Swan Hellenic Announces First Asia-Pacific Cultural Cruises for 2026
Boutique expedition cruise line Swan Hellenic has released full details of its first-ever sailings in the Asia-Pacific region, set to depart in spring 2026 aboard the 5-star cultural expedition ship SH Minerva.
Known for its focus on remote destinations and expert-led exploration, the company will operate four distinct itineraries across Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Philippines and southern Japan.
Each cruise is designed to offer access to some of the world’s least-visited coastlines, island cultures and ecologically rich marine areas, with onboard lectures and guidance from specialists in history, anthropology and natural science. Hotel stays, charter flights and transfers are included as part of Swan Hellenic’s Cruise Plus programme.
Honiara to Jayapura | 5–18 April 2026 | 13 nights
Titled Wild Eden of Papua New Guinea, this voyage begins in Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands, and travels through remote Melanesian islands before crossing into Papua New Guinea. Highlights include the volcanic landscapes of Rabaul, the coral gardens of Kimbe Bay, the sunken caldera of Garove Island, and visits to Sepik River communities known for their rich artistic traditions.
Jayapura to Sorong | 18–28 April 2026 | 10 nights
Secrets of the Coral Triangle explores West Papua and the biodiverse waters of Raja Ampat. This itinerary includes Cenderawasih Bay, home to whale sharks, the karst island formations of Wayag and Misool, and cultural stops at sacred temples and traditional Indonesian island communities.
Sorong to Manila | 28 April – 9 May 2026 | 11 nights
Sailing northward from Indonesia into the Philippines, this cruise traces what Swan Hellenic calls The Last Paradise on Earth. It includes Palawan, the Ayu Atoll, and various reef systems and rainforest-backed beaches across the Sulu Sea. The trip ends in the capital, Manila, offering a shift from island seclusion to urban history and culture.
Manila to Hiroshima | 9–20 May 2026 | 11 nights
A cross-cultural route from the Philippines to Japan, Philippines to Japan Cultural Discovery takes in the Hundred Islands National Park, Vigan (a UNESCO-listed Spanish colonial town), and the remote Batanes and Sabtang islands. Guests will then travel through Japan’s southern archipelagos, with calls at Amami Oshima, Okinawa, and Kagoshima before concluding in Hiroshima.
All voyages are now available to book through Swan Hellenic’s website and partner travel agencies.
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.