ST. HELENA CRUISES Ship
RMS St Helena
Rating Type
SR
Dining Tonnage P / C 3*-Plus Adventure 70.40 Two 6,767 128/56
A unique cargo ship, but with built-in passenger facilities, the last working Royal Mail Ship serves the South Atlantic Isles and South Africa, including Ascension Island, St Helena and Tenerife. Cabins are basic but include good closet space. No great cruise sophistication, but highly relaxing (with many days at sea), wonderfully friendly service and consistent, plentiful food. Sailing (twice a year) from Portland or round-trip from Cape Town, voyages can be tailor-made, one-way or round-trip, from 13 to 31 days. A real individual in the cruise world. Gratuities not included.
www.rms-st-helena.com
SWAN HELLENIC Ship
Minerva
Rating Type 4*-Plus Boutique
SR
Dining Tonnage P / C 35.71 Open 12,500 350/160
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. An extensive refurbishment in 2011 added more balcony cabins, a new observation lounge, internet lounge and promenade deck, plus heavy makeovers for existing public rooms and cabins. 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 30-56 days. Gratuities and some excursions included.
www.swanhellenic.com
THOMSON CRUISES Ship
Island Escape
Thomson Spirit, Celebration
Thomson Destiny Thomson Dream
4*
4* 4*
Rating Type 3*-Plus Resort
Resort
Resort Resort
SR Dining Tonnage P / C
25.08 Open 40,132 1600/612 28.00 Open 33,930 1254/520
27.95 Open 40,876 1462/600 36.52 Open 55,000 1506/600
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. 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 Majesty (formerly the Norwegian Majesty of NCL). Island Escape was taken over from the former Island Cruises operation between First Choice and Royal Caribbean in 2009, while Thomson Dream (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
VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY Ship
Discovery Voyager
Rating Type 4*
4*
SR
Dining Tonnage P / C
Adventure 28.91 Two 20,186 698/325 Adventure 27.46 Two 15,271 556/215
This distinguished, destination-intensive line becomes a two-ship operation in December 2012 with the arrival of MV Voyager (formerly Alexander von Humbolt) alongside the existing vessel. Discovery is the former Island Princess, fully refreshed and just about to undergo an extensive refurbishment, and the onboard style is all about excellent guest speakers and excursion programmes – 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 lecturers. Worldwide travellers, they sail in summer around northern Europe and the Med, plus the Black Sea and North Africa. In winter, they visit India, the Far East, Australia and the Caribbean, with Grand Voyages up to 126 days. Gratuities included in the fare.
www.voyagesofdiscovery.com
VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY Ship
Aegean Odyssey
Rating Type 4*
Classic
SR
Dining Tonnage P / C 28.91 Open 11,563 380/200
With the demise of Orient Lines, but a growing demand for more traditional and thoughtful cruising, Gerry Herrod – creator of Orient in the 1990s – came up with another distinctive operation that fills a 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 India and the Far East, with grand voyages up to 43 days.
www.voyagestoantiquity.com
Winter 2012-13 WORLD OF CRUISING 91
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