My husband and I recently completed the "Antarctic Wonders" cruise on the beautiful SH Minerva. I can honestly say that everything about this adventure was extraordinary. It was our first "Expedition Cruise" and the whole experience was amazing from start to finish. I would absolutely recommend it to others without hesitation. The staff (including the Captain, Hotel Director, Doctor and Expedition Leader by the way) were exceptional and very approachable. The ship's capacity is 152 passengers but there were only 91 guests traveling on this particular sailing. Naturally, this made for a certain level of upscale, personalized service, but each and every staff member went out of their way 24/7 to ensure a perfect experience for all passengers. The dining and bar staff (Zerik, Allan, Silvester, Roan, Sagar) addressed us all by name after the 1st day. Beyond that, they were kind, funny and extremely accommodating. I must add that the other passengers were very welcoming as well. It seemed that we were all up for the adventure of a lifetime and we shared a "life changing" experience with one another that bonded us in an unexpected way.The food was all made from scratch and we enjoyed 5 star meals that were incredible. Chef Eddy can "read the room" and he tailored meals to fit the needs and desires of a diverse group of people (literally from all over the world). It was impressive and delicious.Our stateroom was lovely. It had more storage than any previous ship I have traveled on as well as an electric fireplace that was so charming! The common areas are also elegant but inviting and comfortable. The spa was beautiful and I enjoyed a massage with Jun that was wonderful. The sauna and hot tub offered views outside the ship that were spectacular. We didn't hop into the pool, but spent a fair amount of time on the deck enjoying the tables with heaters above them. You sure couldn't beat the view at lunch time!!The Expedition team was comprised of experts from many fields (Marine Biology, Ornithology, Geology). They were knowledgeable, helpful and so interesting to talk to. They gave informative lectures and were always available to answer random questions too. We even visited the onboard lab one day! Miriam, our Expedition Leader, was delightful. Her experience and planning allowed us to enjoy maximum time off the ship (via Zodiac cruises or landings) and made the adventure all that we had hoped for and more. The team had a photographer onboard (Werner Kruse) to document our experience and the videos and photos we received (at no additional cost) were of "National Geographic" quality. It was a priceless gift of our memories and experience. The weather (and wildlife) was very cooperative during our journey, which I understand is not always the case. However, I can assure you that this team will go above and beyond to deliver the best guest experience possible on any voyage. They also facilitated a "Polar Plunge" for those of us who were interested (30 seconds of chilly, salty exhilaration for endless years of bragging rights!)If you are considering a cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula (and if you haven't been, you should be!), I would urge you to travel with Swan Hellenic. Their attention to detail (and, it should be noted, safety) is unmatched in my opinion. Go for it!
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Cultural Expedition Cruises
