The onboard experience was excellent...the stateroom, food and staff/crew onboard were just phenomenal. Having sailed with Crystal on the Harmony, Symphony and Serenity about a dozen or so times, we would put them in that same class of onboard experience with regards to service and food. As this was our first expedition cruise, the "expedition" part of the program for us was very good. The number of different options offered was very good. Kudos to Swan Hellenic for offering use of complimentary boots and hiking poles for zodiac cruises/landings. Some upscale expedition lines I know make you either rent these items or you have to bring your own (which in the case of packing boots is not convenient at all).

Where did Swan Hellenic need improvement (and thus the reason I did not give the highest rating):

- Onboard Entertainment: the lectures and presentations were very good; however, outside this there was little in the way of entertainment - some creativity here is necessary; there was an onboard pianist who was just mediocre (very repetitive night after night) Read more