Swan Hellenic Avis 

Great Expedition cruise to Antartica. Ship and stateroom was incredibly spacious and elegant. The staff were incredibly friendly and very knowledgable. My feedback to SH is that they need to improve the pre-cruise communications (emails).

Swan Hellenic is one of a kind cruise expirience i had. Starting from the booking, embarkation, ship, crew, service. I would give it 11 out of 10. Highly recommanded

An amazing 5 star experience from the moment we boarded the Expedition ship. The ship's crew and the expedition team were friendly, accommodating, approachable and knowledgable. The service and food in the restaurants was excellent. Because the weather was good we were able to have a zodiac trip and landing every day. The snowshoeing experience made me feel immersed in the Antarctica landscape. The highlight of the expedition was to see the wildlife close up. To watch and hear the whales feasting on krill from the zodiak was breathtaking. We will definitely be booking with Swan Hellenic again.

The Minerva was a spectacular ship to sail on, comfortable even in rough seas. Many don’t know she is a class 5 ship and can break up to a meter of ice if one found themselves in that situation. Every amenity one might need is available. The spa treatments were tingling and terrific. The food and drinks were top tier, comparable with any five star hotel. The staff were so friendly and personable, while also being prompt, polite and skilled at their job. It was fun to get to know a few of them as people not just staff. The entertainment was excellent and of course the adventure was mind blowing. We saw so many whales, seals, penguins and other birds it was amazing. We even saw some glaciers that were pretty cool, several callings and a few roll overs. Nature is so powerful and makes you feel so small in the world of Antarctica. The experienced and knowledgeable naturalists and guides were so fun and yet always safe and attentive to every person in their zodiac. This was a trip of a lifetime for sure, well worth the time and money.

A fabulous cruise with Swan Hellenic! Only our second cruise and we prefer the expedition sytle, smaller ships and cruising with a purpose.
This was just 5* plus. The staff were amazing and exceeded expectations all round for their service with a smile. The food was excellent and the cabins were super comfortable.

We had the experience of a lifetime!
From the first greetings at the hotel to the daily programme organised with the utmost care and attention to details, continuing with the warmth and professionalism of all the staff everything has exceeded our highest expectations!
Thank you so much Swan Hellenic! Rodica Precupas

Besides the venue (Antarctica...woderful), the ship is per se a worth destination for its elegance, confort and the kindness of the crew.
A special mention to the expedition team, always available to provide explainations and help during excursions

I have chosen this cruise because of the itinerary and number of stops in the Antarctic peninsula and I am so glad that we managed not only to explore beautiful spots (twice per day) but to cross the Antarctic circle. I enjoyed SH Diana modern design and comfort, spacious rooms, facilities and culinary choices at the restaurants. The expedition team was incredible, knowledgeable and fun, always making sure we had an amazing time. We managed to kayak and snow shoe during our trip and had a sunny weather during those activities. We saw so much wildlife: penguins, seals, whales, orcas and many sea birds. The scenery was incredible. SH had their own photographer on board and his amazing photos were shared with us after the trip. What an incredible souvenir! I highly recommend Swan Hellenic to anyone who is looking for in depth Antarctica experience, great expedition team and crew onboard, all onboard a beautiful ship.

The crew was outstanding and always sharp, the leaders were experienced and very welcoming, the ship in pristine order so how couldn't it be a great trip.
MESMERIZING TRIP !!

Swan Hellenic paid attention to every detail for our Antarctic expedition to be amazing and memorable. Members of the team were friendly, knowledgeable, accessible, and helpful. The stateroom was very comfortable.

From start to end, the experience substantially exceeded my expectations.

Fantastic bucket list cruise to Antarctica. We were well cared for from the greeting in Buenos Aires to the end of the trip. Our cabin was comfortable, roomy, and had a great view through 2 big almost floor to ceiling port windows. The staff were awesome and caring and the outings were exciting.

My husband and I recently completed the "Antarctic Wonders" cruise on the beautiful SH Minerva. I can honestly say that everything about this adventure was extraordinary. It was our first "Expedition Cruise" and the whole experience was amazing from start to finish. I would absolutely recommend it to others without hesitation. The staff (including the Captain, Hotel Director, Doctor and Expedition Leader by the way) were exceptional and very approachable. The ship's capacity is 152 passengers but there were only 91 guests traveling on this particular sailing. Naturally, this made for a certain level of upscale, personalized service, but each and every staff member went out of their way 24/7 to ensure a perfect experience for all passengers. The dining and bar staff (Zerik, Allan, Silvester, Roan, Sagar) addressed us all by name after the 1st day. Beyond that, they were kind, funny and extremely accommodating. I must add that the other passengers were very welcoming as well. It seemed that we were all up for the adventure of a lifetime and we shared a "life changing" experience with one another that bonded us in an unexpected way.

The food was all made from scratch and we enjoyed 5 star meals that were incredible. Chef Eddy can "read the room" and he tailored meals to fit the needs and desires of a diverse group of people (literally from all over the world). It was impressive and delicious.

Our stateroom was lovely. It had more storage than any previous ship I have traveled on as well as an electric fireplace that was so charming! The common areas are also elegant but inviting and comfortable. The spa was beautiful and I enjoyed a massage with Jun that was wonderful. The sauna and hot tub offered views outside the ship that were spectacular. We didn't hop into the pool, but spent a fair amount of time on the deck enjoying the tables with heaters above them. You sure couldn't beat the view at lunch time!!

