SH Diana

The 2023-built SH Diana cruise ship is the third and final vessel in Swan Hellenic's series of newbuilds, together with fleetmates SH Minerva (2021) and SH Vega (2022). While Minerva and Vega feature PC5 ice-classed hulls and 76 staterooms (max passengers 152), SH Diana is slightly longer (125 vs 115 m), larger (12100 vs 10600 GT-tons/volume), fitted with a PC6-classed hull (vs PC5), and offers 96 staterooms (max passengers 192).

The Diana vessel (IMO number 9921740) is currently Panama-flagged (MMSI 352002418) and registered in Colon. Prior to delivery to Swan Hellenic, Diana was Malta-flagged (MMSI 215000000) and registered in Valletta.

History - construction and ownership

The shipowner Swan Hellenic Cruises FZCO (founded in 1950 as "Swans Tour Agency", relaunched in July 2020) is a luxury travel brand and British company registered in Dubai UAE. The company has offices in Europe (London England UK, Dusseldorf Germany, Monte Carlo Monaco, Copenhagen Denmark), as well as in Fort Lauderdale Florida USA (serving North America/USA and Canada), Hong Kong China (serving Southeast Asia), and Sydney NSW (serving Australia and New Zealand). Through partnerships, the company also serves the markets in India and Japan.

Like the other two Swan Hellenic vessels, Diana's hull (yard number NB518) is ice-strengthened (PC6 ice class, among the highest for passenger ships) and designed for worldwide navigation and operations in extreme weather conditions—from tropical climates to polar regions with heavy ice fields. Swan Hellenic's vessels are also specially designed to respect the ecosystems of the regions they visit.

SH Diana was named after the Ancient Roman goddess of the Moon and patroness of hunters, wilderness, and crossroads. Equated with the Ancient Greek goddess Artemis, Diana was born on Delos Island. Her parents are Jupiter/Jove (the god of sky and thunder, equated with Zeus) and Latona/Leto (the goddess of motherhood), and her twin brother is Apollo (the god of prophecy, healing and disease, archery, music and arts, sunlight, and knowledge).

The brand Swan Hellenic has British roots and specializes in culture-themed cruise vacations. Its purpose-built, expedition-type, 5-star premium ships feature elegant interiors (with Scandinavian design), large outdoor spaces (including wildlife-viewing decks), science and expedition facilities, and 3 dining venues (Dining Room Restaurant, Club Lounge & Bar, Pool Bar & Grill). Each ship's crew includes 12 tour and travel experts (expedition guides, guest speakers, and lecturers).

Decks and Cabins

SH Diana staterooms (96 total) are all 5-star accommodations providing max passenger capacity of 192. All cabins (82) and suites (10) are double-occupancy, and most feature step-out balconies. The ship is maintained by 140 staff and crew, accommodated in 73 crew cabins.

The ship has 9 decks, of which 7 are passenger-accessible and only 3 contain cabins.

(High to low) cabin categories include Premium Suite (47 m2/505 ft2 with 12 m2/130 ft2 terrace), Balcony Suite (44 m2/470 ft2 with 12 m2 terrace), Junior Suite (35 m2/375 ft2 with 7 m2/75 ft2 terrace), Balcony cabins D6-M5-D5 (28 m2/300 ft2 with 6 m2/65 ft2 terrace), and Oceanview staterooms (20 m2/215 ft2). Each Oceanview cabin is fitted with two large vertical (elongated, rounded) windows.

All staterooms feature modern hotel-style amenities and offer (as standard/complimentary) Queen-size double beds (convertible to two twin/single beds), bedside cabinets (2-drawer, with wall-mounted contemporary reading lamps), a pillow menu, seating area with a 2-seater couch (with cushions), glass-top coffee table, mirrored vanity desk/dressing table with chair, electric/faux fireplace, wall-mounted smart HDTV (satellite Internet, infotainment system), premium-brand sound system, espresso machine, direct-dial phone, premium carpet flooring, LED ceiling lights, binoculars, electronic safe box (in the closet), minibar/refrigerator, hairdryer, en suite bathroom (WC-toilet, mirrored single-sink vanity, glass-enclosed shower with rain heads, luxury-brand bath products, towels, bathrobes, slippers), and individually controlled air-conditioning.

Cabin balconies (accessed via sliding, floor-to-ceiling windows) are furnished with two lounge chairs and a low table. All suites are 2-room accommodations, each with a separate bedroom (Super King-size double bed) and living room (3-seater couch, two armchairs, dry bar, coffee machine, walk-in wardrobe), and feature 2 TVs (one in each room) and double-sized balconies accessed from both rooms.

Room Service is complimentary and available 24 hours, with ordering from a separate In-Cabin Dining Menu (24 hours) and from the Restaurant's menu (during regular shipboard dining hours).

Shipboard facilities

Swan Hellenic's Diana cruise ship represents the next generation of polar expedition ships, designed for worldwide cruising with a focus on high-latitude regions.

SH Diana features a PC6 class (Polar Class 6) hull and a 4.6 MW diesel-electric propulsion system (hybrid-ready) with selective catalytic reduction, a 3 MW max battery package, max cruising speed of 16 knots, draught 5.7 m (19 ft), LOA length 115 m, and GT tonnage 10500 tons.

The ship's interior spaces and venues were designed by Tillberg Design of Sweden (a 1964-founded, Hoganas-based company specializing in interiors for smaller luxury cruise ships, hotels, and restaurants), while the exterior was designed by McFarlane ShipDesign (a Monaco-based company founded in 1986).

