Swan Hellenic names the SETI scientists sailing on its six 2027 space-themed expedition cruises

ItinerariesBy Patrick KarshOct 15, 2026

Swan Hellenic has named the six scientists who will sail with guests on its 2027 "Explore Space at Sea" cruises. Each one comes from the SETI Institute, the California group known for its search for life beyond Earth. Each will join one expedition cruise, from the Pacific Islands to the Arctic and Antarctica.

The line set out the 2027 list on October 15, as reported by Cruise Industry News. It is the fifth year of the partnership, which the two groups first announced in 2022.

How the series works

The idea is simple. A working scientist sails as a guest speaker. They give talks on astronomy, planets and the search for life, and they talk about recent discoveries. On an expedition ship, far from city lights, the night sky can be part of the lesson.

"We are delighted to celebrate the fifth year of our successful partnership with the SETI Institute," said Mario Bounas, Swan Hellenic's chief commercial officer.

The six 2027 cruises

Here are the scientists and the cruises they will join, with dates from the announcement:

Ross Beyer, planetary scientist at the SETI Institute's Carl Sagan Center. "Cruising the Pacific Islands: New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands," Auckland to Honiara, March 21 to April 3, 2027, on SH Minerva.
Uma Gorti, chair of astronomy and astrophysics at the Carl Sagan Center. "Patagonia and the Wild Atlantic: Cruise to the Falkland Islands," Ushuaia to Montevideo, March 25 to April 8, 2027, on SH Vega.
Derek Kozel, principal investigator on the GNU Radio Project. "West Africa Coast and Atlantic Islands," Dakar to Lisbon, May 5 to 14, 2027, on SH Diana.
Bill Diamond, president and CEO of the SETI Institute. "From Canada to Iceland Along the Viking Routes," Halifax to Reykjavík, May 20 to 31, 2027, on SH Vega.
Megan Seritan, deputy manager of the Ring-Moon Systems Node of NASA's Planetary Data System at the SETI Institute. "From Iceland to Svalbard," Reykjavík to Longyearbyen, May 31 to June 10, 2027, on SH Vega.
Janice Bishop, chair of planetary exploration at the Carl Sagan Center. "South Atlantic Cruise: from South Africa to Antarctica," Cape Town to Ushuaia, October 29 to November 18, 2027, on SH Diana.

Two back-to-back trips on SH Vega

Two of the cruises link up. SH Vega sails from Halifax to Reykjavík, then from Reykjavík to Longyearbyen on Svalbard. Guests with time could book both and hear two speakers in one long trip, from Canada to the high Arctic.

The longest trip is the last one. Janice Bishop's cruise from Cape Town to Ushuaia runs about three weeks and crosses the South Atlantic to Antarctica.

What to know before you book

Swan Hellenic runs small expedition ships. Its three ships carry from about 150 to about 190 guests. That means the talks are small, and you may get time to ask questions over dinner.

Remember that a guest speaker is a bonus, not a promise. Plans can change, and expedition routes depend on weather and ice. If one scientist is the reason you are going, read the line's terms on speaker changes before you pay.

Also think about the start and end ports. Several of these trips are one-way, such as Dakar to Lisbon or Cape Town to Ushuaia. One-way flights between those cities can cost more than the cruise fare suggests. Price the flights first.

My take

This is one of the more interesting enrichment programs at sea, and five years in, it is clearly working for Swan Hellenic. If I had to pick one, I would choose the Iceland to Svalbard trip for the long Arctic days. Just book the flights home from Longyearbyen early, because there are not many of them.