Swan Hellenic to launch second ship in London next year

Swan Hellenic has decided to launch its second ship Vega in London next year and hold a “smaller” christening event for maiden vessel Minerva in Helsinki in November.

The resurrected line, which soft launched to the trade last year, had planned to launch Minerva in London in two months’ time.

However, Swan Hellenic has now confirmed “a spectacular launch event” for Vega (pictured) will go ahead at Tower Bridge, London, in April 2022.

Explaining the decision to cancel Minerva’s launch in London, Mario Bounas, vice president of global marketing, said the line was “mindful” of the “continuing need” to protect passengers and crew “in these uncertain times”.

He said: “As a heritage British brand with a global cultural cruising outlook dedicated to taking guests to see what others don’t, there could be no more fitting location to showcase our recent achievements and second ship to our partners in the UK.

“This event will enable us to achieve what we had intended for our first ship, Minerva, which will now have a much smaller christening event at the Helsinki Shipyard in November.”

Ships – Minerva and Vega – were floated in dry dock at a shipyard in Helsinki in June. The line confirmed at the time that some cruises had already sold out.

The 152-passenger Minerva is due to be delivered next year, Vega in spring 2022 and a third vessel will join the fleet in 2023.