Finding the perfect balance of solo travel

As a seasoned solo traveler, Cynthia Borghesani has embarked on an astonishing eight Swan Hellenic cruises in just two years, venturing to Europe, the Arctic, and Antarctica. From witnessing breathtaking wildlife to walking in the footsteps of history, Cynthia’s journeys have been nothing short of transformative. Read on to to find out more about her diverse experiences.

For Cynthia, solo travel is all about freedom—the ability to explore at her own pace while embracing moments of quiet reflection or lively social interaction. Onboard SH Vega, she found that perfect balance. “I enjoy the independence of traveling solo and following my own schedule," says Cynthia.

"One can choose to be social and meet fellow travelers, or enjoy the solitude of curling up with a good book, a craft, or pursuing one of the ship’s offerings of choice – such as lectures, on-deck wildlife watches, and scientific experiments,” she shares. "I found the most challenging part was finding enough time in the day to partake in all that was offered, such as Zodiac trips, lectures, movies, conversations with new friends."

Unlike traditional vacations, expedition cruises offer opportunities for deeper connections—both with other travelers and the world itself. "My fellow travelers, including the academic lecturers, were interesting, interested, well-read and well-travelled—our conversations sparkled with fact, fiction, and fun!" says Cynthia. “The solo travelers often ate together in the dining room, and I was often invited to join couples eating in groups,” Cynthia explains. “I have stayed in touch with many fellow passengers—a couple from the Netherlands from my second Vega Antarctic trip met me in Ireland, and the Swan Hellenic crew were wonderful about welcoming them back on board for the afternoon, remembering them from two years ago, and making us feel a part of the Vega family.”

For Cynthia, the call of the polar regions proved irresistible. “The overwhelming Antarctic beauty, remoteness, the abundance of wildlife, and the unfolding scenery of snow, icebergs, and glaciers—as well as long hours of daylight without people or civilization—captivated me so much, I had to keep returning,” Cynthia recalls.

Another unforgettable voyage took her through the Northwest Passage—a place steeped in history. “As a Canadian, I was overjoyed to visit the regions, the native people of Nunavut, and the places of historic expeditions I had learned about in school. And I was deeply moved to walk the beach on Beechey Island among the discarded food tins and three graves that remained of the doomed expedition of Captain Sir John Franklin and his 129 men,” she recounts. “Knowing that one of his ships, HMS Terror, had been found recently only made my visit more extraordinary.”

From purple-faced polar bears to watching elephant seals at midnight, Cynthia has had some pretty unique wildlife encounters on her voyages. “One of the most memorable wildlife encounters was coming fairly close in our Zodiac to a roaming polar bear on land,” she recalls. “Our photographer captured his purple face… from the blueberries he had been eating!” Another unforgettable moment happened around midnight in Antarctica. “Everything was just right to venture forth in the Zodiacs to visit an island that hadn’t been visited in a decade,” she explains. “We went ashore, climbed a hill, and looked down on a community of elephant seals on the beach. It was truly unforgettable. At midnight!” But these experiences weren’t just about wonder—they were also a stark reminder of nature’s fragility. “I think one of the biggest surprises about my polar cruises was the feeling of awe and appreciation for the now endangered polar regions,” Cynthia admits.

For Cynthia, SH Vega wasn’t just a ship—it was a home at sea. “The SH Vega, named after the first ship to cross the Arctic Northwest Passage, became my home eight times,” she says. "The crew’s kindness, helpfulness, friendliness, and patience made every journey special, and I explored everywhere on board!

"It’s the expertise and experience of the expedition crew that has coaxed me back time and again," admits Cynthia. "Their willingness to share their knowledge, fun, and expedition history was unforgettable. And, for me, three factors set Swan Hellenic cruises apart: the knowledge of the captains, combined with their close collaboration with the expedition leaders; the small size of the ship, with only 150 passengers; and the ship’s ice-strong hull. These things, along with the expertise of the expedition crew, allowed us to visit obscure places at optimum times and see what others don’t!"

Two of the most inspiring figures Cynthia met on board were AJ Jinman and Richard Simpson, expedition leaders with a wealth of polar experience. “They both skied from one side of the peninsula to the next on a scientific expedition to commemorate the anniversary of explorer Ernest Shackleton’s death,” she says. “Imagine! They were so experienced and knowledgeable, and fun! Their stories were incredible, and we are all better for knowing them.”

For those considering their own expedition cruise, Cynthia has simple but powerful advice: “Clean out the cobwebs from your head so you can fully appreciate all that awaits you!” Because if there’s one thing her experiences proves, it’s that the world is waiting—and there’s always more to discover. "Listen for the whoosh of air as a whale breathes nearby," she adds. "Rejoice with the penguins as they go about their day; smell their presence. Listen for silence. Listen for the sweet sounds of air in the ice. And know what a privilege it is to be alive, surrounded by all this magic."

With so many unforgettable voyages behind her, you might wonder what’s next for Cynthia. But her sense of adventure is far from over. “It’s hard to top where I’ve been and what I’ve seen with the SH Vega, but Svalbard and Polynesia still beckon,” she says. “And I’d return to my beloved Antarctica at the drop of a passport!” We look forward to welcoming her back on board soon for more incredible adventures!

Pictures thanks to Cynthia Borghesani and Yuri Choufour