SH Diana
Ship Facts
Gross Tonnage: 12,100
Length: 410 feet
Breadth: 75 feet
Draft: 18 feet
Cruising Speed: 14.5 knots
Guests: 192
Crew: 141
Decks: 9
Inaugural: March, 2023
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Seychelles & East Africa Deluxe Gay Group Cruise 2024
From Seychelles To Kenya
12 nights from Victoria (Mahe), Seychelles to Mombasa, Kenya
October 15 – 27, 2024
Swan Hellenic Cruises SH Diana
 Discover Paradise Islands of the Indian Ocean! Explore palm-fringed beaches with white sands and discover the unique wildlife of the Seychelles from the luxury of our five-star expedition ship on our 12-night Seychelles & East Africa Discovery gay group cruise. You’ll explore a handful of the remote 115 islands that make up this Indian Ocean archipelago, before heading to Tanzania and Kenya, known for their rich cultures and pungent spices, and ending our cruise in Mombasa.
Diving, snorkelling and even surfing in these waters filled with colourful fish is pure joy. Head on land and you’ll encounter nesting turtles, giant tortoises, pink flamingos and red fodies who make these lush shores home. Board our boutique ship and join us as we uncover a slice of tropical paradise far from the crowds.
Comprised of 115 islands huddled together in the warm, turquoise Indian Ocean, Seychelles is a paradise begging to be explored. The best part? It's one of the more gay-friendly island destinations out there and one of only a handful where homosexuality is legal.
If you’re looking for a party destination, Seychelles may not be for you. Nevertheless, Seychelles does have a select few popular nightlife destinations. The islands of Mahe and Praslin are home to a handful of nightclubs, discos and bars. You’re unlikely to find any gay-only venues, but that’s not to say you can’t dance the night away if you wish, though don’t expect it to be an extremely lively affair.
Seychelles & East Africa Gay Cruise Highlights
• Swim among exotic marine life alongside pristine palm-fringed beaches with white sand
• Visit the world’s largest tortoise colony with more than 100,000 giant tortoises
• Take in the aromas of Zanzibar’s market stalls heaped with locally grown spices like nutmeg and cinnamon
• Hike through biodiverse forests in Tanzania, keeping a lookout for the Pemba flying fox
• Learn about Swahili culture in the Swahili settlement of Lamu in Kenya
Your Ship - Swan Hellenic Cruises Brand New SH Diana
Arriving in early 2023, SH Diana will be the largest ship in our fleet, providing elegant and spacious 5-star accommodation for 192 guests in 96 spacious staterooms and suites, the vast majority with large balconies. Operated by an onboard team of 140 she will provide the highest levels of personal service and take Swan Hellenic back to its roots when she launches, exploring the Mediterranean and its famous sites of antiquity.
Sophisticated Elegance
SH Diana has been designed for immersive experiences, with extensive outside deck areas, multiple observation points and bright, open and relaxing public spaces with unobstructed views.
Your Wellbeing
The safety & happiness of our guests is paramount to our 141-strong crew on board as well as our passionate expedition team who'll be serving up thrilling shore excursions and lasting memories.
The Observation Lounge
After a day of exploration, where better to relax than in the Observation Lounge. Sit back, savour your favourite tipple whilst getting to know your fellow guests.
Alfresco Dining & Heated Outdoor Pool
Enhance your moments with a dip in the pool or lounge comfortably, savouring fine food and drink while admiring the ever-changing scene.
The Swan Restaurant
Your main dining venue, which transforms in the evenings to serve world-class gourmet cuisine created by Michelin star-winning chefs.
Sauna With A View
A restorative massage or invigorating workout? The panoramic sauna or heated Jacuzzi ? Whichever you choose, you’ll enjoy breath-taking views!
The Club Lounge
After a day of exploration, this is the ideal place to relax, sipping your favourite tipple as your share experiences and insights with fellow guests.
What's Included
• One night at our deluxe hotel in Mahe, Seychelles.
• Welcome dinner in Nairobi, and lunch on the day of embarkation.
• Cruise aboard the brand new Diana, as described in the itinerary.
• Group airport/hotel/pier transfers at designated times, and handling of luggage.
• Lectures and discussions provided by guest speakers.
• Additional lectures by members of the onboard team of experts.
• Complete program of tours and excursions as mentioned in the itinerary including lunch on full day tours with professional English-speaking guides.
• All meals aboard the ship, with a selectionof wines, beer and soft drinks during lunch and dinner.
• Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard the ship hosted by the captain.
• Open bar with select alcoholic beverages.
• Coffee, including espresso and cappuccino, tea and soft drinks throughout the day and night.
• 24-hour room service.
• Gratuities to the ship’s crew, guides, porters and drivers.
• Basic Wi-Fi aboard the ship.
• The services of an experienced Trip Director.
• All local taxes and service charges, including port and embarkation taxes.
• Complete pre-departure material.
