On 17 March 2021 Swan Hellenic announced that the hull sections and deck modules of its first vessel, the purpose-designed cultural expedition cruise ship SH Minerva, had all been completed in advance of its schedule.
Marking the occasion, the company released a time-lapse video of the work at Helsinki Shipyard that shows the ship assuming its graceful final form.
Now that the structure is complete, the cabins are already taking shape, showing the Scandi-chic comfort, rich natural materials and spacious open perspectives out to sea of the elegant designs by Tillberg of Sweden.
The new ship represents the next generation of polar expedition vessels, designed for worldwide cruising with a strong focus on high-latitude areas.
SH Minerva is being fitted with a 5-megawatt diesel-electric propulsion system with selective catalytic reduction, ready to receive 3-megawatt max battery package and PC5 ice-strengthened hull and with Safe Return to Port notation.
At 113 m, the 10,500-ton vessel has been specially designed to explore the most inspiring and inaccessible places on the planet.
Providing spacious 5-star accommodation for 152 guests in 76 spacious cabins and suites, the vast majority with large balconies, SH Minerva will be operated by an onboard team of 120 to provide the highest levels of personal service.
Swan Hellenic was relaunched in July 2020 to continue the spirit of cultural expedition cruising the company pioneered in the 1950s. Building on its British roots, the new company has a global cultural cruising outlook dedicated to providing guests with the opportunity to ‘see what others don’t’.
Two new 5-star polar PC 5 ice-class expedition cruise ships arriving in November 2021 and April 2022 will each accommodate 152 guests in 76 spacious staterooms and suites, the majority with large balconies.
A larger PC 6 ice-class vessel accommodating 192 guests in 96 staterooms and suites in the same distinctive comfort and style as its sister ships will be arriving year-end 2022. All three new ships are being built in full compliance with SOLAS Safe Return to Port requirements.