The Expedition team was comprised of experts from many fields (Marine Biology, Ornithology, Geology). They were knowledgeable, helpful and so interesting to talk to. They gave informative lectures and were always available to answer random questions too. We even visited the onboard lab one day! Miriam, our Expedition Leader, was delightful. Her experience and planning allowed us to enjoy maximum time off the ship (via Zodiac cruises or landings) and made the adventure all that we had hoped for and more. The team had a photographer onboard (Werner Kruse) to document our experience and the videos and photos we received (at no additional cost) were of "National Geographic" quality. It was a priceless gift of our memories and experience. The weather (and wildlife) was very cooperative during our journey, which I understand is not always the case. However, I can assure you that this team will go above and beyond to deliver the best guest experience possible on any voyage. They also facilitated a "Polar Plunge" for those of us who were interested (30 seconds of chilly, salty exhilaration for endless years of bragging rights!)

If you are considering a cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula (and if you haven't been, you should be!), I would urge you to travel with Swan Hellenic. Their attention to detail (and, it should be noted, safety) is unmatched in my opinion. Go for it!

I went to the Antarctic with Swan Helenic Minerva ship on my own ,but was made very welcome by all the staff, anybody wanting to do this trip on their own don’t hesitate, I have made the best friends on board the same likeminded people I enjoy chatting to and having fun. The Expedition team were amazing and very knowledgeable also very friendly, I was amazed how all staff remembered our names , Restaurants staff were outstanding and nothing was too much trouble , Bar staff the same , my room was kept spotless thanks to Relyn , too many names for me to remember that did outstanding work to make sure the ship run smoothly , fantastic hairdresser on board and Spa treatments were so relaxing , Thank you to all staff on The Swan Hellenic for making this my best trip ever
From jumping into the sea off the ship, snowshoeing ,Kayaking, even dancing one evening to a very talented member of staff who was an excellent singer thoughly enjoyed and would highly recommend, I’m also definitely coming back to do another trip , maybe south or North America !!

Thanks Raffle let us know the word flexibility! I can’t say SH is the best because this is the first time i took expedition cruise. I could say I had an excellent time on the SH Vega! I did a right choice! Thank you so much for giving us of such a memorable moment! Thank you SH!

Our Antarctica experience was truly amazing from start to finish. Everything was exceptionally well planned and handled with care, which made the whole trip feel smooth, safe, and unforgettable.
The accommodations were excellent. Our cabin was very comfortable and well kept. Food was also a major highlight—every meal felt top level, with consistent quality throughout the voyage.
What impressed me most was how professionally the expeditions were executed. Every landing and outing was carefully organized, with clear attention to safety and the environment. The team consistently assessed weather and risk conditions and made decisions accordingly, which gave us a lot of confidence and allowed us to fully enjoy the experience.
A special shout-out to Ralf and the entire expedition team—they deserve real congratulations for their diligence and dedication to giving guests the best possible experience. Onboard entertainment was also very good, and there was plenty of time to interact with the expedition team and connect with other guests, which added a lot to the atmosphere.

Travel in style, Luxury, Informative, Safety, Knowledgable.

Great ship, crew, expedition team, cabin service and house keeping, food and beverage. They exceeded our expectations. The area that needs improvement is pre trip communiations from their office as they did not provide much if any timely information to passengers before arrival at the pre cruise hotel.

Things I like about the Swan Hellenic Expedition to Antarctica:

- Attentive and friendly crew
- Wonderful cabin with a good bathroom and a great shower
- Housekeeping was impeccable
- Every meal was a total delight
- Eco-friendly products
- Plenty of towels
- The large closets and abundant storage space
- The key entry system worked every time!
- The room décor was pleasant and relaxing
- The workspace was large and accommodating
- The well stocked refrigerator was nice, and the complimentary champagne was especially appreciated
- Having movies available for watching was great
- The library was a haven
- Well executed Zodiac expeditions
- Skillful handling of rough sea conditions

Tips:
- If you will need fast internet access you must upgrade the from the free on-board service

Areas of improvement:
- The onboard lectures need a bit of work and it would be nice to have experts, as opposed to crew members, give the lectures.

This trip was the experience of a lifetime, and if I I could give more than 5 stars I certainly would

SH Vega is an amazing ship, 5 star luxury with fantastic food, drinks and amazing staff.

The expedition team lead by Ralf was superb and really enhanced the experience of landing in Antarctica. We had a couple of wintery days at the start that made the zodiac outings a bit chilly, but beautiful sunshine a few days into the cruise allowed us to have an on-deck barbeque by the pool.

It's hard to put the majesty of the 7th continent into words, you just need to go and see it for yourself!

My Antarctic Wonders expedition with Swan Hellenic aboard SH Minerva was exceptional from start to finish. Every detail was seamless, from airport pickup, pre-night hotel, and charter flights to Ushuaia and back to Buenos Aires.

The crew and expedition team were outstanding, attending to every detail, and my cabin was beautiful and incredibly comfortable, with a private balcony, fireplace, and a fantastic bed. I loved coming into my cabin each night with the lights dimmed, my bed turned down, and my fireplace providing the perfect ambiance.

The food each day was delicious and plentiful. The staff attention was top notch! Always smiling, calling you by name, they were the best!

The itinerary exceeded expectations, with unforgettable landings, kayaking alongside whales, and of course, penguins everywhere! Not to mention the Polar Plunge!

This was expedition cruising at its finest. I can’t praise Swan Hellenic enough for delivering a truly once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica experience, and thank them for helping me achieve a bucket list trip!