CRUISE PLANNER RATINGS: Moderate; SWAN HELLENIC
This is the original Minerva which was sold off to Explorer Cruises when Swan acquired Minerva II (ex-R8) before the new ship was in turn transferred to the Princess Cruises brand and Swan Hellenic was allowed to die off. Happily, Lord Sterling bought the brand from Carnival and has revived it by allying with All Leisure Group (owners of Voyages of Discovery) and Explorer II is now Minerva once again! With its refined, country house style, this is travelling in relaxed but distinguished style, with open-seating dining in one of two venues and a high-quality guest speaker programme. Public rooms maintain the traditional feel with modern overtones while cabins are comfortable if not especially remarkable. Sailing to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Black Sea in summer, from their home port of Portsmouth, and voyaging in more adventurous style to the Middle East, Red Sea, India and the Far East in winter, including Grand Voyages of 27-44 days. Gratuities and some excursions included.
www.swanhellenic.com
Ship Minerva Rating Type 4-Star Boutique THOMSON CRUISES
Aimed squarely at the British package holiday market and offering excellent value, the ships – and accommodations – vary quite widely as they are all well-maintained charter vessels. Modest choice of casual alternative dining, but the revamped Spirit took their style to a new level, notably with the dining options and Linda Barker-designed suites. Children’s clubs are well run and make for highly family-friendly cruises, with kids choices in all dining options. The open-dining policy is imaginative and entertainment is well geared for UK tastes. In Europe each summer, the Canaries, Caribbean and Red Sea in winter, they offer some imaginative ex-UK cruises, including from Harwich and Newcastle as well as Southampton. Thomson dramatically increased their fleet in 2005 by adding Thomson Celebration (formerly the Noordam of Holland America) as a sister to Spirit (ex-Nieuw Amsterdam) and the revamped Thomson Destiny (formerly the Sunbird of MyTravel). Island Escape was taken over from the former Island Cruises operation between First Choice and Royal Caribbean in 2009, while Thomson Dream (the ex-Costa Europa) joined in 2010 to give them their biggest vessel – and most advanced range of onboard facilities – to date, with five dining options and generous open deck space. Packaged with charter flights and all taxes and gratuities included.
www.thomson.co.uk/cruise.html
Ship Island Escape
Thomson Spirit, Celebration
Rating Type 3-Star Resort
4-Star Resort
Thomson Destiny 4-Star Resort Thomson Dream 4-Star Resort
SR Dining Tonnage P / C
25.08 Open 40,132 28.00 Open 33,930
25.92 Open 37,584 36.52 Open 55,000
VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY
This is the former Island Princess, refreshed and refurbished. With excellent guest speakers and excursion programmes, this is the ideal choice for passengers who want to get the most out of some adventurous and thoughtful itineraries. Imaginative menus and informal dining add value to this well-run product, as does a distinguished line-up of guest speakers. A worldwide traveller, she sails in summer around northern Europe and the Med, plus the Black Sea and North Africa. In winter, she sails to Asia, the Far East, South America and Africa, with Grand Voyages up to 79 days. Gratuities included in the fare.
www.voyagesofdiscovery.com
Ship Discovery Rating Type SR Dining Tonnage P / C 4-Star Adventure 28.91 Two 20,186 698/325 94 WORLD OF CRUISING I Winter 2010 / 2011
1600/612 1254/520
1450/540 1506/600
ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS
This owner-operator of genuine adventurous vessels features a series of world-wide eco-friendly tours and expeditions focusing on the North-West Passage, Antarctica, the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, plus the Mediterranean and even round-Britain voyages. They short-term charter some vessels (notably in the Indian Ocean and to the Galapagos) and have long-term charters on two contrasting but high-quality ships in Adventurer and Odyssey. Both offer adventure cruising of a highly personal and small-scale nature, with a fleet of Zodiac landing boats, but Odyssey is the more sophisticated and luxury-orientated vessel, with gourmet dining and more lavishly appointed cabins. Natural history, photography, bird-watching, diving and hiking are all part and parcel of the Zegrahm style, so onboard entertainments are limited to lectures and dining. Gratuities not included.
www.zeco.com
Ship
Clipper Adventurer Clipper Odyssey
Rating Type SR Dining Tonnage P / C
4-Star Adventure 39.67 Open 4,364 4-Star Adventure 47.43 Open 5,218
110/79 110/73
SR Dining Tonnage P / C 35.71 Open 12,500 350/160 VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY
With the demise of Orient Lines, but a growing demand for more traditional and thoughtful cruising, Gerry Herrod – creator of Orient in the 1990s – has come up with another distinctive new (in 2010) operation that fills the void for this educational style of voyaging. The former 1970s-built Aegean I, she underwent a major refurbishment to add a new spa, gym and beauty salon; a library; 81 enlarged cabins, 42 with balconies; and 16 cabins for solo travellers. Premium cabins come in Concierge class, with enhanced amenities and priority services. Entertainment is relatively low-key but high quality, with historian Lord Norwich pioneering a series of lecture programmes and guest speakers that highlight the history and culture of the areas the ship travels. Emphasis is also on high-quality cuisine, with a choice of venues, and dinner including wine. Shore excursions and gratuities are also included. Core cruise areas remain the Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic, plus the Red Sea and Middle East (all Apr-Nov only), with grand voyages up to 30 days.
www.voyagestoantiquity.com
Ship Aegean Odyssey Rating Type 4-Star Classic WINDSTAR CRUISES
Although the perception is that this brand operates sailing ships, pulling ropes and scrubbing decks are not part of the daily agenda. Luxury is the by-word on these chic, small vessels that feature pleasing, well chosen-menus (although weak alternative dining). Relaxed, informal and with low-key entertainment, they add friendly, efficient service, great watersports and good shore excursions, while there are some sophisticated touches in the cabins and recently-expanded WindSpas. Sailing in the Caribbean and to Central America (from Costa Rica) in the winter and in the Mediterranean in summer, these vessels have computer controlled sails as well as diesel motors. Gratuities not included.
www.windstarcruises.com
Ship
Wind Spirit, Star Wind Surf
Rating Type
5-Star Boutique 5-Star Boutique
SR Dining Tonnage P / C 38.50 Open 5,703 150/91 47.20 Open 14,745 310/163 SR Dining Tonnage P / C 28.91 Open 11,563 380/200 Standard; Superior
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