Swan Hellenic surprises with expanded choice of Asia-Pacific Cultural Expedition voyages for 2027, plus Asia Unlocked free upgrades for bookings by November 9th
Rich choice of 10 voyages offers in-depth exploration from New Zealand to Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Raja Ampat, the Philippines, Japan and Korea. Time-limited Asia Unlocked offer brings free balcony and wi-fi upgrades.
Following the success of its first ever Asia-Pacific voyages last year, Swan Hellenic has announced a massively enriched 2027 season, enhanced by its new Asia Unlocked offer, which brings a free upgrade to a balcony stateroom and Gold wi-fi for every new booking completed by November 9th, 2026.
The pioneering company’s 2027 Asia-Pacific Season has been expanded from five to ten cultural expedition voyages rich in discovery, from coral paradises to inspiring sites of centuries-old history and famous battle sites of the Second World War. The big news is the addition of two New Zealand voyages at the beginning of the season and deep exploration of Japan at the end, including two entirely new voyages that each feature a visit to Busan in the Republic of Korea.
In addition, the itineraries have been designed so that adventurous explorers can combine them to create Grand Voyages tailored to their own interests, enjoying unforgettable extended experiences of the region's unique natural beauty, history and cultures.
Three themes animate these rich and varied voyages:
• Anthropology – The fascinating cultures and traditions of the South Pacific and East Asia, from the Polynesians, Māori, Melanesians, Indonesians and Filipinos to the Japanese and South Koreans.
• Nature – The exceptionally biodiverse marine life, spectacular geology, endemic flora and wildlife.
• History – The haunting sites of the Second World War across the Asia-Pacific.
Enabling in-depth exploration of the most remote destinations, every one of these voyages is on the scandi-design boutique expedition ship SH Minerva, recognized for her award-winning combination of superior expedition and leisure facilities, panoramic spaciousness and gourmet cuisine. Created for a select community of just 152 guests, SH Minerva offers a unique experience of exploration in elegance and refined comfort, distinguished by the onboard presence of experts in culture, history and natural science, who enrich every voyage with their insights and company.
The 10 cultural expedition voyages span from March 8th through to October 12th, 2027, as follows.
New Zealand in Depth
Dunedin–Auckland, New Zealand · 8–21 March 2027 · 13 Nights
From USD 11,650 per person
Cruising the Pacific Islands: New Caledonia, Vanuatu & Solomon Islands
Auckland, New Zealand–Honiara, Solomon Islands · 21 March–3 April 2027 · 13 Nights
From USD 11,650 per person
Solomon Islands Secrets: from Guadalcanal to the Sepik river
Honiara, Solomon Islands–Sorong, Indonesia · 3–16 April 2027 · 13 Nights
From USD 11,825 per person
Raja Ampat & Cenderawasih Bay Expedition: Indonesia's Coral Triangle
Sorong–Sorong Indonesia · 16–26 April 2027 · 10 Nights
From USD 9,100 per person
Paradise Passage from the Philippines to Raja Ampat
Manila, the Philippines–Sorong, Indonesia · 7–18 May 2027 · 11 Nights
From USD 10,000 per person
Raja Ampat & Cenderawasih Bay Expedition: Indonesia’s Coral Triangle
Sorong–Sorong, Indonesia · 18–29 May 2027 · 11 Nights
From USD 10,000 per person
Raja Ampat and the Philippines: The Last Paradise on Earth
Sorong, Indonesia–Manila, the Philippines · 29 May–9 June 2027 · 11 Nights
From USD 10,000 per person
Pearls of the Pacific: Exploring the Philippines and Japan
Manila, the Philippines–Hiroshima, Japan ·9–19 June 2027 · 10 Nights
From USD 11,000 per person
Japan and Korea Cruise: Cultural Shores and Northern Landscapes
Hiroshima–Otaru, Japan ·19–30 June 2027 · 11 Nights
From USD 12,125 inclusive per person
East Asia Expedition: From the Wild North to Hiroshima’s Heritage
Otaru–Hiroshima, Japan · 2–12 October 2027 · 10 Nights
From USD 11,000 per person
The country highlights combined in these exclusive voyages include:
In New Zealand, spectacular fjords and raw nature, Wellington’s panoramic Mount Victoria Forest with its magical film locations and deep insights into Maori culture, and Aukland, home to the Weta Workshop special effects studio, famous for its blockbuster films and film locations for the Lord of the Rings.
From Vanuatu, where Champagne Beach on Espiritu Santo Island is naturally infused with carbon dioxide rising from the seabed, making the water fizz like champagne, continue to the Solomon Islands to experience vibrant Melanesian cultures, inspiring landscapes and World War II sites, including the bunkers, guns and sunken ships of Honiara.
In Papua New Guinea, the tunnels, shelters and bunkers of a Japanese World War II base in volcanic Rabaul, a swim in the coral-rich waters of Kimbe Bay and snorkeling in the sunken caldera of Garove Island. A further standout is Kopar Village at the mouth of the isolated Sepik River, which has always been rich in saltwater and freshwater crocodiles, making them sacred in the local culture. Boys here undergo one of the toughest initiation rites in Melanesia, having hundreds of scars carved into their skin to depict the reptiles.
In Indonesia, Kwatisore reserves special thrills in Cenderawasih Bay, where guests can swim alongside giant whale sharks. In Raja Ampat archipelago, explored extensively in many of these voyages, is a pristine wonder of nature, rich in ancient island cultures and one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems on the planet, known as the “crown jewel of the coral triangle”, they can trek rainforest trails and admire the karst pinnacles of Wayag and Misool.
In the Philippines, experience a world of contrasts, from the idyllic Hundred Islands National Park and tropical Casulian Island to Bohol’s famous conical Chocolate Hills. And from Vigan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the best-preserved Spanish town in Asia, to Manila, where colonial history, buzzing modernity and culinary creativity converge.
In Japan, the highlights range from volcanic Amami Oshima to Okinawa, site of the intense World War II battle, and from iconic Miyajima with its UNESCO-listed Itsukushima Shrine, to the geothermal attractions of Beppu, the famous temples and gardens of Sakaiminato, and enchanting Sado Island, famous for its giant hand-carved drums and the bowl-shaped boats of its female fishers. Haunting Hiroshima offers visits to the Peace Memorial Park, sacred Miyajima Island and the UNESCO-listed Itsukushima Shrine with its iconic "floating" Great Torii Gate.
Two of the Japan voyages include Busan in the Republic of Korea, where travelers can explore the colorful Gamcheon Culture Village, a hillside neighborhood transformed by artists into a vibrant open-air gallery of murals, installations and creative spaces.
Combining expert-led exploration with Swan Hellenic’s signature expedition experience, these remarkable cultural expedition voyages promise unforgettable journeys through the unique history, cultures and landscapes of this constantly-surprising region.
"We’re proud to be more than doubling the number of our cultural expedition voyages in the Asia-Pacific for 2027,” says Swan Hellenic Chief Commercial Officer Mario Bounas. “Following the strong success of last year’s decision to take SH Minerva into this region for the first time, we’ve been determined to meet and surprise the unexpectedly strong demand. So we worked closely with regional experts to enhance the breadth, depth and variety of our Asia-Pacific 2027 Season, while also expanding it to include the majestic beauty of New Zealand and more of Japan. Our Asia Unlocked offer is a further expression of this commitment, bringing free upgrades to a balcony stateroom and Gold wi-fi for all new bookings completed by November 9th, 2026."
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