Swan Hellenic Avis 146

Cruise to Antarctica with Swan Hellenic SH Vega is exceptional. Everything from the Cabins, staff, food, expeditions on the zodiacs and lectures are 10 out of 10. Alway felt safe on the expeditions. Staff always go out of their way to serve you at restaurants and bars. My husband and I loved every minute of this cruise. Even the polar plunge.

I can’t speak highly enough about the experience I had on board the SH Vega for an Antarctic Peninsula expedition cruise commencing 13 Feb 25.

The staff were genuinely warm and friendly and went out of their way to deliver on the experience I had hoped it would be. From the Captain down, the SH Vega crew did everything with a smile which made it easy to feel comfortable on this cruise.

This was a bucket list item for me and I am really glad I chose Swan Hellenic to help make it a reality.

Sea Hellenic cruise line were outstanding. We cruised on the SH Vega to Antarctica. We cannot fault the service we received from beginning to end. We have cruised on a number of different cruise lines however swan Hellenic is very different. Small ship's, more personalised service and more targeted at expedition type cruising rather than entertainment. The experience was a once in a lifetime voyage.

The food and beverage selection and staff started the cruise off wonderfully. The ease of boarding, layout and storage in cabins excellant.
Excursion guides knowledgeable, friendly and added to every zodiac trip.

Our 18 day cruise "In Shackleton's Footsteps" to Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctica was incredible! The crew of SH Diana was stellar in making our experience absolutely epic. Everyone was so attentive from the room stewards, to bartenders, to the restaurant team and chef. The Expedition team was incredible at maximizing our adventures through education, safety, and their energy! We saw EIGHT penguin species, elephant seals, Antarctic fur seals, humpback whales, dolphins, and many birds! It was a trip of a lifetime. The ship was beautiful and our room was so comfortable. Thank you, Swan Hellenic!

Excellent cruise and excellent facilities
Cannot fault

We were very fortunate to join the Swan Hellenic expedition to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island, and the Antarctic peninsula aboard the SH Diana. This was our second expedition with Swan Hellenic, having previously explored Greenland and the Northwest passage aboard the SH Vega. Both Diana and Vega are only about two years old and are in beautiful condition. Both are equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and communications systems, as well as efficient propulsion systems including thrusters for maneuvering, and stabilizers. SH Diana is slightly larger with room for 192 guests while SH Vega tops out at 152. Our suites on both ships were extremely well appointed and we had our own balcony on SH Diana. Both ships offer plenty of amenities including a spa, salon, exercise room, pool, hot tub, and guest laundry which was very much appreciated during our seventeen-day voyage.

SH Diana’s crew and staff are skilled, friendly and very experienced. Our captain had over 30 years’ experience at sea commanding all manner of vessels. Our Expedition Team, led by Nicki and Assistant Expedition Leader Richard, was absolutely brilliant and brought tremendous skills and talents to the voyage. Additionally, the team, together with a few guest speakers, provided many interesting lectures in areas such as geology, volcanology, marine biology and animal behavior and shared fascinating personal stories about their background, training and experiences. Our itinerary necessarily included a number of sea days but with the talent pool aboard, there were plenty of learning opportunities and we never had any dull moments.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the hospitality side of the crew. The hotel staff, restaurant staff and bar staff are absolutely professional and the service is top notch and very one on one. The Executive Chef and his staff prepared simply wonderful meals including a marvelous selection of beef, pork, chicken, seafood and vegan/vegetarian entrees, along with a wide variety of side dishes, soups, salads, and of course, desserts. In the evening, entertainment was provided by an on-board pianist, and on this voyage, we had a small tango troupe who performed a couple different acts on different evenings. There were two Karaoke nights and a “Two Truths and a Lie” game performed by members of the Expedition Team that was great fun.

While visiting Antarctica was our primary objective and a “Bucket List” item, our visit to the Falkland Islands (or Islas Malvinas if you are from Argentina) was an unexpected delight, as was South Georgia Island. Both offer magnificent scenery, peaceful natural harbors and inlets teaming with wildlife, and occasionally dramatic ice sculptures created by Mother Nature. Both the Falklands and South Georgia are sparsely populated with about 3600 and 1000 people respectively, although South Georgia’s diminishes during their winter month. We were able to visit a couple whaling and sealing stations, fortunately abandoned about 60-70 years ago, and it was quite eye opening to see the magnitude of these operations. If I recall correctly, one of the whaling stations “processed” on the order of 177,000 whales. We were very glad that we were able to visit both the Falklands and South Georgia. Few ships go there but they are fascinating destinations in their own right and certainly worth your time.

