Hellenic Swan, Antarctica
Swan Hellenic is preparing to launch the SH Vega, a Scandinavian-designed, five-star luxury expedition vessel that can accommodate just 152 passengers. A top-of-the-line spa, by Ocean View Monaco, with a panoramic-view sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows, a well-equipped gym with personal trainers, and pillow menus for optimized sleep are just a few of the elements on board. that will help passengers improve their physical and mental health by the end of the cruise.
If the trip of a lifetime to Antarctica is on the cards, SH Vega’s expedition cruise, Shackleton’s Discovery, could bring 18 days of polar paradise. Take out the Zodiacs to spot chinstrap penguins – who appear to be wearing a black hat – humpback whales and Weddell seals, among others, will naturally infuse mindfulness as well as joy and wonder. As long as conditions permit, expert expedition leaders will take guests kayaking through floating ice, glaciers and icebergs. Ice hikes are also on the menu, as well as snowshoe hikes.
How to do
A 17-night Shackleton’s Discovery trip from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, both in Argentina, departs November 7, 2022 and costs from £15,150 pp. The itinerary includes stops at West Point Island, Saunders Island and Port Stanley (in the Falkland Islands), South Georgia, the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula (00 49 211 13 866 123; swanhellenic.com).
Princess Cruises, Iceland and Norway
Princess Cruises has focused on sleep fitness, reporting that half of the world’s people don’t get the sleep they need. The company dug into the science, brought in a sleep expert, and created the Princess Luxury Bed – a mattress exclusively designed for Princess Cruises (44,000 have been rolled out across the fleet).
At Lotus Spa, the connection between mind, body and soul is the focus through treatments such as acupuncture and hot stone massage. A running track and sports court keep guests active outside, but there’s also an extensive fitness center and yoga and Zumba classes.
A cruise to Iceland and Norway on Sky Princess offers plenty of energetic outings. Climb up to the turquoise Kjenndalen glacier in Norway; in Iceland, hop off at Isafjordur and trek through Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, the village of Hesteyri (abandoned 50 years ago) and the volcanic landscape of Grundarfjordur, or rejuvenate at Reykjavik’s famous geothermal spa. Princess Cruises’ Ocean Medallion technology also means you can order from anywhere for the ultimate chill factor – just make a request through the app and it will find you.
How to do
A 14-night trip to Iceland and Norway from Southampton departs May 13, 2023 and costs from £1,759 pp. It includes calls to Skjolden, Olden, Akureyri, Isafjordur, Grundarfjordur and Reykjavik (0344 33 88 663; princesscruises.com).
Covid Rules For full details of boarding requirements, see individual cruise line websites. Refer to gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for more travel information.
