Swan Hellenic announces that the Helsinki Shipyard has launched the SH Vega from dry dock. The SH Vega is the sister ship of the SH Minerva, launched at the end of last year and currently exploring Antarctica. Steel production for the slightly larger third vessel, ordered in Helsinki, began last summer, and nearly 50% of the blocks are now complete at the shipyard.
All three ships are designed to have minimal environmental impact and comply with the latest emissions standards. They are also equipped with batteries for future silent, emission-free navigation in ports and marine or wildlife reserves. At 113 meters long, this 10,500 GRT vessel has been specially designed for worldwide cruises, exploring the most inspiring and inaccessible places on the planet.
With elegant and spacious 5-star accommodations for 152 guests in 76 large cabins and suites, most featuring expansive balconies, the SH Vega will be operated by a team of 120 to provide the highest levels of personalized service. Designed to offer immersive experiences and expansive, unobstructed views, the SH Vega boasts an expedition laboratory, a marine life library, and an observation room for lectures by leading expedition experts and specialists from a wide range of disciplines. Day expedition trips by Zodiac are a highlight of the programs offered, along with kayaking, hiking, and other activities. Onboard amenities include a spa, sauna, fitness center, library, panoramic restaurant, and a club lounge serving fine dining, as well as a pool deck with a bar.
The SH Vega will be delivered to Swan Hellenic in May 2022. Setting sail on its 11-day maiden voyage on May 29, it will sail from Leith, Edinburgh's port, to explore the Faroe Islands and Iceland, docking in Reykjavik on June 8.
The third ship in the fleet, temporarily named Vega 3, will be delivered in early 2023.
“We are once again delighted with the quality of the Helsinki’s work,” added Swan Hellenic Managing Director Andrea Zito. “We know our guests will appreciate that ships as similar as the SH Minerva and the SH Vega can also be so different, enriching their journeys with us around the world.”.
