ISSUED MAY 2015
SWAN HELLENIC DISCOVERY CRUISING November 2015 – November 2016
Exceptional inclusive value
Cruise fares include all meals, gratuities, Guest Speaker programme and shore excursions
For those with a mind to travel Solovetsky Islands, White Sea, Russia
I am delighted to welcome you to Swan Hellenic’s latest brochure, which is filled with an array of wonderful itineraries and exciting new ports of call. I hope you will be inspired to discover some of these spectacular destinations with us.
Welcome S
timulating, informative, relaxing, sociable – these are just some of the words our passengers have used to describe 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.
Regular Swan Hellenic passengers will be familiar with our unique style of discovery cruising, which includes visits to smaller, off-the-beaten-track ports. On each cruise we also include a superb selection of shore excursions, helping you to reach the very heart of each destination. 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. In summer 2016 Minerva will explore the White Sea for the very first time, visiting the beautiful Solovetsky Islands. Later in the year she’ll again head south to take in the stunning scenery, intriguing history and cultural gems across the Mediterranean. Cruising closer to home, she will embark on a voyage combining ocean cruising with journeys along the Loire, Seine and Garonne Rivers. You can also discover the numerous treasures of our own British Isles, with a chance to experience Royal Edinburgh’s Military Tattoo and the opportunity to sail up the Thames to Greenwich, from where you can visit the famous Chelsea Flower Show. From the moment you step aboard, you’ll experience a warm welcome and truly impeccable service. A relatively small ship, Minerva has a unique charm and elegance akin to that of a country house hotel, with highlights including a wellstocked library, spacious lounges and a choice of excellent restaurants and bars. Every Swan Hellenic cruise will be accompanied by a panel of distinguished Guest Speakers. Through a series of fascinating talks, they will share with you their unrivalled expertise and knowledge and bring to life, with passion and enthusiasm, the facts and stories that define each of our destinations. At Swan Hellenic, we take care of every detail, so you can sit back and relax as you cruise to some of the world’s most spectacular destinations. Each itinerary is meticulously planned and your cruise fare includes all meals, as well as a tempting programme of shore excursions and all gratuities both on board and ashore. I do hope you will choose to travel with Swan Hellenic in 2015/2016 and beyond. We look forward to welcoming you on board in the future. Kind regards
Ian Smith Group CEO, Swan Hellenic
Front cover image: Venice, Italy
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
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“What a cornucopia of delights Swan Hellenic provided! From the ambience, the food, the outstanding lectures and the very excellent service to the new friends we made on board, it added up to a special holiday. Indeed I have bored people rigid singing the praises of Swan Hellenic.”
CONTENTS
Christina Hodson
Introduction to Swan Hellenic . . . . . . . . 2-25 Cruise destinations: November 2015/April 2016 . . . . . 22-45 April 2016 / November 2016 . . . . 46-79 Grand Voyages
. . . . . . . . . . . . 56-57
& 80-87
Guest Speakers’ biographies . . . . . . . . . 88-95 Suites and cabins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96-97 General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98-101 Booking conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102-104 Deck plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Exceptional, inclusive value
Relax in comfortable and elegant surroundings aboard Minerva
Enjoy the congenial company of your distinguished Guest Speakers
Delicious meals complemented by relaxed open-seated dining
With the ambience of a country house hotel, Minerva will take you around the world in style. Guests make this charming ship, with its spacious lounges, welcoming bars and well-appointed cabins, a home from home, enjoying a warm welcome and professional service from our friendly staff.
Your expert Guest Speakers are great characters whose expertise of both the iconic sights and lesser-known gems make our cruise experience so enriching. Their passion and enthusiasm for their chosen subject – from archaeology, art history and classics to geology, horticulture and wildlife – really comes through during their lively talks.
Dining on board Minerva is a relaxing experience with our open-seated dining. Our attentive yet unobtrusive staff will ensure service is at the perfect pace.
Engaging onboard activities Browse the extensive library, take a refreshing dip in the pool, enjoy the fresh air on deck or relax in a quiet corner. Perhaps learn a new skill such as bridge, painting or yoga in one of our workshops. When the sun goes down, enjoy our varied programme of evening entertainment, from classical concerts and sparkling revues to light-hearted quizzes and film screenings.
Professors, doctors and former highranking military personnel, these leaders in their field are as approachable as they are knowledgeable and happy to chat over dinner and accompany you on selected shore excursions.
From leisurely breakfasts to delicious lunches and sumptuous dinners, exceptional cuisine from our highly skilled chefs is always on the menu. Imaginative dishes showcase their creativity and expert palate as you enjoy beautifully presented meals in your choice of two restaurants.
Captain’s gala nights We also include two gala nights per 15-day cruise, including complimentary cocktail parties, where you can enjoy the company of the captain and ship’s officers.
Cruise calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110-111
Ronald Edmonds
We’ll help you make the most of your time ashore so you can discover more
Reach the smaller ports that larger ships can only pass by
Enjoy an included tailor-made shore excursion programme – worth up to $1,350 per person – which features something for everyone. You will visit cities of music, culture and art, sites of ancient civilisations, remote villages, iconic coastlines and inspirational landscapes. Our well-travelled team have researched every port of call in detail and have carefully selected excursions to make the most of your time ashore.
Minerva continues to lead the way to new and exciting destinations around the globe. Her small-but-perfectly-formed size enables her to head straight into the heart of a destination, and she regularly calls at smaller, off-the-beaten-track ports that are inaccessible to mega liners. As a result, we are able to create a unique range of itineraries that are meticulously planned and reach the heart of numerous unusual destinations.
ALL THIS IS INCLUDED
So much included in your cruise fare Enjoy exceptional value for money with so much included, from the porterage of your luggage to port taxes, all meals on board and an excellent Guest Speaker programme. Gratuities are also included, which means no further tipping of waiters, stewardesses, hairdressers, porters, drivers and guides is expected or required. Passengers booking selected cabins (category A-C) will also receive complimentary chauffeur service* within 75 miles of Portsmouth or your arriving/departing UK airport (London and Manchester only).
Porterage of luggage
Shore excursions up to the value of $1,350
All port taxes
All meals with open-seated dining
*Complimentary chauffeur service for cruises arriving and/or departing the UK (Categories A-C only)
Engaging talks by expert Guest Speakers All gratuities 4
Fares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106-109
“Each port visited was a delight and all the excursions were well-planned and executed.”
Selection of onboard activities and entertainment
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
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The Swan Hellenic distinction
“There is no one memory from this wonderful cruise... where do I begin... the flat calm sea and perfect blue sky throughout, the people we met, the enthralling shore trips, the fascinating lecturers, the entertainment.” Pat Wood
G
uests have been enchanted by Swan Hellenic’s unique, multi-award-winning cruise experience for 60 years – indeed, 95%* of our passengers intend to travel with us again. Boasting all the refinements of an intimate country house hotel, Minerva will take you in style and comfort as she leads the way to some of the world’s most fascinating destinations. Joining you on your voyage will be a maximum of 350 likeminded passengers who share your thirst for knowledge, along with carefully selected, renowned Guest Speakers. Engaging and approachable, informed and passionate, they will deliver lively talks that bring to life the fascinating history and remarkable stories that lie at the heart of each destination. Setting us even further apart is our handpicked shore excursion programme – worth up to $1,350 and included in your fare. As you discover the world’s most iconic sites along with an array of lesser-known gems, these carefully designed excursions will ensure you experience the true essence of each port of call. When you return home, you will be as fulfilled and rewarded as you are relaxed. Minerva’s accommodations are elegant and understated with spacious lounges and comfortable bars. Friendly staff cater to your every need and ensure your cruise meets or surpasses every expectation. All our cruises offer unrivalled, inclusive value which means that, aside from bar expenses, selected visas and any optional excursions you choose to add, there are no other costs.
LOYALTY DISCOUNT For all returning passengers, a 5% loyalty discount will apply to Standard Fares on future bookings with Swan Hellenic.
Join us in 2015/2016 for a cruise experience that has set Swan Hellenic apart for more than 60 years, and that continues to set the benchmark for those with a mind to travel. * 95% is based on customer satisfaction questionnaires over a 6-month period from July 2014-December 2014.
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
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2015/2016 CRUISE DESTINATIONS
Itineraries to inspire and delight T
ravelling with Swan Hellenic means you can visit many more destinations on one holiday than would be possible by land or air. While Minerva sails gracefully from one destination to the next, you can enjoy the fascinating insight provided by your eminent Guest Speakers, visit the onboard library to discover even more about your next port of call or simply relax and reflect on your wonderful journey. Once ashore, 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. Between November 2015 and March 2016 Minerva crosses the Atlantic where we introduce a number of new ports which include a host of Caribbean gems and many diverse destinations in South and Latin America In 2016 we return to Europe, where you can visit some truly spectacular parts of the world, with chances to take in the treasures of the Baltic, the gems of the Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic Seas, and enthralling destinations around British waters. Highlights include Minerva’s maiden voyage to the enigmatic White Sea, along with a delightful journey that combines coastal cruising with trips along the Loire, Seine and Garonne. You can also take in London’s iconic architecture as you sail along the River Thames for a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show, or head to Cadiz and Lisbon to join the celebrations for the Tall Ships Festival’s diamond anniversary. Wherever your interests lie, you can be assured of well-planned and carefully delivered itineraries that are sure to be both enriching and memorable. We look forward to welcoming you on board.
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Venice, Italy
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INCLUSIVE SHORE EXCURSION PROGRAMME
Time ashore to discover more N
o matter which cruise you choose, you will enjoy the benefits of an inclusive tailor-made shore excursion programme. Our knowledgeable, well-travelled team have researched each port of call in detail, carefully hand-picking the best excursions to ensure you make the most of your time ashore – so you can rest assured that everything will be organised and delivered to the highest possible standard. Our brand new voyages for 2015/2016 are filled with memorable moments, designed to take you straight to the heart of each destination. Heading into the New World we have a number of new and unusual ports of call including Bahia Solano in Colombia, Chile’s Robinson Crusoe Island – the inspiration for Daniel Defoe’s famous novel, and Great Inagua in the beautiful Bahamas. Where appropriate we are staying in port longer and have more overnight stays so you can venture further and immerse yourself in the local culture. Our ever-popular pre and post cruise extensions will give you the chance to explore fascinating cities, the incredible Inca site of Machu Picchu, or cruise the extraordinary Galapagos Islands. Whether it’s a welcome from local children, who will hand out local delicacies and perform for you in Colombia, a sunset cruise around the idyllic island of St Lucia, astronomy tours in the Chilean wilderness, or spectacular fireworks on New Year’s Eve in Aruba, our in-depth America’s programme will delight. On our ‘Celtic Traditions and Edinburgh’s Tattoo’ cruise you can experience the impressive Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, including a fantastic fireworks finale, while our ‘Glorious Gardens and the Chelsea Flower Show’ voyage includes entry to the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show – a wonderful experience. Along with this inclusive programme, you can choose from a range of optional shore excursions which offer excellent value and even more exciting opportunities. They are ideal for those who wish to head a little further afield or delve a little deeper into the essence of a destination. No matter where in the world you explore, you are sure to experience those special Swan Hellenic moments that make each of our cruises truly unforgettable.
Your Swan Hellenic cruise book Your complimentary, tailor-made cruise book for each itinerary is sent out approximately twelve weeks prior to departure. It contains full details of the shore excursion programme, a booking form and introductory articles by Guest Speakers. Practical information for each destination and a suggested reading list also feature. All shore excursions are pre-bookable twelve weeks before departure up until approximately two weeks before you embark.
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Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
RENOWNED GUEST SPEAKERS
Experts add much more than just detail T
here is no better way to travel than with the advance knowledge and insight that allows you to fully embrace and understand each destination. Swan Hellenic’s Guest Speakers are carefully selected to deliver engaging and informative talks on a wide range of subjects that are relevant to each itinerary. Add to this the genuine passion and infectious enthusiasm they have for their individual areas of expertise, and you can understand why a Swan Hellenic cruise is so much more than just a holiday. Whether you are listening to a fascinating talk in the comfort of Minerva’s Darwin Lounge or your cabin, listening to a broadcast from the bridge, or enjoying sparkling conversation over dinner, our Guest Speakers bring an added dimension to each cruise that is both rare and invaluable.
Featured Guests Joining us on board Minerva this year are some exceptional Guest Speakers, including best-selling author, poet and radio and television broadcaster Professor Gervase Phinn. He has been touring theatres for 10 years with his one-man show, ‘An Evening with Gervase Phinn’. Listen to his hilarious and sometimes poignant tales of the life of a schools’ inspector in the Yorkshire Dales on our ‘Iberian Maritime Adventure’ cruise, departing on 21st July 2016. Also joining us in 2016 is Prue Leith, a renowned television broadcaster, cookery writer, novelist and former restaurateur. Having begun her career supplying lunches for directors’ dining rooms, Prue Leith went on to start a Michelin-starred restaurant, Leith’s, as well as Leith’s School of Food and Wine. She has been a columnist for national newspapers and has featured on television documentaries including the BBC’s Best of British and Great British Menu. She will share her experiences in the culinary world on our ‘Riviera and Islands of the Mediterranean’ cruise, departing on 30th August 2016.
Monet’s Garden, Giverny, France
Subjects covered by our Guest Speakers include: Archaeology Architecture
Our long-established affiliations and partnerships with organisations such as the National Trust, RHS and NADFAS allow us to offer specialist speakers and other benefits on selected cruises.
NATIONAL TRUST
Art History Classics Geography Geology
Swan Hellenic’s relationship with the National Trust complements our mutual interests in conservation, heritage and learning. See pages 62 - 63 & 66 - 67 for our National Trust partnership cruises.
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
History Horticulture Literature Philosophy Volcanology Wildlife 12
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
Our relationship with the Royal Horticultural Society celebrates a shared interest in horticulture and gardening. See pages 52 - 53 & 70 - 71 for our RHS Garden Holidays partnership cruises.
NADFAS The National Association of Decorative & Fine Art Societies (NADFAS) is justly renowned both for the quality of its speakers and for the breadth of its speakers’ interests. See pages 50, 58, 66, 70 & 76..
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WELCOME ABOARD MINERVA PROMENADE DECK This traditional wrap-around promenade deck offers the chance to walk a mile (8 circuits), with plenty of space for sunbathing
The ambience of a country house
P CABINS 8 single cabins
THE LIBRARY
ORPHEUS LOUNGE This light, spacious lounge at the forward end of the top deck, with seating for 145 passengers, offers panoramic views by day and an intimate venue for dancing by night
WHEELER BAR VERANDA RESTAURANT
CANOPIED POOL AREA Offering shelter from the heat of the midday sun, and creating more opportunities for BBQs, al fresco dining and late-night entertainment
INTERNET LOUNGE Dedicated Internet Lounge, enabling you to keep in touch with family and friends
THE SWAN RESTAURANT
SHACKLETON BAR A spacious horseshoe-shaped bar with large picture windows. Relax and enjoy a pre- or post-dinner drink, while listening to a varied programme of piano music selected by our cocktail pianist.
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TENDERS Easy access, fast tenders to transfer you between ship and shore easily and in comfort
WHEELER BAR The elegant and comfortable Wheeler Bar is the perfect location for a drink during the day and late into the evening, with our classical musicians.
Illustration by Ric Cooper
THE LIBRARY Minerva’s well-stocked library is one of the finest afloat, featuring approximately 5,000 volumes of fiction, non-fiction and reference books relevant to our cruising destinations - many written by our eminent Guest Speakers.
THE SWAN RESTAURANT The Swan Restaurant is elegantly and comfortably furnished with white tablecloths, sparkling glasses and polished cutlery. Arrive at any time within advertised opening hours and you will be shown to a table by our Maître d’. Full waiter service will ensure that you enjoy your meal.
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THE SWAN HELLENIC TEAM
Friendly and professional service T
aking such good care of our passengers is second nature to Swan Hellenic. For over 60 years we have offered the service and genuine welcome that makes both new and returning passengers feel immediately at home. Taking equally good care of Minerva, our officers and deck staff maintain the smooth running of all ship’s services and itineraries. Whilst you relax and enjoy delicious food in the restaurants or gentle conversation in the bars, our hotel staff work tirelessly to ensure that no detail is overlooked. From the first meeting with our representative at the port or airport, to the welcoming line of stewards and stewardesses at the top of the ship’s gangway, you can relax in the knowledge that all our staff are on hand to make your cruise as easy and comfortable as it can be. Your cruise fare includes all gratuities; therefore no further tipping is expected or required. Service is always provided with a smile and with a genuine desire to please.
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Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
DAYS OF DISCOVERY AND RELAXATION
Onboard workshop
Library
Lecture in the Darwin Lounge
Time well spent B
eing a relatively small ship, Minerva soon becomes a familiar home from home. Your cabin is easily reached from all the main lounges and restaurants, and fellow travellers quickly become acquaintances and friends. The ship never feels crowded - there is always a comfortable chair in a quiet corner in which to read, or a sun lounger where you can enjoy the fresh air and a cooling drink.
On deck
After a leisurely breakfast in either the Swan or Veranda restaurants, attend a Guest Speaker talk in the Darwin Lounge or catch up with those at home in the Internet Lounge. Meet up for morning coffee in the Veranda Restaurant, shop for postcards in the Kiosk or browse the range of merchandise in our onboard shop. At lunchtime choose from a delicious à la carte menu in the Swan Restaurant, a lighter buffet back in the Veranda Restaurant or an al fresco barbecue around the pool, and afterwards relax and enjoy a leisurely afternoon on board. Browse our well-stocked library, then retire to the serenity of the Orpheus Lounge with its panoramic views, relax in a teak chair on deck, or refresh yourself with a dip in the pool. Perhaps learn a new skill – bridge, painting, yoga or tai-chi – in one of our onboard workshops. Later on, afternoon tea is served in the Veranda Restaurant, with a complimentary selection of cakes, sandwiches and biscuits. After a gentle stroll around the Promenade Deck, take in the delightful vista of sea and sky as the day draws to a close and thoughts turn to the evening ahead.
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The card room
Veranda Restaurant
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MEMORIES MADE IN PERFECT COMPANY
Evenings of sophisticated dining and entertainment A
s the sun sets on another perfect day, a background violin and the buzz of animated conversation set the tone for an evening of fine dining in congenial surroundings. Open dining in the Swan Restaurant always allows you to dine at the table of your choice and in the company of your friends at any time during opening hours. A varied and beautifully presented menu of international dishes tempts you, as does the carefully selected wine list. Efficient but never obtrusive restaurant staff, under the expert guidance of our Maitre d’, ensure that dinner each evening is served at the perfect pace, and as you share your wonderful experiences of the cruise so far, you will begin to really appreciate the special atmosphere that is truly unique to Swan Hellenic. After dinner, head to the Darwin Lounge to enjoy our diverse evening entertainment programme, which includes operatic selections featuring our talented professional quartets, musical theatre compilations and wonderful classical music performed by our resident instrumentalists. Marvel in the vocal virtuosity of Clare Harper as she takes you on a journey through the lives of many of the most popular and revered female singers of the century told in word and song. Immerse yourself in a dramatic production delivered by our visiting strolling players, or listen to one of our captivating afterdinner speakers, including renowned cookery writer Prue Leith and best-selling author Gervase Phinn. Alternatively, you may choose to gather with your travelling companions to take part in a light-hearted quiz, enjoy a film screening or experience the inviting ambiance of the Shackleton Bar. Perhaps enjoy a drink and some amusing conversation backed by the delightful tones of our resident pianist and violinist. You could play a few hands of bridge, or why not simply sit back and relax with a good book from our extensive library. As the night progresses you have the opportunity to dance to the band by the pool, listen to our visiting local artistes who conjure up an authentic flavour of your ports of call, or venture to the Orpheus Lounge to enjoy a nightcap. Before turning in for the evening, what could be better than a stroll around the Promenade Deck, taking in the air under the stars.
