Cruise the North: Iceland, Faroe Islands and British Isles
All departures of this tripCRUISE ID # SWAND2228081609
Reykjavik TO Ijmuiden (Amsterdam)
$9,450
WITH SPECIAL SAVINGS APPLIED
FARES SHOWN ARE PER GUEST
Suites & Fares
CHOOSE START DATE
: August 16, 2028
Itinerary
Sprawling Reykjavík, the nation's nerve center and government seat, is home to half the island's population. On a bay overlooked by proud Mt. Esja (pronounced eh-shyuh), with its ever-changing hues, Reykjavík presents a colorful sight, its concrete houses painted in light colors and topped by vibrant red, blue, and green roofs. In contrast to the almost treeless countryside, Reykjavík has many tall, native birches, rowans, and willows, as well as imported aspen, pines, and spruces.Reykjavík's name comes from the Icelandic words for smoke, reykur, and bay, vík. In AD 874, Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson saw Iceland rising out of the misty sea and came ashore at a bay eerily shrouded with plumes of steam from nearby hot springs. Today most of the houses in Reykjavík are heated by near-boiling water from the hot springs. Natural heating avoids air pollution; there's no smoke around. You may notice, however, that the hot water brings a slight sulfur smell to the bathroom.Prices are easily on a par with other major European cities. A practical option is to purchase a Reykjavík City Card at the Tourist Information Center or at the Reykjavík Youth Hostel. This card permits unlimited bus usage and admission to any of the city's seven pools, the Family Park and Zoo, and city museums. The cards are valid for one (ISK 3,300), two (ISK 4,400), or three days (ISK 4,900), and they pay for themselves after three or four uses a day. Even lacking the City Card, paying admission (ISK 500, or ISK 250 for seniors and people with disabilities) to one of the city art museums (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, or Ásmundarsafn) gets you free same-day admission to the other two.
It’s hard to imagine, as you stroll Heimaey’s idyllic streets of white wooden houses, that this island was literally torn apart by a spectacular volcanic eruption, just over 40 years ago. The fact that you can visit incredible Heimaey at all is something of a miracle – because the oozing lava of the Eldfell volcano threatened to seal the harbour off completely. Fortunately, its advance was halted by gallons of seawater, pumped onto it by the plucky islanders, who saved their fishing industry in the process. Iceland's famous for its scenery, and the huge castles of volcanic rock that rise out of the sea's waves here are some of the country's most dramatic.
More than 600 miles (nearly 1,000 kilometres) from Denmark’s west coast lie the Faroes, a triangle of eighteen windswept islands, seventeen of which are inhabited. Only 48,500 people plus some 70,000 sheep roam these remote lands. Much of the islands’ heritage reflects a medieval past, beginning with the arrival of farmers from western Norway who settled here in the 9th century. Evidence of this Scandinavian heritage is preserved through centuries of isolation; ancient structures can still be seen in villages clustered around old churches. Sheer cliffs and waterfalls carve Streymoy, the largest of the islands, where Torshavn is one of the world’s smallest capitals with about 12,400 inhabitants, plus another 5,000 living in the suburbs of Argir and Hoyvik. Visitors find interesting museums, churches, monuments and all the amenities of a modern town and thriving harbour here. The world’s oldest, still active parliament was founded in the Viking age. Today, it houses the main offices of the local government. Many of the attractions are found outside of Torshavn in the rugged beauty of Streymoy. There are fields with grazing ponies and sheep, tiny hamlets where residents live in half-timbered houses topped by green grass roofs, and dramatic rock formations. Birds by the thousands populate the craggy seaside cliffs, which make an ideal stopover for migratory gannets, guillemots and puffins. The Faroes' climate is generally wet and windy. Because of the Gulf Stream, the temperature is a good deal more moderate than the latitude might imply; it also helps to keep Faroe harbours ice-free year-round.
Founded by Dutch fishermen in the 17th century, Lerwick today is a busy town and administrative center. Handsome stone buildings—known as lodberries—line the harbor; they provided loading bays for goods, some of them illegal. The town's twisting flagstone lanes and harbor once heaved with activity, and Lerwick is still an active port today. This is also where most visitors to Shetland dock, spilling out of cruise ships, allowing passengers to walk around the town.
About the Ship
Name
SH Diana
Operator
Swan Hellenic
Arriving in early 2023, SH Diana is the largest ship in our fleet, providing elegant and spacious 5-star accommodation for 192 guests in 96 spacious staterooms and suites, the vast majority with large balconies. Operated by an onboard team of 140, she provides the highest levels of personal service. She takes Swan Hellenic back to its roots when she launched, exploring the Mediterranean and its famous sites of antiquity.
Now sit back, relax, and take a moment to get to know this amazing new ship, purpose-designed for our unique cultural expedition cruises.
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Swan Hellenic’s plethora of dining options provide guests with an appetite for global flavours a tempting variety of options, from sun chasing early riser’s breakfast through to late dinner and 24 hour room service.
The onboard restaurants serve modern international delicacies featuring regional cuisine and ingredients creating a unique once-in-a-lifetime dining experience.
World renowned chefs will prepare culinary experiences from the destinations visited, pairing the latest international trends with untasted regional delights.
