One of the main attractions of a Swan Hellenic cruise is the calibre of our Guest Speakers, each chosen for their expertise and for their passion in communicating their specialist subject. Swan Hellenic Guest Speakers are respected historians, classicists, archaeologists, vulcanologists, geologists, military historians, botanists, art historians, theologians, ambassadors, writers and broadcasters – to name but a few. Three or four Guest Speakers accompany each cruise.

In addition to our Guest Speaker programme we also invite special guests to join Minerva to deliver after dinner talks on selected cruises. These can include highly regarded politicians, authors, actors, broadcasters and journalists, each specially selected to appeal to Swan Hellenic passengers.

Swan’s varied evening entertainment includes classical concerts, operatic and theatrical performances, light-hearted quizzes and films, rather than grand stage shows and casinos. After a leisurely meal in one of Minerva’s two on board restaurants, relax with a drink and enjoy your evening entertainment in the Darwin Lounge – including, when Minerva is in port – occasional performances by entertainers from ashore.

Leisurely days at sea provide the time and space to learn something new, or to develop existing skills. Selected cruises feature one of a range of workshops, each led by specially invited tutors. You might choose to develop your Bridge skills, attend a watercolour class, join a singing workshop, hone your writing skills, explore Tai Chi or relax in a yoga class.