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Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
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From the Mediterranean to South America Cruises November 2015 – April 2016
M
inerva sails from the Mediterranean to the peaceful shores of the Atlantic, taking in crumbling ruins, medieval towns and spectacular scenery. She then heads to South America’s ‘Wild Coast’, before taking in the festivities and seeing in the New Year in the Caribbean. Wonderful cruises on the Pacific coast of South America promise incredible historic sites and an array of natural wonders.
Alpacas in the Atacama Desert, Chile
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Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
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A MEDITERRANEAN ESCAPE
13-day cruise from $3,150
9 NOVEMBER – 21 NOVEMBER 2015
per person twin share
GREECE • SICILY • MALTA • TUNISIA • MENORCA • SPAIN MOROCCO • PORTUGAL
Corinth Canal, Greece
Mahon Menorca
SPAIN PORTUGAL
ITALY
Lisbon Portugal
ACROPOLIS
MOUNT ETNA
ALHAMBRA PALACE
Syracuse Sicily
CARTHAGE
La Goulette Tunisia
Motril Spain ATLANTIC OCEAN
GREECE
FORTRESS LA MOLA
MALTA
TUNISIA
TETOUAN
Valletta Malta
Tangier Morocco
Piraeus Greece
CORINTH CANAL
GRAND HARBOUR MEDITERRANEAN SEA
MOROCCO
Acropolis, Athens
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Discover Athens – birthplace of civilisation, democracy and many of the wise men of ancient times • Minerva transits the narrow Corinth Canal – a remarkable feat of engineering • Explore Sicily lying at the crossroads of Mediterranean culture • Sail into Valletta’s impressive fortified Grand Harbour to explore this well-preserved city • Wander through the Moorish gardens and courtyards of the Alhambra Palace
E
mbark Minerva in the ancient capital of Athens, dominated by the mighty Acropolis.
After a morning ashore to explore, relax on board as Minerva transits the narrow, steep-sided Corinth Canal before sailing towards Sicily. Founded in the 8th century BC by Greek Corinthians, Syracuse is your gateway to Taormina with its old quarter and elegant piazzas, and the still-active Mount Etna. Sail into Valletta’s Grand Harbour to discover extraordinary architecture and the legacy of the Knights of St John before Minerva heads westwards. A stop in La Goulette allows exploration of Tunis’ souks, mosques and shuttered town houses and time to stroll among pretty Sidi Bou Said, hanging from a steep cliff and draped in flowers and flowing vines. Discover the ancient ruins of Carthage, once a rich sea port which was destroyed by the Romans in 146 BC, then continue to Menorca. Head to Mahon’s La Mola Fortress or explore the island’s archaeology before arrival in the Andalucian port of Motril, from where a full-day tour to the Moorish Alhambra Palace
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will reveal the splendour of this Spanish gem. Tangier sits at the tip of Africa and you can step ashore to enter the medina through the palm-ringed plaza Grand Socco or admire the centuries-old Mendoubia Gardens. From the deck enjoy the view as Minerva sails up the Tagus River to Lisbon. An evening drive reveals cobbled streets, magnificent churches and a grand castle.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Professor Carole Hillenbrand – Professor of Islamic History, University of Edinburgh. Professor Robert Hillenbrand – Professor of Islamic Art, St Andrew’s University. Mr Andy Bunten – Independent wildlife consultant.
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
Piraeus Athens, Acropolis, National Archaeological Museum Syracuse Ortygia Island, Taormina, Mount Etna Valletta Panoramic Island Tour, Valletta Harbour Cruise, Mdina Cathedral La Goulette Panoramic Tunis, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, Medina Old City Mahon Fortress La Mola, Island Highlights, Archaeological Tour Motril Granada Old City, Alhambra Palace, Nerja Caves Tangier City Sightseeing with Mendoubia Gardens, Tetouan, Asilah Lisbon Panoramic Drive by Night.
9 Nov
Piraeus (Athens), Greece
10 Nov
Piraeus (Athens), Greece
In port
1.30pm
10 Nov
Transit the Corinth Canal
5.00pm
7.00pm
11 Nov
Cruise on Minerva
12 Nov
Syracuse, Sicily
8.30am
10.00pm
13 Nov
Valletta, Malta
7.30am
2.30pm
14 Nov
La Goulette, Tunisia
1.30pm
7.00pm
15 Nov
Cruise on Minerva
16 Nov
Mahon, Menorca
8.00am
5.00pm
17 Nov
Cruise on Minerva
18 Nov
Motril, Spain
8.00am
7.00pm
19 Nov
Tangier, Morocco
7.30am
1.30pm
20 Nov
Lisbon, Portugal
4.30pm
In port
Optional Premium Shore Excursions available: Piraeus Ancient Corinth Canal Lisbon Mysterious Fado with dinner
21 Nov
Lisbon, Portugal
In port
In port
Cabin Type
MIN151109 Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$9,030
Outside Cabins from
$4,740
Inside Cabins from
$3,150
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 106-107. Reduced single supplements apply to selected cabin categories.
This cruise can also be selected as one of Minerva’s Grand Voyages. Please see pages 82.
Canon Andrew Evans – Historian. See pages 88-91 for biographical notes.
FEATURED GUEST Martin Bell – former BBC war correspondent, MP and ambassador for UNICEF.
Mount Etna, Sicily
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
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SHORES of the ATLANTIC
13-day cruise from $3,610
21 NOVEMBER – 3 DECEMBER 2015
per person twin share
PORTUGAL • SPAIN • MOROCCO • MADEIRA • CANARY ISLANDS
PORTUGAL Lisbon Portugal
BELEM TOWER
SPAIN Seville Spain
CORDOBA
Cádiz Spain
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
HASSAN II MOSQUE
Casblanca Morocco
Funchal Madeira
MOROCCO
BOTANICAL GARDENS
Lanzarote Canary Islands
Tenerife Canary Islands BANDAMA CRATER
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Experience the vibrant Flamenco and Fiesta in Seville • Visit Jerez, world renowned for its sherry and Moorish Alcazar • Wander the narrow streets of Rabat’s old Kasbah and souks • Overnight in Funchal – enjoy the wonderful gardens and dramatic landscapes of the beautiful island of Madeira • Discover the diverse volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands
TIMANFAYA FIRE MOUNTAINS
Gran Canaria Canary Islands
S
avour the tranquillity of the Jeronimos Cloisters in Lisbon – a jewel of Manueline architecture – before Minerva sets her sights on the Andalucian capital of Seville by way of a transit of the Guadalquivir River. After a relaxing day at sea step ashore to stroll among winding medieval lanes and into hidden plazas or spend the afternoon discovering the Moorish architecture of Cordoba’s Mezquita. Ancient Cádiz, jutting into the Bay of Cádiz and almost entirely surrounded by water, boasts a historical quarter teeming with old-world charm so explore at your leisure. Head to Cádiz Park which is renowned for its wildlife and is a prime spot for viewing the twice yearly migration of birds between Europe and Africa, or visit Jerez, famed for its long-standing Flamenco tradition and as Spain’s finest sherry producer. On to Casablanca, a sprawling city where you can marvel at the beauty of the Hassan II Mosque, the largest in the world, or head out further to immerse yourself in the souks of
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CÁDIZ CATHEDRAL
Waterfront walkway, Cádiz
Botanical Gardens, Funchal
Rabat, or visit Marrakech, strikingly situated at the foot of the Atlas Mountains.
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
Minerva overnights in Funchal on the subtropical archipelago of Madeira – the ‘Floating Garden of the Atlantic’ – where you can stand atop Cabo Girao, Europe’s highest sea cliffs towering above the ocean. Finally, the Canary Islands’ volcanic landscapes are yours to explore, from Arrecife’s dramatic Fire Mountains to the Caldera de Bandama in Las Palmas, a 200m deep crater offering breathtaking views of Gran Canaria’s entire north and east coast.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise may discuss Maritime History relating to the Iberian explorers and the Spanish Civil War.
YOUR ITINERARY DATE
PORT
Lisbon Lisbon City Tour, Medieval Obidos, Cascais Seville Seville City Tour, Panoramic Seville, Cordoba Cádiz Cathedral of Cádiz, Jerez, Birdwatching at Cádiz Park Casablanca City of Rabat, The Portuguese Towns, Hassan II Mosque Funchal Funchal Town by Night, Botanical Gardens Lanzarote Costa Teguise, Cesar Manrique Highlights, Timanfaya Fire Mountains Gran Canaria Botanical Gardens, San Bartolome.
21 Nov
Lisbon, Portugal
22 Nov
Lisbon, Portugal
23 Nov
Cruise on Minerva
24 Nov
Optional Premium Shore Excursions available: Casablanca Marrakech Lanzarote North West Tour Gran Canaria Ruta de las Cumbres.
FARES PER PERSON
ARRIVE
DEPART In port
In port
7.30pm
Seville, Spain (transit river)
7.30am
5.00pm
25 Nov
Cádiz, Spain
8.30am
2.00pm
26 Nov
Casablanca, Morocco
8.00am
9.30pm
27 Nov
Cruise on Minerva
28 Nov
Funchal, Madeira
7.00pm
In port
29 Nov
Funchal, Madeira
In port
10.30pm
30 Nov
Cruise on Minerva
1 Dec
Lanzarote, Canary Islands
7.30am
6.00pm
2 Dec
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
7.30am
11.30pm
3 Dec
Tenerife, Canary Islands
7.00am
In port
Cabin Type
MIN151121 Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$9,430
Outside Cabins from
$4,940
Inside Cabins from
$3,610
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 106-107.. Reduced single supplements apply to selected cabin categories.
This cruise can also be selected as one of Minerva’s Grand Voyages. Please see page 82..
See pages 88-91 for biographical notes. WORKSHOPS
Art – Robert King
Timanfaya, Lanzarote
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
27
A TALE of two CONTINENTS
19-day cruise from $3,230
3 DECEMBER – 21 DECEMBER 2015
per person twin share
CANARY ISLANDS • CAPE VERDE • SURINAME • GUYANA GRENADA • BARBADOS
“You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Christopher Columbus
Tenerife Canary Islands
La Palma Canary Islands
MOUNT TEIDE
FUENCALIENTE
Mount Teide, Tenerife
Bridgetown Barbados
Grenada
RAINFOREST
Sao Vincente Cape Verde
PRAIA GRANDE
VENEZUELA
Santiago Cape Verde
Georgetown Guyana
GUYANA
SAN FELIPE COLONIAL FORT
CAPE VERDE Paramaribo Suriname
COMMEWIJNE
ATLANTIC OCEAN
SURINAME
St George’s, Grenada
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Stroll through the lava fields of Mount Teide on the volcanic island of Tenerife • Witness the lively markets of Mindelo town on the remote Cape Verde archipelago • Relax as you sail across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World • Discover Suriname and Guyana – the ‘Wild Coast’ of South America
M
inerva departs from the volcanic island of Tenerife, the largest in the Canary archipelago, which soars dramatically above its neighbours. Discover ash beds, lava streams and unique rock formations in Mount Teide National Park before a leisurely cruise towards La Palma and its elegant capital Santa Cruz de la Palma. From here head to serene Fuencaliente, adorned with whitewashed houses and scattered with volcanoes, or visit the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory for unique astronomical insights. Enjoy three days at sea before reaching Santiago and Sao Vicente in the remote Cape Verde archipelago, where you will find an intriguing mix of African and Portuguese influences. Take a tour of the islands, visit Praia’s San Felipe Colonial Fort or experience the bustling markets of Mindelo. A crossing of the Atlantic gives you the opportunity to make the most of Minerva’s facilities and immerse yourself in the fascinating talks given by your Guest Speakers
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as she heads to the New World. Formerly Dutch Guiana and a plantation colony of the Netherlands, Suriname is cloaked in pristine tropical rainforest. In neighbouring Guyana learn about the country’s nine indigenous tribes and admire Georgetown’s quaint Dutch colonial and Victorian architecture.
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON
DATE
PORT
3 Dec
Tenerife, Canary Islands
4 Dec
Tenerife, Canary Islands
In port
8.00pm
5 Dec
La Palma, Canary Islands
8.00am
6.00pm
6 Dec
Cruise on Minerva
7 Dec
Cruise on Minerva
8 Dec
Cruise on Minerva
9 Dec
Santiago, Cape Verde
8.00am
4.00pm
10 Dec
Sao Vicente, Cape Verde
8.00am
5.00pm
11 Dec
Cruise on Minerva
12 Dec
Cruise on Minerva
13 Dec
Cruise on Minerva
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS
Tenerife La Orotava & Botanical Gardens, Mercedes Mountains, Mount Teide National Park La Palma Walking tour of Santa Cruz, Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, Fuencaliente Santiago Praia Colonial Culture, Dance & Wine Taste Tour, San Felipe Colonial Fort & Cidade Velha Sao Vicente A Taste of the Island, Mindelo Panoramic & Landscape Paramaribo City Tour, Commewijne Plantation Georgetown Georgetown City Tour St George’s West Coast Drive, Rainforest Walk, Sunnyside Gardens.
14 Dec
Cruise on Minerva
15 Dec
Cruise on Minerva
Your Guest Speakers on this cruise may discuss Colonial History, Marine Wildlife and areas of botanical interest.
Optional Premium Shore Excursions include: Praia Santiago Island Tour Mindelo Praia Grande & Calhau.
16 Dec
Cruise on Minerva
17 Dec
Paramaribo, Suriname
8:00am
5.00pm
18 Dec
Georgetown, Guyana
12.00am
8.00pm
19 Dec
Cruise on Minerva
20 Dec
St George’s, Grenada
7.30am
5.00pm
21 Dec
Bridgetown, Barbados
8.30am
On to St George’s, where you can relax on pristine beaches, take a rainforest walk or explore the Dougaldston Spice Estate, a monument to Grenada’s colonial past, before your cruise concludes in beautiful Barbados.
See pages 88-91 for biographical notes.
ARRIVE
DEPART In port
MIN151203
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$10,080
Outside Cabins from
$5,080
Inside Cabins from
$3,230
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 106-107. Reduced single supplements apply to selected cabin categories.
This cruise can also be selected as one of Minerva’s Grand Voyages. Please see page 82..
Bridgetown, Barbados
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
29
CARIBBEAN COLONIAL TRAILS
15-day cruise from $3,890
21 DECEMBER 2015 – 4 JANUARY 2016
per person twin share
BARBADOS • DOMINICA • ST LUCIA • TRINIDAD • MARGARITA ISLAND BONAIRE • CURACAO • ARUBA • COLOMBIA
RAINFOREST ARIEL TRAM TOUR
Dominica CARIBBEAN SEA SULPHUR SPRINGS
Bridgetown
St Lucia
Bonaire
Aruba
TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK
MUD VOLCANO
Barbados
SEAWORLD EXPLORER
Cartagena, Colombia
CHRISTMAS ON BOARD MINERVA
Curaçao Santa Marta Colombia
CARONI BIRD SANCTUARY
Margarita Island Venezuela
Cartagena Colombia
Trinidad
VENEZUELA ANGEL FALLS
COLOMBIA
New Port The Pitons, St Lucia
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Step back in time to explore historic Barbados • Admire the natural beauty of the towering Pitons on the lush, volcanic Island of St Lucia • Experience the multicultural melting pot of Trinidad • Overnight in Willemstad to explore the Dutch colonial history of Curacao • Stroll the colonial streets and plazas of Cartagena • Celebrate Christmas whilst cruising the Caribbean Sea on board Minerva • Minerva will be docked in Aruba to bring in the New Year
30
J
oin Minerva in Barbados for an overnight stay and morning ashore to discover the island’s plantation history, before heading to the beautiful island of Dominica. A new port of call for Minerva, Dominica boasts ancient forests, soaring mountains and lush flora. Your next stop, St Lucia, is home to Sulphur Springs and the world-famous Pitons – two mountainous volcanic plugs. On Christmas Eve, enjoy a leisurely sunset cruise before joining in the Christmas festivities on board Minerva as she sails across the Caribbean Sea. On arrival at Trinidad, venture away from the bustle of the Port of Spain to explore the Caroni Bird Sanctuary. Venezuelan Margarita Island is a delight. You may choose to visit La Asuncion, where old cathedrals are the legacy of Spanish invaders. The pristine paradise of Bonaire Island is yours to discover, before Minerva overnights in Curaçao’s charming capital Willemstad, with its rich Dutch colonial history. Discovered by the Spanish and colonised by the Dutch, Aruba is your next port of call.
See in the New Year before a day at sea when Minerva sets her sights on Colombia. Discover Tayrona National Park from Santa Marta, before your cruise concludes in Cartagena, once the most important bastion of the Spanish overseas empire.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Dr Steve Kershaw – Classic Tutor for Oxford University Department of Continuing Education. Professor Christopher Stillman – Volcanologist. See pages 88-91 for biographical notes.
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS Barbados Best of Barbados, Coast to Coast Dominica Best of Dominica Scenic Drive, Roseau Sightseeing & Trafalgar Falls, Rainforest Ariel Tram Tour St Lucia East to West Island Tour, Scenic Drive & Sulphur Springs, Snorkelling beneath the Pitons, Christmas Eve Sunset Cruise Trinidad Highlights and Scenic Drive, Caroni Bird Sanctuary Asa Wright Nature Centre Margarita Island Tropical Garden & Historic Margarita, Panoramic Margarita, La Restinga Lagoon Bonaire Island Highlights, Nature Walking Trail, Flamingo Salt Tour Curaçao Discover Curaçao, Trolley Train, Seaworld Explorer Aruba Best of Aruba Island Tour, Natural Wonders of Aruba, Catamaran Santa Marta Historic Santa Marta, Independent Exploration Cartagena City Tour & Walk, Mud Volcano, Fishing Culture & Mangroves. Optional Premium Shore Excursions available: Margarita Island Angel Falls Full Day Castries Evening Sunset Cruise Santa Marta Tayrona National Park.
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
21 Dec
Bridgetown, Barbados
22 Dec
Bridgetown, Barbados
In port
2.00pm
23 Dec
Dominica
8.00am
10.00pm
24 Dec
St Lucia
8.30am
11.30pm
25 Dec
Cruise on Minerva
In port
26 Dec
Trinidad
8.00am
4.30pm
27 Dec
Margarita Island, Venezuela
8.00am
11.00pm
28 Dec
Cruise on Minerva
29 Dec
Bonaire
6.30am
1.00pm
29 Dec
Curaçao
7.00pm
In port
30 Dec
Curaçao
In port
9.30pm
31 Dec
Aruba
8.00am
In port
1 Jan
Aruba/ Cruise on Minerva
2 Jan
Santa Marta, Colombia
7.30am
8.00pm
3 Jan
Cartagena, Colombia
12.00am
In port
4 Jan
Cartagena, Colombia
In port
MIN151221
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$11,470
Outside Cabins from
$5,600
Inside Cabins from
$3,890
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 106-107.. Reduced single supplements apply to selected cabin categories.
