Expedition cruise line Swan Hellenic has joined CLIA to build its profile and relationships with agents across Europe.

The line is in the process of being revived with two new ships currently under construction in Helsinki.

The 152-passenger ships, named SH Minerva and provisionally Vega Class, are scheduled to launch in November 2021 and April 2022, respectively.

The move to join CLIA’s European Regional Cruise Lines segment brings Swan Hellenic into the association’s wider community of cruise operators, travel agents and executive partners.

It is also the third line to join in recent weeks, following river cruise line Vodohod and the new UK-based Tradewind Voyages.

Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito said: “We are delighted to join hands with so many distinguished names in cruising, and to express in this way our confidence in the industry’s ability to constantly innovate and create special travel experiences even in the most challenging times.”

CLIA UK & Ireland director Andy Harmer added: “We’re excited to have Swan Hellenic join CLIA, a well-known and loved British cruise line which has provided guests with unique holiday experiences for decades.

“We look forward to supporting the team as they develop and build relationships with trade across Europe.”

Speaking to Cruise Trade News earlier this year, Swan Hellenic general manager John Warner explained how the launch of the line was something to celebrate during the pandemic.

“This has been a project on the go for a while and we probably would have looked to be in the market a little earlier than now, but obviously world events took over and we felt it wouldn’t be the right time. Then we canvassed some of our peer group and people said it would be a positive news story so we decided now was a good time to get the word out.”