Swan Hellenic appears to have cancelled the first two sailing of its new five-star expedition ship, SH Minerva, scheduled to operate in Antarctica in the coming weeks.

Swan Hellenic has confirmed its inaugural cruises exploring Antarctica will all be sailing as planned following the Argentinian Government’s recent announcement that the country will reopen from 20 October. As a result, Swan Hellenic will be able to operate from Ushuaia, the home port chosen for the maiden season Antarctic cruises of its purpose-designed new ice-class flagship SH Minerva.

Swan Hellenic has named Lori Sheller as Vice President of Sales & Marketing, North America. Lori will be joining the company with immediate effect, reporting directly to Alfredo Spadon, Swan Hellenic’s Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing.

Swan Hellenic has scrapped its intended New Zealand and South Pacific itineraries in early 2022 due to the ongoing cruise restrictions in the Oceania region.

The first ship in the reborn Swan Hellenic’s fleet, SH Minerva, has emerged from dry dock at the Helsinki Shipyard in Finland.

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has welcomed six new provisional operators into its fold this month, including four high-end cruise brands.

Swan Hellenic has revealed its team of chefs, to be led by Jörg Lehmann as Executive Chef, for its first expedition cruise ship, SH Minerva, due to embark on its maiden cruise this November.

Swan Hellenic is offering a 20% discount off brochure pricing on all cruises as part of a Spring Sale to mark the company’s return with three new five-star ships and cultural expedition cruise itineraries across the globe.

Swan Hellenic’s CEO Andrea Zito says the expedition line has a backup plan for its Oceania deployment should Australian and New Zealand governments continue to enforce cruise bans.

Swan Hellenic has reported interest in its cultural expedition cruises is translating into “buoyant bookings across the board”.

Swan Hellenic has revealed the cabin design of its cultural expedition cruise ship, SH Minerva, coinciding with the release of images of the ship’s completed hull structure which is ahead of schedule.

Swan Hellenic has chosen Cruise Online as its partner in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. An arm of Aviation Online Pty Ltd, Cruise Online has offices in Sydney and Auckland, to provide close support to the travel trade across the region.