Depart Aruba 3.00am
Willemstad, Curaçao
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
31
FLAVOURS of LATIN AMERICA
15-day cruise from $2,370
4 JANUARY – 18 JANUARY 2016
per person twin share
COLOMBIA • PANAMA • ECUADOR • PERU San Blas Islands Panama Panama Canal Panama Balboa Panama
PANAMA
GAMBOA AERIAL TRAM
MUD VOLCANO
Cartagena Colombia
COLOMBIA Bahia Solano Colombia BOTANICAL GARDENS
MONTECRISTI
Manta Ecuador
ECUADOR
Basket seller, Cartagena
Guayaquil Ecuador MAAC MUSEUM
Salaverry Peru
Gatun Lake, Panama
PERU Tender port
New Port
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Stroll the colonial streets and plazas of Cartagena • Meet the indigenous Kuna Indians on the remote San Blas Islands • Witness one of the finest engineering feats of the 20th century with a transit of the Panama Canal • Overnight in Manta. Explore the renowned centre of the Panama hat industry, Montecristi • Admire the best pre-Colombian and Incan gold and pottery artefacts in Lima’s fine museums
32
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
Callao Peru
LIMA
S
et off from Cartagena, once popular amongst pirates and plunderers, to explore the stunning sights of South America. The beautiful San Blas Islands of Panama are a delight. You may choose to explore one of the islands, discovering the fascinating local communities and their unique cultural traditions. From here head to Balboa to explore Panama City or enjoy an eco-friendly cruise on Gatun Lake. A new port of call for Minerva, Bahia Solano will delight nature lovers with its unspoiled beauty. On to Ecuador, where Manta and Guayaquil await. In Manta, discover the work of local eco-artisans whose products are crafted from natural materials, or take a boat trip to Isla de la Plata where the wildlife matches that of the Galapagos Islands. Bustling Guayaquil promises a host of intriguing museums.
San Blas Islands, Panama Sail on to Peru, where the enthralling Chimu capital of Chan Chan is yours to discover before your cruise concludes in Callao. Step ashore and explore the Peruvian capital Lima, or stroll among the crumbling remains of the Inca Empire at the Pachacamac ruins.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Rear Admiral John Lippiett – Chief Executive, Mary Rose Trust. Professor Christopher Stillman – Volcanologist. Professor Sir Ghillean Prance – Botonist.
Cartagena City Tour & Walk, Mud Volcano, Fishing Culture & Mangroves San Blas Islands Independent Exploration Balboa Colonial Panama & Miraflores Locks, Eco Cruise on Gatun Lake & Nature Hike Bahia Solano Bahia Solano Town Exploration Manta Montecristi, La Pila & Ivory Nut Exhibition, Eco Artisans of Manta Guayaquil Scenic Guayaquil, Quayaquil Museums, Maac Museum & Las Penas Salaverry City Tour & Archaelogical Museum, Huaca Dragon, Chan Chan & Huanchaco Callao Lima Highlights, Panoramic Lima, Ancient Oracles of Lima, Larco Mar & Indian Market. Optional Premium Shore Excursions available: Balboa Gamboa Aerial Tram Manta Isla de la Plata Salaverry Trujillo & Sun and Moon Temples.
FARES PER PERSON
YOUR ITINERARY DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
4 Jan
Cartagena , Colombia
5 Jan
Cartagena , Colombia
In port
2.00pm
11:00
5.30pm
In port
6 Jan
San Blas Island, Panama
7 Jan
Panama Canal, Transit
8 Jan
Balboa, Panama
7.00am
2.00pm
11.00am
6.00pm
9 Jan
Bahia Solano, Colombia
10 Jan
Cruise on Minerva
11 Jan
Manta, Ecuador
1.30pm
In port
12 Jan
Manta, Ecuador
In port
5.30pm
13 Jan
Guayaquil, Ecuador
12.00pm
7.00pm
14 Jan
Cruise on Minerva
15 Jan
Salaverry, Peru
12.30pm
11.00pm
16 Jan
Cruise on Minerva
17 Jan
Callao (Lima), Peru
8.00am
In port
18 Jan
Callao (Lima), Peru
In port
Cabin Type
MIN160104 Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$8,070
Outside Cabins from
$3,650
Inside Cabins from
$2,370
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 106-107. Reduced single supplements apply to selected cabin categories.
Manta Galapagos Islands overland extension, rejoining in Guayaquil This cruise can also be selected as one of Minerva’s Grand Voyages. Please see page 83.
Professor Mark Horton – professor of Archeology, University of Bristol. See pages 88-91 for biographical notes.
Panama Canal
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
33
A CHILEAN GRAND RESERVE
15-day cruise from $3,010
18 JANUARY – 1 FEBRUARY 2016
per person twin share
PERU • CHILE
Callao, Lima Peru ISLAS BALLESTAS
INCAS
General San Martin Peru
PERU
ATACAMA DESERT
Arica Chile Iquique Chile SALITRERA DE HUMBERSTONE
CHILE
SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN
Peruvian musician
Coquimbo Chile
Valparaíso Chile
Robinson Crusoe Island Chile
Tender port
New Port
Robinson Crusoe Island
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Overnight stay in Callao – Gateway to Lima, also known as ‘City of Kings’ • Fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines where ancient geoglyphs are etched in the desert • Learn about the early civilisations as you follow the trail of the Incas in Arica • Explore the UNESCO-listed ‘Little San Francisco’ of Chile in Valparaiso • Discover one of Minerva’s new ports, Robinson Crusoe Island, declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1977
I
mmerse yourself in the world of the Incas from your port of Callao, the gateway to historic Lima, before setting sail to General San Martin, where you can sample the local Pisco or sail out to Islas Ballestas, islands of incredible biodiversity known as the ‘Galapagos of Peru’. Minerva sails further along the coast towards Chile, where unique Arica is our next port of call. Fringed by the parched Atacama Desert, Arica is a city of old tradition and modern aspects. It’s also close to the intriguing Azapa Valley, where some of the world’s oldest known mummies can be found. On to Iquique, whose outdoor national monuments of Salitrera de Humberstone have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Coquimbo is home to a world-famous astronomical facility, where exceptional atmospheric conditions make for some incredible discoveries. A day at sea offers time to relax before arrival at Robinson Crusoe Island. Step ashore and experience the island’s stunning flora and fauna, backed by dramatic landscapes.
34
The island was once home to the stranded navigator Alexander Selkirk for 4 years and 4 months, whose story inspired the Daniel Defoe novel Robinson Crusoe. Finally, enchanting Valparaiso is yours to explore. Discover its rolling hills, intriguing museums and attractive botanical gardens as your memorable cruise comes to an end.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Professor Sandy Primrose – Microbiologist and gardens expert.
Miss Rosalind Whyte – Freelance Art Historian, Tour Guide and Lecturer.
Rear Admiral John Lippiett – Chief Executive, Mary Rose Trust. See pages 88-91 for biographical notes.
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
Lima Lima Highlights, Panoramic Lima, Ancient Oracles of Lima, Larco Mar & Indian Market General San Martin Ballestas Island, Pisco Tasting, Independent exploration Arica Arica Walk, Azapa Valley & Museum Iquique Iquique Tour, Humberstone & Pintados Geoglyphs, Jewels of the Iquique Coquimbo Coquimbo & La Serena, The Imigragrants of Coquimbo, La Serena Tour Robinson Crusoe Island Independent Exploration Valparaiso Winery, Panoramic Valparaiso & Vina del Mar, Botanical Gardens & Fonck Museum.
18 Jan
Callao (Lima), Peru
19 Jan
Callao (Lima), Peru
In port
5.30pm
20 Jan
General San Martin, Peru
7.30am
5.30pm
21 Jan
Cruise on Minerva
22 Jan
Arica, Chile
5.30pm
In port
23 Jan
Arica, Chile
In port
6.30pm
24 Jan
Iquique, Chile
7.00am
5.00pm
25 Jan
Cruise on Minerva
26 Jan
Coquimbo, Chile
6.00pm
In port
27 Jan
Coquimbo, Chile
In port
5.30pm
28 Jan
Cruise on Minerva
29 Jan
Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile
9.00am
6.00pm
30 Jan
Cruise on Minerva
Optional Premium Shore Excursions available: General San Martin Nazca Lines Flight Arica Man & Desert Coquimbo Evening Astronomy Tour Valparaiso Santiago.
31 Jan
Valparaiso, Chile
8.00am
In port
1 Feb
Valparaiso, Chile
In port
In port
In port
Cabin Type
MIN160118 Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$9,530
Outside Cabins from
$4,500
Inside Cabins from
$3,010
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 106-107. Reduced single supplements apply to selected cabin categories.
This cruise can also be selected as one of Minerva’s Grand Voyages. Please see page 83..
Islas Ballestas, Peru
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
35
BEAUTY of the CHILEAN FJORDS
19-day cruise from $4,480
1 FEBRUARY – 19 FEBRUARY 2016
per person twin share
CHILE Valparaíso Chile
SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN
BOTANICAL GARDENS & FONCK MUSEUM
CHILE OSORNO VOLCANO
Puerto Montt Chile
DALCAHUOE
Castro Chile RIO SIMPSON VALLEY
Puerto Chacabuco Chile
SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN
CHILEAN FJORDS SCENIC CRUISING
Puerto Natales Chile Tender port
ADINO PARK
Punta Arenas Chile
New Port Wooden church, Castro
Chilean Fjords
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Puerto Montt is your gateway to Chile’s magnificent Lake District • Take in the scenery as Minerva sails the ‘Chilean Fjords’ • The Otway Reserve offers an up close look of the Magellanic penguins in their natural habitat • Puerto Natales – make reference to 8th wonder of the world – Torres del Paine National Park • Discover Santiago and its spectacular setting at the foot of the Andes
E
mbark Minerva in Valparaiso and enjoy a relaxing two days at sea.
Settle into life on board, as Minerva sails to Chiloé Island and its charming capital city, Castro, the last bastion of support for the Spanish crown in South America. Take in the island’s unique colonial churches, made entirely of timber, before Minerva heads back to mainland Chile. Enjoy three days at sea, listening to talks from our eminent Guest Speakers or perhaps learning a new skill, as Minerva sails south and through the Chilean fjords towards Punta Arenas, Chile’s most southerly city. Boasting a colourful history, and built on the Strait of Magellan, this frontier town is your gateway to the Otway Reserve, where hundreds of Magellanic penguins can be seen in their natural habitat. Chile’s maze of glorious fjords gives access to the ports of Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales and Puerto Chacabuco. As Minerva cruises through the steep-sided channels marvel at the grandeur of soaring icebergs and the blues, greens and silvery ice of the towering glaciers, an amazing sight.
36
Minerva makes her maiden call at Puerto Natales, a small town facing the Andes on the shores of Seno Ultima Esperanza, at the southern end of the Chilean Fjords. This is your gateway to the granite pillars of the Torres del Paine, in South America’s finest national park. From Puerto Chacabuco, you can experience Patagonia’s natural wonders or enjoy a trek on Deer Island, before Minerva sails towards Puerto Montt, your gateway to Chile’s Lake District and the snow-capped Osorno Volcano. Finally, sail into Valparaiso, an enthralling city with rolling hills and fascinating museums. From here you can explore Santiago, at the foot of the Andes, or the Maipo Valley, Chile’s world-famous wine district.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Mr Andy Bunten – Freelance Wildlife Consultant. Captain Christopher Morrison – Royal Navy
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS Castro Castro Tour & Walk, Chiloe Churches, Dalcahue, Curaco de Velez & Achao Punta Arenas City Tour, Otway Bay Penguins, Fort Bulnes & Port Famine, Trekking at Andino Park, Patagonia Estancia Puerto Natales Puerto Natales town, Cueva de Milodón, Benitez Hill Puerto Chacabuco Rio Simpson Valley drive & Coyhaique, Journey into Patagonian Nature, Deer Island Trek Puerto Montt Millenary Alerces & German Colonization Museum, Osorno Volcano, Petrohue Falls & Puerto Varas, Puerto Montt, Varas and Frutillar with Lavender Tea House, Petrohue and Esmeralda Lake Valparaiso Winery, Panoramic Valparaiso & Vina del Mar, Botanical Gardens & Fonck Museum. Optional Premium Shore Excursions available: Valparaiso Santiago Puerto Natales Torres del Paine National Park
YOUR ITINERARY DATE
PORT
1 Feb
Valparaiso
2 Feb
Cruise on Minerva
3 Feb
Cruise on Minerva
4 Feb
Castro, Chiloé Island
5 Feb
Cruise the Chilean Fjords
6 Feb
Cruise the Chilean Fjords
7 Feb
Cruise the Chilean Fjords
8 Feb
Punta Arenas
9 Feb
Cruise the Chilean Fjords
10 Feb
Puerto Natales
11 Feb
Cruise the Chilean Fjords
12 Feb
Cruise the Chilean Fjords
13 Feb
Puerto Chacabuco
14 Feb
Cruise on Minerva
15 Feb
Puerto Montt
16 Feb
Cruise on Minerva
17 Feb
Cruise on Minerva
18 Feb 19 Feb
FARES PER PERSON
ARRIVE
DEPART In port
8.00am
5.00pm
MIN160201
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$13,010
Outside Cabins from
$6,410
Inside Cabins from
$4,480
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 106-107. Reduced single supplements apply to selected cabin categories. 7.00am
6.30pm
7.00am
8.00pm
7.00am
6.00pm
7.00am
6.00pm
Valparaiso
8.00am
In port
Valparaiso
In port
Retired, Warfare and Navigation specialist. See pages 88-91 for biographical notes.
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
37
TIMELESS SOUTH AMERICA
15-day cruise from $3,540
19 FEBRUARY – 4 MARCH 2016
per person twin share
CHILE • PERU • ECUADOR
ECUADOR Guayaquil Ecuador
Galapagos Islands
LAS PENAS
PERU LIMA
Callao Peru General San Martin PARACAS NATIONAL Peru RESERVE
Arica Chile
PACIFIC OCEAN
Eiffel Church, Arica
CHILE LA SERENA
Coquimbo Chile Valparaiso Chile
SANTIAGO
Ermita Church, Lima, Peru
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Wander the streets of the UNESCO-listed Valparaiso city • Inland from Coquimbo, explore the Elqui Valley – the magnetic centre of Earth • Fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines where ancient geoglyphs are etched in the desert • Immerse yourself in the world of the Incas with an extended stay in Callao mid cruise • Extend your stay in Guayaquil for a post-cruise visit to the Galapagos Islands
Pan pipes, Chile
J
oin Minerva in the historic Chilean city of Valparaiso, gateway to Chile’s central valley and Santiago, its capital, in a spectacular setting at the foot of the Andes. According to local legend, pirates crossed the Strait of Magellan to bury their treasure on the beaches of Coquimbo. The city’s buildings are among Chile’s most interesting historical structures, boasting elaborate woodwork that early settlers crafted by hand. In the Chilean town of Arica learn about the Chinchorro people who mummified their dead long before the Egyptians, and visit Lauca National Park, where you’ll find snow-topped volcanoes, hot springs and plenty of wildlife. Sail north to the Peruvian port of General San Martin, surrounded by the Atacama Desert, one of the driest regions of the world. Explore the quiet colonial town of Pisco and its fertile coastal valley or uncover one of the greatest mysteries in the Americas, the enigmatic Nazca Lines. Spend two nights in Lima, ‘City of Kings’, founded in 1535 and still one of the most
38
important cities in South America. Admire its world-class museums and early colonial architecture before sailing to Guayaquil, a fascinating city and gateway to the incredible Galapagos Islands. This nature-lover’s paradise is home to penguins, tortoises and sea lions, boasting dramatic peaks, white sands and crystal-clear waters.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Mr Andy Bunten – Freelance Wildlife Consultant. Captain Christopher Morrison – Royal Navy Retired, Warfare and Navigation specialist. Dr Peter Cattermole – Former lecturer in volcanology and planetary geology. See pages 88-91 for biographical notes.
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS Valparaiso Panoramic Valparaiso, & Vina del Mar, Botanical Gardens & Fronk Museum Coquimbo Coquimbo & La Serena, The Immigrants of Coquimbo, La Serena Panoramic Tour Arica Arica Walk & Tour, Azapa Valley & Museum General San Martin Ballestas Island Tour, Paracas National Reserve, Pisco Tasting, Independent Exploration Callao Lima Highlights, Ancient Oracles of Lima, Panoramic Lima, Ancient Treasures of Lima, Archaelogical Museum and Ficus Country House, Larco Mar Indian Market Guayaquil Scenic Guayaquil, Guayaquil Museums, Maac Museum & Las Penas.
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
19 Feb
Valparaiso, Chile
20 Feb
Valparaiso, Chile
In port
2.00pm
21 Feb
Coquimbo, Chile
9.00am
5.30pm
22 Feb
Cruise on Minerva
23 Feb
Cruise on Minerva
24 Feb
Arica, Chile
25 Feb
Cruise on Minerva
26 Feb 27 Feb
In port
8.00am
5.00pm
General San Martin, Peru
12.00pm
8.00pm
Callao, Peru
11.00am
In port
28 Feb
Callao, Peru
In port
In port
29 Feb
Callao, Peru
In port
2.00pm
1 Mar
Cruise on Minerva
2 Mar
Cruise on Minerva
3 Mar
Guayaquil, Ecuador
12.00am
In port
4 Mar
Guayaquil, Ecuador
In port
MIN160219
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$10,850
Outside Cabins from
$5,180
Inside Cabins from
$3,540
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 106-107. Reduced single supplements apply to selected cabin categories.
Optional Premium Shore Excursions available: General San Martin Nazca Lines flight Arica Otway Bay, Man and the Desert Callao Machu Picchu.
Nazca lines, Peru
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
39
NATURAL WONDERS of LATIN AMERICA
16-day cruise from $3,660
4 MARCH – 19 MARCH 2016
per person twin share
ECUADOR • PANAMA • COSTA RICA • HONDURAS • BELIZE • MEXICO Cozumel Mexico
KOHUNLICH MAYAN RUINS
MEXICO
Belize City Belize
BELIZE
Costa Maya Mexico Roatán Honduras
Puerto Cortes Honduras
HONDURAS
CARIBBEAN SEA
Puerto Limón TORTUGUERO CANALS Costa Rica
COSTA RICA
Galapagos Islands
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • In Manta, buy an authentic Panama hat made from the Toquillo palm • Transit the amazing engineering feat that is the Panama Canal • Enjoy overnight in port in Puerto Limón, giving time to explore ‘Costa Rica’s Amazon’ • Rainforest adventures in Honduras and Belize • Explore the Mayan lands and culture of the Yucatan Peninsula
B
egin your cruise with an overnight stay in the diverse city of Guayaquil, where you can admire the Metropolitan Cathedral with its incredible stained glass windows before setting sail for Manta. This port is your gateway to some of Ecuador’s most extraordinary wildlife. From here you can also visit Ecuador’s charming capital of Quito, an incredible UNESCO-listed site and one of the best preserved cities in all of South America. Enjoy a memorable transit of the Panama Canal, a truly amazing engineering feat, to enter the Caribbean Sea. Explore the Tortuguero Canals, known as ‘Costa Rica’s Amazon’, from the port of Puerto Limón, and Roatán in Honduras. This is a divers’ paradise where virtually the entire coastline is fringed by a diverse coral reef teeming with tropical fish. From Puerto Cortes, discover the ruins of Copan, one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilization, abandoned in the early 10th century. You can also admire the
40
peaceful setting of Lake Yojoa and the nearby Pulhapanzak Waterfall, the largest waterfall in Honduras. In Belize, there’s the chance to explore Altun Ha, a Mayan trading post for around 1,200 years. Finally we’ll head deep into the lush Mexican jungle, where the ancient pyramids of Chacchoben are among the most famous Mayan ruins in Costa Maya, standing as a testament to the myths and the rituals of the mysterious Mayan peoples.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Dr Peter Cattermole – Former lecturer in volcanology and planetary geology. Miss Rosalind Whyte – Freelance Art Historian, Tour Guide and Lecturer. Mr Andy Bunten – Freelance Wildlife Consultant. Canon Andrew Evans – Historian. See pages 88-91 for biographical notes.
