Swan Hellenic Reveals Scientists for 2025 Space at Sea Series

Cultural expedition cruise pioneer Swan Hellenic is renowned as the choice of adventurous minds across the generations who want to explore in-depth around the world. Today, the company announced full details of its unique Explore Space at Sea Series, which reaches further and deeper, including into the far reaches of space, thanks to a unique partnership with the SETI Institute, which began life with NASA’s Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence program (SETI) in the eighties.

Each of these extraordinary cruises provides Swan Hellenic guests with expert insights into the history and latest discoveries in astronomy, astrophysics, astrobiology and planetary science, as well as the quest to find other forms of life within and beyond our solar system.

The 2025 series will feature nine renowned SETI Institute scientists, one per cruise and each with their own very special perspective. Accompanying guests on their expeditions and delivering thought-provoking lectures aboard, the SETI Institute scientists also mix and socialize with guests throughout their voyage in the Swan Hellenic tradition.

So, let’s get to know Swan Hellenic’s 2025 SETI Institute scientists, the cruises they will be accompanying and the topics of the lectures they will be giving on board.

Dana Backman – Director of the NASA Astronomy Activation Ambassadors Program

Accompanying: From Chile to Peru on SH Vega, March 27 – April 5, 2025

Itinerary: From Valparaiso along the Chilean coast, exploring the Atacama Desert, to Callao and the Peruvian capital of Lima, over 9 nights.

An esteemed astrophysicist specializing in the study of planetary systems and star formation, Dana has dedicated his career to unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos, contributing extensively to public science education and outreach.

Dana’s lecture topics will be: “Astrophysics & Planetary Science in Antarctica” – How Antarctica’s unique conditions make it a prime location for planetary research. “Snowball Earth” – Examining historical periods when Earth was completely or nearly frozen. “Good Planets Gone Bad” – Understanding the factors that cause drastic changes in planetary environments.

Derek Kozel – Principal Investigator for the GNU Radio Project

Accompanying: Wild Wonders: From Peru to Panama on SH Vega, April 5 – 14, 2025

Itinerary: From Callao along the coast of Peru, exploring Machu Picchu, then through the Panama Canal to conclude in Panama City, over 9 nights.

Derek is an accomplished radio astronomer and engineer who has focused his work on developing advanced techniques for observing

cosmic phenomena, playing a key role in expanding our understanding of the universe through innovative technological applications.

Derek’s lecture topics will be: “Eyes on Earth: NASA’s View from Above” – Using satellite technology to monitor Earth’s environment and natural phenomena. “Waves Across Waters: The Evolution of Shipboard Radios” – Tracing the development of communication technologies on ships, from early radio to modern systems.

Stephen Cramer – Advanced Light Source Professor Emeritus at UC Davis

Accompanying: Belize City to Belize City on SH Vega, April 30 – May 7, 2025

Itinerary: Exploring the Caribbean, including the Belize Barrier Reef, the ruins of Tikal and Caye Caulker, over 7 nights.

Stephen’s lecture topics will be: “‘Extremophiles’ – A Tour from Belize to Around the World” – The organisms at home in the world’s deepest hydrothermal vent sites and other extreme environments, and what they teach for finding life elsewhere in the universe “The World’s Brightest X-Ray Light Bulbs” – An introduction to synchrotron light sources and their applications in scientific research.

Pamela Harman – Director of Education at the SETI Institute

Accompanying: Halifax to Reykjavik on SH Vega, May 22 – June 2, 2025

Itinerary: From the Canadian Maritimes, crossing the North Atlantic to Iceland, exploring historic sites and natural wonders over 11 nights.

A passionate science educator and director of education at the SETI Institute, Pamela Harman is dedicated to inspiring curiosity and engagement in science through her work in curriculum development and public outreach initiatives.

Pamela’s lecture topics will be: “Introduction to the SETI Institute and Astrobiology” – An overview of the SETI Institute’s mission and the study of life in the universe.

“Visible and Invisible Light: Multiwavelength Astronomy” – How observing different wavelengths of light helps us understand the universe. “Moon and Mars Trivia Contest”.

Madhulika Guhathakurta – Leading Scientist at NASA

Accompanying: Reykjavik to Longyearbyen on SH Vega – June 2 – 13, 2025

Itinerary: Sailing from Reykjavik along the Norwegian coast to the Arctic’s edge in Longyearbyen over 11 nights.

