Swan Hellenic has unveiled the details of its first-ever cultural expedition cruises of the Asia-Pacific region, enabled by the return of SH Minerva, which has brought the company’s fleet to full strength. Offered over two seasons, travelers will have a choice of seven itineraries, five in April and May 2026, followed by a further two in September, all of which can be combined into longer explorations as desired.
Fresh from its Antarctic season on April 5, 2026, SH Minerva will depart Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands, for five cultural expedition cruises that explore the landscapes, spiritual heritage and history of the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan.
In the established Swan Hellenic tradition, these cruises never visit the same port twice, meaning they can be daisy-chained to form longer voyages all the way up to an immersive 55-day grand cruise ending in Otaru, Japan, on May 30, 2026.
The first three cruises in the series are only provided in Swan Hellenic’s exclusive “Cruise Plus” formula, which includes specially-booked hotel accommodation, charter flights and transfers to reach the departure ports. The final two cruises, departing from Manila and Hiroshima respectively, are provided as “Cruise Only” packages, since both are served by regular scheduled flights.
Here are a few highlights of the five new cultural expedition cruises:
- “Wild Eden of Papua New Guinea: Solomon Islands & Papua New Guinea” (April 5–18 2026) – The voyage begins in Honiara, where echoes of World War II mingle with the legacy of Melanesian and Polynesian culture. Guests will explore worlds shaped by oral tradition, ritual dance and spiritual practices deeply rooted in the ocean and land. Jayapura, the vibrant capital of Indonesia’s Papua province, provides a contrast on the frontier of diversity and traditional tribal life. The “Cruise Plus” package provided includes one night’s hotel accommodation in Brisbane, all transfers, a charter flight from Brisbane to Honiara to join SH Minerva, and a charter flight to Bali for international connections after the cruise.
- “Secrets of the Coral Triangle: Papua New Guinea & Indonesia” (April 18–28 2026) – Departing Jayapura, the explorations continue west to Sorong and the spiritual riches of Indonesia’s vast island chain, from sacred landscapes to the power of traditional dance in which movement becomes a storytelling performance across centuries. The “Cruise Plus” package provided includes one night’s hotel accommodation in Bali, all transfers, and a round-trip charter flight from Bali to Jayapura to join SH Minerva and then return home after the cruise.
- “Last Paradise on Earth: Raja Ampat, Indonesia & Philippines” (April 28–May 9 2026) – Crossing the biodiverse waters of Raja Ampat, one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems, this cruise takes guests to experience coral islets and tropical forests. The final experience is Manila, famed for its varied architecture, bustling markets and thriving culinary scene. The “Cruise Plus” package provided includes one night’s hotel accommodation in Bali, a charter flight from Bali to Sorong and all transfers.
- “Philippines to Japan Cultural Discovery” (May 9–20 2026) – This cruise commences with in-depth explorations of the northern Philippines, from the Hundred Islands National Park and historic Vigan to the windswept Batanes Islands, known for their stone houses and coastal cliffs. Guests will then sail north to Zamami Island in the Kerama Archipelago. This will be followed by the island of Amami Oshima, the Christian village of Sakitsu and the volcanic landscapes of Kagoshima. Hiroshima marks the end of this journey; this voyage is a “Cruise Only” package.
- “Hiroshima to Otaru” (May 20–30 2026) – The final cruise in SH Minerva’s Asia Pacific season explores northern Japan, from the culture-rich streets of Hiroshima to ancient temples and castles, then onward to the tranquil north. The journey ends in Otaru, a canal city on Hokkaido island, renowned for its glassware, fresh seafood markets and historic ambiance. This voyage is a “Cruise Only” package.
The two Asia Pacific cultural expedition cruises in September 2026 are both focused on Japan and follow on directly from one another so they too can be combined into a single seamless voyage of discovery.
- “Otaru to Hiroshima” (September 1–10 2026) – The first September cruise is identical to the last one in May, only sailing in the reverse direction.
- “Hiroshima to Itozaki–Onomichi” (September 11–20 2026) – Guests will enjoy an exploration of the Kerama Archipelago to Nagasaki that continues through the Kanmon Strait to Beppu, and then on to Itozaki and Onomichi’s historic temples.
Swan Hellenic Chief Commercial Officer Patrizia Iantorno and VP Global Sales Carlos Garzon will be at Virtuoso Travel Week 2025 in Las Vegas from August 9–15, where they will be happy to provide their personal support with any questions.
For more information, call +44 (0) 207 846 0271 or visit www.swanhellenic.com.
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