Swan Hellenic presents historic Celts and Vikings itineraries

Operated by SH Vega, they take place in May and June and may be daisy-chained for an extended in-depth experience. 

‘...These three cultural expedition cruises have been crafted by our experts to provide an immersive experience of every aspect…’ said the line’s CCO Patrizia Iantorno. 

Spirit of the Celts

The first in the series, ‘Spirit of the Celts,’ sails from Portsmouth on May 24 and concludes in Dublin, Ireland on June 4. Along the way, the ship will call at Fowey in Cornwall, Tresco in the Scilly Isles, Bantry, Dingle, Galway and Killybegs in Ireland. Iona, Stornoway, Loch Ewe and Oban in Scotland follow, before Portrush and Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland. 

Highlights of the 11-night journey include the Callanish Stones on the west coast of Lewis and Harris – one of the two oldest stone circles in the UK – as well as the Causeway Coast, its cliff top walks and beaches leading to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Giant’s Causeway, Ireland’s leading tourist attraction.

In the Wake of Celts and Vikings

‘In the Wake of Celts and Vikings’ from June 4-16 has limited availability, owing partly to passengers combining it with the first or last of the Celts and Vikings voyages. 

SH Vega leaves from Dublin and first sails to Iona, Portree on the Isle of Skye, then Ullapool, Stromness on Orkney, Lerwick on Shetland, and Tórshavn, port capital of the Faroe Islands. A semi-circumnavigation of Iceland follows, the ship calling Djupivogur, Grimsey Island, Akureyri, Isafjordur, Vigur Island, Dynjandi waterfall, Látrabjarg cliffs, ending in Reykjavik.

During the 12-night sailing, passengers will visit Orkney’s Skara Brae – Northern Europe's best preserved Neolithic village, predating Stonehenge and the Giza pyramids.  The over one million seabirds on Grimsey and the landscapes of Akureyri with its canyon and waterfalls are additional highlights. 

Iceland in Depth

On June 16, SH Vega leaves Reykjavik for a full circumnavigation of Iceland. During the ‘Iceland in Depth’ sailing, passengers will encounter Dynjandi waterfall, Ísafjördur and the Westfjords region, Vigur Island, the seabird paradise of Grimsey, then Hrisey Island, famed for its wildlife and traditional Icelandic crafts.

Next comes Akureyri with its striking surroundings, the art port of Seyðisfjörður and the fishing village of Djupivogur, followed by Heimaey, home to the largest puffin colony in the world. 

The eight-night voyage ends in Iceland’s capital on June 24.