Swan Hellenic Unveils 2026–2028 Antarctic Expedition Cruises After Record Breaking Season

Swan Hellenic has opened bookings for its 2026–2028 Antarctic expedition seasons on SH Minerva, SH Vega and SH Diana following a record year of guest growth, revenue, and awards across the “White Continent.” With the 2026–2027 program already 65% sold and bookings running 20% ahead of last year, the cultural expedition specialist is cementing its position as a leader in authentic Antarctic discovery.

Record Growth And Rising Demand For Antarctica

The 2025–2026 Antarctic season delivered standout results for Swan Hellenic, with guest numbers up 53% and net revenue increasing by 66% year‑on‑year. This momentum has carried forward, with bookings for 2026–2027 already at 65% of capacity and 20% above the total for the previous season, reflecting strong demand for expert‑led, small‑ship expedition cruising.

Industry recognition has followed: Swan Hellenic recently collected Cruise Critic’s 2025 Best in Cruise Awards for “Best Expedition – Antarctica” and “Best Value Expedition Cruise Line,” the latter for the third consecutive year. In early March, SH Minerva also achieved a new brand record, pushing further south than ever before into the remote George VI Sound on the Antarctic Peninsula.

2026–2027 Antarctic Season: 33 Voyages, Three Ships, One White Continent

For 2026–2027, all three ice‑class boutique ships—SH Minerva, SH Vega and SH Diana—will operate in Antarctica simultaneously for the second consecutive year. The program features 33 expert‑curated voyages, including 29 round‑trip expeditions from Ushuaia lasting 9–17 days, plus four Grand Voyages that link Antarctica with South America, Africa, and New Zealand.

Highlights include:

• 29 round‑trip Ushuaia expeditions (9–17 days), focused on the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands.
• A 14‑day voyage on SH Vega from Ushuaia to Montevideo, ideal for combining Antarctica with South America’s Atlantic coast.
• A 20‑day SH Diana journey between Cape Town and Ushuaia via Saint Helena and the Falkland Islands, operating southbound at the start of the season and northbound at the end.
• A 32‑day semi‑circumnavigation on SH Minerva from Ushuaia to Dunedin, New Zealand, traversing Antarctica in depth.

2027–2028 Antarctic Season: 34 Voyages And Deeper Ross Sea Exploration

The 2027–2028 Antarctic program expands further with 34 voyages: 29 round‑trip itineraries of 9–18 days plus four Grand Voyages that push deeper into rarely visited regions. Once again, the fleet will offer a mix of classic Peninsula sailings and longer journeys linking Antarctica with South America, the South Atlantic, and the Southern Ocean.

Key itineraries include:

• 29 round‑trip Ushuaia expeditions (9–18 days) across the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding regions.
• A 17‑day SH Vega voyage from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia via the Falkland Islands, combining urban culture with remote wildlife outposts.
• SH Diana repeating her Cape Town–Ushuaia route, this time pausing at Tristan da Cunha and South Georgia for even richer wildlife and history.
• SH Minerva returning to the Ross Sea on an epic 32‑day semi‑circumnavigation from Ushuaia to Dunedin, exploring the southernmost sea on earth and some of Antarctica’s most seldom‑visited frontiers.

Across both seasons, Swan Hellenic will offer 67 departures and expects to welcome around 11,200 Antarctic guests—5,500 in 2026–2027 and 5,700 in 2027–2028—continuing its robust growth trajectory.

Polar Class 5 Ships Built For True Expedition

SH Minerva and SH Vega stand out in the expedition market as Polar Class 5 ice‑class vessels, the highest notation before full icebreaker classification. Model testing in ice tanks has confirmed they can maintain approximately 6 knots through sea ice 0.58 metres thick and 1.2 metres of brash ice, enabling safe, autonomous operation in challenging regions like the Ross Sea.

Each Swan Hellenic ship carries just 152–192 guests, a “true expedition” size that allows rapid deployment of Zodiacs within minutes of arrival at landing sites. This translates into typically at least two landings per day, plus optional 90‑minute snowshoe treks for guests who want to explore more remote vantage points on foot.

Kayaking, Snowshoeing And Expert‑Led Discovery

Beyond classic landings, Swan Hellenic offers a range of immersive ways to experience Antarctica’s landscapes and wildlife. Kayaking among icebergs puts guests eye‑level with humpback and killer whales, seals, and seabirds, while delivering sweeping views of glaciers and cliffs from the water.

On board, SH Vega and SH Minerva typically host up to 13 seasoned expedition guides, lecturers, and expert speakers, while SH Diana carries around 15, supported by crew complements of 120–140. These high staff‑to‑guest ratios rank among the best in the industry and underpin Swan Hellenic’s reputation for personalised service, in‑depth briefings, and rich interpretive content ashore and at sea.

Commitment To Biosecurity And The Polar Environment

Swan Hellenic couples its guest‑focused approach with a strong environmental ethos. The line recently achieved the highest biosecurity standards in South Georgia during its 2025–2026 operations and holds full‑operator status within the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), committing to the organisation’s stringent environmental and operating guidelines.

This combination of advanced polar technology, small‑ship access, robust biosecurity and expert‑led programming supports the brand’s promise to help guests “See what others don’t” while travelling with care for one of the planet’s last great wildernesses. As CEO Andrea Zito notes, the success of recent seasons and the expanding two‑year program reflect growing appreciation for Swan Hellenic’s distinctive blend of cultural expedition cruising, innovative experiences, and luxurious boutique comfort in Antarctica.

For full details of Swan Hellenic’s 2026–2028 Antarctic expeditions, including itineraries, dates and pricing, visit the official website at www.swanhellenic.com.