https://www.swanhellenic.com/ Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Countries, Cruising, Ships, South America

Rio by the Sea-oh with Swan Hellenic

18th November 202518th November 2025 funtime65

The hospitality manager on our first cruise told us their favourite trip was Brazil which is why we’re alighting on Rio by the Sea-oh with Swan Hellenic.

One of the 36 voyages on offer as part of the Black Friday Expedition Collection sale, ranging from six to 20 nights.

The offer comes with a$1,000 onboard credit per cabin and savings reaching up to £2,600 per stateroom.

Clients can choose from journeys across Antarctica and the Arctic, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

For departures spanning March 5 to July 29 with bookings to be made between November 17 and December 2 to avail of the offer.

With offer inclusive fares starting at £2,695pp.

Braziliant cruising

Among the standout sailings is the six-night Salvadore Rio voyage departing November 25. Soul, Samba and Sea Journey to Heart of Brazil.

From £2,835pp, your Braziliant cruise, our pals at Swan Hellenic tell us that it is an unforgettable journey.

Starting in Salvador de Bahia, a city rich in Afro-Brazilian culture, and culminating in the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro.

They encourage us to explore the historic Pelourinho in Salvador and take in the colonial architecture.

While Itacaré buzzes to the rhythms of local capoeira dancers (no, us neither but we’re here to learn).

Trancoso is known for its boho-chic setting, with its iconic quadrado surrounded by lush rainforest.

Dip you toe in

The Abrolhos Archipelago throbs with marine life and breathtaking biodiversity.

While you can dive in too to the clear waters of its natural pools.

And snorkel, or simply enjoy the ship’s observation decks.

And because you know that you like to spend your nights partying.

Then you’ll be lapping up in Buzios and Rio, savouring caipirinha cocktails and the carnival vibe.

And having taken in the charms of Swan Hellenic in rather different shores, off Leith, Edinburgh’s port, we long for warmer Brazilian climes.

Africa, Countries, Cruising, Deals

Slave ships to rave ships off West Africa

3rd April 20253rd April 2025 funtime65

They’re pleasure cruises on the horizon now and we’re invited to track the voyage from slave ships to rave ships off West Africa.

Our friends at cultural expedition cruise pioneers Swan Hellenic have plotted routes north to the south of Africa for us.

From Cape Town to Casablanca and on to Lisbon, or south from Lisbon to Luanda.

And all at a generous 15 per cent saving thousands compared with the individual fares.

The first departs Cape Town on 25 March 2026, combining five northbound cruises.

To create a 51-night Grand Voyage, sailing the entire West Coast of Africa to Casablanca and on to Lisbon.

The second is a 35-night Grand Voyage sailing south from Lisbon to Luanda from 7 September 2026.

The passage of history

Swan Hellenic doesn’t skirt the fact that for hundreds of years the ships sailing out of West Africa carried slaves around the world.

But rather they introduce passengers to the forts of the transatlantic slave trade.

While at the same time getting up close and personal with the coastal elephants.

The lakeside dwellings of Benin and the pristine Bijagos Archipelago.

And from exploring the twisting cobbled streets of ancient medinas to falling in love with Lisbon.

Each Grand Voyage is on the purpose-built boutique ship SH Diana.

Which, of course, we know all about after spending time with her.

When she came up to see us in Leith last summer.

And saw how she can host 192 guests in 96 staterooms and suites, the majority with large balconies.

Oh Diana

SH Diana features a state-of-the-art gym, spa, panoramic sauna, club room, swimming pool with poolside grill.

And three dining venues: the Swan Restaurant, Club Lounge, and Pool Bar & Grill.

The five northbound cruises in the first half of 2026 range from seven to 13 nights long.

And are all still available separately or daisy chained as desired.

With an 11-night Cruising in Namibia: the Skeleton Coast offer, departing Cape Town on 25 March 2026 and arriving in Luanda on 5 April 2026.

The 13-night Southwest Africa Cruise, departing Luanda on 5 April 2026and arriving in Tema (Accra) on 18 April 2026.

The 13-night Cruise West Africa: The Slavery Coast, departing Tema (Accra) on 18 April and arriving in Dakar on 1 May.

The 7-night Cruise from Senegal to Morocco, departing Dakar on 1 May 2026 and arriving in Casablanca on 8 May 2026.

The 7-night Morocco to Portugal Cruise, departing Casablanca on 8 May 2026 and arriving in Lisbon on 15 May 2026.

The incredible expedition cruise leads in from £42,999 pp in a balcony stateroom based on two sharing.

Beautiful south

The three southbound cruises in the second half of 2026 are:

The 9-night Atlantic Cruise from Portugal to Senegal, departing Lisbon on 7 September 2026 and arriving in Dakar on 16 September.

