Searching for Aliens on a Luxury Cruise
What if your next cruise wasn't just about discovering new places on Earth, but exploring the possibility of life beyond it?
Luxury expedition cruise company Swan Hellenic has announced six specialist voyages for 2027, offering travellers the chance to explore some of the world's most remote destinations alongside scientists working on one of humanity's biggest questions: are we alone in the universe?
Created in partnership with the SETI Institute, the organisation dedicated to investigating the possibility of life beyond Earth, the Explore Space at Sea series will take passengers from the volcanic islands of the South Pacific to Antarctica, the Arctic and the wild Atlantic coastline. Each voyage will feature a different scientific expert, with onboard talks and discussions covering everything from the geology of Mars to the formation of distant planets, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and the technologies scientists use to investigate the universe.
It's a rather different proposition from the traditional luxury cruise. Instead of simply admiring extraordinary landscapes, passengers will discover how some of Earth's most unusual environments can help scientists understand other worlds.
And for travellers who have ever wondered what it might be like to explore space, this could be the closest thing to an interplanetary expedition without leaving Earth.
What Is Swan Hellenic's Explore Space at Sea Series?
Swan Hellenic's Explore Space at Sea programme is entering its fifth year in partnership with the SETI Institute, bringing leading researchers aboard its fleet of boutique expedition ships.
The SETI Institute has spent more than four decades studying the universe, investigating planetary environments, astronomy, astrophysics and the potential for life beyond our planet. The organisation's work encompasses far more than listening for signals from extraterrestrial civilisations. Its scientists also study the conditions necessary for life, the formation of planetary systems and the geological processes that shape worlds throughout our solar system.
During the 2027 voyages, passengers will have opportunities to learn directly from researchers working in these fields.
Rather than traditional classroom lectures, the programme connects scientific discoveries to the destinations passengers are visiting. A volcanic landscape in Iceland, for example, can reveal clues about the geological history of Mars, while the frozen environment of Antarctica offers valuable comparisons with some of the coldest regions of our solar system.
Here are the six voyages planned for 2027.
1. Pacific Islands: Discovering Landscapes Similar to Other Planets
21 March – 3 April 2027 | Auckland to Honiara | SH Minerva
The first voyage explores the Pacific islands of New Caledonia, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, accompanied by planetary scientist Ross Beyer from the SETI Institute's Carl Sagan Center.Beyer studies the landscapes of planets and moons, using imagery and data collected by spacecraft to understand their geological history. His work includes involvement with NASA missions investigating Mars, the Moon and distant icy worlds.
During this Pacific expedition, passengers will explore the relationship between Earth's volcanic landscapes and the geological processes found elsewhere in the solar system.
The Pacific Ring of Fire, with its volcanoes, earthquakes and tectonic activity, provides a particularly interesting comparison.
For travellers, the voyage combines the natural beauty and cultural diversity of the South Pacific with an opportunity to understand how scientists interpret the surfaces of distant worlds.
2. Patagonia and the Falkland Islands: Exploring the Southern Sky
25 March – 8 April 2027 | Ushuaia to Montevideo | SH Vega
Travelling from the southern tip of South America towards Uruguay, this expedition explores Patagonia and the wild Atlantic, including the Falkland Islands.
Joining passengers will be Uma Gorti, Chair of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the SETI Institute's Carl Sagan Center. Gorti specialises in understanding how stars and planets form, using observations from major astronomical facilities including the Hubble Space Telescope, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array and the James Webb Space Telescope.
Her programme will explore the southern night sky, star-forming regions and the relationship between astronomy and navigation.
Passengers will also learn about scientific experiments conducted in Antarctica, including balloon-based research and investigations into cosmic rays.
The voyage offers an unusual combination of remote South American landscapes, wildlife-rich destinations and an introduction to some of the most important questions in modern astronomy.
3. West Africa and the Atlantic Islands: How Scientists Listen to Space
5–14 May 2027 | Dakar to Lisbon | SH Diana
The third voyage travels north from Senegal to Portugal, exploring the West African coastline and Atlantic islands.
Onboard will be Derek Kozel, Principal Investigator of the GNU Radio project, an open-source technology platform widely used in radio communications and scientific research.
Kozel's expertise lies in radio science, instrumentation and the technologies used to receive and analyse signals. For anyone fascinated by the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, this voyage offers an opportunity to understand how scientists investigate radio signals from space.
