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Looking for next level expedition cruising? SH Diana is just what you need! The newest addition to our fleet combines cutting-edge technology with stylish, sophisticated design, and the ship’s special ice-resistant PC6 hull means it’s able to visit some of the world's most inaccessible regions. This new generation polar class ship is our largest, and features elegant interiors – including exclusive onboard art – wide unobstructed views, a spectacular grand staircase, and dedicated expedition facilities, so you can explore the world in style and comfort.
This cruise with Swan Hellenic has surpassed our expectations. A comfortable, luxurious small ship with great rooms and excellent service, an amazing restaurant, and friendly, professional staff. The expedition team was fantastic, very professional and always looking to offer us the best experiences and knowledge. There were many different zodiac expeditions, almost always twice a day, each lasting about 2 hours. The places were well chosen, with beautiful landscapes and abundant wildlife. We saw at least 8 different penguin species, lots of seals, seabirds and even whales. On the different islands and Antarctic Peninsula, we had very close contact with the nature, fauna and flora. This type of exploration of the wild was much more profound and totally worth the investment, given the small ship, the zodiacs' ability to reach untouched places, and the high-level expedition team. We have done a lot of cruises in our lifetime (around 30), with a lot of different cruise lines, but this has been the best of them all. For anyone who wants a genuine and real Antarctica experience, Swan Hellenic is certainly the best choise.
Everything was superb on the cruise. The organization was great: all the details were covered very well - hotel, charter flights, buses, disembarkation, luggage, and enough people helping at every step of the process. The organization of life on the ship was also superb: handling landings and zodiac boarding by groups, very well explained and prepared. The choice of landings and places for zodiac cruising was amazing every time. Every day impressed us beyond our imagination. The lectures during the sea days were so interesting, every one of them: historic lectures by Sasha, Antarctic station experience by Sanna, Bird life by Ab, Dogs in Antarctica by Mark, marine life by Dmitry, and every other lecture. The food was delicious and always available. The cleanliness of our cabin and of the entire ship was marvellous. Big thanks to the entire expedition team: to the leader, Mark, and the guides Ab, Sanna, Sasha, Dmitry, Maxim, Emil, Michael, Ilene, and everyone else!
The SH Diana cruise to Antarctica was our first ever cruise and delighted us in every respect. It is a stunning ship with exceptional service and facilities for what is a limited party of 175 passengers. We opted for a Premium Suite and it could not have been better appointed or comfortable. The steward service was utterly excellent as was all staff interaction. The cruise is punctuated by ample Zodiac cruises and landings and we enjoyed superb weather and stunning landscapes. The access to wildlife was amazing and as keen birders we would recommend this cruise for unique views. And whales! Whales, lots of them in the unforgettable Antarctic Sound. Everything we experienced leads us as first time cruisers to recommend SH Diana and their superb team. Top tips? Do try to take cool evening wear for inside the ship - it can get warm! And smarter clothes too for evening. Laundry service is excellent.
We recently returned from a 17-night expedition cruise. The destinations and wildlife sightings—including countless penguins, sea lions, dolphins, and humpback whales—were absolutely phenomenal, and the expedition team itself was fantastic. However, the experience fell far short of the luxury standard advertised by the cruise line. Our frustrations began even before departure: we had to call three times to receive our final documents, and the customer service on the final call was particularly poor. Onboard, the small ship offered limited amenities—just one restaurant and one bar. While the crew members were amazing, personable, and made a real effort to know us, the operational planning often didn’t match the expedition pace. We missed breakfast three times due to early excursions (6-7 AM departures), as the restaurant closed at 9 AM and wasn’t adjusted for returning guests. The food was generally just okay. Although the soups and breads were excellent, the menu lacked variety—salad dressings remained the same almost the entire cruise, and seafood like shrimp or scallops was nearly absent aside from one shrimp cocktail night, lobsters tail night. The beverage package was also disappointing. Many premium liquors (e.g., Grey Goose) were excluded and required extra payment, which is often included in base packages on other lines. The cocktails were mediocre. Overall, the trip was unforgettable because of the breathtaking landings and wildlife. Yet, for a line marketing itself as luxurious, the customer service, dining flexibility, and amenities did not meet expectations. Because of this mismatch between promise and reality, we would not book with them again.
This was my first cruise to Swan Hellenic and I got to admit that it exceeded my expectations. Everything from facilities, to food and staff was high level and totally worth the investment. There is no other cruise line that offers such an amazing trip that not only includes Antartica but also Falklands and South Georgia (which are must see places). It is also worth noting that having zodiac landings, like Swan Hellenic has , is crucial to be in a real expedition cruise, as it offered us access to very unique and untouched places. The expedition team in particular was excellent and always worried about our safety and providing very in-depth knowledge about the landscape and wildlife that we encountered. For example, Emil and Ab are bird experts that know so much about penguins that it made a huge difference in not only seeing this beautiful birds but also knowing more about them. Of special mention is the expedition leader Mark, who was always looking for the best spots for us to go depending on weather conditions and what it offered us (like the chance to see so many whales, birds, seals and penguins jumping from icebergs). I would definitely do this cruise again!
Each cabin welcomes you with a bottle of Champagne (75cl – Premium Suites, Suites, Junior Suites/37.5cl – Balcony, Oceanview) and there’s also free Wi-Fi, personal safe, and a pair of Nikon Prostaff 3S 10x42 binoculars to help you watch out for wildlife!
Amenities also include a smart HDTV, individually-controlled air-conditioning, stocked minibar with snacks, soft drinks & beer, Illy Espresso coffee machine with pods, kettle and Kusmi tea bags, towels for cabin, pool and gym, bathrobe, bedroom slippers, and toiletries by Lajatica.
When it comes to dining on your expedition cruise, our ships have a variety of welcoming venues.
From the gourmet offerings of the Swan Restaurant, and the Pool Bar & Grill’s delicious dishes, to the relaxed tapas-style dining of the Club Lounge, you’ll find exquisite cuisine, skillfully prepared by top chefs.
Plus, our carefully curated in-room menu offers a relaxing dining experience in the comfort of your own stateroom
If you are looking to experience the remote Polar regions or explore truly off-the-beaten path destinations and cultures of our spectacular planet, then you are in great company. Swan Hellenic exists to provide its guests with authentic, intimate and unforgettable moments in extraordinary locations and remote landmarks.
SH Diana has been designed for immersive experiences, with extensive outside deck areas, multiple observation points and bright, open and relaxing public spaces with unobstructed views.
Take time to indulge and invigorate your senses…
Please note: there are no dedicated children's facilities on board.
