Swan Hellenic
PremiumSee how Swan Hellenic describes itself vs how we list it
What to say on a call
Best for
- 1Fare includes all meals, beer, wine and spirits, gratuities, port taxes, basic Wi-Fi, one selected shore excursion per port, all expedition landings and, in polar regions, a parka to keep; Cruise Plus adds a hotel night, transfers and charter flights.
- 2Three Helsinki-built boutique expedition ships: SH Minerva and SH Vega (PC5, 152 guests) and SH Diana (PC6, 192 guests), with close to one crew member per guest.
- 3Antarctic and Arctic seasons (Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, Norway) plus cultural expedition voyages in Africa, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Europe's Atlantic coast.
- 4Pioneer of cultural cruising since the 1950s (Swan's Tours and the Hellenic Society); relaunched in 2020 with new ships; SETI Institute lecture partnership.
Payments & cancellations
Final payment
Per cruise line120 days before departure (60 days for D/A/CH customers)
Balance due 120 days before departure (60 days for customers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland). Bookings made 119 days or less before departure (59 days for D/A/CH) pay in full on confirmation. If payment is late, Swan Hellenic may cancel after a reminder and charge the cancellation fees.
Applies to: All bookings (Swan Hellenic Travel Ltd Terms & Conditions, published April 2026)
Prices of unsold cruises can change at any time; after booking, the price can only be raised up to the 20th day before departure for fuel, taxes/port charges or exchange rates (Terms 3.6).
Deposit
Per cruise lineSources differ
Swan Hellenic's pages differ on the deposit. The Terms set 20% (30% for suites) with no number of days; the FAQ says 20% within 5 working days and does not mention the suite rate. We show the Terms.Terms & Conditions FAQ20% of the cruise package price (30% for suites)
20% of the cruise package price (30% for suite bookings), due after the written confirmation/invoice and security (bonding) certificate are issued. An option booking can be held free for 4 working days. Accepted cards: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express.
Applies to: All bookings (Swan Hellenic Travel Ltd Terms & Conditions, published April 2026; one set of terms for all markets)
Deposits and full payments are covered by insolvency bonding (ACTA, Cyprus). The FAQ says the 20% deposit is due 'within 5 working days' and does not mention the 30% suite deposit. Group bookings under the Group Travel Program need no deposit.
Cancellation penalties
Per cruise lineUS$300 pp up to 120 days; 119-90 days 20%; 89-61 days 75%; 60 days 100%
Notice to Swan Hellenic Travel or the booking travel agency (writing recommended); the date it is received counts. Fees per person: up to 120 days before departure, US$300 (or EUR/GBP/CAD/AUD/NZD 300); 119-90 days, 20% of the cruise package price; 89-61 days, 75%; 60 days, 100% (saved passenger and security taxes refunded). Special itineraries and 'Specials' have their own fees. Special-price flights: 100% of the net ticket. Name change after confirmation: US$50 per person; transfer to a substitute traveller: US$50; rebooking: US$100 (once, up to 61 days out, to a more expensive trip starting within 6 months). These fees are published as the same amount in USD and other currencies.
Applies to: All standard cruise bookings (Swan Hellenic Travel Ltd Terms & Conditions, published April 2026)
The Terms say an 'alternative cancellation policy' may apply at times and point to a 'Cruise with Confidence' section; no such page was found on the site on 2026-10-08. Pre/post hotels, private transfers and land programs follow the separate Destination Services terms (USD 50 admin fee up to 120 days, then 15% / 75% / ...).
Onboard extras & packages
Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.