ECUADOR
Manta Ecuador METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL
Tender port
PANAMA CANAL
PANAMA
PACIFIC OCEAN
Mayan pyramid, Chacchoben, Mexico
Tortuguero Canals, Costa Rica
New Port
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS Guayaquil Scenic Guayaquil, Guayaquil Museums, Maac Museum & Las Penas Manta Archaeological Museum & Montecristi, La Pila & Ivory Nut Exhibition, Pacoche Dry Forest & El Aromo, Eco Artisans of Manta Puerto Limón White Water Rafting at Reventazon River, Sloth Sanctuary & Canoe Exploration, Caribbean Train & Eco Cruise, Roatán West Side Island Tour, Snapshots of Roatan Puerto Cortes Lake Yojoa & Pulhapanzak Waterfall, Rawakala Hike & Omoa Fortress Belize Altun Ha & Belize City, Goff’s Caye Snorkel Costa Maya Clear Kayak & Beach Escape, Segway Adventure. Optional Premium Shore Excursions available: Manta Isla de la Plata Puerto Limón Evening Canal, Culture & Dinner, Tayutic Hacienda Coffee & Sugar Tour, Premium Overnight Eco Tour Costa Maya Kohunlich Mayan Ruins.
Guayaquil Ecuador
Ruins of Copan, Honduras
FARES PER PERSON
YOUR ITINERARY DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
4 Mar
Guayaquil, Ecuador
5 Mar
Guayaquil, Ecuador
In port
2.00pm
6 Mar
Manta, Ecuador
12.00am
7 Mar
Manta, Ecuador
In port
8 Mar
Cruise on Minerva
9 Mar
Cruise on Minerva
10 Mar
Panama Canal Transit, Panama
11 Mar
Puerto Limón, Costa Rica
1.00pm
In port
12 Mar
Puerto Limón, Costa Rica
In port
6.00pm
13 Mar
Cruise on Minerva
14 Mar
Cruise on Minerva 7.00pm
MIN160304
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$11,340
In port
Outside Cabins from
$5,430
6.00pm
Inside Cabins from
$3,660
In port
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 106-107. Reduced single supplements apply to selected cabin categories.
15 Mar
Roatán, Honduras
7.00am
16 Mar
Puerto Cortes, Honduras
7.00am
8.00pm
17 Mar
Belize City, Belize
8.00am
7.30pm
18 Mar
Costa Maya, Mexico
8.00am
6.00pm
19 Mar
Cozumel, Mexico
7.00am
Panama hats
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
41
A CUBAN & CARIBBEAN MEDLEY
12-day cruise from $2,570
19 MARCH – 30 MARCH 2016
per person twin share
MEXICO • CUBA • BAHAMAS • TURKS & CAICOS • BERMUDA
BERMUDA St George's CARIBBEAN SEA
Havana Cuba
TURKS & CAICOS Grand Turk Turks & Caicos Antilla Cuba
TERRAZAS
CUBA MEXICO
Bermuda
GREAT INAGUA
HOLGUIN CITY
Cozumel
Great Inagua Bahamas
Mexico
Tender port
New Port Wildlife in the Bahamas
Havana, Cuba
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Explore the colonial and atmospheric city of Havana with an overnight stay in port • Discover more about the Molasses Reef Shipwreck, one of the earliest European wrecks found in the Americas • End your voyage in Bermuda, where the sand is pink and the water an irresistible turquoise • Witness the extraordinary birdlife on Great Inagua • Soak up the Caribbean sunshine on the beautiful island of Grand Turk
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J
oin Minerva in Cozumel, a beautiful Mexican island in the Caribbean Sea. A day at sea is followed by a trip to Havana, Cuba’s atmospheric capital, for an overnight stay and day ashore. Explore the city in the classic cars for which Havana is famed, or visit a rum museum. On to Antilla, a new port of call for Minerva, and gateway to Holguin, where sandy beaches, banana plantations and an authentic Cuban atmosphere await. Sail across to the island of Great Inagua, home to the vast Inagua National Land and Sea Park. Covering 45% of the island, the park boasts over 140 species of native birds and around 80,000 flamingos. The stunning Turks and Caicos Islands are yours to explore next. Cockburn town, Grand Turk’s capital, promises charming Bermudian architecture lining its streets. Ashore, you can discover more about the Molasses Reef Wreck, the site of a ship which wrecked in the islands in the 16th century. One of the earliest European wrecks found in the Americas, it’s a fascinating site to explore.
Following two relaxing days at sea, Minerva finally sets her sights on Bermuda. Enjoy a trip aboard a glass-bottom boat or discover the homes of Hamilton’s most famous inhabitants.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Guest Speakers on this cruise may discuss: Modern and Contemporary History, Music and Ornithology. See pages 88-91 for biographical notes.
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS Havana Old Havana Walk & Rum Museum, Havana Panorama, ‘In the Footsteps of Hemingway’, Classic Car Tour, Terrazas Antilla Cuban Life Tour, Holguin City Great Inagua Inagua Nature & Wildlife Tour St George’s Glass Bottom Boat Sightseeing Trip, Famous Homes & Hideaways, Catamaran Sunset Sail. Optional Premium Shore Excursions available: Havana Vinales, Tropicana Evening Show.
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
19 Mar
Cozumel, Mexico
7.00am
11.00pm
20 Mar
Cruise on Minerva
21 Mar
Havana, Cuba
7.30am
In port
22 Mar
Havana, Cuba
In port
5.00pm
23 Mar
Cruise on Minerva
24 Mar
Antilla, Cuba
8.30am
5.30pm
25 Mar
Great Inagua, Bahamas
7.30am
5.00pm
26 Mar
Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos
8.00am
2.00pm
27 Mar
Cruise on Minerva
28 Mar
Cruise on Minerva
29 Mar
St George’s, Bermuda
2.00pm
In port
30 Mar
St George’s, Bermuda
In port
Cabin Type
MIN160319 Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$8,230
Outside Cabins from
$3,860
Inside Cabins from
$2,570
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 106-107. Reduced single supplements apply to selected cabin categories.
Tropical marine life in Bermuda
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
43
AN ATLANTIC SOJOURN
17-day cruise from $3,290
30 MARCH – 15 APRIL 2016
per person twin share
BERMUDA • THE AZORES • SPAIN • FRANCE ENGLAND Portsmouth England
St Malo France
Sete Cidades Crater Lakes, Ponta Delgada, the Azores ATLANTIC OCEAN
St George's
La Coruna Spain
Bermuda
Horta Azores
Ponta Delgada Azores
Hamilton, Bermuda
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Stroll through the streets on Hamilton, the charming capital of Bermuda • Relax as you sail across the Atlantic Ocean, looking out for mammals and sea birds • Discover the beautiful landscapes of the gloriously isolated Azores • Follow the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela
Mont Saint-Michel, St Malo, France
M
inerva departs from St George’s, the first permanent English settlement on an island where local culture merges with traditions from distant British and American shores.
Relax as you sail across the Atlantic Ocean towards your next destination, enjoying six relaxing days at sea. Spend time listening to your Guest Speakers’ fascinating talks and look out for the area’s intriguing marine life and sea birds. The isolated Azores are your next port of call, boasting stunning landscapes and ancient volcanoes. Step ashore in Horta, where you can enjoy dolphin and whale watching, and Ponta Delgada, which boasts spectacular natural wonders including crater lakes. Three days at sea offer time to relax and enjoy Minerva’s facilities as she sails towards La Coruna, a bustling city with a colourful history. From here you can follow the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela, where you can stroll around the city’s UNESCO-listed Old Town.
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On to France, where St Malo awaits your discovery. Founded in the 6th century as a monastic settlement, this intriguing walled city was once notorious for piracy. Step back in time as you explore its cobbled streets or venture further afield to discover Brittany’s impressive castles. Your cruise comes to an end as Minerva arrives in Portsmouth.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Guest Speakers on this cruise may discuss: Maritime History, Famous Navigators and the History of Art. See pages 88-91 for biographical notes.
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
St George’s Catamaran Sunset Sail, Famous Homes & Hideaways, Glass Bottom Boat Sightseeing Tour Horta Caldeira Hike, Caldeira & Capelinhos Vulcao Ponta Delgada Sete Cidades Crater Lakes, Fire Lake & Ribeira Grande La Coruna Santiago de Compostela, Costa da Morte, La Coruna & Ferrol, La Coruna City St Malo St Malo Walking Tour, Montmarin & Dinard, Castles in Brittany
30 Mar
St George’s, Bermuda
31 Mar
St George’s, Bermuda
1 Apr
Cruise on Minerva
2 Apr
Cruise on Minerva
3 Apr
Cruise on Minerva
4 Apr
Cruise on Minerva
5 Apr
Cruise on Minerva
6 Apr
Cruise on Minerva
7 Apr
Horta, Azores
8.00am
5.30pm
8 Apr
Ponta Delgada, Azores
8.00am
5.00pm
Optional Premium Shore Excursions available: Horta Dolphin & Whale Watching Ponta Delgada Furnas
9 Apr
Cruise on Minerva
10 Apr
Cruise on Minerva
11 Apr
Cruise on Minerva
12 Apr
La Coruna, Spain
7.00am
4.00pm
13 Apr
Cruise on Minerva
14 Apr
St Malo, France
1.00pm
6.00pm
15 Apr
Portsmouth, England
8.00am
In port
In port In port
6.00pm
Cabin Type
MIN160330 Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$9,800
Outside Cabins from
$5,050
Inside Cabins from
$3,290
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 106-107. Reduced single supplements apply to selected cabin categories.
This cruise can also be selected as one of Minerva’s Grand Voyages. Please see page 83.
Santiago de Compestela, La Coruna
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
45
From the White Sea to the Eastern Mediterranean April – November 2016
D
iscover diverse landscapes, stunning architecture and a host of spectacular gardens on Minerva’s fascinating summer programme, which sees her sailing from Portsmouth’s historic shores to vibrant Cyprus. Join her as she cruises three of Europe’s finest waterways, transits the impressive Kiel Canal and embarks on her inaugural sailing from Kirkenes to the mysterious White Sea. Other highlights include Iceland’s fascinating culture, Norway’s mesmerising fjords, the beautiful landscapes of the Mediterranean and the numerous treasures of our own British Isles.
Arctic Cathedral, TromsØ, Norway
46
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
47
TROIS-RIVIÈRES de FRANCE
14-day cruise from $4,480
15 APRIL – 28 APRIL 2016
per person twin share
CHANNEL ISLANDS • FRANCE “Spring is when life’s alive in everything” Christina Rossetti (English Poet, 1830 – 1894)
Portsmouth England
Medoc region, Bordeaux
St Peter Port Guernsey
Rouen France GIVERNY MONT ST MICHEL
St Malo France Lorient France
FRANCE
CARNAC STONES
Nantes France
Garonne River
LA ROCHELLE
La Pallice France
ST EMILION
Bordeaux France
Tender port
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Sail the Loire, Seine and Garonne rivers as Minerva visits three fascinating French waterways • Admire the beautiful landscapes and scenery of the picturesque Cognac region • Enjoy plenty of time to explore Bordeaux and Nantes as Minerva berths overnight in each port • Discover the UNESCO-listed island commune of Mont Saint-Michel in the bay of St Malo
48
Terra Botanica, Nantes
T
ake in the splendid scenery along three fascinating rivers on this wonderful voyage where Minerva combines coastal cruising with journeys along the Loire, Seine and Garonne. Departing from Portsmouth, sail across the English Channel to reach beautiful Rouen, where Minerva berths overnight. The magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral awaits your discovery in the city, while nearby Giverny is home to Monet’s famous gardens. Your next port of call is Guernsey, with its sandy bays, secret coves and cobbled streets, before Minerva navigates the Seine to Bordeaux. With two full days in port, you will have plenty of time to visit the picturesque Medoc region, famed for its red wines. The beautifully preserved architecture of La Rochelle is yours to discover before Minerva reaches Nantes, one of Europe’s most innovative cities. An overnight stay maximises your time ashore, offering a wonderful opportunity to discover Jardin des Plantes de Nantes – one of the most beautiful gardens in France. Your next destination is Lorient, from
where the ruins of old Roman roads lead to Vannes and Quimper. From St Malo, explore the UNESCO-listed island commune of Mont Saint-Michel and the charming Medieval town of Dinan, set in a spectacular location on a hillside overlooking the River Rance, before returning to Portsmouth.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Neil Taylor – 20th century political historian and guidebook writer. Professor Christopher Andrew – Emeritus Professor of Modern & Contemporary History, University of Cambridge.
Bordeaux, Rouen, France France
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS Rouen Rouen City St Peter Port Guernsey Island Drive, German Military Occupation Bordeaux Bordeaux City & Walk, St Emilion La Pallice La Rochelle City & Walk, Green Venice Nantes Nantes City Tour, Terra Botanica Lorient Quimper, Vannes St Malo Town Walking Tour, Dinan & Dinard, Mont St Michel Optional Shore Excursions available: Rouen Giverny, Monet’s Gardens Nantes Angers and Cointreau Tasting Bordeaux Medoc, Vineyards and Chateau LaPallice Rochefort and Roche Courbon
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
Apr 15
Portsmouth, England
Apr 16
Rouen, France
1.30pm
In port
Apr 17
Rouen, France
In port
2.00pm
Apr 18
St Peter Port, Guernsey
8.00am
5.00pm
Apr 19
Cruise on Minerva
6.30pm
Apr 20
Bordeaux, France
7.45am
In port
Apr 21
Bordeaux, France
In port
7.00pm
Apr 22
La Pallice, France
8.00am
6.00pm
Apr 23
Nantes, France
8.00am
In port
Apr 24
Nantes, France
In port
6.00pm
Apr 25
Lorient, France
7.30am
10.00pm
Apr 26
Cruise on Minerva 7.00pm
Apr 27
St Malo, France
8.00am
Apr 28
Portsmouth, England
8.00am
MIN160415
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$11,140
Outside Cabins from
$6,010
Inside Cabins from
$4,480
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108-109
See pages 92-95 for biographical notes. WORKSHOPS
Art workshops will feature on this cruise.
Mont St Michel, St Malo
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
49
A BALTIC MASTERPIECE
17-day cruise from $5,460
28 APRIL – 14 MAY 2016
per person twin share
GERMANY • DENMARK • SWEDEN • RUSSIA • ESTONIA • POLAND
SWEDEN
St Petersburg Russia
VASA MUSEUM
Stockholm Sweden The Little Mermaid, Copenhagen
DENMARK ROSKILDE
Copenhagen Denmark KIEL CANAL
Portsmouth England
Rønne Denmark
Visby Sweden
Tallinn Estonia
TALLINN OLD TOWN
ESTONIA
PETERHOF PALACE HERMITAGE MUSEUM
RUSSIA
BALTIC SEA
BORNHOLM ISLAND
Gdynia Poland
POLAND
GERMANY
Tender port Visby, Sweden
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Admire the fairytale castle of Frederiksborg in spectacular Copenhagen • Explore the small but perfectly formed Hanseatic town of Visby • Soak up the atmosphere in Gamla Stan, one of the largest areas of medieval buildings in Europe • Two days in St Petersburg to discover the many treasures of the Russian Empire • Experience a daytime transit of the Kiel Canal, which stretches across 60 scenic miles
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D
eparting from Portsmouth, enjoy a relaxing day at sea and a memorable transit of the Kiel Canal on board Minerva, before reaching Copenhagen. Frederiksborg Palace and Hans Christian Anderson’s iconic Little Mermaid statue are amongst the numerous treasures awaiting your discovery here. Another leisurely day at sea follows as Minerva sails towards the UNESCO-listed medieval city of Visby, where you can discover charming cobbled streets and ancient churches. Your next port of call is the unforgettable city of Stockholm, a former Viking stronghold that now serves as Sweden’s bustling centre of arts and culture. On to St Petersburg, where you will have two full days to delve into the rich and colourful history of Russia’s imperial capital. Enjoy the must-see highlights including the fascinating Hermitage Museum and glittering Peterhof Palace, before Minerva sets her sights on Tallinn, Estonia’s capital city with an intriguing Soviet past. From Gdynia, explore the unique Polish city of Gdansk, one of the amber centres of the world. Finally,
Minerva makes a stop at Rønne, the largest town on the Danish island of Bornholm. Admire an array of 12th century round churches here before Minerva transits the Kiel Canal en route to Portsmouth.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Caroline Holmes – Garden historian, lecturer, designer and author. Graham Archer CMG – Former Diplomat and lecturer on current affairs. Andy Bunten – Independent wildlife consultant. See pages 92-95 for biographical notes. WORKSHOPS
Art & Craft workshops will feature on this cruise. Yoga – Mary Dalby
Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY DATE
PORT
Copenhagen City Tour & Walk, Roskilde, Frederiksborg Palace & Gardens Visby Gotland Drive & Visby Town Walk Stockholm Vasa & the Old Town, Vikings & Gold, Independent Stockholm St Petersburg Peterhof Palace, State Hermitage Museum, Yusupov Palace, Walking in the Footsteps of Peter the Great, St Petersburg City Drive Tallinn City Drive & Walk, City Walk Gdynia Hanseatic Gdansk & Oliwa Cathedral, Panoramic Gdansk Rønne Bornholm Island Tour, Rønne Town Walk, Independent Rønne
Apr 28
Portsmouth, England
Apr 29
Cruise on Minerva
Apr 30
Kiel Canal, Germany
May 1
Copenhagen, Denmark
May 2
Cruise on Minerva
May 3 May 4 May 5
Cruise on Minerva
May 6 May 7
Optional Shore Excursions available: Stockholm Drottingholm Palace St Petersburg Evening Ballet or Concert Performance, Hermitage Gold, Country Palaces of the Romanovs
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
ARRIVE
DEPART 4.00pm
1.00pm
11.00pm
Visby, Sweden
7.00am
2.00pm
Stockholm, Sweden
8.00am
5.00pm
St Petersburg, Russia
7.30am
In port
St Petersburg, Russia
In port
6.00pm
May 8
Tallinn, Estonia
12.00pm
7.00pm
May 9
Cruise on Minerva
May 10
Gdynia, Poland
7.00am
2.00pm
May 11
Rønne, Denmark
7.30am
1.30pm
May 12
Kiel Canal, Germany
May 13
Cruise on Minerva
May 14
Portsmouth, England
MIN160428
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$13,590
Outside Cabins from
$7,330
Inside Cabins from
$5,460
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108-109.