Bespoke & private dining experiences will be offered both inside and outside (depending on the weather conditions and routing). Offering guests superb the opportunity to enjoy and explore top-tier culinary skills and the local landscape that is home to distinctive unique flavours of seasonal ingredients, alongside fine wines.
The Swan Dining Room, as the main venue for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serves international and regional cuisine focused on quality, creativity and flavours.
With an open seating policy, guests can dine at their leisure, from breakfast through to dinner.
Breakfast and Lunch are served on the buffet, while dinner is a sit-down affair complete with white tablecloths and linen napkins.
All of our menus are inspired and created....
Open from early hours to late at night, this social space has the feel of an expansive living room, leading out to the al fresco Pool Grill and Bar.
The Club Lounge changes its appearance from an Early Riser to a light lunch and a lavish afternoon tea time to a causal dining experience.
In the evening the Club Lounge entices a social chat while offering an interactive family-style dinner. Piemonte’s famous style of pizza is also se....
No matter what time of day, our carefully curated In-Cabin Dining Menu traverses perennial international favourites and a plethora of international delicacies, providing a world-class gastronomic experience in the comfort of your own cabin.
Start your morning right with a nourishing selection of breakfast dishes – from a healthy yoghurt, granola and local seasonal fruit to a heartier regionally inspired eggs benedict. Or opt for a more i....
SH Diana has been designed for immersive experiences, with extensive outside deck areas, multiple observation points and bright, open and relaxing public spaces with unobstructed views.
Fitness is a key part of the daily routine for many. Just because you’re on holiday your wellbeing routine need not stop.
Swan Hellenic's state-of-the-art gym will please the most discerning of fitness fiends. Here, you will find everything from cardio machines and stretch bands to weights. We will also be offering a range of instructor-led classes. Why not try a morning stretch class or book a fitness assessment with one of our specialist body coaches?
You don’t have to be pounding the treadmill to enjoy our fabulous on-board fitness and spa facilities. Relax and revive in the sauna, outdoor pool or one of the jacuzzis and book yourself in for a healing massage or facial.
Our fitness areas are spotlessly clean, with luxurious changing facilities, water and towels provided.
If you are looking to experience the remote Polar regions or explore truly off-the-beaten path destinations and cultures of our spectacular planet, then you are in great company. Swan Hellenic exists to provide its guests with authentic, intimate and unforgettable moments in extraordinary locations and remote landmarks.
No stone is left unturned when it comes to researching our shore excursion programmes. All aspects of the itinerary are carefully planned in detail by a knowledgeable, well travelled team to ensure each aspect of the cruise is delivered to the highest possible standard.
We’ve thought of all our guests, including the less mobile. Our 12-person hard-hulled zodiacs, the boats that take guests off the ship, have been designed for increased c....
Please note: there are no dedicated children's facilities on board.
We offer an Oceanview cabin that’s been specifically designed to be completely ADA compliant and therefore includes a fully operable wheelchair access wet unit.
The ship itself has two lifts serving every passenger deck except the Stargazing top deck, which is therefore more difficult to access, as are the Aft Marina and Swan’s Nest forward observation platform. Moreover, we do not have any special equipment facilitating access to the sw....
Expedition cruises are primarily concerned with what happens outside the ship, so dress codes are very relaxed. There are no formalities at mealtimes.
At breakfast and lunch, you will wear the clothes you are going outside in (minus the outer gear). Once you have changed out of your expedition gear in the evening you will want to put on something casual and comfortable. And it is always worth having an extra layer at hand if you are the ....
On board
On-board currency is the USD. Onboard spend will be added to your final bill. It is worth taking a debit/credit card in case of any problems paying your bill. Remember to tell your bank before travelling to avoid having your card refused.
Antarctica
There is no official currency as Antarctica does not belong to one country. It is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) signed by various nations.
All ships will be compliant with the strictest Public Health and hygiene standards of the industry for all the activities on board including all the food handling and processing.
We go to great lengths to ensure cleanliness and sanitation onboard. The air distributed on board is disinfected by latest generation of advanced oxidation UV cells for the maximum protection against viruses and bacteria.
There are plenty of hand sanitiser....
Our ships have been designed and built in accordance with the latest sustainable practices.
Onboard we are reducing the use of paper and single-use plastic onboard the ship.
Our ships use dynamic positioning technology which allows our ships to remain in locations without dropping anchor, which in turn reduces our environmental impact.
Whilst in port, we use batter power which reduces the burning of fuel. As our ships are new....
Observing from a distance is the best mantra. Official guidelines require passengers to keep a minimum of five metres away from the wildlife, though penguins (in Antarctica), in particular, are curious creatures and unafraid of humans, so this may not always go to plan!
Whilst among wildlife walk slowly and keep noise to a minimum. If wildlife changes its behaviour, stop moving, or slowly put more distance between you. Animals are partic....
The ships are very well designed with side and aft marina embarkation allowing everyone to safely and easily embark on zodiacs.
Good mobility is essential, particularly for getting on and off the Zodiacs ashore. We have made the ride to shore as stable as possible by using superior quality non rigid keel zodiacs which will make possible for you to land-beach in the most interesting location.
For less mobile guests we will provide t....
At Swan Hellenic, we want to ensure your experience with us is an effortless experience, leaving you to make the most from your expedition cruise, which is why we have included the following within your cruise fare:
- Return regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation (where specified)
- Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable) <....