Radio astronomy plays an important role in studying the universe, allowing researchers to observe phenomena that cannot be detected through visible light alone.
The voyage will introduce passengers to the technologies behind these discoveries, while exploring a region known for its maritime history, island landscapes and cultural diversity.
4. Canada to Iceland: Following Viking Routes and Searching for Life Beyond Earth
20–31 May 2027 | Halifax to Reykjavík | SH Vega
This North Atlantic expedition follows routes associated with Viking exploration, travelling from Halifax in Canada to Reykjavík in Iceland.
Joining the voyage is Bill Diamond, President and CEO of the SETI Institute. With more than 30 years of experience in advanced technologies, including optical communications, laser photonics and imaging systems, Diamond brings a broad perspective on the scientific and technological challenges involved in exploring the universe.Passengers will learn about the SETI Institute's research and the tools scientists use to investigate the possibility of extraterrestrial life.The route itself adds another dimension to the experience.
The North Atlantic has a remarkable history of exploration, from the voyages of Norse seafarers to modern scientific expeditions.
Combining this maritime heritage with contemporary space science creates an interesting parallel between humanity's historic journeys into unknown territories and its ongoing exploration of the cosmos.
5. Iceland to Svalbard: Volcanoes, Magnetic Fields and the Arctic
31 May – 10 June 2027 | Reykjavík to Longyearbyen | SH Vega
The fifth expedition heads north from Iceland to Svalbard, accompanied by planetary scientist Megan Seritan. Seritan is Deputy Manager of the Ring-Moon Systems Node of NASA's Planetary Data System at the SETI Institute. Her research examines how geological features can reveal the history of planetary magnetic fields, particularly the ancient magnetic field of the Moon.
During the voyage, she will explore how volcanic rocks preserve information about magnetic activity and how scientists use similar evidence to investigate other planetary bodies.
Iceland provides a fascinating natural setting for these discussions. Its volcanic landscapes, lava fields and dramatic geological formations offer visible evidence of the forces shaping our planet.
As the ship continues towards the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, passengers will encounter another of Earth's extraordinary environments, where glaciers, mountains and polar landscapes provide a striking backdrop for discussions about planetary science.
6. South Africa to Antarctica: What the Frozen Continent Can Tell Us About Mars
Departing 29 October 2027 | South Africa to Antarctica
The final voyage of the series explores the South Atlantic and Antarctica, accompanied by Janice Bishop, Chair of Planetary Exploration at the SETI Institute's Carl Sagan Center.
Bishop studies Martian rocks, minerals and the geological evidence that could help scientists understand whether Mars once supported conditions suitable for life.
Her research combines laboratory investigations with fieldwork in environments on Earth that share characteristics with other planets. During the voyage, Bishop will explain how researchers investigate minerals, geological formations and potential biosignatures — evidence that could indicate past or present biological activity.
For travellers fascinated by Mars exploration, this expedition offers a rare opportunity to connect the science of another planet with one of Earth's most extraordinary wildernesses.
What Are Swan Hellenic's Luxury Expedition Ships Like?
The six voyages will operate aboard Swan Hellenic's three boutique expedition ships: SH Minerva, SH Vega and SH Diana. Unlike traditional large cruise ships, these vessels are designed for smaller-scale exploration, particularly in remote regions.
SH Minerva and SH Vega each accommodate up to 152 passengers in 76 suites and staterooms, while the larger SH Diana accommodates up to 192 guests.
All three ships feature Scandinavian-inspired interiors, dining venues, outdoor observation areas and expedition facilities.
Guests can also enjoy amenities including spa facilities, panoramic saunas, swimming pools and fitness areas.
SH Diana additionally features a dedicated lecture theatre, providing a setting for expert presentations and discussions. The smaller passenger numbers are intended to create a more intimate expedition experience, with access to specialist guides and opportunities to explore destinations that are less accessible to larger cruise vessels.
How to Book Swan Hellenic's 2027 Space Cruises
All six Explore Space at Sea voyages are scheduled for 2027, with itineraries spanning the South Pacific, South America, West Africa, the North Atlantic, the Arctic and Antarctica.
Prices and cabin availability depend on the individual voyage, accommodation category and booking arrangements. Travellers can find full itineraries, departure details and booking information on the Swan Hellenic website.
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