Departing Portsmouth, Minerva Cruises
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Welcome aboard For those with a mind to travel timulating, informative, relaxing, sociable - just some of the words our passengers have Sused when describing the Swan Hellenic experience. A cruise aboard Minerva is like nothing else, with meticulous attention to the finest details and with a quality and charm that is simply unique. In the company of approachable and expert Guest Speakers, you travel to the world’s cultural and geographical highlights to truly uncover the soul of each destination. Minerva also calls at smaller and less visited ports, where you can stay longer and escape the crowds associated with larger vessels. Throughout your cruise you can engage with like-minded fellow passengers, who share your thirst for knowledge and an appreciation of the finest standards of service. When you return home, you will be as fulfilled and rewarded as you are relaxed. In the style of a country house hotel, Minerva’s accommodations are elegant and understated with spacious lounges and comfortable bars. Long-serving, friendly staff look after your every need and ensure your cruise meets or surpasses every expectation. Inclusive fares mean that, Opatija, Croatia aside from personal expenses, visas, and any optional excursions you may choose, there are no other costs to add. Join us in 2014, 2015 or 2016 for a cruise experience that has set Swan Hellenic apart for more Swan Hellenic is enjoying a most memorable year so far, celebrating our 60th anniversary in August, than 60 years, and that continues to set the benchmark for those with a mind to travel. and I would like to send my personal thanks to everyone who helped us commemorate this very special occasion. As we enter our seventh decade, we are delighted to continue to offer an unforgettable style of discovery cruising. Whether you are looking to take your very first Swan Hellenic cruise or are one of the many passengers who travel with us year after year, you are assured the same genuine welcome and impeccable personal service that we pride ourselves on. Our summer 2015 programme is already proving very popular. Voyages around spectacular coastlines and visits to unspoilt smaller ports provide the chance to experience and discover unique destinations around the Mediterranean, Baltic and Adriatic Seas, and much more. During winter 2015/16, Minerva will visit stunning Caribbean islands and the spectacular West Coast of South America. Passengers will have the opportunity to visit the fascinating 15th Century Inca site of Machu Picchu before or after their cruise and, for the very first time, they can extend their holiday with a cruise around the incredible Galapagos Islands, a fabulous way to marvel at the remarkable flora and fauna of this remote archipelago. As ever, each of our cruises will be accompanied by a panel of eminent Guest Speakers. Carefully chosen for their engaging company, expertise and knowledge, they will bring to life the fascinating history and remarkable stories that lie at the heart of each of our destinations. As well as all of the things you would expect to be included in your cruise fare, such as flights, overseas transfers and meals, Swan Hellenic also include a tailor-made programme of shore excursions and all gratuities on board and ashore. With our meticulous planning, we ensure that every detail is taken care of, so once on board Minerva, all you have to do is relax, discover and make your memories. I do hope you will choose to travel with Swan Hellenic in 2015 and beyond. We look forward to welcoming you on board. Kind Regards Ian Smith Group CEO, Swan Hellenic Minerva Front cover image: Acropolis, Athens 3 Exceptional, inclusive value Each Swan Hellenic cruise offers unrivalled value for money with so much included in your standard cruise fare Eloise Irving ALL MEALS INCLUDED – OPEn-seatiNG DINING Port taXES & VISAS Captain’S GALA NIGHTS GUEST SPEAKERS Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in a choice of two Swan Hellenic pays all port taxes on your behalf. Visas, where Two gala nights are held per 15-day cruise, including Enjoy excellent company as you travel with our expert Guest restaurants. Morning coffee and afternoon tea are served daily, applicable and arranged locally, are included, although there are complimentary cocktail parties with the Captain, ship’s officers Speakers who give fascinating insights into the essence of each while complimentary tea and coffee will be available in the some exceptions. See General Information for full visa details on page 126. and Swan Hellenic staff. Complimentary wine is served with destination. Veranda Restaurant daily from 6am-10pm. the á la carte menus on these gala nights. ALL gratUITIES ON board AND ASHORE COMPLIMENtarY CHAUFFEUR service FLIGHTS AND OVERSEAS airport TRANSFERS No further tipping of waiters, stewardesses, hairdressers, A SELECTION OF ENGAGING ONboard ACTIVITIES On all cruises, passengers booking selected cabins (category Economy flights (where