Swan Hellenic Opens 2026-28 Antarctica Sales as Bookings Hit 65%

Swan Hellenic has opened sales for its 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 Antarctic seasons after posting record results in 2025-2026, including 53 percent growth in guest numbers and a 66 percent increase in net revenue.

Andrea Zito, CEO of Swan Hellenic, tied the new season launch to that performance and to early demand for upcoming sailings, saying, “We are thrilled with the outstanding results achieved this season and the positive trend for the year ahead.”

Early demand and capacity already sold for 2026-2027

Swan Hellenic said bookings for the 2026-2027 Antarctic season have reached 65 percent of capacity, which it described as 20 percent higher than the prior year’s position at the same point in the sales cycle.

How the 2026-2028 Antarctica program is structured

The company’s Antarctica seasons continue to be built around round-trip expeditions from Ushuaia, Argentina, supplemented by longer Grand Voyages that span multiple regions across the fleet.

• For 2026-2027, Swan Hellenic scheduled 33 voyages, including 29 round-trip expeditions from Ushuaia lasting nine to 17 days, plus four Grand Voyages operated across all three ships.
• For 2027-2028, the operator scheduled 34 voyages, again including 29 round-trip itineraries from Ushuaia lasting nine to 18 days, plus four Grand Voyages.

Two 32-night Grand Voyages from Ushuaia to Dunedin on SH Minerva

Among the longer itineraries, Swan Hellenic detailed two 32-night sailings aboard SH Minerva titled Ultimate Antarctica Adventure: From Ushuaia to Dunedin, linking South America and New Zealand via Antarctica.

• February 3 to March 8, 2027 (32 nights), Ushuaia to Dunedin
• February 4 to March 7, 2028 (32 nights), Ushuaia to Dunedin

Starting prices shared by the company are $26,295 per person for the 2027 departure and $29,175 per person for the 2028 departure. Zito described the itinerary as a top-tier option for the brand, saying, “This remarkable journey is one of the most comprehensive and exclusive Antarctic expedition voyages ever offered,” adding that the 32-night duration “really is a Grand Voyage.”

Route highlights: Antarctic Peninsula, Peter I Island, and the Ross Sea

On the southbound portion, the itinerary is set to include the Lemaire Channel, a narrow passage sometimes nicknamed the “Kodak Gap,” before pushing into waters south of the Antarctic Circle that are visited less frequently than the peninsula’s northern approaches.

Swan Hellenic also lists Peter I Island, a remote volcanic outpost, and the Bay of Whales, which it described as the closest navigable point to the South Pole and a historic waypoint linked to early exploration, including Roald Amundsen’s 1911 expedition.

The voyage continues into the Ross Sea, which the company described as a protected region with major wildlife concentrations. Swan Hellenic also highlighted historic huts linked to early exploration activity in the Ross Sea region.

Balleny Islands and Sub-Antarctic landings before New Zealand

Further along, SH Minerva is scheduled to visit the volcanic Balleny Islands. Swan Hellenic described the area as a seasonal feeding ground for humpback, fin, and minke whales, as well as multiple seal species, including crabeater, Weddell, elephant, and leopard seals.

As the ship approaches New Zealand, the plan includes Sub-Antarctic island exploration with zodiac operations and a call at the Snares, home to the Snares crested penguin, before arriving in Dunedin.

Option to continue with “New Zealand in Depth” from Dunedin to Auckland

Swan Hellenic said guests sailing in 2027 can pair the Ushuaia-to-Dunedin Grand Voyage with a second itinerary, New Zealand in Depth, a 13-night voyage from Dunedin to Auckland with an inclusive price starting at $11,100 per person.

Highlights listed for the New Zealand sailing include Dusky, Doubtful, and Milford Sounds, along with calls and cruising around Stewart Island (including Oban and Golden Bay). The route also lists Akaroa, Kaikoura, Picton, Abel Tasman National Park, Wellington, Tauranga, the Bay of Islands, and a final arrival in Auckland.

Ice capability and recent operational milestone cited by the company

Swan Hellenic said it operates Polar Class 5 expedition ships in Antarctica, including SH Minerva and SH Vega, and that the vessels are capable of maintaining about six knots in sea ice measuring 0.58 meters thick and in brash ice up to 1.2 meters.

The line also pointed to a milestone from the 2025-2026 season. In March 2026, SH Minerva navigated to the farthest-south point the company has reached on the Antarctic Peninsula, penetrating the extremes of George VI Sound.

Promotions and awards highlighted as sales continue

For early bookers, Swan Hellenic said it added the new 2027 Grand Voyage to its Elevated Expeditions promotion, which offers savings for reservations made before the end of March 2026.

The company also noted that it received Cruise Critic’s 2025 Best in Cruise Awards recognition for Best Expedition Antarctica and Best Value Expedition Cruise Line, marking the third consecutive year it has received those two awards.

Looking ahead, the next long Grand Voyage departures are scheduled for February 2027 and February 2028, while the broader 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 seasons remain centered on nine- to 18-day round-trip expeditions from Ushuaia alongside Grand Voyages operated across the fleet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many Antarctic voyages is Swan Hellenic offering in 2026-2027 and 2027-2028?

The company scheduled 33 voyages for 2026-2027 and 34 voyages for 2027-2028, including 29 round-trip expeditions from Ushuaia and four Grand Voyages in each season.

When do the 32-night Ushuaia-to-Dunedin Grand Voyages sail?

The two departures are February 3 to March 8, 2027, and February 4 to March 7, 2028, both aboard SH Minerva.

Which Swan Hellenic ships are identified as Polar Class 5 for Antarctica?

Swan Hellenic said SH Minerva and SH Vega are Polar Class 5 ships, and it provided performance details for maintaining about six knots in sea ice measuring 0.58 meters thick and in brash ice up to 1.2 meters.

Can guests combine Antarctic expeditions with other itineraries?

Yes. Swan Hellenic said guests sailing the Ushuaia-to-Dunedin Grand Voyage in 2027 can connect to the 13-night New Zealand in Depth itinerary from Dunedin to Auckland, with an inclusive price starting at $11,100 per person.