Helsinki Shipyard delivers SH Diana, Swan Hellenic's third ship

'We’re delighted to have taken delivery of this exceptionally beautiful and versatile new five-star vessel,' Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito said. 'As the largest ship in our fleet, she is the first to be outfitted with large tender boats as well as expedition Zodiacs, offering guests a wide variety of extraordinary in-depth experiences ...'

192-passenger capacity, up from 152

SH Diana measures 125 meters/410 feet and 12,100gt and has capacity for 192 passengers, up from 152 for the 113-meter/371-foot, 10,600gt SH Minerva and SH Vega. Crew capacity is 141.

The newest ship is built to Polar Class 6 standard, down from PC 5 for the first two.

SH Diana is already en route to the Mediterranean to undertake two cruises before its official naming festivities May 4 in Amsterdam. The ship currently is underway in the Baltic and expected to transit the Kiel Canal Wednesday night.

April 15 maiden voyage

SH Diana is heading to Palermo to begin the April 15 10-night 'Mysteries of Carthage and the Moors,' which will explore locations in North Africa before crossing the Pillars of Hercules to Seville and Lisbon. Departing Lisbon April 25, the nine-night 'Historic Ports of the Western Seaboard' will see the ship hugging the coasts of Spain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands to reach Amsterdam.

Following this will be cruises in Scandinavia and a full Arctic season before winter in the Mediterranean.