further cost.
You can too select to get pleasure from your meals with the 24-hour room service which I seemingly would welcome on an extended cruise.
Following our cruise, SH Vega began her journey alongside South America on her solution to Antarctica for the 2022/23 winter season. Her sister-ship, SH Minerva will be a part of her shortly in Antarctica. Swan Hellenic’s third ship, the marginally bigger SH Diana will probably be named in 2023 and can cruise the Mediterranean. The itineraries for the Swan Hellenic fleet embody unique off-the-beaten-path experiences in probably the most unique locations on this planet. Think about the enjoyment of exploring all 7 continents on Swan Hellenic’s expedition ships within the lap of luxurious.
If you’re contemplating an expedition cruise to see what others don’t, and have the will to do it in luxurious and luxury, selecting Swan Hellenic could be a wonderful possibility.
Many because of Swan Hellenic and its very succesful crew in working with me on arranging and serving to us with this glorious cruise. Due to the CruiseCompete and All Issues Cruise crew as effectively for introducing me to Swan Hellenic!
Ed. Word: See Swan Hellenic cruises right here Swan Hellenic Cruises (cruisecompete.com)
About Swan Hellenic
Swan Hellenic was relaunched in July 2020 to proudly proceed the spirit of cultural expedition cruising the corporate pioneered within the Nineteen Fifties. Constructing on its British roots, the brand new firm has a worldwide cultural cruising outlook devoted to offering friends with the chance to ‘see what others don’t’.
Swan Hellenic’s purpose-built ships function elegant Scandi-design interiors, intensive out of doors areas and devoted expedition amenities. SH Minerva and SH Vega, two new 5-star Polar Code PC 5 expedition cruise ships with ice-strengthened hulls, respectively launched in December 2021 and July 2022, every accommodate 152 friends in 76 spacious suites and staterooms, the bulk with massive balconies. A barely bigger PC 6 ice-class vessel, SH Diana, accommodating 192 friends in the identical distinctive consolation and magnificence in 96 staterooms and suites will probably be arriving in early 2023.
All three ships function 3 eating venues – the Swan Restaurant, Membership Lounge and Pool bar & Grill – and are being in-built full compliance with SOLAS Secure Return to Port necessities. Devoted to friends with a ardour for journey and cultural exploration, the corporate’s meticulously deliberate itineraries discover the wild landscapes, wildlife, peoples and distinctive cultures of the world’s much less traveled areas.
The crews every embody a crew of 12 seasoned expedition guides, professional audio system and lecturers, for a complete complement of 120 and 140 individuals respectively, providing excellent staff-to-guest ratios to ship the very best requirements of attentive private service.
Headquartered in Cyprus with places of work in London, Dusseldorf, Monaco, Fort Lauderdale (serving the North America market) and Hong Kong (serving mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam and South-East Asia), in addition to partnerships serving India, Japan and Australia-New Zealand, Scandinavia and Iceland, Swan Hellenic helps the journey commerce with specialist native companions to supply clients with professional private service worldwide.
Ed. Word: See Swan Hellenic cruises right here Swan Hellenic Cruises (cruisecompete.com)
