I had a chance to check out the facilities and equipment aboard Swan Hellenic SH Minerva, which was the ship we were taking to Antarctica. I had no idea just how much this vessel had to offer guests.
Facilities and Equipment Aboard Swan Hellenic SH Minerva: The Vessel to Antarctica.
I took one quick view of Ushuaia just after we boarded the ship during what was an absolutely spectacular day in terms of weather.
The elevators were very fast; and they felt stable when the vessel rocked — but stairs were available between decks as well.
Members of the crew were preparing the zodiacs for the expeditions while we were in Antarctica.
Club Lounge
The Club Lounge is a place where guests can get together and relax at any time of the day or evening, as it never closes.
Boxed puzzles and board games — such as Monopoly and Stratego — were available to pass the time.
Although sometimes lunch was officially served in the Club Lounge, it usually offered soup, pizza, an assortment of salads, sandwiches, breads, fruit, and desserts at meal times in the form of a small buffet or “tapas-style” dining.
A limited choice of hot and cold beverages were offered as well. Snacks, fruit, and bouillon with condiments were offered at other times of the day; and a traditional British tea service is also offered during the afternoons.
Outdoor Swimming Pool, Bar, and Grill
Just outside of the Club Lounge was the outdoor swimming pool…
…which was heated, had its own deck surrounding it, and was stocked with blue towels.
Near the swimming pool was the pool bar and grill, which was a popular place for guests to gather during the expedition.
The pool bar and grill offered items such as hamburgers, three types of pasta with a choice of three sauces, pizza, fish, and French fries — and, of course, an assortment of wines, beers, soft drinks, and other beverages.
Electric heaters helped to warm the area if the air was cold outside. Music played from the loudspeakers above.
Observation Lounge
An information desk was located to the left of the entrance to the Observation Lounge.
Adjacent to the information desk was the bar, which was fully stocked.
The gift shop — where guests can purchase souvenirs or items that they forgot to bring — was located opposite the information desk on the other side of the entrance to the Observation Lounge.
The Observation Lounge was where most of the important — and sometimes mandatory — meetings and presentations occurred with all of the guests aboard the vessel.
Monitors would rise from what appeared to otherwise be counters throughout the Observation Lounge so that everyone could see what was being presented.
Swan Restaurant
Swan Restaurant seats as many as 152 guests; and was the venue where the three main meals of the day occurred. The service was outstanding — to the point where members of the staff remember your preferences and where you are sitting — and the food ranged from very good to excellent.
Although meals were available during certain hours of the day, guests can partake in the open seating of the restaurant at their leisure. Breakfast and lunch — and, a couple of times, dinner — were buffet style in the restaurant, as was the case on the first night aboard the ship.
Otherwise, dinner was ordered by guests at their tables and served by members of the staff. Each meal had a loose theme — Indian and Italian are two of the many examples of themes — of international cuisine and regional cuisine; and other items were offered to guests who did not particularly care for the cuisine of those themes. Special dietary needs were met.
The buffet had one type of soup and a vast selection of breads, seafood, meats, pastas, salads, vegetables, garnishes, and condiments.
I did not know it at the time that I took this photograph; but this table would become the unofficial table of the group of friends that we formed and where we enjoyed most of our meals. My seat was in the corner on the left by the window because I thought it was cozy and it was a convenient place to place my camera equipment — and I prefer window seats.
This view of the restaurant was near the window from the table that was adjacent to our unofficial table. The entrance to the restaurant is beyond the right side of the above photograph.
A private dining room was located off of the main dining room. I did not pay too much attention; but I believe this may have been the Captain’s Table — although I do not recall seeing it used all that much.
Booths were available for larger groups — or simply for those guests who preferred to sit in them.
One of the desserts was a cake that welcomed all of us aboard the vessel. The chef’s special for dessert that first night was crêpes.
Treatment Room, Sauna, Whirlpool, Library
The spa is known as the Treatment Room, where guests can receive a massage and other treatments. The first five minutes are complimentary; while all other massage options cost extra. Weights and a bench press are some of the equipment that is found in the gym.
The sauna has a large window which provides a view of the outside.
Jim became another member of the increasingly growing group of new friends — and he could not wait to use the whirlpool.
Guests who simply want to quietly read a book or work on their computers can visit the library. Access to WiFi was available free of charge — but it barely worked. Guests have two options of upgrading the access to WiFi — but the most expensive option was the best one by far. Also, the cost to access WiFi became less expensive during the expedition, with the final day being the least expensive for obvious reasons.
Laundry Room
Three washing machines and three clothes dryers were available in the laundry room — except for during the few times that they were all in use — as well as a sink.
A portable ironing board on wheels with an iron — as well as a convenient long shelf with laundry baskets — were also in the laundry room.
Final Boarding Call
In addition to the three areas where guests can dine, room service was also available 24 hours per day at no extra charge. We never took advantage of that service.
The ship also had a BaseCamp and an Expedition Lab, which will be covered in future articles.
Although this trip to Antarctica was technically an expedition and not simply a cruise, I really had no idea how many members of the team were required to bring this trip to fruition — from the captain and the doctor to the chefs to the dining to the lodging to the expeditions themselves.
I was simply amazed and in awe of the entire operation of Swan Hellenic pertaining to the SH Minerva and everything associated with it…
…especially with how virtually every part of the ship — down to corners and obscure areas — were absolutely clean and spotless, as members of the staff paid attention to every detail…
All photographs ©2025 by Brian Cohen.