7.30am
Russian visa required if wishing to go ashore independently at any time. A group visit is included when ashore on a ship organised excursion. Please see page 98 for details.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
51
GLORIOUS GARDENS and the CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
14-day cruise from $5,360
14 MAY – 27 MAY 2016
per person twin share
In partnership with RHS Garden Holidays
ENGLAND • FRANCE • CHANNEL ISLANDS • NETHERLANDS
Rotterdam Netherlands CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
NETHERLANDS
London England
Portsmouth England
Honfleur France
St Peter Port Guernsey
Caen France CHATEAU OF TREVAREZ
GIVERNY
Garden display, Chelsea Flower Show
MONT ST MICHEL
St Malo France
Douarnenez France
FRANCE
Nantes France
JARDIN DES PLANTES DE NANTES
Tender port
New Ports
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Cruise designed in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society and featuring a range of garden‑themed excursions • Stroll amongst the picturesque gardens of impressionist painter Claude Monet in Giverny • Explore La Ville Intra-Muros, the ancient walled city of St Malo • Minerva makes two maiden calls – to Douarnenez and Rotterdam • Admire flowers and garden vegetables at the glorious Victorian Walled Garden in Guernsey’s Saumarez Park • Sail down the River Thames for a two-night stay in London • Included entrance to the Chelsea Flower Show – perhaps the most famous horticultural show in the world
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Chelsea Flower Show, London
M
inerva departs the historic city of Portsmouth and heads south to discover glorious gardens and medieval treasures on a cruise which culminates in a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show. From charming Honfleur, Monet’s famed gardens at Giverny and Gothic Rouen are within reach, while the rocky island of Mont Saint Michel awaits discovery from St Malo. A superb example of French formal-style gardens are on display at Les Jardins du Montmarin. After a day at sea you will reach Nantes, home to the Jardin des Plantes de Nantes and gateway to Parc Oriental de Maulevrier, whose exotic plants represent stages of life from spring blooms to the rich colours of autumn. A call at Douarnenez allows time to take in St Corentin Cathedral and the restored gardens at nearby Chateau de Trevarez. The royal fortress of Castle Cornet has stood guard for nearly eight centuries over St Peter Port, one of Europe’s prettiest towns. In Caen, the castle of William the Conqueror hosted the Dukes of Normandy and Kings of England. It’s also the gateway to
Bayeux, home to the UNESCO-listed tapestry. Minerva makes a maiden call to Rotterdam next. Among cutting-edge architecture admire Sint Laurenskerk Church and Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum, home to a surprising collection of trees, shrubs and plants. Twenty years after her naming ceremony Minerva returns to London. A two-night stay allows you to fully explore the colourful exhibits on display during an included visit to the iconic Chelsea Flower Show.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKER Your Guest Speaker on this cruise: Christine Skelmersdale – Managing Director of Broadleigh Gardens and lecturer on gardening and wild plants.
Tower Bridge, London
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY DATE
PORT
Honfleur Rouen, Giverny, Honfleur & Pays D’Auge St Malo Dinan & Dinard, St Malo Walking Tour, Nantes Nantes City Tour, Terra Botanica Douarnenez Douarnenez City Tour, Chateau of Trevarez St Peter Port Gardens of Guernsey, Guernsey Island Drive Caen Bayeux, Caen Peace Memorial Rotterdam Gouda Walking Tour, Kinderdijk Tour London Chelsea Flower Show, Tower of London, Riverboat & London Eye
May 14 Portsmouth, England
Optional Shore Excursions available: St Malo Montmarion Nantes Loire Valley Chateau Caen Normandy & the D-Day Landing beaches
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
ARRIVE
DEPART 5.00pm
May 15 Honfleur, France
8.00am
7.00pm
May 16 St Malo, France
12.00pm
8.00pm
May 17 Cruise on Minerva May 18 Nantes, France
6.00am
5.00pm
May 19 Douarnenez (Quimper), France
7.30am
4.00pm
May 20 St Peter Port, Guernsey
12.00pm
7.00pm
May 21 Caen, France
9.30am
9.30pm
May 23 Rotterdam, Netherlands
8.00am
9.00pm
May 24 London (Greenwich), England
3.30pm
In port
May 25 London (Greenwich), England
In port
In port
May 26 London (Greenwich), England
In port
4.00am
May 27 Portsmouth, England
6.30am
MIN160514
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$12,930
Outside Cabins from
$7,060
Inside Cabins from
$5,360
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108109.W
May 22 Cruise on Minerva
See pages 92-95 for biographical notes. WORKSHOPS
Craft workshops will feature on this cruise.
Monet’s Garden, Giverny
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
53
AN ICELANDIC QUEST
15-day cruise from $4,290
27 MAY – 10 JUNE 2016
per person twin share
ISLE OF MAN • ICELAND • FAROE ISLANDS • SHETLAND ISLANDS WEST FJORDS
“So they put to sea, and have Iceland in their mind’s eye.” The Saga of Gisli the Outlaw, c13th century
Isafjordur Iceland
Reykjavik Iceland
MYVATN BATHS
Husavik Iceland
ICELAND THINGVELLIR
NATIONAL PARK
Heimaey Iceland Torshavn Faroe Islands MOUSA ISLAND
Lerwick Shetland Islands
Douglas Isle of Man
SNAEFELL MOUNTAIN RAILWAY
Portsmouth England Tender port
Reykjavik, Iceland
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Delve deep into the diverse culture of the Isle of Man, where Viking and Celtic roots are firmly embedded • Explore volcanic Heimaey, in the remote Westmann archipelago • Step ashore in Reykjavik, the most northerly capital in the world • Visit picturesque Husavik, Iceland’s whale-watching capital • Discover the remote Faroe Islands, where grass-roofed houses nestle amongst rugged scenery
54
E
mbark Minerva in Portsmouth and enjoy a day at sea as she journeys north to the unique and dramatic landscapes of Iceland. Cross the Irish Sea to step ashore in Douglas. Take a journey back in time on the Snaefell Mountain Railway or travel through glorious countryside aboard the original Victorian and Edwardian rolling stock of the Manx Electric Railway. Minerva’s first call in Icelandic waters is Heimaey. Admire the towering shadowy peaks of Eldfell and Helgafell on the only inhabited island in the Westmann archipelago before sailing to Reykjavik. Iceland’s vibrant capital is a city of bold contrasts. It is your gateway to the Golden Circle where sites include the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, the point where Europe meets America at the continental divide. Sitting on the edge of the Arctic is the isolated town of Isafjordur. Learn about life here and look out for an array of bird species on Vigur Island. Minerva continues to Husavik, a quaint harbour town and Europe’s whale-watching capital. Admire colourful houses, snow-capped peaks and perhaps take a dip in the geothermal Myvatn Nature Baths.
After a day cruising, the Faroe Islands and the former Viking settlement of ‘Thor’s Harbour’ or Torshavn come into view. Distinctive grassroofed houses are a delightful first sight as you step ashore in one of the world’s smallest capitals. Minerva’s final port, as she heads back to Portsmouth, is Lerwick in the Shetland Islands. Waterfront buildings made of sandstone date back to the 18th century, while the uninhabited island of Mousa is guarded by an impressive Iron Age tower.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Dr Colleen Batey – Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Glasgow.
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
Douglas Island Highlights, Victorian Railway & Snaefell Heimaey Circumnavigation of Heimaey, Heimaey Island Tour Reykjavik Reykjavik City of Culture, Thingvellir Hike, Scenic Drive & Viking Museum Isafjordur Life & Culture in the West Fjords, Vigor Island, Husavik Myvatn Baths, Scenic Drive Torshavn Torshavn Panorama, Coastal Villages & Spectacular Scenery Lerwick Western Shetland Drive, Mousa Island
May 27
Portsmouth, England
May 28
Cruise on Minerva
May 29
Douglas, Isle of Man
May 30
Cruise on Minerva
May 31
Cruise on Minerva
Jun 1
Heimaey, Iceland
8.00am
4.00pm
Jun 2
Reykjavik, Iceland
7.00am
5.00pm
Jun 3
Isafjordur, Iceland
12.00pm
7.00pm
Jun 4
Husavik, Iceland
12.00pm
7.00pm
Jun 5
Cruise on Minerva
Jun 6
Torshavn, Faroe Islands
11.00am
6.00pm
Optional Shore Excursions available: Reykjavik The Golden Circle Husavik Whale Watching Isafjordur Glacier Fjords & Hesteyri Torshavn Vestmanna Boat Trip
Jun 7
Lerwick, Shetland Islands
2.30pm
8.00pm
Jun 8
Cruise on Minerva
Jun 9
Cruise on Minerva
Jun 10
Portsmouth, England
4.00pm 8.30am
5.00pm
MIN160527
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$10,680
Outside Cabins from
$5,760
Inside Cabins from
$4,290
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108-109.
7.00am
Peter Mawby – Wildlife lecturer, ornithologist and research ecologist. See pages 92-95 for biographical notes. WORKSHOPS
Art – Carolyn King Craft & Embroidery – Karin Bucannan BRIDGE
Organised bridge will feature on this cruise.
Torshavn, Faroe Islands
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
55
GRAND NORWEGIAN FJORDS and WHITE SEA 10 JUNE – 10 JULY 2016 31-day cruise
Grand Voyage
NORWAY • RUSSIA
T
he ultimate combination of our voyages, ‘Fjordlands and Arctic Norway’ and ‘Hidden White Sea and Norse Discovery’.
Honningsvaag Norway
Leknes Norway
Svolvaer Norway
Hammerfest Tromsø Norway Norway Kirkenes Norway
N O R WA Y Ålesund Norway Maloy Norway Florø Norway Bergen Norway
Murmansk Russia
Solovetsky Russia
Trondheim Norway
RUSSIA
Kristiansund Norway
Arkhangelsk Russia
Geiranger Norway Flåm Norway
Haugesund Norway
Portsmouth England Tender port
F
rom Portsmouth, Minerva heads to Bergen’s Bryggen waterfront and makes her maiden call in Maloy. Cruise past snowcovered mountains to Kristiansund, located at the start of the Atlantic Road, before arriving in picturesque Svolvaer, lively Tromso and culturally diverse Hammerfest. An overnight stay in Honningsvaag gives you the chance to witness the Midnight Sun. From Kirkenes, gateway to the East, Minerva makes her inaugural sailing to the White Sea, where she calls at intriguing Arkhangelsk, historic Solovetsky and Murmansk where you can visit the worlds first nuclear-powered icebreaker. Discover the fishing village of Nusfjord from Leknes, and delve into Norway’s history at Trondheim. Fascinating Alesund and pretty Floro await your discovery before Minerva finally reaches historic Haugesund.
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
Including Shore Excursions and Gratuities
New ports
MIN160610A
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$23,830
Outside Cabins from
$12,675
Inside Cabins from
$9,405
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108-109.
Full details for both itineraries can be found on pages 58-61 of this brochure.
Flåm, Norway
56
Russian visa required if wishing to go ashore independently at any time. Please see page 98 for details.
Trondheim, Norway
Solovetsky Monastery, Russia
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
57
FJORDLANDS and ARCTIC NORWAY
14-day cruise from $3,800
10 JUNE – 23 JUNE 2016
per person twin share\
NORWAY
Tromsø Norway
ARCTIC CATHEDRAL
Honningsvaag Norway NORTH CAPE
Hammerfest Norway
Svolvaer Norway Arctic Cathedral, Tromsø
Kirkenes Norway
N O R WA Y ATLANTIC ROAD
SELJA MONASTERY
Maloy Norway
Bergen Norway
Kristiansund Norway
Geiranger Norway
Flåm Norway
FLÅM RAILWAY
Portsmouth England New ports
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Discover the Hanseatic heritage along Bergen’s colourful waterfront • Experience the beauty of the most famous fjord in Norway as you sail towards the village of Geiranger • Marvel at the dramatic scenery of the remote Lofoten Islands • The daring feats of Arctic explorers come into focus on a visit to the Polar Museum in Tromsø • Overnight in Honningsvaag, gateway to the North Cape, and witness the natural phenomenon of the Midnight Sun
58
Svolvaer, Norway
J
oin Minerva in historic Portsmouth and enjoy two days at sea to relax and listen to the insights of your Guest Speakers as you cruise towards Norway and its spectacular treasures.
Your first call is Bergen, whose UNESCO-listed Bryggen waterfront is a colourful reminder of the town’s importance as part of the Hanseatic League. Ride the funicular to the top of Mount Floyen for superb views, and enjoy a melodic recital at the home of Edvard Grieg. Board the Flåm Railway for a captivating train journey through one of Norway’s most wild and magnificent valleys before a maiden call in Maloy. An important fishing port, it is also gateway to the island of Selja and its 11th century monastery. Enjoy stunning views of snow-capped mountains and thundering waterfalls as you cruise Norway’s awe-inspiring Geirgangerfjord. After a visit to the diminutive village of Geiranger Minerva calls in coastal Kristiansund from where you can experience the incredible Atlantic Road, which twists its way across low bridges jutting out to sea. Admire the glacial rock formations and the breathtaking beaches of Svolvaer in the Lofoten archipelago before continuing to Tromsø,
Geiranger fjord, Norway whose incredible Arctic Cathedral was inspired by towering Norwegian landscapes, and where tales of Arctic expeditions unfold in the Polar Museum. Traditional Sami culture is strongly preserved in Hammerfest, from where Minerva heads to Honningvsaag. An overnight stay and a visit to the North Cape give the unique opportunity to witness the astonishing natural spectacle of the Midnight Sun. Minerva’s final port of call is Kirkenes. Influenced by Finnish and Russian cultures, the capital of the Barents Region is your gateway to the East.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Professor Jeremy Black MBE – Professor of History, University of Exeter Sir Richard Dales KCVO – Former Ambassador to Norway See pages 92-95 for biographical notes.
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS Bergen City Walk & Funicular, Historic Bergen Flåm Flåm Railway, Aurlandsfjord Scenic Drive Maloy Selja Monastery, Round Trip of Vagsoy Geiranger Storseter & Westeras Hike, Mount Dalsnibba Kristiansund Atlantic Road, Averoy & Stave Church Svolvaer Vikings & Vistas, Trollfjord Boat Tour Tromsø Arctic Cathedral, Polar Museum & Gardens Hammerfest Finnmark Panoramic, Hammerfest & the Museum of Reconstruction Honningsvaag North Cape Experience, Mageroya Island Optional Shore Excursions available: Bergen Grieg’s House & Recital Kristiansund The Island of Grip Honningsvaag King Crab Experience, Bird Safari by Boat
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
Jun 10
Portsmouth, England
Jun 11
Cruise on Minerva
Jun 12
Cruise on Minerva
Jun 13
Bergen, Norway
8.00am
5.00pm
Jun 14
Flåm, Norway
7.30am
7.00pm
Jun 15
Maloy, Norway
12.00pm
6.00pm
Jun 16
Geiranger, Norway
8.30am
5.30pm
7.00am
6.00pm
5.00pm
Jun 17
Kristiansund, Norway
Jun 18
Cruise on Minerva
Jun 19
Svolvaer (Lofoten Islands), Norway
8.00am
5.00pm
Jun 20
Tromsø, Norway
8.30am
5.30pm
Jun 21
Hammerfest, Norway
7.00am
12.00pm
Jun 21
Honningsvaag, Norway
7.00pm
In port
Jun 22
Honningsvaag, Norway
In port
1.00pm
Jun 23
Kirkenes, Norway
6.00am
Cabin Type
MIN160610 Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$9,880
Outside Cabins from
$5,190
Inside Cabins from
$3,800
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108-109.
This cruise also features in one of Minerva’s Grand Voyages. Please see pages 56-57
WORKSHOPS
Art – Jacqui Petrie BRIDGE
Organised bridge will feature on this cruise.
North Cape, Norway
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
59
HIDDEN WHITE SEA and NORSE DISCOVERY
18-day cruise from $6,100
23 JUNE – 10 JULY 2016
per person twin share
NORWAY • RUSSIA
Leknes Norway
Assumption Church, Arkhangelsk, Russia
N O R WA Y NIDAROS CATHEDRAL
Trondheim Norway
Ålesund Norway Florø Norway
Kirkenes Norway
Murmansk Russia
SOLOVETSKY MONASTERY
Solovetsky Russia
RUSSIA
Arkhangelsk Russia
Haugesund Norway
SKUDENES HARBOUR
Portsmouth England Tender port
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Join Minerva on her inaugural sailing from Kirkenes to the enigmatic White Sea • Arkhangelsk and Murmansk, key destinations for the Arctic convoys of World War II • Discover the remote, UNESCOlisted Solovetsky Islands • Take time to explore Norway’s first capital, Trondheim • Ålesund, whose striking Art Nouveau architecture stretches across three islands • This cruise can be combined with ‘Fjordlands & Arctic Norway’ for the exciting Grand Voyage, ‘Grand Norwegian Fjords and White Sea’
60
New ports
J
oin Minerva on her inaugural sailing from Kirkenes to the White Sea, where she calls at the intriguing city of Arkhangelsk, Russia’s only seaport in the 17th century. The city later became a popular centre for Arctic exploration. Your next ports of call are are the remote Solovetsky Islands, where a spectacular 15th century monastery awaits, and Murmansk, home to Lenin, the world’s first nuclearpowered icebreaker. Launched in 1957, she was used to clear sea routes for cargo ships along Russia’s northern coast, and now serves as a fascinating museum ship. Enjoy two leisurely days at sea as Minerva sets her sights on the beautiful shores of Norway. From Leknes, the picturesque and perfectly preserved fishing village of Nusfjord can be reached, while Trondheim offers chances to delve into the rich history of Norway’s original capital. Here, you can also visit the magnificent Nidaros Cathedral, built over the burial site of St Olaf – the Norwegian Viking King who became patron saint of Norway. Stunning Art Nouveau architecture awaits your discovery
Alesha Memorial, Murmansk, Russia
at Ålesund, a fascinating city that was rebuilt following a huge fire in the early 20th century. Minerva’s journey continues as she sails to the charming fishing village of Florø before finally reaching Haugesund, a destination rich in captivating history that dates back to the days of the Vikings.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Rear Admiral John Lippiett CB MBE – Chief Executive of the Mary Rose Trust. Sir Richard Dales KCVO CMG – Former Ambassador to Norway. The Rt Revd Tim Stevens – Former Bishop of Leicester. See pages 92-95 for biographical notes. WORKSHOPS
Art – Jacqui Petrie Craft – Jane Matthews
Solovetsky Monastery, Russia
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
Arkhangelsk City Tour & Fine Art Museum, Panoramic Tour Solovetsky Islands Solovetsky Monastery, Sekirnaya Hill Murmansk Highlights & Museum of Northern Fleet, Panoramic Tour Leknes Viking Museum & Scenic Drive, Nusfjord & Museum Trondheim Trondheim City & Cathedral Ålesund City Sightseeing, Islands of Giske & Godoy Florø Sunnfjord Museum & Waterfall, Florø and Coastal Museum Haugesund Viking History Museum, Skudenes Harbour
Jun 23
Kirkenes, Norway
Jun 24
Cruise on Minerva
Jun 25
Cruise on Minerva
Jun 26
Arkhangelsk, Russia
6.00am
3.00pm
Jun 27
Solovetsky Islands, Russia
8.00am
3.30pm
Jun 28
Cruise on Minerva
Jun 29
Murmansk, Russia
8.30am
6.00pm
Jun 30
Cruise on Minerva
Jul 1
Cruise on Minerva
Jul 2
Leknes (Lofoten), Norway
8.00am
6.30pm
Jul 3
Cruise on Minerva
Jul 4
Trondheim, Norway
8.00am
5.00pm
Jul 5
Ålesund, Norway
12.00pm
10.00pm
Optional Shore Excursions available: Arkhangelsk Pomorya Architecture Treasury Murmansk The Ice Breaker 'Lenin'
Jul 6
Florø, Norway
7.00am
1.30pm
Jul 7
Haugesund, Norway
7.00am
5.00pm
Jul 8
Cruise on Minerva
This cruise also features in one of Minerva's Grand Voyages. Please see pages 56-57.
Jul 9
Cruise on Minerva
Jul 10
Portsmouth, England
10.30pm
MIN160623
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$15,200
Outside Cabins from
$8,150
Inside Cabins from
$6,100
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108-109.