applicable) and transfers to and porters, drivers and guides is expected or required. Depending on the individual cruise itinerary, onboard A-C) receive a complimentary return chauffeur service from Minerva are included. Porterage OF LUGGAGE activities might include art, bridge or choral workshops, within 75 miles of Portsmouth or your departing UK airport Swan Hellenic arranges all porterage of your luggage from the photography, yoga or tai chi classes. In the evenings, enjoy a (London or Manchester only). port to your cabin. carefully selected programme of refined entertainment. For passengers living further away, excess mileage charges will apply. CONTENTS EVERY CRUISE INCLUDES OUR tailor-MADE SHORE EXCURSION PROGRAMME worth UP TO £650 PER PERSON AN INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD OF SwaN HELLENIC 2-23 CRUISE DESTINATIONS WINTER 2014-SPRING 2015 24-47 Active hikes, historical sites, local communities and the natural world all feature in CRUISE DESTINATIONS SUMMER 2015-AUTUMN 2015 48-75 our inclusive tailor-made shore excursion programmes. Each excursion is researched in detail by a knowledgeable, well-travelled team, who aim to make the most of half- CRUISE DESTINATIONS WINTER 2015-SUMMER 2016 76-99 day, full-day, evening or overnight stays in port. GRAND VOYAGES 100-113 Your tailor-made Shore Excursion Programme offers a wide choice of experiences that allow you to visit the highlights or lesser-known but equally intriguing places PRE AND POST CRUISE EXTENSIONS 114-119 that uncover the heart of a destination. You can also explore at leisure especially in GUEST SPEAKERS’ BIOGRAPHIES 120-123 smaller ports where Minerva is small enough to berth within easy walking distance SUITES AND CABINS 124-125 or a short transfer to the town. Each itinerary offers a mix of half days or full days in Shore excursion, Hong Kong port, some late-evening sailings and sometimes an overnight in port. GENERAL INFORMATION 126-129 To enhance your experience even further, for an additional cost you may also choose from a smaller, dedicated programme of optional excursions offering BOOKING CONDITIONS 130-132 further opportunities for exploring ashore. DECK PLANS 133 GratUITIES ARE paid ON YOUR BEHALF FARES 134-138 When ashore on excursions, all gratuities for guides and drivers plus any entrance fees are included in your cruise fare. With these small but important details taken CRUISE CALENDAR 139 care of in advance, you are free to relax and enjoy each port of call to the full. Shore excursion, Xanthos Jeremy Paterson 4 5 THE SWAN HELLENIC DISTINCTION 2015 & 2016 CRUISE DESTINATIONS INSPIRING DESTINatioNS Small ship discovery cruising allows you to visit the world’s most iconic sites, cities and lesser-visited gems, and to experience the true essence of each culture. WORLD-CLASS GUEST SPEAKERS A panel of eminent Guest Speakers travels on each cruise. They look forward to sharing their enthusiasm and expertise with you. Itineraries to inspire ATTENTION TO detail Swan Hellenic cruises and shore excursion programmes are carefully and delight planned to ensure each aspect of your cruise is delivered to the highest possible standards; 93% of passengers intend to cruise with Swan Hellenic again. ravelling with Swan Hellenic means you can visit many more destinations FRIENDLY, PROFESSIONAL AND EXPERIENCED staFF Tin one holiday than would be possible by land or air. While Minerva sails Travel with Swan Hellenic knowing that you will be well looked after graciously from one port to the next, you have the time to absorb fascinating Guest throughout your cruise, from the moment you arrive at your departure port Speaker talks or visit the library to prepare for your next destination. Once ashore, or airport. our staff and carefully selected local guides will escort you to the sites and locations that let you experience the real essence of every setting you visit. Travel IN LIKE-MINDED compaNY Enjoy the country-house ambience of Minerva, travelling with just 350 In 2015 and 2016 you will be able to choose from itineraries that show you everything fellow passengers who share your curiosity about the history and cultures of from the fascinating lands of the Far East to the treasures of the Mediterranean, Aegean the world. and Adriatic Seas. New ports include a host of Caribbean gems and many diverse destinations in South and Latin America. Wherever your interest lies, you can be assured LTOYAL Y DISCOUNT of well-planned and carefully-delivered itineraries that will be both enriching and memorable. For all returning passengers, a 5% loyalty discount will apply on future bookings with Swan Hellenic. This loyalty discount is deductible from fares We look forward to welcoming you on board. featured in this brochure. Lima, Peru The Fountain of Neptune, Florence, Italy Blue Mosque, Istanbul Halong Bay, Vietnam 6 The Pantheon, Rome, Italy 7 INCLUSIVE SHORE EXCURSION PROGRAMME Time ashore to discover more ur inclusive tailor-made shore excursion programme features something for Oeveryone, no matter what your interests are.