The 13-night The Slavery Coast: from Senegal to Ghana, departing Dakar on 16 September 2026 and arriving in Tema (Accra) on 29 September 2026.

The 13-night West Africa Cruise from Ghana to Angola, departing Tema (Accra) on 29 September 2026 and arriving in Luanda on 12 October 2026.

The incredible expedition cruise leads in from £23,664 pp in an Ocean-view stateroom based on two sharing.

And though we all live these days in what they call ‘uncharted waters’ with Swan Hellenic they remind us.

How much better off we are as we have progressed from slave ships to rave ships off West Africa.

Countries, Europe

It’s my Geburtstag and I’ll lie in if I want to

23rd November 202323rd November 2023 funtime65

It’s my Geburtstag and I’ll lie in if I want to.

And read my messages from pals, near and far, including a virtual bunch of roses from meine Freunde in Wengen, Switzerland.

I left quite a mark on Hotel Bellevue… on their breakfast room ceiling when in my rush to get to the slopes I left the shower on.

And was met with a wry smile and an enquiry into my day on my return followed by the disclosure of that morning’s breakfast.

Now I’ve had plenty of practice at apologising, in fact it’s my opening gambit with The Scary One.

And I’m glad to say the charming crew at my Swiss hotel took my suppliant sorries in good part.

Birthday boy

And they have faithfully sent me gifts galore every birthday over the past eight years

Those roses, fish platters, chocolate cake, dessert and the most picturesque scenes.

Note to wife… and the anaemic half cup of tea sans bagels this morn.

Of course, the best present of all is to get out to share these places on earth that are heaven like the Hotel Bellevue.

Thankfully mine hosts and those dream makers who make it all happen, our travel providers, have stuck with me.

Including my Scary One here at home.

And Rosie and Heaven Publicity who charitably gave me a chance to redeem myself in Val D’Isere last winter.

Heavenly havens

Heaven, as we’ve come to expect, are all over Black Friday, and we will be too.

That celestial dreamscape is different for us all but it would be difficult to argue against these heavenly havens…

Scotland, Venice & Verona, the Maldives, the South Atlantic and Japan.

All of which are on Heaven’s radar, and I’ll share with you after I indulge in birthday bingeing.

And mine as I pick out which gifts to treat myself to.

In my scratcher because after all it’s my Geburtstag and I’ll lie in if I want to.

Africa, America, Asia, Countries, Cruising, Europe, Oceania, South America

Swanning about the world

7th December 2022 funtime65

So all we do is go swanning about the world. Wrong, we let somebody else pilot the ship.

And that somebody would be Swan Hellenic who will show you the Arctic, Antarctic and rest of the world – from Brazil to Papua New Guinea, Norway to New Zealand, Australia to Africa, and Madagascar to the Mediterranean.

Swan Hellenic are introducing a new lady to the fleet for next year with SH Diana joining SH Minerva and SH Vega from the past two years.

So as with all things cruise let’s see the numbers.

There are 192 guests across 96 staterooms and suites, many with balconies.

Diana rules the waves

Diana’s passengers features a multifunctional room next to the observation lounge, a private dining room and two tenders.

And so the polar class 6 ice-strengthened hull plus extra-large stabilisers make the journey as smooth as silk for you to enjoy the Arctic and Antarctic.

There are new itineraries too on the roster, such as New Zealand in Depth and immerse yourself in its Maori culture and its Long White Cloud.

Then there’s Papua New Guinea with its active volcano and Eclectus parrots.

For Japanophiles then you can explore the Land of the Rising Sun further than ever before.

And its Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples and the forested island of Yakushima.

Of course, all these exotic destinations bill themselves as the Land of something or other.

And that is no different with Iceland, the Land of Ice and Fire.

In Iceland in Depth you can cruise along the fjords, something we’d encourage anybody in the Nordic or Scandinavia, nations.

And so to the Land of Carnival, the Spirit of Brazil will give you those rhythms, beats and buzzing cities.

But you’ll also get to see humpback whales in the Abrolhos Archipelago.

While if Africa is more your thing then you can check out their Unspoilt Wilds of Southwest Africa.

And talk to the animals… the elephants, buffalos, lowland gorillas and chimps. And you’ll feel good.

Before learning about the wonders of voodoo in Benin.

Deal us in

Antarctic explorers: Off to see wildlife

Prices range from £2,500pps to £19,000pps depending on the length and location of the expedition cruise.

That includes return regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation (where specified)…

Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port, one night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a four/five star hotel or onboard, all meals onboard, 24-hour room service, coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day.

There will be a lecture programmes by Swan Hellenic’s experienced expedition team and guest speakers, Wi-Fi, onboard gratuities and port taxes.

And one selected shore excursion/expedition activity per port of call, and branded Swan Hellenic expedition parkas and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.

Phew. So get swanning about the world.