Antarctica itself almost defies description with its jagged mountains, glaciers, mammoth icebergs, and rugged coastline. It is an absolutely magnificent place to visit and one of those places that you must see to believe. We were fortunate to see whales, seals, penguins and other sea birds in their natural environment, along with more natural ice sculptures. It should be noted that all of the places we visited on our voyage have strict protocols in place with regard to the maximum number of people permitted on shore, together with environmental procedures to preclude contamination. Swan Hellenic has the necessary procedures, training and equipment in place to adhere to these requirements and allow their expedition members to visit.

In closing, we would certainly recommend a Swan Hellenic expedition to anyone who is interested in really experiencing these regions. Swan Hellenic’s tag line is “See What Others Don’t” and they are absolutely correct. This is not a cruise where you sail by and wave, it is truly an unforgettable boots on the ground experience.

We took an Antarctic expedition trip with Swan Hellenic and it was nothing short of brilliant. From the moment we were met by the representative from the company in the hotel in Buenos Aires, to when we left the trip, there was not one aspect of this experience that we could fault. A beautifully appointed ship, five star meals, spacious staterooms, friendly, informative expedition team members and ship's officers, helpful staff, great experiences, etc.

Pretty much everything was just amazing about this experience. Fantastic expedition team and crew. Wonderful facilities on the ship and unforgettable expeditions in Antarctica. We went to some incredible sightings with beautiful scenery and a wide range of wildlife.

We had an excellent stay on board the SH Diana. The cabin was well equipped, even with an artificial fire. The expedition team and the lecturers were excellent with their scientifically based presentations. All the excursions went without any problems and were very well thought out and chosen. The ship offers an extremely large amount of space for guests to spend time outside their cabins. The staff, mostly from the Philippines, were well trained and extremely friendly and courteous. We have rarely been so well served in our lives. It is particularly worth mentioning that there are no plastic bottles, everyone was given a thermos flask so that they could draw their own drinking water. The expedition jackets were very high quality with an inner jacket that you can put on separately. The waterproof rucksack is also of high quality. A seasickness tablet is provided free of charge.
Unfortunately the food was not to our satisfaction.

We had an excellent stay on board the SH Diana. The cabin was well equipped, even with an artificial fire. The expedition team and the lecturers were excellent with their scientifically based presentations. All the excursions went without any problems and were very well thought out and chosen. The ship offers an extremely large amount of space for guests to spend time outside their cabins. The staff, mostly from the Philippines, were well trained and extremely friendly and courteous. We have rarely been so well served in our lives. It is particularly worth mentioning that there are no plastic bottles, everyone was given a thermos flask so that they could draw their own drinking water. The expedition jackets were very high quality with an inner jacket that you can put on separately. The waterproof rucksack is also of high quality. A seasickness tablet is provided free of charge. Only the food was not very comfortable. The food had too little taste, too little seasoning, despite being of good quality

I highly recommend Swan Hellenic! Every single aspect of my cruise was outstanding. The food was fantastic and the ship is awesome. The crew supported my every need in an excellent manner. The expedition team ensured my excursions exceeded my expectations! Awesome experience!

On board the wonderful ship SH Vega with all its amenities and the very professional and incredibly friendly people. No matter in which area. From the captain to the expedition guides, from the service staff to housekeeping. 100 out of 100 points! The food in the restaurant and also in the Club Lounge was always a feast. Really outstanding. The entire organisation was perfect and ran smoothly. Every shore excursion was an experience. The lectures were always interesting and captivating. I can't find one tiny little thing to criticise.

My experience aboard the SH Diana for an Antarctic cruise with Swan Hellenic has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I stepped onto the ship, it was clear that I was embarking on a journey that would exceed every expectation.

Exceptional Crew and Service

The crew aboard SH Diana is truly remarkable. They are not only incredibly nice and helpful but genuinely inspiring and deeply interested in the guests. By the second day, most of the crew knew my name, creating an intimate and personal atmosphere that is rare to find. Their dedication to ensuring every guest feels valued and cared for is unmatched.

Flawless Organization and Enrichment

Everything on this cruise is meticulously organized, making the journey seamless and stress-free. The lectures by the onboard experts are fascinating and engaging, adding a rich educational dimension to the trip. There is never a dull moment, as the team ensures there is always something exciting to do or learn. The balance between adventure and relaxation is perfect.