7.00am
Passengers wishing to go ashore in Russia independently require a Russian visa, which must be obtained prior to departure. Please see page 98 for details.
Lofoten Islands
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
61
HIGHLANDS, ISLANDS and the EMERALD ISLE
12-day cruise from $3,310
10 JULY – 21 JULY 2016
per person twin share
In partnership with National Trust
CHANNEL ISLANDS • ISLES OF SCILLY • WALES • SCOTLAND ISLE OF MAN • IRELAND “To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment”
CALLANISH STONES
Stornoway Outer Hebrides
Jane Austen (English writer, 1775 – 1817)
SCOTLAND Oban Highlands
GLENCOE
BRODICK CASTLE
Lamlash Isle of Arran SNAEFELL
Douglas Isle of Man
ENGLAND
IRELAND WATERFORD CRYSTAL
WA L E S
Waterford Ireland
St Mary's Isles of Scilly Tender port
Lamlash, Isle of Arran, Scotland
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
• Discover Guernsey's charming capital, St Peter Port • Minerva makes her maiden call to Fishguard, gateway to beautiful rural Wales and St David's Peninsula • A further maiden call is made to Lamlash, on the Isle of Arran, one of the most southerly Scottish islands • Explore Brodick Castle, dramatically set against Goatfell Mountain • Step back in time amongst the Megalithic Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides – an idyllic island chain sitting on the edge of Europe • Step ashore in picturesque Waterford, famed for its exquisite hand-cut crystal
62
D
eparting Portsmouth Minerva first sets her sights on the Channel Island of Guernsey and its charming capital, St Peter Port. Here, Castle Cornet, an ancient oft-besieged royal fortress still stands proud and private gardens offer a tranquil retreat. St Mary’s is the Isles of Scilly’s largest island and a haven of hidden treasures. Discover a coastline of deserted white sandy beaches and dramatic rocky coves and head off the beaten track to explore nature trails rife with diverse wildlife. Minerva then makes a maiden call in Fishguard, gateway to St David’s, Wales’ spiritual home and birthplace of their patron saint. Explore Pembroke Castle, a mighty stone fortification idyllically set on the banks of the River Cleddau. After a day at sea you can step ashore in Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides, a remote archipelago where the Megalithic Callanish Stones stand testament to its occupation since prehistoric times. En route to Oban, you will pass by an unspoilt landscape of islands, hidden glens and bays. Inverary Castle invites
exploration, or take a scenic drive to discover the romance of Glencoe. Follow in the footsteps of Robert Bruce, who took refuge from the English in 1307 on the Isle of Arran, with Brodick Castle offering a glimpse of the quintessential Victorian Highland estate. In Douglas discover the Isle of Man’s 10,000year history within the Manx Museum before Minerva finally heads to Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city which is famed for its intricate hand-cut crystal, produced here since 1783.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise may discuss History, Wildlife, Celtic and Gaelic Traditions and Horticulture. See pages 92-95 for biographical notes.
Pembroke Castle, Wales
Fishguard Wales
Portsmouth England
TRESCO ABBEY
GARDENS
St Peter Port Guernsey
New ports
St Peter Port, Guernsey
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS St Peter Port Guernsey Island Drive, German Military Occupation St Mary’s Tresco Abbey Gardens, Fishguard A Taste of Wales, Pembroke Castle & South Wales, St David's Visitor Centre & Peninsula Stornoway Lewis & Callanish Stones, Great Bernera Oban Inveraray Castle & Gardens, Glencoe Scenic Drive Lamlash Island Panoramic, Brodick Castle Douglas Victorian Railway & Snaefell, Island Highlights Waterford Scenic Drive & Waterford Crystal, Rural Ireland & Jerpoint Abbey
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
Jul 10
Portsmouth, England
Jul 11
St Peter Port, Guernsey
8.00am
4.00pm
Jul 12
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
8.00am
5.00pm
Jul 13
Fishguard, Wales
8.00am
5.00pm
Jul 14
Cruise on Minerva
Jul 15
Stornoway, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
8.00am
7.00pm
6.30pm
Jul 16
Oban, Scotland
8.30am
7.00pm
Jul 17
Lamlash, Isle of Arran, Scotland
8.30am
6.00pm
Jul 18
Douglas, Isle of Man
7.00am
3.00pm
Jul 19
Waterford, Ireland
7.00am
6.15pm
Jul 20
Cruise on Minerva
Jul 21
Portsmouth, England
Cabin Type
MIN160710 Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$8,970
Outside Cabins from
$4,850
Inside Cabins from
$3,310
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108-109.
7.00am
Optional Shore Excursions available: St Peter Port Private Gardens of Guernsey St Mary’s Marine Safari Oban Kerrera Hike
WORKSHOPS
Craft workshops will feature on this cruise.
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
63
IBERIAN MARITIME ADVENTURE
14-day cruise from $4,290
21 JULY – 3 AUGUST 2016
per person twin share
CHANNEL ISLANDS • PORTUGAL • SPAIN • FRANCE Portsmouth England St Peter Port Guernsey
CASTLE CORNET
MONT ST MICHEL
St Malo France
FRANCE
Cadiz, Spain
La Coruna Spain
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Oporto Portugal
S PA I N
PORTUGAL JERONIMOS MONASTERY
Lisbon Portugal Seville Spain
CORDOBA
Cadiz Spain Tender port
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Enjoy an early morning cruise towards Lisbon, taking in fantastic views of the impressive Belem Tower and the unique Monument of Discoveries • Trace the architectural links between North Africa and Moorish Andalucia in Seville • Uncover the intriguing history of charming Cadiz • Admire UNESCO-listed Oporto, which boasts an array of historic gems dating back to the 4th century • Witness the impressive fortifications of St Malo, founded in the 6th century as a monastic settlement • Join the celebrations for the Tall Ships Festival’s diamond anniversary in Lisbon and Cadiz
64
Jeronimos Monastery, Lisbon
w
mbark Minerva in the historic naval city of Portsmouth to begin your exciting voyage, which coincides with the diamond anniversary celebrations of the traditional Tall Ships race. Your first port of call is St Peter Port, Guernsey’s charming capital. Explore the town’s cobbled streets and pretty marina, and delve into the history of this fascinating island, which was occupied during the Second World War. Minerva continues to Lisbon, from where the UNESCO-listed Jeronimos Monastery, which holds the tomb of Vasco da Gama, can be reached. Enjoy a day at sea as Minerva sets her sights on Spain, navigating the Rio Guadalquivir to Seville. Discover this beautiful city’s rich flamenco culture and operatic heritage before sailing o Cadiz. Believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in Europe, the city boasts an intriguing maritime past, while nearby Jerez is famous worldwide for its sherry production. On to Oporto, an historic city with a maze of cobbled streets and a host of medieval gems. Step back in time as you explore its UNESCO-listed old town, where intriguing structures with colourful façades huddle around charming squares. From La Coruna, an ancient pilgrim
route leads to Santiago de Compostela, whose famed cathedral, is reputed to be the burial place of the apostle Saint James the Great. Minerva’s final port of call is St Malo, an attractive walled city with fortifications dating back to the 12th century. From here, you can discover the fascinating Benedictine abbey of Mont St Michel, once a significant pilgrimage destination, before returning to Portsmouth.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise may discuss Tall Ships and Maritime History, French, Spanish and Portuguese Culture and Moorish Architecture.
Tall Ships Festival
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
St Peter Port Guernsey Island Drive, Walking Tour & Castle Cornet Lisbon City Tour & Jeronimos Monastery, Gulbenkian Museum Seville Seville Cathedral & Alcazar Walk, Cordoba Cadiz Jerez & Alcazar, Cadiz Walking Tour Oporto Panoramic Drive, Guimaraes La Coruna Santiago de Compostela, La Coruna City St Malo Dinan & Dinard, St Malo Walking Tour
Jul 21
Portsmouth, England
Jul 22
St Peter Port, Guernsey
Jul 23
Cruise on Minerva
Jul 24
Cruise on Minerva
Jul 25
Lisbon, Portugal
7.30am
5.30pm
Jul 26
Scenic river cruise/Seville
11.59pm
In port
Jul 30
Optional Shore Excursions available: Lisbon Queluz National Palace Oporto Oporto Heritage La Coruna Betanzos
Jul 31 Aug 1
Cruise on Minerva
6.30pm
7.30am
3.00pm
Jul 27
Seville, Spain
In port
11.30pm
Jul 28
Cadiz, Spain
12.30pm
7.00pm
Jul 29
Cruise on Minerva Oporto, Portugal
7.00am
1.30pm
La Coruna, Spain
8.30am
4.30pm 4.00pm
Aug 2
St Malo, France
8.30am
Aug 3
Portsmouth, England
7.00am
MIN160721
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$10,680
Outside Cabins from
$5,760
Inside Cabins from
$4,290
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108-109.
WORKSHOPS
Art – Matthew Phinn Craft – Basia Zarzycka BRIDGE
Organised bridge will feature on this cruise.
FEATURED GUEST Professor Gervase Phinn – Professor, Author, Poet, Radio and TV Broadcaster
Oporto, Portugal
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
65
CELTIC TRADITIONS and EDINBURGH’S TATTOO
14-day cruise from $5,070
3 AUGUST – 16 AUGUST 2016
per person twin share
In partnership with National Trust
ENGLAND • CHANNEL ISLANDS • WALES • IRELAND • SCOTLAND
Stornoway Outer Hebrides
Scrabster Caithness
CASTLE OF MEY
CALLANISH STONES
SCOTLAND Edinburgh (Port Rosyth) Scotland
Greenock Scotland
EDINBURGH CASTLE
Port of Tyne England
HADRIAN'S WALL
Dublin Ireland POWERSCOURT GARDENS
IRELAND
Loch Lomond, Greenock
ENGLAND WA L E S Cardiff Wales
TREDEGAR HOUSE
Portsmouth England
St Peter Port Guernsey Tender port
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
• Explore the fascinating 17th century Tredegar House, one of the architectural wonders of Wales • Admire the magnificent Georgian architecture which lends elegance to Dublin’s Merrion Square, St Stephen’s Green and Trinity College • Discover the protected flora and fauna of the unspoilt Outer Hebrides • Overnight in Scotland’s capital for the chance to explore the city and witness the majestic Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo • Visit the impressive Wallington Estate, gifted to the National Trust by Sir Charles Trevelyan
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Edinburgh Castle
E
xperience the pomp of the worldfamous Edinburgh Military Tattoo during a voyage overflowing with cultural and historical highlights. Your first stop is St Peter Port, the picturesque capital of Guernsey. Minerva then sails to the lively Welsh capital of Cardiff, from where you can visit Tredegar House, a stunning example of a Restoration mansion. County Wicklow is known as the ‘Garden of Ireland’, evident at the exquisite Italian Garden at Powerscourt House. Soak up more outstanding scenery from Greenock, your gateway to Loch Lomond, and cruise to Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides, whose intriguing heritage has been passed down through generations of Gaels, Celts and Vikings. From Scrabster stand on Dunnet Head, the most northerly point in mainland Britain, or visit the Castle of Mey, the former home of the late Queen Mother. Sail to Rosyth, gateway to Scotland’s vibrant capital which is dominated by Edinburgh Castle. An overnight stay offers the chance to experience the spectacular Military Tattoo, a stirring celebration of music, dance and
military pageantry with a fabulous fireworks finale. Over the border in Port of Tyne amidst the rugged Northumberland hills lies UNESCO-listed Hadrian’s Wall. Enjoy a walk along the best-preserved frontier of the Roman Empire.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Professor Ian Beckett FRHistS – Professor of Military History, University of Kent. The Most Rev’d Dr Barry Morgan – The Archbishop of Wales See pages 92-95 for biographical notes. WORKSHOPS
Craft – Basia Zarzycka
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY DATE
PORT
St Peter Port Guernsey Island Drive Cardiff Cardiff Castle & Dyffryn Gardens, Tredegar House Dublin Powerscourt Gardens & Dublin Panorama, Dublin City Walk, Greenock Loch Lomond Scenic Drive, Clyde Coast Stornoway Callanish Stones, Carloway Broch & Black House Village Scrabster Castle of Mey, Dunnet Head & John o’Groats Rosyth Edinburgh Tattoo, Edinburgh Castle & City Drive, Hopetoun House, Port of Tyne Hadrian’s Wall & Roman Fort, Durham Dales, Wallington
Aug 3
Portsmouth, England
Aug 4
St Peter Port, Guernsey
Aug 5
Cruise on Minerva
Aug 6
Optional Shore Excursions available: Dublin Helen Dillon's private garden Greenock Culzean Castle & Ayr Edinburgh Firth of Forth Nature Cruise
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
ARRIVE
DEPART 6.30pm
8.00am
7.30pm
Cardiff, Wales
7.00am
5.00pm
Aug 7
Dublin, Ireland
8.00am
10.00pm
Aug 8
Greenock, Scotland
11.30am
10.00pm
Aug 9
Cruise on Minerva
Aug 10
Stornoway, Scotland
7.00am
7.00pm
Aug 11
Scrabster, Scotland
7.00am
5.00pm
Aug 12
Rosyth, Scotland
1.30pm
In port
Aug 13
Rosyth, Scotland
In port
6.30pm
Aug 14
Port of Tyne, England
8.00am
5.00pm
Aug 15
Cruise on Minerva
Aug 16
Portsmouth, England
MIN160803
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$12,230
Outside Cabins from
$6,680
Inside Cabins from
$5,070
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108-109.
7.00am
Art workshops will feature on this cruise.
Powerscourt Loch Lomond, House, Greenock County Wicklow
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
67
A PORTRAIT of PORTUGAL and SPAIN
15-day cruise from $3,700
16 AUGUST – 30 AUGUST 2016
per person twin share
SPAIN • PORTUGAL • GIBRALTAR • BALEARIC ISLANDS “Land of the vine and olive, lovely Spain!”
Portsmouth England
Mrs Felicia D Hemans (English Poet, 1793 – 1835)
Alhambra Palace, Spain SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Barcelona Spain
Vigo Spain RIVER DOURO
Oporto Portugal
S PA I N
SAGRADA FAMILIA
PORTUGAL JERONIMOS MONASTERY
Mahon Menorca
Lisbon Portugal Motril Spain
SEVILLE
Cadiz Spain Gibraltar
Cartagena Spain
NERJA CAVES
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Spain
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Visit culture-rich Vigo, on Spain’s Galician coast, the gateway to Santiago de Compostela, reputedly the burial place of the Apostle St James • Admire the Baroque and Romanesque architecture on a stroll through UNESCO-listed Oporto • Explore Portugal’s capital Lisbon, home to an eclectic mix of architectural styles from Romanesque to Post-Modern with Manueline boasting particularly rich and lavish ornamentation • Discover Granada’s Moorish past, including the UNESCO-listed treasure the Alhambra Palace from Motril • An overnight stay allows time to discover Barcelona, a vibrant, contemporary city awash with the fabled works of Gaudi
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Park Guell, Barcelona
E
mbark Minerva in Portsmouth and enjoy two relaxing days at sea prior to your exploration of Spain and Portugal’s finest treasures. An important fishing and commercial port, Vigo was first settled by Celts in 300 BC. It is your gateway to Santiago de Compostela, the jewel in Galicia’s historic, cultural and medieval crown, where many fine examples of Gothic, Neoclassical, Romanesque and Baroque architecture reside. Located in northern Portugal, Oporto marks the point at which the Duoro River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The Old Town, built on the hills overlooking the river, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can marvel at the lavish pure-gold interior of São Francisco Church. Minerva sails to Lisbon, where the Manueline architecture of the Jeronimos Monastery symbolises Portugal’s power and wealth during the Age of Discovery. After a day at sea, Cadiz is your next port of call. From here visit Jerez, the centre of Spain’s sherry producing industry, for a tasting in a traditional bodega. Gibraltar’s iconic Rock is the distinguishing feature of a peninsula coveted by numerous conquerors over the centuries, while Motril is your gateway
to Granada and the exquisite Alhambra Palace, home to the Nasrid Sultans and one of the world’s most revered Islamic works of art. On to Cartagena, whose deep-water harbour was used by Carthaginians, Phoenicians, Romans and Moors. Delve into a maze of narrow streets which conceal a beautifully preserved Roman Theatre before sailing to Balearic Mahon. Menorca’s capital was in turn occupied by the English, French and Spanish and plays host to an abundance of important Megalithic monuments. In Barcelona, an overnight stay gives time to discover the many distinctive works of ‘God’s architect’ Antoni Gaudi, most notably the imposing Sagrada Familia, under construction since 1882, and yet to be completed.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include:
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
Vigo Santiago de Compostela, Pazo de Oca Gardens Oporto Oporto Heritage & Sao Francisco Church, City Panorama Lisbon City Tour & Jeronimos Monastery, Queluz Palace Cadiz Jerez, Cadiz Walk Gibraltar Original Rock Tour, Northern Defences & World War Two Tunnels Motril Granada Old City, Nerja Caves Cartagena Roman Cartagena, Lorca & Jewish Heritage Mahon Ancient Menorca, Scenic Island Drive Barcelona Gothic Quarter Walking Tour, Gaudi’s Barcelona
Aug 16
Portsmouth, England
Aug 17
Cruise on Minerva
Aug 18
Cruise on Minerva
Aug 19
Vigo, Spain
8.30am
10.00pm
Optional Shore Excursions available: Cadiz Flamenco & Sherry, Seville Motril Alhambra Palace & Gardens
Aug 28 Aug 29 Aug 30
5.00pm
Aug 20
Oporto, Portugal
7.30am
2.00pm
Aug 21
Lisbon, Portugal
8.00am
10.00pm
Aug 22
Cruise on Minerva
8.00pm
Aug 23
Cadiz, Spain
8.00am
Aug 24
Gibraltar
8.00am
6.00pm
Aug 25
Motril, Spain
7.00am
7.00pm
Aug 26
Cartagena, Spain
12.00am
8.00pm
Aug 27
Cruise on Minerva Mahon, Menorca
7.00am
5.00pm
Barcelona, Spain
8.00am
In port
Barcelona, Spain
In port
MIN160816
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$10,360
Outside Cabins from
$5,500
Inside Cabins from
$3,700
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108-109.
This cruise also features in one of Minerva's Grand Voyages. Please see pages 84-85.
Andy Bunten – Independent wildlife consultant See pages 92-95 for biographical notes. WORKSHOPS
Craft & Embroidery – Karin Bucannan BRIDGE
Organised bridge will feature on this cruise.
