Swan Hellenic Cruises

Swan Hellenic fares include more than most expedition lines. Every voyage covers all meals onboard, 24-hour room service, complimentary beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks throughout the day, a programme of lectures by the onboard expedition team and guest speakers, one shore excursion per port of call, all expedition Zodiac landings, standard Wi-Fi, self-service laundry, gym, sauna and pool access, a waterproof backpack and refillable water bottle (yours to keep), and onboard gratuities and port taxes.

Voyages to Antarctica and the Arctic include additional logistics that other lines often charge extra for. Charter flights to and from remote embarkation ports (Ushuaia, Longyearbyen, Kangerlussuaq), group transfers between the airport and ship, and one night’s pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4- or 5-star hotel are all included in Cruise Plus packages. In polar regions, you’ll also receive a branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka to keep and use of rubber boots for Zodiac landings. Optional extras include kayaking, premium Wi-Fi upgrades, spa treatments, and private tours — but the core expedition experience is covered.

All three ships share the same Scandinavian-designed interiors – natural wood, muted tones, and a boutique-hotel feel. There are no inside cabins; every stateroom has either large ocean-facing windows or a private balcony, and around 80% of the fleet’s accommodation is balcony. Standard amenities across all categories include an Illy espresso machine, a stocked minibar, Nikon binoculars, a flame-effect fireplace, a pillow menu, Egyptian-cotton bedding, Lajatica toiletries, robes and slippers, and a welcome bottle of Champagne. 24-hour room service is complimentary for everyone.

The entry category, at around 19–20 sqm, with large fixed windows rather than a balcony. Despite being the smallest option, these don’t feel cramped — the same high-spec finish applies, including the espresso machine, binoculars, and fireplace. Positioned on Deck 4 (and Deck 5 on SH Diana), you’re well located for quick access to the Swan Restaurant and expedition Basecamp. A great option if you plan to spend most of your time on deck or ashore rather than in the cabin.

The most popular category is around 25–28 sqm, plus a 5–6 sqm private balcony with loungers. These are spread across Decks 5 and 6 and can be configured as a double or twin. The balcony makes a real difference on expedition voyages – wildlife often passes at close range, and in polar regions the midnight light is best enjoyed from your own space. If you’re choosing between Oceanview and Balcony, we’d usually steer first-timers towards the Balcony Stateroom.

SH Diana offers Junior Suites (around 35 sqm with a 7 sqm balcony) as a step between balcony staterooms and full suites. All ships have Balcony Suites (around 44 sqm, with a 10–12 sqm terrace) featuring a separate living room, a king-size bed, and a bathtub, in addition to a walk-in shower. You’ll receive a full-size bottle of Champagne on arrival. With only four to six suites per ship, these book up early – particularly on Antarctic voyages.

Two per ship, positioned at the stern with the largest private terraces (up to 12 sqm). At around 41–49 sqm, you get a separate living room, a king-size bed, a walk-in wardrobe, a bathtub, and the best views onboard. On ships this size, the Premium Suites feel genuinely exclusive without being isolated from the rest of the voyage. If you’re marking a significant occasion or simply want the best cabin on the ship, this is it. Our Voyage Consultants can advise on which specific suite positions work best on each vessel.

The main dining venue on all three ships is located on Deck 4 with large windows and open seating throughout. Breakfast and lunch are a mix of buffet and à la carte; dinner is fully à la carte with a rotating menu of international and regional dishes. Swan Hellenic’s Culinary Ambassadors curate signature dishes alongside daily-changing options, and accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary requirements. On SH Diana, the Maris culinary programme adds a gastronomic dimension with themed menus. The atmosphere is relaxed – there are no assigned tables, no formal dress code.

The Club Lounge is at the stern and offers a 24-hour tapas-style menu, ideal between meals or when you prefer something lighter and more casual. It leads directly out to the Pool Bar and Grill, which serves lunch outdoors on warmer-weather itineraries. Both are included in the fare. On sea days in polar regions, the Club Lounge tends to become the social hub between expedition landings.

All dining is included; there are no additional restaurants or surcharges. Room service runs 24 hours and draws from the main menu. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer, wine, and spirits are complimentary around the clock. Dietary requirements and allergies can be accommodated with advance notice. For a ship carrying 152–192 people, the ratio of dining space to passengers is generous, and you’ll rarely wait for a table.