- Gratuities (standard rooms)
- Included (onboard gratuities are part of the fare; extra tipping is optional)Per cruise line
- Gratuities (suites)
- Included (same for every stateroom and suite)Per cruise line
- Drink package
- Included: hot and cold drinks, beer, wine and spirits at any time (premium selections extra)Per cruise line
Sources differ
Swan Hellenic's pages word the drinks inclusion differently. Voyage pages include 'hot & cold beverages, beer, wine & spirits any time'; the FAQ says soft drinks, wines and beers are included and 'Premium selections cost extra'. We show the voyage pages, with premium selections extra as the FAQ says.Antarctic Wonders voyage page FAQ - Premium drink package
- Not included: premium selections cost extra (no list or prices published)Per cruise line
- Soda package
- IncludedPer cruise line
- Non-alcoholic package
- Included (hot and cold drinks; Illy espresso machine and stocked minibar in every cabin)Per cruise line
- Wi-Fi (basic)
- Included: Silver Connect (text messaging and select news only, 1 Mbps)Per cruise line
- Wi-Fi (premium)
- Gold Connect US$25 per device per day (browsing, 2 Mbps); Platinum Connect US$37 per device per day (streaming, 7 Mbps)Per cruise line
- Specialty dining package
- Not offered (all meals included: Swan Restaurant, Club Lounge, Pool Grill & Bar and 24-hour room service; no extra-charge restaurant)Per cruise line
- Specialty dining (avg per meal)
- Not applicable (no extra-charge dining)Per cruise line
- Fitness classes
- Gym included; yoga, Pilates and other instructor-led classes and personal trainers offered (whether classes cost extra is not published)Per cruise line
- Spa / thermal pass
- Included: sauna, outdoor jacuzzi and pool. Spa and beauty treatments and the hair salon cost extra (prices not published; booked onboard only).Per cruise line
- Air program
- Cruise Plus fares include charter flights where the itinerary needs them (e.g. to Ushuaia, Longyearbyen, Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk), group transfers and one pre-cruise hotel night; Cruise Only fares don't. International flights are not included. Special-price flights booked with the cruise are 100% non-refundable (taxes refunded).Per cruise line
- Other fees & perks
- Included: port taxes, gratuities, one selected shore excursion per port, all expedition landings and Zodiac outings, lectures, self-service laundry, a waterproof backpack and bottle, a Memory Package, and in polar regions a parka to keep and rubber boots. Extra: optional excursions (kayaking, snowshoeing etc.), paid laundry, spa, premium Wi-Fi, premium drinks, visas, mandatory travel insurance, and any short-notice visa, port tax or vaccination costs (charged to the onboard account).Per cruise line
Sources differ
Swan Hellenic's pages differ on kayaking. The FAQ says at least one kayak session per guest per cruise normally takes place; the Antarctic voyage page lists kayaking as an optional excursion and says optional excursions cost extra. We show the voyage page: kayaking is an optional excursion at extra cost.FAQ Antarctic Wonders voyage page
Accessibility & special needs
- How to tell the cruise line
- Contact Swan Hellenic before booking (at least 45 days ahead) and complete the Mobility & Medical Disclosure Form; declare all mobility and medical equipment in advance. Per cruise line
- Wheelchairs & scooters
- One wheelchair-accessible Oceanview stateroom on SH Vega; SH Diana has one Oceanview and one Balcony accessible stateroom (wet-room bathrooms, same price as comparable categories). Wheelchair users may only use these rooms and must bring their own chair (max 65 cm wide). Two lifts serve all passenger decks except the Stargazing Deck. Per cruise line
- Service animals
- Not permitted: service dogs can't travel onboard (biosecurity and permit rules); guests needing assistance should travel with a companion. Per cruise line
- Medical equipment & pregnancy
- Onboard medical care is run by partner VIKAND. A VIKAND health declaration questionnaire must be completed before the cruise, a medical certificate may be required for remote voyages, and travel insurance is mandatory. Per cruise line
Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing, guests of size. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.
Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium
Upgrade & suite ladder
entryOceanview Staterooms (20 m²)
Per cruise line20 m² with two single beds or a double bed, a living area, flame-effect fireplace; no balcony. One wheelchair-accessible Oceanview per ship.
midBalcony Staterooms (25 m², 5 m² balcony); SH Diana also has Junior Suites (32-36 m²)
Per cruise lineBalcony: 25 m² with a 5 m² private balcony, living area and fireplace. Junior Suite (SH Diana only): 32-36 m², 6 m² balcony, king bed, separate living area.
topSuites (40-41 m²) and Premium Suites (41-47 m²)
Per cruise lineSuite: 40-41 m², 5-10 m² balcony, king bed, separate living room, bathtub and walk-in shower. Premium Suite: 41 m² (Diana) to 47 m² (Minerva), 8-12 m² balcony, walk-in wardrobe. Suites need a 30% deposit (Terms).