Monument to the Discoveries, Lisbon
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
69
RIVIERA and ISLANDS of the MEDITERRANEAN
14-day cruise from $4,110 per person twin share
30 AUGUST – 12 SEPTEMBER 2016 In partnership with RHS Garden Holidays
SPAIN • FRANCE • ITALY • CORSICA • SARDINIA • TUNISIA • SICILY
FRANCE
Monte Carlo Monaco
MONTPELLIER
Sete France
Barcelona
Civitavecchia
Portoferraio Elba Ajaccio Corsica
Italy OSTIA
NAPOLEON’S BIRTHPLACE
Spain
S PA I N
I TA L Y
SARDINIA
Capri Italy
Cagliari Sardinia
Monreale Cathedral, Sicily
CARTHAGE
Palermo Sicily PALATINE CHAPEL S I C I L Y
La Goulette Tunisia
TUNISIA
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Cruise designed in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society and features a range of garden‑themed excursions • Overnight in Monte Carlo to fully experience this glamorous principality – the epitome of Riviera chic • Take time to enjoy the true taste of the Mediterranean – the fresh fruits of the sea – whilst in Sète, France’s largest fishing port • Explore the rugged island of Corsica, birthplace of Napoleon, with its diverse landscape and rich history • Delve into the wealth of ancient history offered in Cagliari, the Sardinian capital, and be entranced by its beauty • Uncover the glittering treasures of Sicily, including the medieval Monreale Cathedral
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Tender port
Carthage, Tunisia
Monaco
J
oin Minerva for a journey around the shores of the Mediterranean, where the fabled beauty of the islands is a complement to the treasure trove of historic sights. Embark in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia noted for its stunning architecture, including many famous works by Gaudi. Minerva sails next to the French fishing port of Sète. From here explore the elegant town of Montpellier, with its medieval cobbled streets and colourful gardens, before an overnight stay in glamorous Monaco, ruled by the Grimaldi family for centuries. Experience this playground of the rich and famous before arriving into Elba and the ancient town of Portoferraio, which gave refuge to the exiled Napoleon Bonaparte. Ajaccio, his birthplace on Corsica, is Minerva’s next stop and dedications to the island’s most famous son are dotted throughout the city. Sail to neighbouring Sardinia and explore ancient Cagliari, which provides a wonderful showcase for the varied history of the island. Discover the Roman and pre-Roman town of Nora before heading to African shores to visit the UNESCO-listed ruined city of Carthage, destroyed by the Romans in 146 BC.
Palermo, Sicily’s main city with its wealth of architectural styles, is Minerva’s next call. In the picturesque hilltop town of Monreale, see the glittering Byzantine mosaics in its cathedral, and then witness the magical combination of beauty, decadence and unspoilt charm that has made Capri a legendary idyll. A fitting conclusion to this cruise sees Minerva reach Civitavecchia, gateway to Ostia, harbour city of Ancient Rome.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Caroline Holmes – Garden historian, lecturer, designer and author. Dr Peter Cattermole – Former Lecturer in volcanology and planetary geology. The Rt Revd Tim Stevens – Former Bishop of Leicester. See pages 92-95 for biographical notes.
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS Barcelona Panoramic Barcelona, Gothic Quarter Walking Tour Sete Montpellier & Flaugergues, Carcassonne Monte Carlo Monaco Rock & Monte Carlo, Menton & Serre de la Madone Garden Portoferraio Island Drive, Portoferraio Walk Ajaccio Taste of Corsica, Prunelli Gorges Cagliari Cagliaria Town Walk and Museum, Nora La Goulette Carthage, Sidi Bou Said Palermo Monreale, Palermo Sightseeing & Palatine Chapel, Palermo Botanical Gardens Capri Capri Island Tour Civitavecchia Baroque Rome, Ancient Ostia, Relaxing Rome
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
30 Aug
Barcelona, Spain
31 Aug
Barcelona, Spain
In port
3.00pm
1 Sep
Sete, France
8.00am
6.00pm
2 Sep
Monte Carlo, Monaco
2.00pm
In port
3 Sep
Monte Carlo, Monaco
In port
5.00pm
4 Sep
Portoferraio, Italy
8.00am
4.30pm
5 Sep
Ajaccio, Corsica
8.00am
10.30pm
6 Sep
Cruise on Minerva
7 Sep
Cagliari, Sardinia
7.00am
4.30pm
8 Sep
La Goulette, Tunisia
8.00am
2.00pm
9 Sep
Palermo, Sicily
8.30am
6.00pm
10 Sep
Capri, Italy
10.00am
4.30pm
11 Sep
Civitavecchia, Italy
7.30am
In port
12 Sep
Civitavecchia, Italy
In port
In port
MIN160830
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$10,300
Outside Cabins from
$5,500
Inside Cabins from
$4,110
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108-109.
Optional Shore Excursions available: Monte Carlo Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Nice Painters Portoferraio Grand Tour of Elba Palermo Sicily Highlights This cruise also features in one of Minerva’s Grand Voyages. Please see pages 84-85..
WORKSHOPS
Craft & Embroidery – Karin Bucannan Isle of Capri, Italy
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
71
MEDITERRANEAN MOSAIC
13-day cruise from $3,900
12 SEPTEMBER – 24 SEPTEMBER 2016
per person twin share
ITALY • SICILY • MALTA • ALBANIA • CROATIA
C R OAT I A Dubrovnik Croatia TARQUINIA
Civitavecchia Italy ROME
I TA L Y
Naples Italy
A D R I AT I C SEA ALBEROBELLO
POMPEII
ISCHIA
Brindisi Italy
Dubrovnik, Croatia TYRRHENIAN SEA
ALBANIA Sarande Albania BUTRINT
STROMBOLI
Lipari Italy Messina Sicily
MOUNT ETNA
SICILY
Syracuse Sicily Valletta Malta
GRAND HARBOUR
Butrint, Albania
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Witness the fascinating treasures of Pompeii and Herculaneum from Naples • Ascend the slopes of Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano • Enjoy an overnight stay in the fortified port of Valletta, with plenty of time to discover the well-preserved city • Discover the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Butrint in Albania • Explore the marble streets of the majestic walled city of Dubrovnik, the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’
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Y
our voyage begins with an overnight stay in Civitavecchia, your gateway to Rome or Tarquinia's Etruscan tombs. Mount Vesuvius looms into view as you reach Naples, a stone’s throw from the ruined cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, before Minerva sets her sights on Sicily. Created by volcanic eruptions, Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands, boasting stunning scenery and a towering active volcano. A highlight of your voyage follows as Minerva cruises close to the active volcano of Stromboli, offering a chance to see a lava firework display. Next is Messina, gateway to Taormina. Overlooking the bay of Giardina and Mount Etna, this charming hilltop town is home to one of the largest Greco-Roman theatres in the world. Minerva sails on to Syracuse, where an overnight stay enables you to fully immerse yourself in this intriguing city’s grand history. Valletta's UNESCO-listed Grand Harbour is a spectacular introduction to the city. Enjoy an overnight stay and visit to Malta's ancient walled city of Mdina before sailing to Sarande for a visit to the
Tender port
archaeological site of Butrint, occupied since at least the 8th century BC. Step back in time as Minerva docks at the bustling port town of Brindisi, where an array of Romanesque churches, an impressive 13th century castle and Alberobello’s UNESCO-listed Trulli houses await discovery. Minerva’s final port of call is Dubrovnik. Stroll through the city’s famous marble streets, admiring its Baroque buildings, or enjoy a scenic drive to pretty Cavtat.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Dr Ann Birchall FSA – Archaeologist and former Assistant Keeper, Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum. Mr Jeremy Paterson – Former Senior Lecturer in Ancient History, Newcastle University.
Taormina, Sicily
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
Civitavecchia Baroque Rome, Tarquinia, Relaxing Rome Naples Pompeii, Herculaneum Lipari Island Drive & Museum, Volcano Cruise Messina Mount Etna, Taormina, Syracuse Catania & Mount Etna, Ortigia Island Valletta Island Drive & Mdina, A Tale of Two Cities Sarande Butrint & Sarande Brindisi Alberbello, Lecce, Ostuni Dubrovnik City Tour & Panorama, Artistic Konavle & Cavtat
Sep 12
Civitavecchia, Italy
Sep 13
Civitavecchia, Italy
In port
6.00pm
Sep 14
Naples, Italy
12.00pm
8.00pm
Sep 15
Lipari, Italy
11.30am
8.30pm
Sep 15
Cruise past Stromboli
Sep 16
Messina, Sicily
7.30am
2.30pm
Sep 16
Syracuse, Sicily
10.30pm
In port
Sep 17
Syracuse, Sicily
In port
10.00pm
Sep 18
Valletta, Malta
8.00am
In port
Sep 19
Valletta, Malta
In port
6.00pm
Sep 20
Cruise on Minerva
Optional Shore Excursions available: Naples Capodimonte, Ischia & Gardens Messina Tindari Malta Gozo Sarande Gjirokaster Tour
Sep 21
Sarande, Albania
8.00am
6.00pm
Sep 22
Brindisi, Italy
7.30am
5.00pm
Sep 23
Dubrovnik, Croatia
8.00am
In port
Sep 24
Dubrovnik, Croatia
In port
In port
Cabin Type
MIN160912 Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$9,960
Outside Cabins from
$5,270
Inside Cabins from
$3,900
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108-109.
This cruise also features in one of Minerva's Grand Voyages. Please see page 85.
See pages 92-95 for biographical notes. WORKSHOPS
Art workshops will feature on this cruise.
Trulli houses, Alberobello
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
73
THE SPARKLING ADRIATIC
15-day cruise from $4,730
24 SEPTEMBER – 8 OCTOBER 2016
per person twin share
CROATIA • ITALY • SLOVENIA • MONTENEGRO
SLOVENIA DOGE'S PALACE
Venice Italy
POSTOJNA CAVES
Koper Slovenia Rijeka Croatia
POMPOSA ABBEY
Ravenna Italy
C R OAT I A
Pula Croatia
PLITVICE LAKES
Zadar Croatia Šibenik Croatia Split Croatia
I TA L Y
Hvar Croatia
A D R I AT I C SEA
Korcula Croatia
Tender port
Dubrovnik Croatia Kotor Montenegro
MONTENEGRO
New port
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Savour some of Croatia’s most fascinating sights in Dubrovnik, Pula and Šibenik against the stunning backdrop of the Adriatic • Discover the remarkable remains of Roman Emperor Diocletian’s palace in Split, Croatia’s second city • Overnight in Venice, which gives plenty of time to fully appreciate one of the world’s most remarkable cities • Join Minerva on her inaugural call to Rijeka and take time to visit the oldest Croatian sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary on Trsat, a peaceful hill above the city • Protected by medieval walls up to 20 metres high, Kotor’s UNESCOlisted old town has a wealth of iconic monuments and Romanesque churches to be admired
74
Doge's Palace, Italy
Hvar, Croatia
T
he ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, Dubrovnik is Minerva’s first port of call on a cruise teeming with historical, architectural and archaeological masterpieces. Explore this living museum, a UNESCOlisted World Heritage Site, before heading to picturesque Hvar. Impressive architecture and a Renaissance Franciscan monastery are among its highlights, while Split – home to the ruins of the Roman Palace of Diocletian – is sure to impress. Staying in Croatia, sail to Zadar with its Roman ruins, medieval churches and sound-and-light spectacle of the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation. Then continue to Italy’s Ravenna, a glittering showcase for Byzantine art. Enjoy an overnight stay in the remarkable floating city of Venice where you can wonder at the riches of the Doge’s Palace and visit the islands of Torcello and Murano before cruising to Slovenia. The medieval town of Koper boasts elegant squares and a 15th century Venetian palace, while Minerva’s return to Croatia brings rewards such as Pula's remarkably well preserved Roman amphitheatre. Rijeka, gateway to the Opatija Riviera, is a maiden call for Minerva, and
precedes arrival into Šibenik, home to the UNESCO-listed Gothic-Renaissance Cathedral of St James. Head to Korcula, the reputed birthplace of explorer Marco Polo, and soak up delightful scenery en route to Montenegran Kotor. Positioned at the head of southern Europe’s deepest fjord, its medieval old town with a labyrinth of cobbled streets is a delight to explore.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Dr Ann Birchall FSA – Archaeologist and former Assistant Keeper, Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum. Professor Carole Hillenbrand OBE – Professor of Islamic History, University of Edinburgh.
Kotor, Montenegro
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS Dubrovnik City Tour & Panorama, Artistic Konavle & Cavtat, Hvar Hvar Island Tour, Walking Tour Split Walking Tour, Evacuation Sites & Medieval Exploration Zadar Walking Tour, Plitvice Lakes Ravenna City Tour, Pomposa Abbey Venice Torcello & Murano, Doge’s Palace Koper Piran Walk, Postojna Caves Pula Porec, Pula Town Walk Rijeka Rijeka & Trsat, Rijeka, Hum & Opatija Šibenik Krka National Park, Ancient Roman Paths of Šibenik Korcula Walking Tour Kotor Montenegro Panorama, Kotor Walking Tour Optional Shore Excursions available Dubrovnik Konavle Countryside Ravenna Bologna City Tour Venice Palladio Villas Kotor Sveti Stefan & Budva
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
Sep 24
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Sep 25
Dubrovnik, Croatia
In port
6.30pm
In port
Sep 26
Hvar, Croatia
7.00am
2.00pm
Sep 26
Split, Croatia
6.00pm
In port
Sep 27
Split, Croatia
In port
6.00pm
Sep 28
Zadar, Croatia
8.00am
10.00pm
Sep 29
Ravenna, Italy
12.00pm
10.00pm
Sep 30
Venice, Italy
7.30am
In port
Oct 1
Venice, Italy
In port
10.00pm
Oct 2
Koper, Slovenia
7.00am
7.30pm
Oct 3
Pula, Croatia
7.30am
10.00pm
Oct 4
Rijeka, Croatia
7.30am
8.00pm
Oct 5
Šibenik, Croatia
12.00pm
10.00pm
Oct 6
Korcula, Croatia
8.00am
8.00pm
Oct 7
Kotor, Montenegro
7.30am
10.30pm
Oct 8
Dubrovnik, Croatia
6.00am
MIN160924
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$11,890
Outside Cabins from
$6,340
Inside Cabins from
$4,730
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108-109.
Professor Robert Hillenbrand FBA – Professor of Islamic Art, St Andrew’s University. See pages 92-95 for biographical notes. WORKSHOPS
Art – Linda Pitt
Trulli houses, Italy Rijeka, Croatia
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
75
HELLENIC ODYSSEY
14-day cruise from $4,690
w
per person twin share
CROATIA • GREECE • TURKEY
C R OAT I A Dubrovnik Croatia
“The Isles of Greece! the Isles of Greece!... Eternal summer gilds them yet…” Lord Byron (British Poet, 1788 – 1824) Symi, Greece
GREECE Piraeus Katakolon Greece
TURKEY
CORINTH Greece CANAL ACROPOLIS
Samos Greece
MYCENAE
OLYMPIA
Tinos Greece
Nauplia Greece
Kos Greece
Milos Greece
Symi Greece
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Tender port
Minerva, Corinth Canal
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Explore UNESCO-listed Dubrovnik, with its impressive city walls and marble streets • Minerva transits the narrow Corinth Canal – a remarkable feat of engineering • Experience an overnight stay in Nauplia, your gateway to legendary Mycenae • Minerva makes her maiden call at the small Greek island of Milos • Discover Fethiye, the jewel of Turkey’s Lycian coast and home to three UNESCO-listed sites – Kayakoy, Xanthos and ancient Letoon
76
J
oin Minerva in Dubrovnik, where you’ll enjoy an overnight stay. Ancient stone buildings, meandering cobbled streets and impressive ramparts rising above red-tiled rooftops await discovery before Minerva sets sail to Greece. Enjoy a relaxing day at sea en route to Katakolon, gateway to ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. A truly memorable highlight of your cruise follows as Minerva begins her transit of the narrow, steep-sided Corinth Canal – an amazing feat of modern engineering. On to Nauplia, one of the most picturesque towns in Greece. Explore Epidaurus, the site of a renowned ancient theatre, before Minerva continues to Milos. Plaka, the island’s capital, promises fascinating churches and picturesque narrow lanes. Your next port of call is Kos, an island teeming with historic treasures and known as the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of western medicine. Discover the island’s Asclepion, an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the god of healing, before sailing to Fethiye. This intriguing Turkish town is located on the site of ancient Telmessos, once the largest city in Lycia.
XANTHOS
Fethiye Turkey
New Port
Return to Greek shores as Minerva reaches Symi, whose stunning natural harbour is surrounded by neo-classical houses and churches built into the hillside. As Minerva continues to Tinos, you have time to explore the Church of Panagia Evangelistria, a sacred pilgrimage site. Finally, an overnight stay at Piraeus offers plenty of time to explore Athens, home to the iconic Acropolis.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Caroline Holmes – Garden historian, lecturer, designer and author. Nigel McGilchrist – Art Historian and author of ‘McGilchrist’s Greek Islands’.
Milos, Greece
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
Dubrovnik City Tour & Panorama Katakolon Olympia Site & Museum, Mercouri Estate Nauplia Mycenae, Epidaurus Milos Plaka Village Walk Kos Town Walk, Asklepion Fethiye Xanthos, Kayakoy Village Symi Independent Exploration Samos Town Walk, Herion & Scenic Drive Tinos Town Walk Piraeus Acropolis, Acropolis Museum
Oct 8
Dubrovnik, Croatia
In port
In port
Oct 9
Dubrovnik, Croatia
In port
6.00pm
Oct 10
Cruise on Minerva
Oct 11
Katakolon, Greece
7.00am
6.00pm
Oct 12
Corinth Canal transit
Oct 12
Nauplia, Greece
9.30pm
In port
Oct 13
Nauplia, Greece
In port
6.00pm
Oct 14
Milos, Greece
7.30am
5.00pm
Oct 15
Kos, Greece
8.30am
6.30pm
Optional Shore Excursions available: Dubrovnik Konavle Countryside Katakolon Foloi Forest Fethiye Gulet Cruise
Oct 16
Fethiye, Turkey
8.00am
10.30pm
Oct 17
Symi, Greece
8.00am
6.00pm
Oct 18
Samos, Greece
8.00am
6.30pm
Oct 19
Tinos, Greece
8.00am
9.00pm
Oct 20
Piraeus, Greece
7.00am
In port
Oct 21
Piraeus, Greece
In port
In port
This cruise also features in one of Minerva's Grand Voyages. Please see page 87.
MIN161008
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$11,850
Outside Cabins from
$6,300
Inside Cabins from
$4,690
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108-109.
Professor Ian Beckett FRHistS – Professor of Military History, University of Kent. See pages 92-95 for biographical notes. WORKSHOPS
Art – Linda Pitt
Church Panagia Evangelistria, Tinos
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
77
IMPRESSIONS of the EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
13-day cruise from $3,120
21 OCTOBER – 2 NOVEMBER 2016
per person twin share
GREECE • TURKEY • CYPRUS “History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life, and brings us tidings of antiquity.” Marcus Tullius Cicero (Roman lawyer, writer, scholar and orator, 106BC – 43BC)
GREECE ANCIENT PHILIPPI
Kavala Greece
METEORA
Volos Greece
Dikili Turkey PERGAMON
ACROPOLIS
TURKEY Piraeus Greece
EPHESUS
Kusadasi Turkey Marmaris Turkey Rhodes Greece
Lindos, Rhodes
ASPENDOS
Alanya Turkey
LINDOS
Larnaca Cyprus KAKOPETRIA
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Limassol Cyprus
Ephesus, Turkey
YOUR CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Discover the many wonders of Athens, including the spectacular Acropolis • Chance to see the awe-inspiring Monasteries of Meteora perched high on towering rock peaks • Overnight in Kusadasi to make the most of a visit to ancient Ephesus with its magnificent library, theatre and Roman houses • Extended stay in Rhodes to explore this historic island and visit Lindos, the unspoilt village where St Paul is said to have been shipwrecked • On Aphrodite’s Island of Cyprus, marvel at the ancient coastal city of Paphos
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Mosaic, Limassol
E
njoy an astonishing insight into ancient life as Minerva sails crystal-clear waters to a host of intriguing destinations. Embark in Athens, the oldest city in Europe, and marvel at the magnificent Acropolis and abundant artefacts in its archaeological museum before arrival in Volos. With a past that can be traced back to Neolithic times, this prominent port featured in Greek Mythology is also blessed with natural beauty. Rising like an amphitheatre from the harbour up the slopes of Mount Symvolo, picturesque Kavala has a wealth of history to uncover. The ruins of Philippi will prove fascinating before Minerva sails to Turkey. Dikili is your gateway to the dramatic ruins of the Acropolis at Pergamon, while an overnight stay in Kusadasi gives ample time to explore the wonderfully preserved ancient city of Ephesus. The imposing façade of the Library of Celsus is among the spectacular sights, with more to come in Knidos. This once important shipping port can be reached from Marmaris.Located just off the coast of Turkey, Rhodes – home of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller during the Middle Ages – is Minerva’s next
stop. Overnight in this beautiful island then continue to Alanya, where landmarks such as the Kizil Kule tower were built under the rule of Alaeddin Kayqubad I. Visit Limassol, Cyprus’ second city, to see the fine mosaics that once graced the villas of Roman nobles in Paphos before sailing to Larnaca. From here the UNESCO-listed site of Khirokitia can be visited.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS Your Guest Speakers on this cruise include: Canon Andrew Evans – Historian. Professor Carole Hillenbrand OBE – Professor of Islamic Culture, University of Edinburgh. Professor Robert Hillenbrand FBA – Professor of Islamic Art, St Andrew’s University.