The main social space on each ship is positioned high with panoramic forward-facing views. This is where the expedition team delivers briefings and lectures, and where you’ll naturally gather in the evenings for drinks and conversation. A bar, large screen, and comfortable seating make it the natural hub of the ship. On SH Diana, a dedicated lecture theatre sits adjacent, freeing the lounge for socialising while talks are underway.

Each ship has a curated library stocked with books relevant to the regions you’re sailing through. The Expedition Lab doubles as a science station and briefing room – part of Swan Hellenic’s commitment to citizen science and hands-on exploration. You can participate in research projects and data collection alongside the expedition team. It’s a working space, not a display – one of the details that separates genuine expedition ships from cruise ships with Zodiacs.

Basecamp is the expedition hub on each ship and is where you collect your parka, boots, and life jacket before Zodiac landings. It’s designed for efficiency, with individual lockers and direct access to the boarding platforms. Beyond Basecamp, you’ll find extensive outdoor deck space, including the Swan’s Nest observation platform at the bow, a split-level stargazing deck, and an open bridge policy that gives you access to the navigation bridge during calm conditions.

Other onboard spaces include a small boutique, a beauty salon, and a reception area that feels more like a hotel lobby than a cruise ship. Lifts serve all passenger decks. The ships are compact and easy to navigate, so you’re never more than a few minutes from any venue. With a crew-to-guest ratio of around 1:1.2, service is personal without being intrusive.

Each ship features a Balinese-inspired spa offering massage, facials, and body treatments. The standout feature is the panoramic sauna, which has floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the ocean, which in polar regions means watching icebergs drift past while you warm up after a Zodiac landing. The spa is small and intimate, fitting the ship’s scale. Treatments book up fast on sea days, so it’s worth reserving early in the voyage.

The gym is well-equipped, with ocean views, and instructor-led yoga and Pilates classes are offered on most voyages. An infinity swimming pool and open-deck jacuzzi provide outdoor relaxation in warmer climates. The overall pace is flexible so you can use every available option or treat the gym as a place to stretch between lectures. Access to the gym, sauna, pool, and jacuzzi is included in the fare.

Every ship carries a full fleet of Zodiacs for landings in places without port infrastructure, such as Antarctic beaches, Arctic shorelines, and remote island villages. One shore excursion per port is included in the fare, led by the onboard expedition team. Landings occur at least twice daily when conditions allow, and no two days are the same because the itinerary adjusts based on weather, wildlife sightings, and sea conditions. You’ll be assigned to a group whose boarding order rotates, so everyone gets equal access. On SH Diana, tender boats supplement the Zodiacs for more comfortable transfers on longer runs.

If you want to get closer to the landscape, kayaking is available on most voyages for an additional cost. There’s nothing quite like paddling at water level alongside icebergs or through narrow fjords that even the Zodiacs can’t reach. New for 2026–2027, Swan Hellenic is introducing guided snowshoeing excursions in Antarctica, lasting around 90 minutes and designed for beginners and experienced walkers alike. SCUBA diving programmes also launch in 2026 on select voyages in East Asia for those who want to explore the abundant marine life beneath the waves. Finally, there’s the famous polar plunge, a leap into Antarctic waters that lasts only seconds but will be a story you tell for years.

Shore excursions are designed to be accessible to a range of fitness levels, with the expedition team advising on difficulty before each landing. Swan Hellenic’s programme includes options for those with limited mobility. All expedition gear – parka, boots, life jackets – is provided. If you have specific interests (photography, birdwatching, marine biology), let us know when booking, and we can match you with the right voyage and expedition team.

Every Swan Hellenic cruise features a dedicated expedition team, typically consisting of historians, naturalists, marine biologists, or polar specialists, depending on the itinerary. They lead shore excursions, deliver daily lectures, and are available throughout the voyage for informal conversations at dinner or on deck. Selected sailings feature guest speakers with specific regional expertise. For 2026, Swan Hellenic’s Explore Space at Sea Series returns in partnership with the SETI Institute, placing NASA-affiliated scientists on ten voyages covering astronomy, astrophysics, and planetary science.

Enrichment with Swan Hellenic isn’t an add-on. It shapes the itinerary. Lectures tie directly into the destinations you’ll visit that day or the next, giving you context before you step ashore. New for 2026, Photojournalism at Sea launches on SH Vega, offering you hands-on creative workshops alongside expedition activities. Citizen science programmes run on most voyages, allowing you to contribute to real research projects. The approach is intellectually serious without being academic. The expedition team set the tone, and it’s one of the things that distinguishes Swan Hellenic from competitors.