ADVENTURE CRUISING
FACT FILE Built:
Tonnage: Length: Beam: Draft:
Speed:
Passengers: Crew:
RMS St Helena
1989 6,767 344ft 63ft
19.7ft
14.5 knots 128 56
Passenger decks: 5 Registry:
UK
More Info: For more information on RMS St Helena, plus a full list of scheduled tours and special offers, visit
www.rms-st-helena.com or call 020 7575 6480. For more information on the island of St Helena, visit
www.sthelenatourism.com.
Price & Itineraries: Fares start from £2,521 per person, based on two people sharing a T2H cabin on A deck (subject to change and availability), including 2 nights’ accommodation in Cape Town (one pre- and one post- voyage), the voyage on the RMS, all meals onboard and accommodation on St Helena. Return flights to Cape Town are excluded.
The Explorer Itinerary DAY 1: One night pre-voyage included in Cape Town. DAY 2–7: Board the RMS in Cape Town and sail to St Helena. DAY 7-16: Explore the island. DAY 16-21: Leave the island for return journey to Cape Town. DAY 21: Arrive Cape Town; one night post voyage is included. DAY 22: Tour Ends.
St Helena Factfile Time Zone: GMT. Population: 4,000 approx. Climate: The climate is influenced by the South Atlantic High Pressure Cell and Equatorial Trough. Despite the Island’s locality within the tropics, its climate is kept mild and equable by the South East trade winds. Because of its position, the weather is warm all year round, varying between 32°C (89°F) in Apr- May, to 21°C (70°F) Oct-Nov.
Steward service is available but, should
you get the hankering for a cup of tea in the middle of the night, you are welcome to make use of the facilities in the stew- ard’s pantry. And, while daily life remains largely informal and casual, some evening meals are more of an occasion, with an element of dress code that demands more than polo shirts and slacks. The sea days roll by with an element of in- dulgent insouciance, highlighted by an atten- tive staff who soon get to know their charges and seemingly anticipate their every need. Port calls increase the tempo significantly and provide that extra element of meaningful intrigue and excitement which the everyday cruise ships have long since lost.
our cabin comfort is also important given the extra sea-going aspect of every voyage, and the RMS is well- equipped on this score, too. Accommoda- tions range from snug inside cabins (some without en suite facilities, it should be pointed out), to expansive 4-berth cabins with fridge, kettle and armchairs. Good cupboard and drawer space is more important here than flat-screen TVs; there are portholes instead of picture windows and balconies; and many berths are of the fold-away kind, providing extra space during the day (and more echoes of yesteryear). And then you reach St Helena itself and discover a whole new realm of individuality and adventure. The tropical climate ensures a wonder- fully clement environment year-round (vary- ing from 21-32°C), rarely too hot or cold. Spectacular terrain unfolds in almost every direction, with the volcanic outer rim giving way to a lush interior boasting amazing cloud forests, with seabirds seemingly ever-
Y 64 WORLD OF CRUISING I Autumn 2010
present, including the endemic wirebird. Diana’s Peak National Park encapsulates the island’s rugged charms, as well as its flora and fauna, while numerous walking trails await the eager modern-day explorer. Jamestown is the capital and port, a
narrow limpet of a town, little more than a single street that grew to fill the slim crevice that it occupies between two substantial bluffs (part of the original fortifi- cations). Its original 17th century roots can still be traced, along with 300 years of gradual accumulation and slow existence. The more energetic will want to try
Jacob’s Ladder, the 699-step inclined plane that serves the Old Garrison on Ladder Hill. Napoleonic history can be enjoyed at Briars Pavilion, Longwood House and his official Tomb, while other notable highlights include High Knoll Fort and the Castle, plus Jonathan the tortoise, the island’s oldest in- habitant, who resides at Plantation House (also the governor’s residence!) Anyone who has visited the Shetlands or Outer Hebrides will appreciate the sense of epic isolation you get from spending time in these far-flung island outposts, but St Helena adds more – much more – to that winsome ambience. With barely 4,000 inhabitants and the nearest mainland 1,100 miles away, it is a rare combination of the inimitable and the beguiling.
Couple it with a journey on her name-
sake vessel and you have an experience that embodies the very essence of the wide world of cruising.
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