Exquisite Dining and Luxurious Surroundings

The food and drinks are of the highest quality, with every meal a delightful culinary experience. The SH Diana itself is a brand-new, stylish vessel that combines modern elegance with ultimate comfort. Every area of the ship is spotlessly clean, reflecting a high standard of care and attention.

Impeccable Excursions and Planning

The shore excursions are exceptionally well-organized, with every detail carefully planned for maximum comfort and enjoyment. Backup plans are always in place, ensuring that no matter the conditions, guests experience the best Antarctica has to offer. The team’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances is commendable.

A Life-Changing Experience

An Antarctic cruise is truly a once-in-a-lifetime journey, and Swan Hellenic elevates it into something transformational. The untouched beauty of the landscapes, the close encounters with wildlife, and the sheer remoteness of the destination create a profound sense of awe and wonder. It’s impossible not to feel deeply connected to nature and inspired to protect this fragile part of the planet.

The experience also brings a sense of mental clarity and rejuvenation. The serenity of the polar environment allows you to disconnect from the noise of everyday life, creating space for reflection and peace. The memories of icebergs, seals, penguins, and breathtaking sunsets are etched into my mind forever.

Final Thoughts

I genuinely cannot think of anything Swan Hellenic could do better. Every aspect of the cruise—from the inspiring crew and world-class amenities to the educational enrichment and thoughtful organization—has been executed to perfection. This journey not only exceeded my expectations but also left a lasting impact on my soul.

I wholeheartedly recommend the SH Diana and Swan Hellenic to anyone considering an Antarctic adventure. It’s a life-changing voyage that combines luxury, learning, and the wonder of one of the most remote places on Earth.

The cruise was great. The meeting and transfer to the ship were very well organized. The ship and cabin are very comfortable. We had a cabin on deck 6 with a balcony. Cleaning and responsiveness of the staff at height. Robinson at the reception, special thanks to him for his attention and help with the parka.
The team is just super. Vyacheslav, Toby, Gennady and many others are all beautiful, I did not remember all the names unfortunately!!! Well, Antarctica itself does not need reviews and comments. It was incredible. The only negative is that the cruise of 11 days is too short. Advice for everyone - take more days. Waiters in restaurants are also great. The only thing we didn't really like was the menu dinners. Sometimes it was not very tasty and strange combinations of products, especially strange salads. The buffet was more suitable for us.

My experience was amazing. I could enjoy with tranquility, comfort and safety this unique destination. Cabin always organized and clean, common areas too. Delicious foods with spices from various places in the world.
When leaving the ship to explore The Frozen Continent, I always had support from a qualified team making the adventure even more interesting.

great company! highly recommend

All the staff - from captain down - seem to be well looked after and content, as well as very well trained. This shines through in an attitude of friendliness and opennnes and a willingness to do their best for you an all circumstances.

Just back from the most wonderful Antartica Expedition on board the SH Diana. The expedition leader Brandon is an extraordinary host, who set a fascinating itinerary of zodiac cruises and wet landings, all within the notorious ever changing Antartica weather. Truly a trip of a lifetime, made extra special by the gloriously attentive staff, Haroy, Shagra, Amir, Roselle, Jan, Robinson and Emilio on the nightly entertainment. Antartica expeditions can be dangerous, so it is essential to go with professionals, and I have to say we were with the best, in terms of care and preparation, at every stage of our cruise. The staterooms are fantastic, and the food the best we've experienced on a cruise ship, and I say this with experience of Cunard, Celebrity, Princess, Carnival & P&O. Just wonderful..

Don't waste your money use a different company.
We chose to cruise the Seychelles with Swan Hellenic, SH Dianna, as it was a 5* ship, unfortunately the experience was not 5* and the customer service from Swan Hellenic is absolutely shocking. They have a 'couldn't care less' attitude if anything goes wrong their standard response if 'they will feed it back' which has been happening all year and any offer of compensation is a $500 cruise credit! This is appalling considering the cost of their cruises. As for the strap line 'see what others don't' well quite frankly that is a joke. On the days we could go ashore it was to the tourist places and beaches. The free wifi did not work and the cost was $25 per day and you had to buy for the whole duration. There were 6 sunbeds for the 159 passengers, there were many sunbeds stored on the star gazing deck but the crew refused to set them out. The state rooms were fantastic but some were subject to noise, however they didn't want to move people to different rooms, although they were happy to let them sleep in a different room! The service at the bars were terrible, with staff not knowing how to make cocktails. There were 2 good waiters in the restaurant Rey and Filbert other than that the service was terrible. WE have been trying to liaise with SH to resolve issues but the have offered a non negotiable $500 cruise credit and are not interested in anything further.