Small Luxury Cruise Line Swan Hellenic Offers Cultural Expeditions in Southeast Asia for First Time
Swan Hellenic is offering a series of four cultural expedition cruises in Southeast Asia. (Photo courtesy of Swan Hellenic)
Small-ship expedition cruise line Swan Hellenic will be sailing voyages in Southeast Asia, opening new experiences for its travelers on the 152-passenger ship SH Minerva.
I’ve cruised with Swan Hellenic once before and had a fantastic adventure in the high Arctic. The expedition cruise on the line’s SH Diana started in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and took us to the most remote places around the island to see polar bears, walruses, stunning ice formations and more.
Now, I’m excited that Swan Hellenic will bring another of its boutique expedition ships to Asia so that travelers can enjoy some of the region’s most remote and captivating areas.
Cruisers will have the opportunity to see beautiful nature, learn about ancient traditions and meet the warm and inviting people who live here.
The isolation of these exceptional destinations means that the first three cruises in the series are only provided in Swan Hellenic’s complete "Cruise Plus” formula, which includes specially booked hotel accommodation, charter flights and transfers to reach the departure ports.
These four cruise itineraries on SH Minerva sail from April 5 to May 20, 2026.
Honiara to Jayapura: Solomon Islands & New Guinea
SH Minerva cruises from April 5 to April 18, covering 13 nights on this Wild Eden of Papua New Guinea voyage.
This island-hopping odyssey begins in Honiara, Guadalcanal, capital of the Solomon Islands, following an itinerary that weaves World War II history with secluded areas of pristine wilderness and the vibrant cultures of Melanesia and Polynesia. Cruising through the volcanic islands and crystal-clear lagoons of this secluded paradise, SH Minerva visits Tulagi’s famous waters where you can snorkel among Njari Island’s untouched reefs.
In Papua, New Guinea, highlights include Rabaul’s volcanic landscapes, Kimbe Bay’s coral-filled waters, Garove’s sunken caldera, the Tami Islands and encounters with tribal villages along the Sepik River. These interactions offer insight into ancestral rituals of the people who live here.
The Cruise Plus package includes a hotel stay in Brisbane, all transfers, a charter flight from Brisbane to Honiara to board SH Minerva and a charter flight to Bali for international connections after your cruise.
Jayapura to Sorong: New Guinea & Indonesia
The cruise lasts 10 nights, from April 18 to April 28 on the Secrets of the Coral Triangle: West Papua and Raja Ampat itinerary.
This Raja Ampat trip combines adventure and cultural immersion alongside pristine scenic cruising. Sailing westward from Jayapura, SH Minerva ventures into the vibrant marine ecosystems of Indonesia’s Coral Triangle, as well as some lesser-know remote island systems.
The traditional temples and sacred natural sites of Indonesia in this region are shaped not only by geography, but also by centuries of spiritual devotion and community heritage. You’ll have the chance to swim alongside giant whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay, trek rainforest trails and marvel at the karst pinnacles of Wayag and Misool.
Waigeo’s Aljui Bay is filled with mangroves and orchids, while Ayu Atoll promises ivory beaches and nesting turtles. Cruisers also meet remote traditional island communities as SH Minerva gradually makes its way to Sorong, the heart of the Raja Ampat archipelago.
The Cruise Plus package provided includes a hotel night in Bali, all transfers and a round-trip charter flight from Bali to Jayapura to join SH Minerva and then return home after the cruise.
Sorong to Manila: Indonesia & Philippines
Sailing for 11 night from April 28 to May 9, SH Minerva takes travelers on this Raja Ampat and the Philippines cruise: the Last Paradise on Earth voyage.
Raja Ampat offers one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems. On this adventure, you will see secluded coral islets, unspoiled forests and diverse island cultures.
This expedition is scheduled to visit the atolls of Ayu, the karsts of Misool and Palawan’s palm-fringed beaches.
Cenderawasih Bay promises whale shark sightings, while the reefs and villages of northern Indonesia and the Philippines offer snorkeling excursions and cultural encounters that reveal the delicate yet powerful interplay between nature and the communities here.
This cruise concludes in Manila, the bustling capital of the Philippines, where colonial history, buzzing modernity and culinary creativity converge. Excursions offer the chance to experience its lively markets, historic landmarks and vibrant cultural diversity — all in striking contrast to the serene wildness of your time at sea.
The Cruise Plus package provided includes one night’s hotel accommodation in Bali, a charter flight from Bali to Sorong and all transfers.
Manila to Hiroshima: Philippines & Japan
This fascinating 11-night voyage goes from May 9 to May 20 on Swan Hellenic’s Philippines to Japan Cultural Discovery Cruise
This itinerary works its way through lesser-travelled seas during the calm, temperate days of early summer. Travelers are treated to rare history and fascinating ancient traditions. Your trip stops at the Hundred Islands National Park and Vigan at the northern tip of the Philippines, a UNESCO World Heritage site described as the best-preserved planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.
You’ll also get the chance to see the beauty of the windswept Batanes and Sabtang Islands in the Philippines, where the Ivatan people maintain centuries-old customs, as well as Japan’s tropical islands, including Amami Oshima and Okinawa, site of a famous World War II battle. The trip also includes visits to Sakitsu’s historic Christian sacred sites and the cities of Kagoshima and Hiroshima.
This Philippines to Japan cultural expedition cruise is an intimate, revealing voyage. Combining remote islands with thought-provoking encounters with indigenous communities, it brings cruisers an unforgettable experience combining rich traditions, stunning landscapes and the unique heritage of the Philippines and Southern Japan’s tropical islands.
Opening this inspiring part of the world to cultural expedition cruises for the first time for Swan Hellenic, SH Minerva brings Scandi design to the spirit of thoughtful adventure that has always defined the cruise line.