Minerva's key points
- This is a small expedition ship from Swann Hellenic, a cruise company that originated in the UK.
- It's a small ship with a passenger capacity of 152 people (76 cabins), and it has a hull that can navigate even icy seas.
- In 2026, the ship began cruising in the Asia-Pacific region, with routes including a route from Hiroshima to Otaru, visiting ports along the Sea of Japan coast, and calling at ports such as Hagi, Sakaiminato, Maizuru, Sakata, and Sado.
Last verified: September 29, 2026 (Source at the end of this page)
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What kind of ship is the Minerva?
Swan Hellenic is a company known for its cruises that teach about history and culture. The Minerva is an expedition ship completed in 2021 at the Helsinki shipyard in Finland and is also used for Antarctic cruises.
This cruise offers a unique experience of visiting ports of call while listening to lectures from experts, and its charm lies in the fact that it can visit small ports, which is possible only on a small ship. English is the primary language on board.
Basic data
| Operating company | Swan Hellenic |
|---|---|
| Completed | 2021 |
| Gross tonnage | Approximately 10,500 tons |
| Passenger capacity | 152 people |
| Number of rooms | 76 rooms |
| crew | Approximately 122 people |
| construction | Helsinki Shipyard (Finland) |
Operations in Japan
In 2026, we launched cruises in the Asia-Pacific region. We offer routes that visit ports along the Sea of Japan, such as a 10-night cruise departing from Hiroshima and heading to Otaru via Shimonoseki, Busan, Sakaiminato, Maizuru, Sakata, Sado, and Aomori.
Major ports of call in Japan
- Sakaiminato2 calls
- Hiroshima Port2 calls
- Beppu Port2 calls
- Hagi Port2 calls
- Hakodate Port1 call
- Nagasaki Port1 call
- Kagoshima Port1 call
- Otaru Port1 call
- Kyoto Maizuru Port1 call
- Sakata Port1 call
- Kitakyushu Port/Moji1 call
- Uwajima Port1 call
- Ogi Port, Sado Island1 call
This data compiles the number of port calls to Japanese ports based on scheduled arrivals from July 2026 to October 2026 (as of September 29, 2026). You can view the port's information page by clicking on the port name link. Source:WEB CRUISE "Cruise Ship Port Arrival Calendar"Comparison with other ships isList of cruise ships coming to Japanfart.
FAQ
Q1What kind of cruise is it?
This is an exploratory cruise where you can learn in depth about the history and culture of the ports of call while listening to explanations from experts. Because it's a small ship, it will also visit small ports.
Q2Can I board from Japan?
There are routes departing from and arriving at cities such as Hiroshima and Otaru. Reservations can be made through the Swan Hellenic's official website, and English is the primary language on board.
Source/Reference Information
- Swan Hellenic (Official)
- Seatrade Cruise News "Seven expedition cruises for SH Minerva's Asia-Pacific debut"
- Swan Hellenic “SH Minerva floated out”
Photos are currently being prepared. Last updated: September 29, 2026. Information is subject to change. Please let us know of any inaccuracies or issues through reviews or inquiries.
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