Swan Hellenic is back in business

**Ally** · 07-06-2007, 04:05 AM

Swan Hellenic – the ‘cultural’ cruise line beloved of Britain’s old school elite – is to return next year with one of its original ships and former P&O Cruises chairman Lord Jeffrey Sterling at the helm.

A new operation – formed as a joint enterprise between Sterling and the All Leisure Group, owner of cultural cruising specialist Voyages of Discovery – will offer summer cruises around Europe and winter sailings to Antarctica aboard the 12,500gt, 394-passenger Minerva, a ship popular with Swan Hellenic veterans until she was replaced by Minerva II.

More recently, the ship has won awards as an Antarctic expedition vessel, Explorer II. It will revert to the Minerva name and undergo a refurbishment before entering service as the Swan Hellenic flagship in May 2008.

In its inaugural season, Minerva will offer cruises around Scandinavia, the Baltic and the Mediterranean. Baltic prices start at £1,695 per person for an eight-night Norwegian Fjords cruise sailing on May 23 roundtrip from Dover to Flåm, Ålesund, Hellesylt, Geiranger and Bergen.

A 14-night ‘Voyage to the Mediterranean’ from Dover to Palermo, departing August 10 and calling at Leixoes, Lisbon, Portimao, Cadiz, Mahon, Cagliari, Civitavecchia, Sorrento and Naples will cost from £2,250.

In traditional Swan Hellenic style, prices will include shore excursions and a detailed lecture programme featuring a number of old Swan Hellenic hands, including contemporary historian Andrew Evans and environmentalist Robert Bradnock.

In late autumn 2008 Minerva will reposition to Antarctica for a series of cruises. Passenger capacity will be reduced to 199 and prices - inclusive of drinks, tips and small-party shore excursions in Zodiac landing craft - will start at £4,695 for a 14-night ‘Classic Antarctica’ sailing, including return flights to Argentina.

A 2008 Swan Hellenic brochure is available this month.