With expedition cruising booming, travelers continue to seek out the best options for vacations to the polar regions, and Swan Hellenic has a fantastic new entrant for clients to think about: SH Diana.
The ship was christened in Amsterdam in early May and is wrapping up its first season in the Arctic, sailing in Svalbard and Norway. I sailed on SH Diana for an eight-day voyage around Svalbard in the high Arctic and was impressed with virtually every aspect of the program.
Diana carries up to 192 guests, but we sailed with just 49. In my opinion, cruisers who haven’t heard of Swan Hellenic yet don’t know what they’re missing.
What impressed me — and the people I chatted with during our roundtrip voyage out of Longyearbyen, Svalbard — is that such a new ship and expedition program can already offer a five-star experience with virtually no hiccups. Diana is a gorgeous vessel, with well-designed spaces and great amenities that clients will thoroughly enjoy, offering an ideal mix of luxurious comforts and thrilling adventure.
But the expedition guides, hotel staff and culinary program were also nearly flawless. This could be in part due to the high crew-to-passenger ratio (which was almost 3-to-1 on our sailing).
“What stands out for me is the value,” said Wendy Snyder, president of Life’s A Trip Cruise and Travel, which is affiliated with Travel Planners. “I love the amazing food, and the service staff from cabin steward to dining and bar staff has been some of the best we have ever experienced.”
What stands out for me is the value. I love the amazing food, and the service staff from cabin steward to dining and bar staff has been some of the best we have ever experienced.
What Should Guests Expect Onboard the Ship?
Diana is a luxury expedition cruise product, and the dining and hospitality meet that standard. Crew members are friendly and engaging.
The ship has nine decks (seven of which are accessible by passengers). The main lounge space and social area is Deck 7’s Observation Lounge, with a huge space filled with couches and tables that make for an inviting environment to relax in while gazing out the large windows. This is the location for the bar, and where the expedition team offers briefings and enrichment talks. The outer deck here leads down one level to a great bow area called the Swan’s Nest. Here, you can lean out over the nose of the ship to witness the incredible sights and sounds of the vessel breaking massive sheets of sea ice. (Note: Diana is polar-rated PC6, unlike its stronger PC5 sisters.)
Spacious staterooms (all outside) span five categories: There are ocean-view (215 square feet) and balcony cabins (300 square feet), and three suite categories that range from 375 to 505 square feet.
A balcony stateroom
Credit: 2023 John RobertsWhat’s Included in the Rate?
Included in the cruise rate are all drinks, meals, excursions, gratuities and Wi-Fi access (which I found to provide decent service in the remote Arctic).
What Are the On-Site Dining Options?
Two restaurants are on offer: The Club Lounge, a casual eatery that serves early-riser breakfasts and lunches, and the Swan Restaurant, which offers breakfasts and dinners.
The Pool Deck aft on Deck 7 offers a grill serving pizza, hot dogs and burgers, complete with abundant alfresco seating.
Guests can enjoy hors d’oeuvres during nightly cocktail hours.
Credit: 2023 John RobertsMenus offer an impressive array of options, with daily themed lunches such as French, Italian, Indian, Mexican, Russian and American. We also enjoyed meals including sesame-crusted tuna, beef Wellington and braised lamb shank.
Bar staff is ever present and ready to take orders throughout the day, and to deliver hors d’oeuvres during the nightly cocktail hours.
What Amenities Are Onboard?
The ship has a well-equipped gym, a spa with a sauna, a steam room, a relaxation room and a salon. Also, there are two pools (on the pool deck and a large whirlpool outside the spa), a boutique, a library and an Expedition Lab for citizen science sessions. The ship also has a self-serve launderette.
The ship features a pool deck.
Credit: 2023 John RobertsOn the lowest deck, clients will find Basecamp with lockers to stow boots and gear. This is where clients will suit up and assemble to get into Zodiacs for excursions (or to take part in the polar plunge!).
The Expedition Program
Parkas, backpacks and water bottles are provided for guests to keep, and boots are available to borrow for the voyage. Binoculars are available in each stateroom. Guides lead Zodiac tours, hikes (usually offering short, medium and long options) and kayaking tours, which begin at $250 per outing.
“The exploration staff are some of the best we have seen,” Life’s A Trip Cruise and Travel’s Snyder said. “And because the ship is so small, you really get to know them. The team is incredibly passionate.”
Snyder added she feels SH Diana’s voyage compares with the likes of Silversea Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line, but with more active elements.
