MARIS
MARIS, Culinary Discovery at Sea
Swan Hellenic, the pioneer of cultural expedition cruising, has a history of innovative, in-depth exploration. Voyaging in elegant ice-class expedition ships across seven continents, they take their guests to see what others don’t.
Swan Hellenic and JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs share their love of excellence and have partnered together to create a one-of-a-kind experience, featuring some wonderful and talented JRE chefs from around Europe, on board of the SH DIANA and SH VEGA ships.
JRE chefs use their culinary excellence, and passion for tradition, sustainability and locally sourced ingredients, to create astonishing new expressions of the territories explored. They prepare signature dishes, teach cooking classes and create menus to thrill the palate of the most discerning guests.
For the third year, Maris continues to set the highest standards in cruise gastronomy, bringing a different internationally acclaimed chef on each exceptional voyage of culinary discovery.
"We’re delighted to showcase the tremendous talents of our chefs for Swan Hellenic voyagers again in 2025, creating dining experiences that match and enhance their extraordinary explorations aboard and ashore."
President, JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs
2025 PROGRAM
The JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs chefs lined up for the 2025 Maris cruises include (in order of sailing):
From May 12th to May 21st, JRE Chef Heribert Dietrich from Switzerland will join the SH Diana, departing from Lisbon and arrive in Portsmouth.
From May 21st to June 1st, JRE Chef David Heine from Belgium will join the SH Diana, departing from Portsmouth and arriving in Dublin.
From June 13th to June 21st, JRE Chef Philippe Deslarzes from Switzerland will join the SH Diana, departing from Tromsø and returning to Tromsø.
From July 21st to July 31st, JRE Chef Herman Cooijmans from the Netherlands will join the SH Diana, departing from Tromsø and arriving in Amsterdam.
From July 31st to August 8th, JRE Chef Franco Körperich from Switzerland will join the SH Vega, departing from Reykjavik and returning to Reykjavik.
From July 31st to August 11th, JRE Chef Lola Marin from Spain will join the SH Diana, departing from Amsterdam and arriving in Lisbon.
From August 11th to August 22nd, JRE Chef Federico Pettenuzzo from Italy will join the SH Diana, departing from Lisbon and arriving in Palermo.
From August 22nd to September 1st, JRE Chef Alberto Basso from Italy will join the SH Diana, departing from Palermo and arriving in Venice.
From September 1st to September 9th, JRE Chef Lukas Nagl from Austria will join the SH Diana, departing from Venice and arriving in Piraeus.
From September 17th to September 26th, JRE Chef Michael Ammon from Germany will join the SH Diana, departing from Istanbul and arriving in Limassol.
See What Others Don't With Swan Hellenic
If you are looking to experience the remote Polar regions or explore truly off-the-beaten path destinations and cultures of our spectacular planet, then you are in great company. Swan Hellenic exists to provide its guests with authentic, intimate and unforgettable moments in extraordinary locations and remote landmarks. All the while enjoying a sophisticated elegant atmosphere onboard. Swan Hellenic is an established, well respected owner-operated heritage brand with more than 7 decades of expertise in undiscovered destinations.
Pioneering cruise
Swan Hellenic is proud to return to the waters 70 years after its first pioneering cruise. Our brand new fleet of expedition ships are cutting edge, but the core values that underpinned the brand and served its guests so well from its inception remain in place. As does the passion for exploratory travel to the globe’s furthest far flung places.
Helsinki shipyard
Constructed in the Helsinki shipyard, their expedition ships combine the latest polar ice-class technology with stylish, sophisticated interiors. Think high-end boutique hotel with contemporary sophistication. Chic, spacious and well-planned cabins feature generously sized bathrooms, comfortable in-room dining facilities and unobstructed views of the incredible destinations visited.
Understated elegance
Understated elegance might be another way of phrasing what awaits a Swan Hellenic guest. At the very heart of the brand is the onboard team with their guests’ personal wellbeing their foremost priority. The service on board embodies the same values, being attentive, personal and intuitive but discreet. There’s no fuss or formality, just focused dedication to understanding the guests’ preferences and anticipating their needs, always aiming to exceed and surprise expectations.
Bucket list
Swan Hellenic prides itself on taking its guests to see what others don’t, visiting small and lesser-known ports of special cultural, geographical or wildlife interest as well as bucket list famous cities. Above all, their guests visit many uniquely remote places beyond these ports of call, boarding Zodiac boats and exploring at sea level to come ashore in rich unspoilt areas of our planet that often cannot be accessed in any other way.
We're united by a quest to share experiences of the exceptional
CEO Swan Hellenic