What's Not Included
• International airfare and baggage fees
• Trip Cancellation & Interruption insurance (highly recommended)
• Passport and visa fees; several visas might be required for this tour
• Early or late arrival/departure surcharge or early check-in / late check-out
• Personal accommodations, meals, transfers, drinks, telephone, gifts, and expenses not outlined in the itinerary
• Any optional sightseeing excursions or additional visits not outlined in the itinerary
• Gratuity for Gay Group Manager
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Sychelles & East Africa
Deluxe Gay Group Cruise 2024
Itinerary
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Date |
Port |
Arrive |
Depart |
| 15 Oct |
Victoria (Mahe), Seychelles |
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PM |
| 16 Oct |
Victoria (Mahe), Seychelles |
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| 17 Oct |
Poivre Island, Seychelles |
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| 18 Oct |
Bijoutier Island, Seychelles |
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| 19 Oct |
A Day at Sea! |
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| 20 Oct |
Aldabra Islands, Seychelles |
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| 21 Oct |
Aldabra Islands, Seychelles |
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| 22 Oct |
Assumption Island, Seychelles |
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| 23 Oct |
A Day at Sea! |
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| 24 Oct |
Zanzibar Island, Tanzania |
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| 25 Oct |
Pemba Island, Tanzania |
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| 26 Oct |
Lamu Island, Kenya |
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| 27 Oct |
Mombasa, Kenya |
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Day 1 - Victoria (Mahe), Seychelles
Arrive in Port Victoria, Mahe Island, Seychelles. Transfer to the Hotel Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa (or similar). In the evening, meet fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Day 2 - Port Victoria (Mahe), Seychelles
Tour Mahe, embark on Diana and set sail.
Backed by lush mountains, Victoria is the Seychelles’ compact capital city, home to charming Creole houses and two elegant cathedrals. Stalls at the bustling Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market are piled high with spices, seafood and tropical fruit, while the Botanical Gardens are famed for slender coco de mer palms and ambling giant tortoises. You can learn about the islands’ colonial past and rich cultural traditions such as fishing and cooking at the National Museum of History.
Day 3 - Poivre Island, Seychelles
Ringed by white sand and topped with thick vegetation, Poivre Island is known for its astonishing array of marine life and birds. Part of a remote atoll 268 km southwest of Mahé, it’s a nesting ground for multiple species, including wading whimbrels and darting red fodies. Watch for hawksbill and green turtles who glide beneath the water and bury their eggs on the island’s beaches. This tropical islet was named after Pierre Poivre, who first brought spices to the Seychelles.
Day 4 - Bijoutier Island, Seychelles
Tiny Bijoutier Island is popular for beach picnics, snorkelling and wildlife-spotting. You can stroll around the palm-fringed shore of this remote Outer Islands gem in mere minutes, keeping an eye out for spotted tiger cowrie shells and scuttling giant crabs on the white sand. Accessible only at high tide, the circular islet is surrounded by clear, shallow waters and is a sanctuary for soaring frigatebirds and wedge-tailed shearwaters. It’s also a nesting site for turtles.
Days 6 & 7 - Aldabra Islands, Seychelles
Comprising 13 islands around a lagoon, this massive raised coral atoll is home to the world’s largest tortoise colony. More than 100,000 lumbering giant tortoises inch their way around the isolated archipelago’s protected landscape, which features hundreds of flowering plant and fern species. You might be lucky enough to spot swooping Aldabra drongos - endemic to the islands - or wading pink flamingos. Look out too for scavenging white-throated rails, the only flightless bird remaining in the Indian Ocean.
Day 8 - Assumption Island, Seychelles
A tranquil white-sand beach stretches for miles alongside brilliantly turquoise water on the west coast of Assumption Island. Part of the Aldabra Group, the kidney-shaped island lies more than 1,000 km southwest of Mahé and is known for its colourful butterfly species, including the belenois aldabrensis. You may bump into sauntering giant tortoises or catch a flash of green as an Assumption day gecko scampers past. Keep an eye out for evidence of nesting sea turtles near the shoreline.
Day 10 - Zanzibar Island, Tanzania
Cosmopolitan Zanzibar Island (Unguja) has a captivating mix of heritage architecture and spectacular beaches. Zanzibar City’s walkable old quarter, Stone Town (Mji Mkongwe), is a lively warren of narrow winding streets dotted with 18th- and 19th-century buildings. Highlights here include the Old Fort, which hosts performances in its outdoor amphitheatre, and the House of Wonders, an 1883 ceremonial palace with a grand clock tower. You’ll also come across stalls heaped with locally grown spices like nutmeg and cinnamon.
Day 11 - Pemba Island, Tanzania
Cloaked in lush vegetation, hilly Pemba Island is famed for its extensive clove farms, peaceful islets and white-sand beaches. The island’s biodiverse forests are a haven for grazing blue duiker (small antelope), and the Pemba flying fox, identifiable by its distinctive rusty-red fur and enormous wingspan stretching over 5 feet. Offshore, you can snorkel or dive in warm water among vibrantly coloured coral teeming with marine life including green turtles, whitetip reef sharks and nudibranchs.
Day 12 - Lamu Island, Kenya
A storied Swahili settlement and former major trading hub dating back 700 years, Lamu is a delightful seafront town on the island of the same name. Clusters of ornate, well-preserved buildings built from coral stone and mangrove timber fill its maze of narrow streets. As you stroll the tiny alleyways, you can admire intricately carved wooden doors and arcaded facades, or take a peek into hidden courtyards. The fort and museum are fantastic places to learn about Swahili culture.
Day 13 - Mombasa, Kenya
Disembark and transfer to the airport.
A dynamic coastal metropolis, Mombasa draws you in with its rich history and beguiling blend of cultures. For centuries, Arabs, Portuguese, Asians and British settlers have lived side by side in the enchanting old town, whose buildings meld African, European and African styles. Perched above the sea, Fort Jesus was built by the Portuguese in the 1590s to protect the city, while the bustling spice market is packed with fragrant stalls selling pepper, ginger and cardamom.
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