A distinguished astrophysicist and heliophysicist, Dr. Guhathakurta has spent over two decades at NASA, spearheading major space missions and advancing our understanding of solar phenomena and their impact on the solar system.

Madhulika’s lecture topics will be:

“Solar Eclipses: Celestial Marvels and Cultural Legends” – The science behind solar eclipses and their impact on cultures throughout history. “Auroras: Nature’s Spectacular Light Symphony” – The folklore and science of these breathtaking displays. “NASA’s Mission to Touch the Sun” – The Parker Solar Probe and its mission to study the Sun up close. “Solar Folklore: Myths and Legends of the Sun”. “Solar Flares: Fireworks of the Sun”.

Joe Spitale – Expert in Planetary Science and Orbital Dynamics

Accompanying: Iceland to Greenland Roundtrip Cruise on SH Vega – July 31 – August 10, 2025

Itinerary: From Reykjavik through the fjords of Iceland, exploring remote volcanic landscapes, to the Arctic Circle and back over 10 nights.

Specializing in planetary science and orbital dynamics, Dr. Joe Spitale has made significant contributions to the study of planetary rings and moons, with a focus on uncovering the dynamic processes that shape our solar system.

Joe’s lecture topics will be: “Evolution and the Tree of Life” – Exploring the diversity of life and its evolutionary pathways on Earth.

“Abiogenesis” – Discussing theories on the origin of life from non-living matter. “Ocean Worlds” – Insights into the potential for life in subsurface oceans of other planets and moons.

Bill Diamond – President and CEO of the SETI Institute

Accompanying:

Iceland to Greenland Roundtrip Cruise on SH Vega, August 10 – 20, 2025

Itinerary: From Reykjavik, exploring the geothermal landscapes of Iceland and Greenland’s icy fjords over 10 nights.

Bill’s lecture topics will be: “The Search for Life Beyond Earth – Where it Stands and Why it Matters” – Current progress and the importance of searching for extraterrestrial life. “Astrobiology Field Expeditions and the Search for Life Beyond Earth” – Field research techniques used to find life in extreme environments on Earth as analogs for other planets.

Steve Croft – Astrophysicist and Educator at the SETI Institute

Accompanying: Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq on SH Vega – August 20 – 30, 2025

Itinerary: Sailing from Iceland’s capital to Greenland, exploring its vast ice sheets and wildlife over 10 nights.

A leading figure in the field of radio astronomy, Dr. Croft’s research focuses on exploring transient phenomena in the universe, using cutting-edge radio telescopes to investigate cosmic bursts and signals that challenge our understanding of space.

Steve’s lecture topics will be: “Is There Anybody Out There?” – Current efforts and technologies used in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. “What Time Is It, and Where Am I?” – An exploration of timekeeping and navigation. “Expecting the Unexpected” – How cutting-edge telescopes enable us to probe the weird and wonderful in the Universe, including the question: Are we alone? “Sailing on Cosmic Winds” – Solar and cosmic winds and their influence on space exploration.

Rosalba Bonaccorsi – Research Scientist at the SETI Institute & NASA Ames

Accompanying: Canadian Arctic and Northern Lights on SH Vega

September 15 – 30, 2025

Itinerary: From Greenland’s Kangerlussuaq through the Labrador Sea to Canada’s eastern coast, ending in Halifax over 15 nights.

Dr. Bonaccorsi is a renowned astrobiologist who explores life in extreme environments on Earth as analogs for other planets, contributing valuable insights into the potential for life beyond our planet through her interdisciplinary research.

Rosalba’s lecture topics will be: “The Drake Equation and the Search for Life in the Universe” – The factors that influence the probability of finding intelligent life.

“Making the Arctic (& Antarctica) Work for Ocean Worlds” – How research in polar regions informs the search for life on icy moons. “Protecting environments on Earth and the Solar System”. “Astrobiology Science Expeditions to Planetary Analogs” – Visiting the most inhospitable places on earth to test life detection technology.

Patrizia Iantorno, Chief Commercial Officer of Swan Hellenic commented: “We’re very proud to unveil our 2025 Explore Space at Sea cruises with our partners at SETI, offering 9 very different opportunities for curious minds to see what others don’t, both on Earth and beyond”.

A brochure with full details of each cruise and the fascinating specializations and amazing career accomplishments of these SETI Institute scientists can be downloaded here.

All these extraordinary Explore Space at Sea cruises are already available to book on the Swan Hellenic Website.