Swan Hellenic has announced that its new ship SH Minerva has departed Helsinki for Argentina and its first Antarctic cultural expedition cruise, a 10-day New Year's celebration of discovery, will depart from Ushuaia on December 29, 2021.
The SH Minerva was delivered on December 3rd following its christening on November 23rd and three highly successful days of sea trials, during which the next-generation polar expedition vessel exceeded expectations in every aspect, from maneuverability and stability to top speed and emissions. On December 6th, the sleek new, specially designed vessel sailed through the Kiel Canal.
It is the first in a series of three stunning, high-class ice-bound cultural expedition cruise ships built for premium cruise experiences around the world, with a strong focus on extreme latitudes. The SH Minerva features a 5-megawatt diesel-electric propulsion system with selective catalytic reduction and a PC5 ice-strengthened hull with oversized stabilizers for exceptional passenger comfort. At 113 meters, the 10,500-ton vessel has been specially designed to explore the most inspiring and inaccessible places on the planet.
The SH Minerva has been designed to meet the latest environmental regulations and is completely self-sufficient for up to 40 days or 8,000 nautical miles. Preparations have been made for the implementation of battery technology, which would also allow for silent operation.
The SH Minerva, which offers 5-star accommodation for 152 guests in 76 spacious cabins and suites, the vast majority with large balconies, is operated by a team of 120 people on board to provide the highest levels of personal service.
Now, under the guidance of industry veterans Captain Tuomo Leskinen and hotel manager Philipp Reutener, the SH Minerva is set to take its first guests on a 10-day cultural expedition cruise to Antarctica to celebrate the New Year. There, they will explore the inspiring sights and wildlife of the peninsula and the warmer Shetland Islands in the company of expedition leader Pablo Brandeman, polar history expert Dmitry Kiselev, and renowned ornithologist Andy Bunten.
Internationally acclaimed chef Jörg Lehmann will bring Swan Hellenic's distinctive gastronomic vision to life aboard the SH Minerva, presenting varied menus of freshly cooked delicacies including original Italian and Asian fusion dishes, created in collaboration with award-winning chefs Andrea Ribaldone and Sang Keun Oh.
At the handover, the Project Director of the Helsinki Shipyard, Jonas Packalén, commented: “This is a proud day for all of us. The SH Minerva is even more beautiful and elegant than we expected. We wish her and her crew fair winds and following seas, and we especially thank everyone who participated in the project for their tireless dedication.”.
Andrea Zito, Managing Director of Swan Hellenic, added: “I would also like to congratulate all the staff in Helsinki for their superb work in creating this wonderful new ship. We are delighted with the quality of their work, underscored by the SH Minerva’s outstanding performance during its sea trials. We look forward to taking our guests to see what others cannot, exploring Antarctica in exceptional comfort and style.”.
Minerva will be followed by its sister ship SH Vega (NB517) and the slightly larger NB518, which are already being built in the Helsinki shipyards.
