Antarctica, often referred to as the "White Continent," is a bucket list vacation destination that captures the curiosity of travelers worldwide. For many travelers, Antarctica is typically the last of the seven continents to explore, making it a highly sought-after goal to accomplish. With climate change and a rise of expedition cruising, the number of travelers visiting Antarctica has seen significant increases in the last few years.
When it comes to expedition cruising, Swan Hellenic is no stranger and is actually known as a pioneer in cultural expedition cruising. Their expedition history dates back to the 1950s, and since then they have been delivering exceptional expedition experiences, combining adventure, education and luxury. In 2020, Swan Hellenic embarked on a new era with the launch of its brand new fleet of purpose-built expedition ships. The SH Vega is the second ship in the fleet, and it offers guests an unforgettable experience as they enjoy luxury and comfort while exploring the wonders of Antarctica.
In November 2023 I had the opportunity to experience an expedition cruise to Antarctica with Swan Hellenic on the SH Vega. It was an experience that I’ll never forget, and there are a number of takeaways from my Swan Hellenic expedition cruise experience that are worth highlighting as you consider taking your bucket list expedition cruise to Antarctica:
1. All guests are welcome on Swan Hellenic. During my sailing, there were guests of all ages (including kids), nationalities, and sexual orientation on my sailing. There were also a number of solo travelers as well. The entire crew did an exceptional job of making everyone feel welcome. It is also important to note that solo travelers will appreciate that there is only a 25 percent supplement when sailing with Swan Hellenic, making a sailing to Antarctica more financially feasible as compared to other offerings.
2. The expedition team is very approachable and has a wealth of knowledge and experience. Members of the team shared their passion for adventure throughout the lectures and even encouraged the guests to seek adventures alongside them. The expedition team is also diverse with members from around the world. The gender composition of the team was almost an equal number of men and women expert naturalists, which is not always common. I found the expedition team to be very friendly and funny, making the expeditions light and easy to enjoy. The expedition team encouraged guests to take pictures with them and made themselves available to dine with guests at any time allowing for a deeper connection to be formed. Combined, the expedition team has over 200 years of experience and has conquered over 2,000 expedition trips all over the world, which makes guests feel more confident that they will be in good hands while exploring Antarctica.
3. Guests receive a number of complimentary items when sailing with Swan Hellenic. It begins with a one-night stay in Buenos Aires that includes a cocktail hour (where guests can mingle with other guests and local Swan Hellenic staff), a food and beverage credit to use at the hotel and a free breakfast buffet meal. The flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia is also included as well as the airport and coach transfers. Once guests arrive onboard the SH Vega, the giving doesn’t stop. All guests have access to boots and binoculars. Additionally, guests receive a parka, dry bag backpack, and water bottle to take home with them after the sailing. Meals and drinks onboard are also included as well as in-room dining.
4. The medical staff are highly credentialed. There is a physician and nurse on board that are available around the clock. Some travelers may have fears about the journey to Antarctica, but the medical staff are specially trained to handle a myriad of medical conditions and emergencies. Dr. Newton and Nurse Paul are trained in emergency medicine and intensive care and have experience with providing clinical care in hospitals and on ships around the world. During each landing, the medical team disembark the ship and remain with the guests on-call as they explore Antarctica so that they are readily available if any emergencies should arise.
5. There is diversity in culinary and dietary options. Puneet Sain, who is a seasoned food and beverage manager with over 20 years of management experience, leads the restaurant team on SH Vega. Sain shared that guests and their needs are a priority to his team to ensure that all dietary needs are met. The food and beverage staff are diverse and represent many different nations around the world, and this is reflected in the various cuisine offerings onboard. Culinary options include but are not limited to Latin, Indian, Caribbean, American and Mediterranean cuisines. There is a sommelier onboard available to assist you with pairing their wide variety of white, red, sparkling and dessert wines with your meals. Guests are given comparable options if their preferred meal items are not available, and the inventory is monitored daily to ensure that items do not run out of stock. Executive Chef Paulo Herrera leads the culinary team and proudly shared that all of the food is freshly prepared. Additionally, the bread and desserts are made from scratch daily. Dining is available in the Swan Restaurant as well as the Club Lounge throughout the day. Complimentary in-room dining is also available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is also a daily afternoon tea.
6. The SH Vega is one of the newest expedition ships on the water and made her maiden voyage in April 2022. The vessel equipment and hardware are high-tech and innovative. Third Officer Andrei Kohut shared that the SH Vega is a groundbreaking expedition ship with its PC5 ice-strengthened hull. Kohut added that the vessel has extra-large stabilizers to make the guest sailing experience as smooth as possible. The SH Vegas far exceeds the standards with 12 Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems. There are three contingency radars, a sonar and a direct positioning system which collectively help to ensure the safety of the guests and help to protect the environment and wildlife. Sustainability efforts are made through their use of low sulfur fuel, a specialized vessel paint and their no ballast exchange policy.
7. The staterooms are well appointed with a few highlights. There is an electric fireplace that can be controlled by remote that adds a unique aesthetic to the guest experience. There is also an exuberant amount of cabinet and storage space allowing guests to fully unpack and make themselves at home. The balcony and suite staterooms do include a sofa that can convert into a bed which is great for small groups or families. The oceanview staterooms feature large windows that have enough space for guests to sit in the window area and take in amazing views. Housekeeping Manager Marlon Lim shared that guests receive service from their stateroom steward at least two times a day – once in the morning and once in the evening for turndown service.
8. There are a number of activities and outlets for guests to enjoy onboard. There is a library that is filled with various types of books for guests to enjoy. Guests can do their laundry for free using the innovative launderette. The spa offers options for guests that include hair, nail and massage treatments. There is a gym, sauna, jacuzzi and pool for fitness and wellness activities. Guests can connect with other guests as well as the expedition team in the observation lounge which also has a bar. The observation lounge also has board games available and boasts panoramic views which are great for whale watching.
Outside there is an observation deck, stargazing area, as well as several hideaway pockets for seating which feature overhead heating. There is also a pool bar that is open when weather permits.
Traveling to Antarctica can be a huge endeavor. However, Swan Hellenic eases the anxiety of its guests with the offerings and standout experience that they provide both on and off of the SH Vega, making it an experience that can be remembered for many years to come.
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