Loyalty program
Not published by the cruise line
None published. Swan Hellenic has no sister brands on its own pages.
Military & veterans
We couldn't confirm a military rate on this line's official site. Don't promise one. If a guest asks, check with the line.
How military rates work → PremiumAirport transfers
Included only in Cruise Plus fares (group transfers between airport, hotel and ship, plus one pre-cruise hotel night and any charter flight). Cruise Only fares and domestic transfers are not included; private transfers and extra hotel nights can be booked under the Destination Services terms until 10 days before departure.
Which ports: Varies by voyage; see each voyage page.
What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.
Good to know
Two fare types: Cruise Only and Cruise Plus
Per cruise lineBoth fares include drinks, gratuities, port taxes, basic Wi-Fi and one shore excursion per port. Cruise Plus adds a pre-cruise hotel night, group transfers and, where the itinerary needs it, charter flights. Which fare a voyage is sold with depends on the itinerary; many polar voyages show 'Price on request'.
Travel insurance is mandatory; 'Fit for Travel' medical check for polar voyages
Per cruise lineEvery guest must have travel insurance. For Antarctica, the Arctic and specially marked remote cruises, guests must complete a health questionnaire and get a positive 'Fit for Travel' decision from Swan Hellenic's medical provider VIKAND, or they cannot sail.
Minimum age 6; pregnancy limit 24 weeks
Per cruise lineChildren must be at least 6. Polar and remote expedition cruises are not suitable for under-8s; ages 6-7 only with the master's permission, a liability declaration and a cap of 1-5 children per sailing. Under-18s need an adult and a signed parental waiver. Guests who will enter the 24th week of pregnancy by the end of the cruise cannot sail.
Third and fourth guests and children
Per cruise lineThird and fourth adults sharing a stateroom get 50% off the standard per-person fare. Children aged 6-16 in third/fourth berths with two full-paying adults: the FAQ says they 'receive 35% of the adult fare' (it does not say whether that is the price or the discount; confirm with Swan Hellenic).
Single supplement, waived on some departures
Per cruise lineSolo guests normally pay a single supplement; specific departures waive it or offer a reduced supplement (check current offers). There are no dedicated solo cabins listed on the ship pages.
Onboard currency is USD, cashless
Per cruise lineOnboard accounts are in US dollars and settled by Mastercard, Amex or Visa (or USD cash at the end). Medical centre treatment is charged like a private foreign doctor visit to the onboard account; EU and other insurance cards are not accepted onboard.
Relaxed dress code, no formal nights
Per cruise lineThere are no formal mealtimes; casual layers and sportswear are fine. In polar regions Swan Hellenic supplies an expedition parka (to keep) and rubber boots.
Fleet
- Ships
- 3 ships: SH Minerva (2021; 152 guests), SH Vega (2022; 152 guests), SH Diana (2023; 192 guests)Per cruise line
Sources differ
Swan Hellenic's pages differ on ship size. The Ships page says each ship has 'no more than 152 guests'; the SH Diana page, Travel Partners page and press releases give SH Diana 192 guests. The FAQ says all ships have a PC5 hull; the SH Diana page and its 2022 release say PC6. We show each ship's own page (SH Diana: 192 guests, PC6).Ships page SH Diana page FAQ - Newest ship
- SH Diana (christened 2023). No new ships announced.Per cruise line
- Ship classes
- Helsinki Shipyard boutique expedition ships: SH Minerva (2021) and SH Vega (2022), Polar Class PC5, 152 guests / 76 staterooms; SH Diana (2023), Polar Class PC6, 192 guests / 96 staterooms
Where they sail
Last full review: 8 Oct 2026·Last updated: 8 Oct 2026
A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.
"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.
Something wrong or missing?
"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.
"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.