SH Vega, Swan Hellenic’s second bespoke expedition ship, has taken to the water for the first time with her floating out in Helsinki.
The first vessel in the fleet, twin sister SH Minerva, launched at the end of 2021 and is already exploring Antarctica. Work on a third slightly larger vessel began last summer and is slated for delivery early next year.
All three ships are designed for minimal environmental impact and comply with the latest emission standards, while also being battery-ready for future emission-free silent sailing in port as well as wildlife and marine reserves.
The 10,500-ton vessel SH Vega will be delivered to Swan Hellenic in May. She has been specially designed for worldwide cruising to explore the most inspiring and inaccessible places on earth.
Her 11-day maiden cruise will depart Leith, the port of Edinburgh, on 29 May to explore the Faroe Islands and Iceland, docking in Reykjavík on the 8 June.
“It’s wonderful to see our vision come together so well. We know our guests will love how such similar ships as SH Minerva and SH Vega can also be so different, enriching their voyages with us worldwide to see what others don’t,” said Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito.
Simo Rastas, CEO of Helsinki Shipyard, added: “SH Vega is a next-generation ship that advances the Swan Hellenic cultural expedition cruising tradition in the inspired mould of her sister ship. We are very proud of our contribution to everything she represents.”