PLANNER PERSPECTIVE Exploring a new frontier Andrea Zito of Swan Hellenic speaks with Alex Smith about why the cruise line is set to embark on its first voyages in the Asia-Pacific region Swan Hellenic will be bringing its brand of cultural expedition cruising to the Asia-Pacific region for the first time in 2026. The move marks a new chapter for the company’s vessel SH Minerva, which, after years of legal limbo, is finally free to embark on the itineraries it was originally designed for. “This is nothing new for us – SH Minerva was always intended to be deployed in the Asia-Pacific,” says Andrea Zito, Swan Hellenic’s CEO. “SH Minerva was our first vessel, but after it was delivered to a leasing company that was later sanctioned, the ship ended up out of service for three years. We only regained control this July after a long legal battle. The idea has always been to resume our original itinerary plans.” Swan Hellenic currently manages three polar-class expedition vessels that migrate seasonally between hemispheres – operating in Antarctica during the austral summer and then repositioning north. But according to Zito, geopolitical shifts in the Arctic have reduced opportunities for the cruise line. “Since 2022, about 60-65 per cent of the Arctic has been off-limits because it’s Russian territory,” he says. “The region offers some of the wildest and most interesting locations, but it’s simply not possible to operate there now. So, all the polar operators are stepping on each other’s toes in Norway and the Canadian Arctic, with limited itineraries. That made it even more important for us to bring SH Minerva to Asia-Pacific, as originally planned.” Though sailing in the Asia-Pacific marks a new chapter in Swan Hellenic’s history, Zito and his team have significant experience in the region. “We’ve been operating ships in this region for 25-30 years in our previous careers, mostly with luxury brands,” he says. “My team knows it well.” After completing its Antarctica season in 2026, SH Minerva will begin sailing in Oceania and the Far East. The first programme includes routes through Papua Photo: Swan Hellenic 66 Swan Hellenic will bring SH Minerva to the Asia-Pacific region during its first year of operation
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=