Sustainable and Cultural Expeditions: Swan Hellenic’s Answer to Demand

Sustainable and Cultural Expeditions: Swan Hellenic’s Answer to Demand

Relaunched in 2021, Swan Hellenic is on a growth path, with a third expedition and new itineraries coming this year. The brand is led by industry veteran Andrea Zito, who has 30 years of experience and has seen the changes that the expedition market has gone through over the past decades.

“When I started, cruising was in its infancy, and we still had steamships. But everything evolved quite quickly, and at the beginning of 2000, expedition cruising began using converted trawlers, research vessels, and icebreakers,” he said, noting that the expedition market is an “industry within the industry.”

“In the beginning, passengers were very adventurous because of the rough conditions. The whole purpose was really the adventure,” Zito noted.

These passengers continue to exist, he said, but are now joined by a different clientele who want to see Antarctica, for instance, “because it is on their bucket list.”

Modern expedition vessels allow the market to attract a broader audience, Zito added, with new hardware being built that offers additional features, state-of-the-art sustainability, and a much more comfortable experience.

“Like the big lines that differentiate and cater to everybody, the expedition sector is also opening up to different needs. We are seeing a much larger demographic and much younger people.”

Sustainability is a mindset that is coming naturally, and Swan Hellenic’s cultural expeditions fit right into this trend, Zito noted.

“Passengers want to see sustainability, but they also want to hear from experts on board, with lectures about climate change or about the fragilities of the environment we are crossing,” he said, noting that not only the cruising industry but shipping, in general, is one of the most sustainable ways of travelling.

The social politics in Russia, however, continue to be a challenge for expedition operators in the Northern Hemisphere, Zito said.

“Sixty-five per cent of the Arctic belongs to them, and it’s the nicest, widest, most interesting, and least travelled part of it.”

As a result, itineraries are currently concentrated in Svalbard, he added, with destinations like the Bering Strait and the Aleutian Islands remaining off-limits for the time being.

Regarding deployment, Swan Hellenic operations include four months in the North and four months in the South, Zito said.

“For the other four months, you have to cross through warmer waters and it’s very interesting what you can and find,” he added.

In 2023, for instance, the SH Vega is offering new itineraries in West Africa, exploring the last 800 kilometres of virgin coastline in the region, Zito said.

“We want a place that is a ‘wow’ and is also a unique place to be reached by ship.”

The expeditions include visits to Congo and Gabon, allowing guests to visit the Loango National Park and Conkouati-Douli National Park.

 

SWAN HELLENIC TO ENSURE ALL ONBOARD CREW ARE VACCINATED

Swan Hellenic will have rigorous Covid testing for its crews when it relaunches

Vaccinations will be carried out at recruitment centres or in the home countries of crew members “in accordance with approved medical protocols”.

 

Swan Hellenic chief executive Andrea Zito said: “We are totally committed to the health and peace of mind of our guests and crews, ensuring they can relax and focus entirely on the life-enriching opportunities we offer to see what others don’t.”

 

The relaunched line’s three new ships, the first of which is due to be delivered in November, will feature onboard air conditioning plants that use UV sanitisation.

 

During the pandemic, the brand offers cancellation up to 30 days before departure, providing a future cruise credit valid for two years.

Zito: Swan Hellenic Ready for Strong Start-Up

The CEO of Swan Hellenic, Andrea Zito, said that the company is in a good position ahead of its launch in 2021.

“We are receiving only positive comments from the former customers of Swan Hellenic. The sector is reacting very well to the fact that Swan Hellenic is being resurrected in a way,” Zito told Cruise Industry News.

The first of two new expedition ships, the m/v SH Minerva, debuts into service for the brand in 2021.

The revived Swan Hellenic launched earlier this year. However, the brand is actually 70 years old and was acquired in December 2020.

“One and a half [years ago], the group started the negotiation and placed the order for two ships with Helsinki shipyard for delivery at the end of 2021 and mid-2022. And then the pandemic came. This was not really planned,” Zito said.

The coronavirus pandemic caused Swan Hellenic to postpone any announcements from spring to July. However, otherwise, Zito’s company had adjusted to the challenging conditions.

“It’s a little bit slower, but we are doing things very efficiently. It is amazing to realize how many things you can accomplish without travelling continuously,” he said, describing the challenges of having offices in different European countries.

Zito said that Swan Hellenic offers what seasoned travellers look for.

The company will sail to destinations in New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Russia, and, Zito said proudly, the semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica.

“Our ships are some of the very few ships that have Polar Class 5 ... So we can stay longer, we can go deeper in the environment and, most importantly, we can go safer because the characteristics of the ships are of higher safety standards to ensure that passengers are well protected,” he said.

According to Zito, Swan Hellenic’s ultimate goal is to cover the whole world.

“It's not just a box-ticking exercise, it caters to people who are thirsty for knowledge: they are curious and they want to discover various parts of the world. And the world is still very big.” 

Blocks Arrive in Helsinki for First New Swan Hellenic Expedition Ship

Helsinki Shipyard is quickly progressing through the building stages for the first of two new expedition newbuilds for Swan Hellenic.

On Saturday the shipyard loaded the first blocks of the vessel in Klaipeda.

On Monday, the blocks arrived in Helsinki.

Swan Hellenic is building two state-of-the-art expedition ships are being built in Helsinki aimed at providing 152 guests with an elegant, intimate and personal onboard experience delivered by 120 warm, friendly and knowledgeable staff, according to a statement.

The first ship will set sail for Antarctica in November 2021, the second will be launched in April 2022.

Swan Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery cease operations

British company All Leisure Holidays has ceased operations, according to a message on the company's websites.

All Leisure operated two cruise ships, the Minerva and the Voyager, under the brand names Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery.

"Regrettably, and due to the adverse financial position of ALH, the business has ceased to trade resulting in the majority of employees being made redundant and the cancellation of all future voyages," said a message that was posted on both the Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery websites.

Customers who have booked and/or paid for package vacations that include flights were advised to get additional information from the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority. Customers who have booked and/or paid for a vacation without flights were advised to make a claim online.

G Adventures acquires tour companies

On Dec. 30, Canadian tour operator G Adventures acquired All Leisure's tour operations, Travelsphere and Just You.

Travelsphere is an escorted tour company and Just You is a U.K.-based solo travel specialist, which puts together vacations for independent travelers without charging a single supplement.

"We are now able to offer an even wider range of escorted tours right across the world and to suit all age ranges," G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip said in a statement.