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Named after the first ship to cross the Arctic Northeast Passage, SH Vega was designed to journey to faraway places and remote polar regions in style and comfort. This 5-star expedition ship incorporates elegant Scandi-design with the latest in cruising technology, and has a PC5 ice-strengthened hull, and extra-large stabilizers, to make your journey as smooth as possible.
Built in Finland’s famous Helsinki Shipyard, SH Vega was made for wonderful cruising experiences. Welcoming spaces to relax on board, unobstructed views throughout the ship, and world-class restaurants, staterooms and amenities mean sailing on SH Vega is always a pleasure.
This trip exceeded all expectations. From the expedition staff to the room to the food to the excursions...everything was faultless. All the staff went out of their way to make this the ultimate lifetime experience. We were met at the hotel in Buenos Aires and flew by charter to Ushuaia where coaches delivered us to the ship and our luggage magically appeared in our cabins. The ship is so comfortable that even the Drake was comfortable. The Captain and the ship with stabilisers made the crossing very smooth despite it being the Drake Shake. There were two excursions a day which were adventurous and fascinating. The expedition team were always on hand to help and advise. The captain would keep us informed of where we were going and would even stop if there was something to see like a pod of whales. There were lectures on all subjects related to Antarctica and the staff were always available to point out interesting things to see. 'Look! There is a blow,' shouted Gustof,' we have a pod of whales ahead of us!' Our ship went the furtherest south it had ever been and we saw Emperor Penguins! What luck.
This was the holiday of a lifetime. We had previously been on a small ship cruise with Noble Caledonian and were really pleased with the layout of the SH Vega as it compared very well. The SH Vega was newer and more modern and the layout worked very well for an expedition cruise. We were met at Buenos Aires airport and looked after by Swan Hellenic overnight and escorted as a group back to the airport to fly to Ushuaia to join the ship. And were looked after until we arrived back at Buenos Aires airport at the end of the cruise. Our individual travel agent had arranged over night accommodation for us overnight before our return to the UK. Maybe the only problem was the busyness in the boot room before and after a zodiac excursion. And there was not much drying space for wet jackets when everyone had been out in drizzly weather which fortunately only happened once. The weather and ice conditions allowed for several kayaking excursions which were very well organised and very popular. The kayak team gave many people who had never been in a kayak the chance to experience being on the water in a double kayak. All clothes and equipment were checked for cleanliness before the first excursion ashore to help prevent the spread of avian flu. We were supplied with jackets and backpacks which we could keep after the trip. And mud boots were provided which had to be cleaned on return to the ship after each excursion. These boots were surprisingly comfortable and had very good grip when walking on slippery surfaces. Any walks ashore were not difficult and walking poles were provided if required. We were instructed not to sit down or drop anything. Unfortunately, there was no opportunity to try snow shoeing but there were so many other zodiac excursions to keep everyone busy. And many people tried the polar plunge. The lectures were interesting and did not last too long. The accommodation was first rate and the food and drink were top quality. The fact that there were 2 lounges for breakfast and lunch meant you could have a lighter option if preferred. This was an all-inclusive trip with plenty of choice. The expedition team were thorough and did everything they could to keep abreast of weather, tide and ice conditions in order to provide opportunities to see various types of penguin, seals and whales. This was an expensive cruise but on the whole it was excellent value for money. The staff were professional in all aspects.
The experience to Antarctica with SH was unbelievable, the expedition team, food, and kindness of the crew. True A+ experience! Nice job Vega team (disembarked on Dec 28, 2025). Look no further if you want an amazing adventure, without compromising on luxury, I highly recommend going to Antarctica with this company. I have nothing negative to say - what a classy company with a great captain and crew! A memory I will have for a lifetime. The stateroom, amazing, great food, the lectures from the expedition team was amazing, the thought and care that went into every aspect was captured by SH. I’m so happy that we booked with this company- zero regrets. I would do it all over again. They tried to use every second we could in Antarctica-a care juggling act at times with weather. The amount of safety they put into this trip was great, never felt uncomfortable!!
One of the most pleasurable and educational experiences of my life was the cruise my wife and I took from Ushuaia to Antarctica to Ushuaia on the Swan Hellenic Vega, The experience was fantastic from the time we boarded the ship with the efficiency and the friendliness of the crew coming though in the very first interactions. The cabin we checked into was immaculate with a lovely balcony and stocked refrigerator. The dining areas and the food itself was exemplary with excellent service well supervised by Hotel Director Ferdie. The other facilities including the gym,, library sauna and heated pool made the days at sea pleasurable too, The main purpose of our travel, to be in Antarctica was well served by multiple Zodiac Boat cruises and landings on the mainland, various islands and even an active volcano. The daily briefings by Expedition Director Ralph and the frequent educative talks on the history , the geography and even the psychology of the region were excellent. A tour of the bridge personally hosted by the Captain and the Polar plunge experience was a delight. The way to enjoy this experience is to let go of the baggage of your worries and thoughts and truly bask in the luxuries and the mind opening up to a new world.
Swan Hellenic ship Vega was all and more than I expected. The cruise team went out of their way to ensure we were comfortable and looked after while the expedition team kept us safe and informed about the many landing sites scheduled. The food was excellent and catered for all tastes. I'm sure most guests can only guess what Antarctica is like but until you get there and experience the rugged terrain, the fluctuations in weather and history of the place, it's an impossible task to convey in words. We wondered what we had let ourselves in for when we struck rough seas over the Drake's Passage but by day 3 when the sun came out in a cloudless sky, everyone bounced around having an even better time viewing whales, more penguins than one could imagine, seals and birds. The expedition team were very knowledgeable and ran lectures and workshops to highlight what we had seen. An unbelievable experience all round.
The Elegant Scandi interior is designed in neutral tones using natural textures. The smooth lines and rounded walls allow for a relaxing yet light ambience. The rich textiles, varied textures and intimate lighting create a harmonious, comfortable environment. Lighting options for every mood, along with a mesmerizing holographic fireplace create the perfect relaxing space.
For the comfort of our guests, suites have a separate living room and bedroom. All staterooms are equipped with spacious wardrobes and bathrooms.
When it comes to dining on your expedition cruise, our ships have a variety of welcoming venues.
From the gourmet offerings of the Swan Restaurant, and the Pool Bar & Grill’s delicious dishes, to the relaxed tapas-style dining of the Club Lounge, you’ll find exquisite cuisine, skillfully prepared by top chefs.
Plus, our carefully curated in-room menu offers a relaxing dining experience in the comfort of your own stateroom
If you are looking to experience the remote Polar regions or explore truly off-the-beaten path destinations and cultures of our spectacular planet, then you are in great company. Swan Hellenic exists to provide its guests with authentic, intimate and unforgettable moments in extraordinary locations and remote landmarks.
We know how important outdoor space is, so our spacious, relaxing public spaces provide wide open, unobstructed views throughout the ship. The destination will always be in view.
Take time to indulge and invigorate your senses…
Please note; there are no dedicated children's facilities on board.
Kids 8-12 are free of charge when sharing a room with an adult (only port taxes if any).
Kids 13-16 are charged at $100 USD per child per day plus port taxes
*port taxes will be added to your onboard bill for child fares*
