Setting Sail for Adventure with Swan Hellenic’s Jane Wilson

With over 27 years of experience in expedition cruising, Swan Hellenic’s Expedition Operations Manager, Jane Wilson, certainly knows what’s what! We caught up with her to talk about our unique itineraries, the spirit of expedition cruising, and much more…

Swan Hellenic prides itself on offering expedition cruises that our guests never forget, and for Jane, it’s the free spirit and ever-changing nature of our voyages that stands out. "Expedition cruises are more adventurous," says Jane. "No two voyages are the same, so it’s about embracing the unexpected. Each voyage offers a unique adventure, from surprise whale sightings to finding shelter from sudden rain and meeting locals."

Our smaller expedition ships and Zodiac landings are another advantage. "Traveling on a smaller vessel, which has a shallow draught, means we can go to places traditional ships can’t," explains Jane. Our Zodiac landings add more chances for adventure too. "Getting people ashore on the Zodiacs is another key part of being independent," says Jane. "This means our guests are immersed deeper into each destination. Our expeditions have got this sense of expect the unexpected!"

Jane believes Swan Hellenic stands out for its special commitment to expedition cruising. "Our voyages are different because we’re keeping the spirit of expedition cruising alive," she says. The company focuses on crafting unique itineraries that take guests to off-the-beaten-path destinations, and Jane thinks this makes a difference. Jane says, "We keep our itineraries exciting, and it inspires the whole company. We’ve recently sailed along the West coast of Africa, where few tourists go. New itineraries like this feel extra special, and it’s this commitment to exploration that helps create unforgettable, adventurous experiences for our guests!"

After almost 30 years of expedition voyages, Jane has seen many spectacular things on her travels. The most awe-inspiring natural phenomenon she’s witnessed with Swan Hellenic was in South Georgia. "I’ll never forget seeing the incredible life that comes ashore during the summer breeding season there," says Jane. "Whether it's penguins, seals, or seabirds, seeing all that life – relatively untouched, and not really affected by humans – was amazing!"

Our expedition voyages have taken Jane to some of the world’s most untouched places. "Swan Hellenic sail to wonderfully remote places," says Jane. "We visit the Subantarctic, the Antarctic, the peninsula in South Georgia, the Seychelles…" And she says Aldabra is a great example of the remote places we explore. "Aldabra is a world heritage listed coral atoll," says Jane. "It’s virtually untouched, and all the life that has established itself there is just extraordinary. I think visiting remote places gives people a real sense of wonder."

For Jane, the thrill of expedition cruising lies in venturing beyond familiar territory. Whether it's pushing north to 80° in Svalbard or exploring remote cultural destinations, these expeditions offer a profound sense of wonder. "Last year, up in Svalbard, we pushed a long way north, and were only 540 nautical miles from the North Pole," says Jane. "So that was pretty exciting. We cruised the ice edge and saw polar bears!"

Jane has had plenty of incredible wildlife encounters on her travels with Swan Hellenic. "The Canadian Arctic is absolutely incredible," she remembers. "You see rare bowhead whales and marine mammals, such as narwhals and beluga. These creatures are unique to the Arctic ecosystem, and seeing them in the wild just blows you away. Sometimes they come to you and breathe out, and you can smell their fishy breath!"