Swan Hellenic sailing in Africa

I had the pleasure of sailing on the SH Diana from Mombasa, Kenya to Maputo Mozambique.  If you are reading this and have never heard of either port, you are not alone :)  This sailing appealed to me because it took me places off the beaten path….for some ports, really off the beaten path.  Swan Hellenic’s name has been around for decades, but investors purchased it during COVID and created an expedition focused cruise line.  The ships are brand new and were built with expeditions in mind---meaning it is easier to get on/off zodiacs, the stability of the ship is better than many ships and common spaces are built for expedition style activities.
 
You might ask what is an expedition sailing?  There isn’t a perfect definition, but it typically means that you are visiting ports that are off the beaten path and that the port is the destination.  Most people on expedition ships leave the ship each day it is in port and explore or go on an excursion.  The ports often don’t have huge piers or docks, so the ship often has to anchor offshore, and you have to take a tender or Zodiac to your destination.  This means that sometimes you get wet and that you need to be fit enough to get into and out of small boats---the staff assist you, but this isn’t the sailing for people with severe mobility challenges.  The guests on board are generally well educated and interested in the culture, animals and nature of the destinations.  You for sure have the opportunity to bring out your inner science geek during these sailings, but there are plenty of other things to do if that doesn’t interest you.  
 
The ship is functional, but it is also beautiful. The staterooms are some of the best thought out ones I’ve seen.  There is a lot of storage in the rooms---from the closest, to cabinets, drawers and shelves located around the room.  The desk area also has a flip up make up mirror so it could double as a vanity.  There are also several electrical outlets----both the American 110V style and European 220V style.   Many staterooms also have electric fireplaces which are perfect for the polar and Arctic expeditions (not so appropriate in Africa, but no heat escapes, so you could still enjoy it if you wanted). 

​The ships travel around the world and seldom repeat an exact itinerary (except in Antarctica).  This allows you to stay on board for one segment like I did (11 days) or stay on for several segments.  Some of the guests on board with me were sailing for 21 or 30 days.  However, this also means that if you want a specific itinerary, you need to book quickly.  The sailing I was on won’t be repeated until next fall and there are already a few changes in ports. 
 
I chose this itinerary because it had 4 stops in Madagascar.  I’ve always wanted to visit there…especially to see the lemurs which can only be found in Madagascar.  It can be a challenge to get to Madagascar by air and travel between cities can be complicated, so a cruise made perfect sense.  I got to see several different areas of the country with no effort on my end.  I also liked this itinerary since we visited some of the remote outer islands of Seychelles.  One port only has researchers living on the island and there is more tortoise there than in the Galapagos.  I had never heard of it before I saw it as a port of call listed on this sailing.  Very few people can say they have visited Aldabra (and Assumption) and it was a unique and memorable experience.  
 

Swan Hellenic includes at least one excursion per day in the price of the cruise (for most sailings).  The on-board experience is nearly all-inclusive.  The cruise fare includes one night of hotel before the cruise, all of the restaurants on board, most alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, room service, Wi-Fi and staff gratuities.   Spa treatments, ultra-premium alcohol and optional excursions are at an additional charge.   
 
I would love to help you plan your next expedition sailing.  Please contact me to get started.