Cruise Frog guide
Aurora Expeditions vs Swan Hellenic
Swan Hellenic rates higher than Aurora Expeditions on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.7 to 3.2 out of 5 across their rated ships. Swan Hellenic leads on cabins, dining and pools & decks, with the rest level. Pick Aurora Expeditions for solo travelers; Swan Hellenic for history and culture.
Comparison updated
| Fact | Aurora Expeditions | Swan Hellenic |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Expedition | Expedition |
| Best for | Adventure seekers, Solo travelers, Couples | Couples, History and culture, Adventure seekers |
| Fleet rating | 3.2 / 5 | 3.7 / 5 |
| Cabins | 4.7 | 5.0 |
| Dining | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Entertainment | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Service | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Pools & decks | 2.3 | 4.0 |
| Value | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Ships in service | 3 | 3 |
| Largest ship | Greg Mortimer (7,892 GT) | SH Diana (12,255 GT) |
| Newest ship | Douglas Mawson (2025) | SH Diana (2023) |
| Guests per ship, average | 144 | 165 |
| Usually sails | Northern Europe, Antarctica, Mediterranean | Antarctica, Northern Europe |
| Solo cabins | Every ship | — |
| Single supplement | Ten dedicated solo cabins on every sailing of the 2026 and 2027 seasons carry no single supplement. A solo traveler who wants another… | — |
| Loyalty program | Aurora Expeditions Loyalty Program | — |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Larnaca, Cyprus |
| Founded | 1991 | 1954 |
Ratings are Cruise Frog's editorial scores of each line's ships in service, 1 to 5, averaged; the higher figure is highlighted. How we rate.
Quick answers
Which is better, Aurora Expeditions or Swan Hellenic?
Swan Hellenic rates higher than Aurora Expeditions on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.7 to 3.2 out of 5 across their rated ships. Swan Hellenic leads on cabins, dining and pools & decks, with the rest level.
Is Aurora Expeditions or Swan Hellenic better value?
They score the same for value, 3.0 out of 5.
Is Aurora Expeditions or Swan Hellenic better for dining?
Swan Hellenic scores higher for dining, 4.0 to 3.0 out of 5 (good food in the main dining room and the specialty venues).
Is Aurora Expeditions or Swan Hellenic better for entertainment?
They score the same for entertainment, 2.0 out of 5.
Is Aurora Expeditions or Swan Hellenic better for cabins?
Swan Hellenic scores higher for cabins, 5.0 to 4.7 out of 5 (comfortable, quiet, well kept).
Which has bigger ships, Aurora Expeditions or Swan Hellenic?
Swan Hellenic's largest ship, SH Diana, measures 12,255 gross tons, against 7,892 for Greg Mortimer, Aurora Expeditions's largest. An average Aurora Expeditions ship carries 144 guests, a Swan Hellenic ship 165.
How many ships do Aurora Expeditions and Swan Hellenic have?
Aurora Expeditions has 3 ships in service; Swan Hellenic has 3 ships in service.