Like most small expedition ships, SH Diana features an aft Marina Deck (for launching watercraft), a Pool Deck/Sundeck with an aft-located Infinity Pool (heated swimming pool) and Pool Bar (with outdoor seating), an indoor Bar Lounge, a Lecture Hall (used for Cruise Director talks, itinerary-themed lectures, and media presentations), and Swan Restaurant (the full-capacity MDR-Main Dining Room, seating 150 guests). The wellness complex includes Spa treatment rooms, a Gym (fitness room fitted with cardio machines and free weights, with complimentary instructor-led classes), and a Sauna Room (all with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows), plus a large outdoor whirlpool/Jacuzzi with a sunbathing area. Forward on Deck 8 (bow-located) are the Navigation Bridge (Wheelhouse) and the Captain's Suite and officers' quarters.

All 9 decks (2 service/crew-only, 7 passenger-accessible, 3 with cabins) are interconnected via 2 elevators (midship lifts) and stairs (forward, midship, and aft). Deck 3 is divided into Marina Deck (aft platform for launching Zodiacs and kayaks) and Expedition Deck (midship) with Mudroom (two Basecamps—expedition storage, tour preparation, and heated changing rooms managed by dedicated concierges), Marine Life Library, Expedition Lab (an educational facility that also serves as a photo studio), Hair Salon, and Clinic (Infirmary/ship's hospital). The Mudroom facility is used for Zodiac embarkation/disembarkation as well as for tour preparations and equipment storage.

Swan Hellenic's ship Diana carries 2 tender boats (each with capacity for 48 passengers, both mounted on Deck 9), 2 lifeboats (fully enclosed), 8 kayaks, and 15 Zodiacs (12-seat RIBs/Rigid Inflatable Boats used for landings, coastal cruising, and passenger transfers).

The forward-located Observation Lounge is served by its own bar and features floor-to-ceiling windows, ample comfortable seating (including window seats and sofas), a transparent (acrylic) grand piano, a large LED screen (for entertainment and presentations), and a drop-down projector screen.

Swan's Nest is a bow-located (on Deck 6) observation platform offering 180-degree views. On Pool Deck (Deck 7) are the Observation Lounge (forward), Shop, Club Lounge (aft-starboard), and Pool Deck (aft), served by an outdoor Bar (beverages) and Grill (food). The Club Lounge doubles as a Lido Cafe/Pizzeria/Patisserie offering 24-hour dining (fresh oven-baked pizzas, burgers, wraps, tapas, salads, desserts, and a 24-hour self-service station for coffee, tea, and water) plus a daily Afternoon Tea service (with pastries and light bites). Deck 9 is designed as a Stargazing Deck—a forward outdoor space with 4-seat tables and bar service. Aft on Deck 9 is the Helideck (a helicopter landing platform used in emergencies).

Midship on Lobby Deck (Deck 4) are the two ship entrances (used for boarding/debarkation in ports with docking facilities) and the Reception Desk (24-hour guest services). In the Oceanview cabin area (forward on Deck 3) is the Laundernet (self-service laundry room). On Deck 5 are stored the service boats—2 lifeboats (midship) and 6 Zodiacs (aft).

Wines by the glass are served complimentary with all meals; additionally, premium brand wines (from a separate list) are available for purchase. Also available at extra cost is the Chef's Table dining experience (gourmet food and wine pairing) offered in the Swan Restaurant.

Swan Hellenic cruise deals are inclusive of stateroom accommodation, all meals (including room service), open-bar beverages, land tours/shore excursions, onboard entertainment (including professional lectures), gratuities, and Wi-Fi. Expedition gear (rubber boots) is provided complimentary during polar voyages, and each passenger receives a parka/anorak as a gift to take home.

Swan Hellenic's ship Diana has no dedicated children's facilities, and toddlers/babies and younger children (1 to 8 years old) are not allowed. Children aged 8 to 12 travel free when sharing a cabin with an adult, while teenagers (13-16 years old) are charged US$100 per child per day. Port taxes (if applicable) are charged to all passengers (including children) and automatically added to onboard accounts.

Itineraries

SH Diana's itinerary program began with an inaugural season in Europe/Mediterranean. Traditionally for Swan Hellenic, Diana also operates voyages to Antarctica.

The Maiden Voyage (10-night/11-day "Mysteries of Carthage and the Moors" itinerary) departed on April 14, 2023, from Palermo (Sicily Italy) and ended in Lisbon (Portugal). The inaugural cruise visited ports in Tunisia (La Goulette/Tunis), Algeria (Annaba, Bejaia, Algiers, Oran), Morocco (Tangier), Spain (Seville/overnight), and Portugal (Portimao, Lisbon). Prices started from GBP 5920 / EUR 6745 / USD 7340 per person (outside cabin, double occupancy).

Like her sisterships Minerva and Vega, Diana also operates polar voyages to destinations in the European and Canadian Arctic territories, as well as roundtrip itineraries to Antarctica from homeport Ushuaia Argentina. Many Antarctic itineraries also visit the UK's Falkland Islands. The Antarctic route is via Drake Passage—the body of water between Cape Horn (mainland South America) and Livingston Island (part of the South Shetland Islands). This seaway connects the Atlantic Ocean (via the Scotia Sea) with the Pacific Ocean.