Swan Hellenic X Deepak Chopra Wellness Cruise Trip Report

This cruise is for solo travelers, wellness seekers, yoga lovers and couples who appreciate incredible food, sensational backdrops and wellness practices both on land and onboard. This luxury cruise is for those who want an intimate ship with sleek modern design. This is a top class ship with the best rooms I've ever seen on a cruise.

Since the HS Diana is just one year old, everything has been thought out in terms of modern sleek style, design and storage. Open plan interiors, many outdoor spaces, dedicated presentation and lecture lounge/theater, floor-to-ceiling glass windows. On board tender boats to get you off to explore. Scandi-inspired elegance in sophisticated cheery and cozy colors and furniture. The rooms are incredible with balconies, flame-crackling fireplaces in front of the bed, fridges stocked with drinks and bubbly, 24-hour room service, waterfall shower, bathroom drawers and storage cabinets. A desk that can turn into makeup lighting mirror, various lighting switches from bed, daily schedule on TV and lectures can be viewed on TV if missed in person. You can push room buttons for cleaning or privacy. Beds are very comfy.

Yoga mats, Chopra workbooks, water bottles, backpack, and binoculars are all provided.

Oceanview staterooms can come with a balcony, two single beds or double beds. Junior Suites, Suites and Premium Suites have king-sized beds. All come with luxurious bathrooms and the last two have a separate bathtub and walk-in wardrobe.

Other amenities include an outdoor jacuzzi outside spa and gym, spa with sauna, steam room, hair and nail services, pool, rooftop deck for stargazing and animal viewing and library.

Travel writer friends reminded me that this is the best boat to be on in terms of luxury as they thought it was the pinnacle. Only 50 of us were aboard a ship that can hold around 190 passengers.

Food

A tea hour with many treats was available daily. Freshly squeezed juices and a daily grill section near the pool boasts local fish and great pizza choices. Inside the fancier dining room, multicourse menus (all included in the price) change daily for dinner and are out of this world phenomenal — options are endless and often with ingredients from the local countries/areas. No dress code on this boat. However, they tout it as a not dressing up ship but most ladies looked lovely in casual dresses each night. The food was incredible — options available all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and was the best food of any ship I’ve been on, plus there are vegetarian and Ayurveda options abound. People dined outside near the pool/grill and indoor with AC in steamier ports. I have never been on a boat with 24/7 room service, which is nice if you want to take a break from people and dine in your room or balcony.

Experience

This was the best cruise line I have ever been on for style, design, food, organization and service. I have been on several small riverboat cruises. However, the itinerary was not one I would repeat in Central America.

The boat swayed gently every day but I never felt seasick.

You can still go on Swan Hellenic and pay less not to do the Chopra component (if it is a wellness-led itinerary cruise).

Besides the room, service, food and style of boat, highlights were the interpersonal connections, astronomy lessons on the top deck, educational workshops/lessons on turtles, spotting and defining various types of whales, gym with weights/machines and views, jacuzzi on rooftop and pool (which often I had all to myself). Many loved the spa and hair/manicure services.

The ship feels like a yacht with the opportunity to be in the ship’s galley and learn how the captains navigate and maneuver the ship. I like that you could pick what you wanted to do onboard and not feel obligated to do every Chopra workshop as I read the pamphlet of introspection in bed and reflected while others like to hear what others are going through at each workshop/session.

I loved the days at sea to spot wildlife but days were packed with many educational options and choices, but truly to me the most mesmerizing was connecting with nature — under the unbelievable stars (I saw a shooting comet and star), and observing wildlife like spinner dolphins, whales, marlins jumping, turtles floating by, brown boobies and more.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on cruise travel. In need of further inspiration? Check out my guide, The Best of Palm Springs, California.