YOUR CHOICE OF INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
DATE
PORT
ARRIVE
DEPART
Piraeus Acropolis & Museum Volos Pelion Villages, Hiking Volos Paths Kavala Philippi, Xanthi Dikili Pergamon Acropolis, Acropolis Museum & Asclepion Kusadasi Didyma & Miletus, Roman Houses of Ephesus Marmaris Dalyan & Caunos, Knidos Rhodes Town Walk, Lindos Alanya Aspendos, Manavgat Waterfall Limassol Paphos, Kakopetria & Troodos Mountains Larnaca Town Walk, Lefkara & Khirokitia
21 Oct
Piraeus, Greece
In port
In port
22 Oct
Piraeus, Greece
In port
2.30pm
23 Oct
Volos, Greece
8.00am
7.00pm
24 Oct
Kavala, Greece
1.00pm
7.00pm
25 Oct
Dikili, Turkey
1.00pm
7.00pm
26 Oct
Kusadasi, Turkey
12.30pm
In port
27 Oct
Kusadasi, Turkey
In port
5.00pm
28 Oct
Marmaris, Turkey
8.00am
5.00pm
28 Oct
Rhodes, Greece
8.30pm
In port
29 Oct
Rhodes, Greece
In port
5.00pm
30 Oct
Alanya, Turkey
12.00pm
6.30pm
Optional Shore Excursions available: Volos Meteora Monasteries Limassol Archaeological site of Curium Kolossi
31 Oct
Limassol, Cyprus
9.30am
In port
1 Nov
Limassol, Cyprus
In port
7.00am
1 Nov
Larnaca, Cyprus
1.00pm
In port
2 Nov
Larnaca, Cyprus
In port
In port
Cabin Type
MIN161021 Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$9,110
Outside Cabins from
$4,740
Inside Cabins from
$3,120
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 108-109.
This cruise also features in one of Minerva’s Grand Voyages. Please see page 87.
See pages 92-95 for biographical notes. WORKSHOPS
Art – Carolyn King Craft & Embroidery – Karin Bucannan BRIDGE
Organised bridge will feature on this cruise.
Alanya, Turkey
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
79
Take the time to discover more Grand Voyages F
or those who love variety and appreciate value, Swan Hellenic’s choice of Grand Voyages will be a tempting alternative to our individual itineraries. Alternatively, make your own selection of two or more successive cruises and you can tailor-make your own Grand Voyage.
Meteora Monastery, Greece
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Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
81
GRAND VOYAGE TO THE NEW WORLD
GRAND PACIFIC COAST EXPLORER
9 NOVEMBER – 21 DECEMBER 2015 43-day cruise
4 JANUARY 2016 – 1 FEBRUARY 2016 29-day cruise San Blas Panama
GREECE • SICILY • MALTA • TUNISIA • MENORCA • SPAIN • MOROCCO • PORTUGAL MADEIRA • LANZAROTE • GRAN CANARIA • TENERIFE • LA PALMA • CAPE VERDE SURINAME • GUYANA • GRENADA • BARBADOS
Bridgetown Barbados
SPAIN
PORTUGAL
St George’s Grenada
Seville Spain
Lisbon Portugal Cadiz Spain
Carthage, Tunisia
J
ourney through time as Minerva sails from the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean to the colonial splendours of the New World. Discover ancient history in Athens and Tunisia’s Carthage, the last bastion of the Knights of St John in Valletta, and the Moorish Alhambra Palace. Contrast the volcanic landscapes of Sicily, the Canary Islands and the remote Cape Verde archipelago with the lush landscapes of Madeira and the tropical rainforests of Suriname and the Caribbean island of Grenada. Finally, enjoy a leisurely transatlantic crossing, taking the opportunity to make the most of Minerva’s facilities.
Georgetown Guyana Paramaribo Suriname
Motril Spain
Mahon Menorca
San Blas Panama Cartagena Panama Canal Colombia Panama Balboa P A N A M A Panama C O L O M B I A
La Goulette Tunisia
Valletta Malta
Piraeus Greece
Casablanca Morocco
MOROCCO
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Tenerife Canary Islands
La Palma Canary Islands
Lanzarote Canary Islands Gran Canaria Canary Islands
FARES PER PERSON
CAPE VERDE
Including Shore Excursions and Gratuities
Sao Vincente Cape Verde Santiago Cape Verde
Full details for both itineraries can be found on pages 24-29 of this brochure.
MIN151109B
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$27,115
Outside Cabins from
$14,025
Inside Cabins from
$9,495
F
FARES PER PERSON
Including Shore Excursions and Gratuities
Salaverry Peru
PERU Callao Lima Peru General San Martin, Peru
Arica Chile Iquique Chile
FARES PER PERSON
MIN160104A
Including Shore Excursions and Gratuities
CHILE Coquimbo Chile Robinson Crusoe Island Chile
Full details for both itineraries can be found on pages 32-35 of this brochure.
Valparaiso Chile
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$16,720
Outside Cabins from
$7,745
Inside Cabins from
$5,115
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 106-107.
19 MARCH – 15 APRIL 2016 28-day cruise
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$18,535
Outside Cabins from
$9,520
Inside Cabins from
$6,500
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 106-107
SPAIN PORTUGAL Lisbon Portugal
St Georges Grenada
BARBADOS Bridgetown Barbados
Georgetown Guyana
GUYANA
Paramaribo Suriname
SURINAME
Seville Spain Cadiz Spain
Funchal MOROCCO Madeira Casablanca Tenerife Morocco Canary Islands Lanzarote La Palma Canary Islands Canary Islands Gran Canaria Canary Islands
ATLANTIC OCEAN
GRENADA
MEXICO • CUBA • BAHAMAS • TURKS & CAICOS • BERMUDA • THE AZORES • SPAIN • FRANCE
C
MIN151121A
E
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Guayaquil Ecuador
GRAND CARIBBEAN & ATLANTIC ISLAND VISTAS
PORTUGAL • SPAIN • MOROCCO • MADEIRA • CANARY ISLANDS • CAPE VERDE • SURINAME GUYANA • GRENADA • BARBADOS
Full details for both itineraries can be found on pages 26-29 of this brochure.
Manta Ecuador
rom the Spanish colonial city of Cartagena, transit the Panama Canal to explore the stunning sights of South America’s Pacific coast. Nature lovers will delight in the unspoiled beauty of Bahia Solano and the fascinating Isla de la Plata, where the wildlife matches that of the Galapagos Islands. The Islas Ballestas offer incredible biodiversity, along with Robinson Crusoe Island, which promises a variety of flora and fauna. Peru’s diverse and fascinating preColumbian cultures are revealed at the Chimu capital of Chan Chan and the Pachacamac ruins, while Chile provides opportunities to learn about the enigmatic Chinchorro people.
21 NOVEMBER – 21 DECEMBER 2015 31-day cruise
xplore the highlights of the Iberian Peninsula and the islands of the Atlantic before enjoying a leisurely transatlantic crossing. Savour the delights of Lisbon and Seville before enjoying sherry-tasting in Jerez. Marvel at the world’s largest mosque in Casablanca and wander among the flower-filled gardens of Madeira. Admire the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands and the remote Cape Verde islands. During leisurely days at sea immerse yourself in the fascinating talks given by your Guest Speakers before arriving in the New World to visit Suriname, Guyana, Grenada and Barbados.
ECUADOR
Chan Chan, Salaverry, Peru
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 106-107.
GRAND TRANSATLANTIC ADVENTURE
Plaza de Espana, Seville
New Port
CORINTH CANAL
MALTA
TUNISIA
Tender port
Bahia Solano Colombia
GREECE
Syracuse Sicily
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Tangier Morocco
Funchal Madeira
ITALY
COLOMBIA • PANAMA • ECUADOR • PERU • CHILE
Sao Vincente Cape Verde
Santiago Cape Verde
CAPE VERDE
elebrate spring in the sunshine of the Caribbean and enjoy a relaxing transatlantic voyage back to Minerva’s home port of Portsmouth. Begin your cruise on the island of Cuba and spend two leisurely days discovering the Cuban city of Havana and a further day enjoying the authentic Cuban atmosphere of Holguin. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Caribbean, witness the 80,000 flamingoes native to the island of Great Inagua, explore historic Cockburn Town, the capital of Grand Turk, and learn how British and American cultures merge on the beautiful island of Bermuda. Restful days at sea follow, accompanied by fascinating talks from our Guest Speakers, before an opportunity to contrast the very separate identities of the islands of the Azores archipelago. Time to follow in the footsteps of many thousands of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela and to visit the historic walled city of St Malo, before Minerva reaches her final destination of Portsmouth.
Full details for both itineraries can be found on pages 42-45 of this brochure.
ENGLAND Portsmouth England St Malo France
La Coruna Spain
Havana, Cuba
Hamilton Bermuda
Horta Azores
BERMUDA
FRANCE
SPAIN PORTUGAL Ponta Delgada Azores
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Havana Cuba
TURKS & CAICOS Grand Turk Turks & Caicos
CUBA Cozumel Mexico
Mathew Town Antilla Great Inagua Cuba
MEXICO
GREAT INAGUA
FARES PER PERSON
Including Shore Excursions and Gratuities
MIN160319A
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$17,130
Outside Cabins from
$8,465
Inside Cabins from
$5,570
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages 106-107.
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GRAND IBERIAN and MEDITERRANEAN ICONS 16 AUGUST – 12 SEPTEMBER 2016 28-day cruise SPAIN • PORTUGAL • GIBRALTAR • BALEARIC ISLANDS • FRANCE • ITALY • CORSICA SARDINIA • TUNISIA • SICILY
Portsmouth England
FRANCE
Monte Carlo Monaco Sete France Vigo Spain Oporto Portugal
Portoferraio Elba Ajaccio Corsica
Barcelona Spain
S PA I N
Capri Italy
Cagliari Sardinia
Mahon Menorca
Lisbon Portugal
Palermo Sicily
Cartagena Spain
SICILY
Cadiz Spain Gibraltar
I TA L Y
SARDINIA
PORTUGAL Motril Spain
Civitavecchia Italy
La Goulette Tunisia
TUNISIA
S
ailing from Portsmouth, enjoy two days at sea before reaching Vigo, from where you can visit Santiago de Compostela. Historic Oporto, vibrant Lisbon and Cadiz, your gateway to Jerez, await your discovery next. Witness Gibraltar’s iconic Rock, then discover Granada’s Alhambra Palace from Motril, before visiting fascinating Cartagena, Balearic Mahon and Barcelona for an overnight stay. After exploring charming Sète, you will overnight in glamorous Monaco. Portoferraio in Elba and Ajaccio on Corsica are Minerva’s next stops, before she discovers the Sardinian capital of Cagliari and ancient Carthage. Visit Palermo, Sicily’s main city, hilltop Monreale and legendary Capri before arrival into Civitavecchia, gateway to Rome.
Tender port
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
Including Shore Excursions and Gratuities
MIN160816A
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$19,630
Outside Cabins from
$10,450
Inside Cabins from
$7,420
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages108-109.
Full details for both itineraries can be found on pages 68-71 of this brochure.
Palermo Cathedral, Sicily
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Monte Carlo, France
Alhambra Palace, Spain
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
85
GRAND MEDITERRANEAN CLASSICS
GRAND ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS
16 AUGUST – 24 SEPTEMBER 2016 40-day cruise
8 OCTOBER – 2 NOVEMBER 2016 26-day cruise
SPAIN • PORTUGAL • GIBRALTAR • BALEARIC ISLANDS • FRANCE • ITALY • CORSICA SARDINIA • TUNISIA • SICILY • MALTA • ALBANIA • CROATIA
CROATIA • GREECE • TURKEY • CYPRUS
Portsmouth England
C R OAT I A Dubrovnik Croatia
Kavala Greece
FRANCE
Monte Carlo Monaco
GREECE C R OAT I A
Sete France Vigo Spain Oporto Portugal
Barcelona Spain
Portoferraio Elba Ajaccio Corsica
S PA I N
Naples Italy
Cagliari Sardinia
Mahon Menorca
Lisbon Portugal Cartagena Spain
Cadiz Spain Gibraltar
Dubrovnik Croatia
I TA L Y
SARDINIA
PORTUGAL Motril Spain
Civitavecchia Italy
Capri Italy
Dikili Turkey
Volos Greece
Katakolon Greece
Brindisi Italy Sarande Albania
CORINTH CANAL
Nauplia Greece
Lipari Italy Messina Sicily
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Palermo Syracuse Sicily Sicily La Goulette Tunisia Valletta Malta
Piraeus Greece
Samos Greece
TURKEY Kusadasi Turkey
Tinos Kos Greece Marmaris Greece Turkey Fethiye Symi Milos Turkey Greece Greece Rhodes Greece
Alanya Turkey
TUNISIA
Tender port
F
rom Portsmouth, enjoy a leisurely cruise to Vigo, your springboard to Santiago de Compostela, before discovering historic Oporto and vibrant Lisbon. Visit Cadiz, gateway to Jerez, and charming Gibraltar en route to the Spanish ports of Motril, Cartagena and Balearic Mahon. Explore delightful Sète in between overnight stays at Barcelona and Monaco, before discovering Elba’s Portoferraio, Corsica’s Ajaccio and the Sardinian capital of Cagliari. Visit ancient Carthage, diverse Palermo and legendary Capri, then dock at Civitavecchia, gateway to Rome. After visiting Naples and Lipari, Minerva close cruises the active volcano of Stromboli en route to Messina, Syracuse and Valletta with its UNESCO-listed Grand Harbour. Explore intriguing Sarande and Brindisi, before reaching spectacular Dubrovnik.
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
Including Shore Excursions and Gratuities
MIN160816B
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$29,090
Outside Cabins from
$15,460
Inside Cabins from
$11,125
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages108-109.
Tender port
Larnaca Cyprus
Limassol Cyprus
New Port
F
rom the medieval city of Dubrovnik, sail to Katakolon, your gateway to ancient Olympia. Minerva transits the amazing Corinth Canal before heading to picturesque Nauplia, Plaka on the beautiful island of Milos, and Kos, birthplace of Hippocrates. On to enchanting Fethiye, scenic Symi and Tinos, with its Greek Orthodox pilgrimage site. Discover ancient Athens from Piraeus, before sailing to beautiful Volos, historic Kavala, picturesque Dikili and Kusadasi, where an overnight stay gives time to explore Ephesus. More spectacular sights await in Knidos, beautiful Rhodes and intriguing Alanya. Overnight in Limassol, Cyprus’ second city, to discover Paphos, before arrival at Larnaca, from where UNESCO-listed Khirokitia can be visited.
FARES PER PERSON (AUD)
Including Shore Excursions and Gratuities
MIN161008A
Cabin Type
Standard Fare
Balcony Suites from
$19,915
Outside Cabins from
$10,490
Inside Cabins from
$7,420
Standard prices for all categories are shown on pages108-109.
Full details for both itineraries can be found on pages 76-79 of this brochure.
Full details for both itineraries can be found on pages 68-73 of this brochure. Dubrovnik, Croatia
86
Sarande, Albania
Samos monastery, Greece
Marmaris, Turkey
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
87
VOICES OF EXPERIENCE
Our renowned Guest Speakers - The Americas Our eminent Guest Speakers’ talks illuminate the past and explain the present and, when Minerva closecruises iconic coastlines, their deck talks add an extra dimension to your experience of countries, cultures and landscapes.
CHRIS BELLAMY is Professor of Maritime Security and Director of the Maritime Institute at the University of Greenwich. Previously, he was Director of the Security Studies Institute at Cranfield University, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.Before that he was, for seven years Defence Correspondent of the Independent.
a book on Russia at the time of Peter the Great. He joined the British Diplomatic Service in 1975. In a 33 year career he served in the Arab world, the European Union, the USA and Russia; he was British Ambassador in Moscow (20042008) during the most difficult period in British/ Russian relations.
THE REVD DR ANDERS BERGQUIST is Vicar of St John’s Wood in London. He studied archaeology at Cambridge and travelled extensively in Eastern Europe before studying theology at Oxford. He has written on the subject of Hebrew scholarship in fifteenth century Florence, and is currently preparing a full-length study of the failed attempt to reunite the churches of East and West at the Council of Florence (1438-9).
THE VERY REV’D DAVID BRINDLEY has been Dean of Portsmouth since 2002. He has worked in a variety of parochial and academic appointments, including Rector of Warwick and Principal of an ordination training college. He is particularly interested in the interplay between theology and history, and also has an interest in the relationship between religion and the arts.
DR MONICA BOHM-DUCHEN is a London-based freelance lecturer, writer and curator, who has worked for the Courtauld Institute of Art, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Tate, the Royal Academy of Arts and Birkbeck College. She has lectured for NADFAS since 2011. Her latest book, Art and the Second World War, was published in 2013. DR ALAN BORG CBE FSA started his museum career in the Royal Armouries in the Tower of London, moving in 1978 to become the first Director of the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts at the University of East Anglia. He was subsequently appointed Director General of the Imperial War Museum, and from 1995 Director of the V&A. He is currently Librarian of the Venerable Order of St John and Vice President of the Foundling Museum.
Dr Steve Kershaw – Classics
We are delighted to introduce some of the Guest Speakers who will be travelling on Minerva in 2015/2016. Please also refer to individual itinerary pages. PROFESSOR DAVID ABULAFIA is Professor of Mediterranean History at Cambridge University and Fellow of the British Academy. He has written extensively on the history of the Mediterranean and Atlantic, especially southern Italy, Sicily and Spain. His best-selling The Great Sea: A Human History of the Mediterranean was published by Penguin Books in 2011 for which he was awarded one of the inaugural British Academy Medals in 2013.
She received her PhD from SOAS in 2003 and a post-doctoral fellowship from the CSJR (Centre for the Study of Japanese Religions) at SOAS in 2003/4. Her area of research interest is Buddhist art of Japan, particularly focusing on the ShintoBuddhist syncretism in medieval Japan. She has been teaching History of Japanese Art at SOAS since 2007.
is Emeritus Professor of Modern and
PROFESSOR IAN BECKETT FRHistS is Professor of Military History at the University of Kent. Having previously held chairs in both Britain and the United States, he is currently Chairman of the Council of the Army Records Society and Secretary of the Buckinghamshire Military Museum Trust. He is internationally known for his work on the First World War and on the history of the British Army.
DR MERI ARICHI is Senior Teaching Fellow in the Department of History of Art and Archaeology at SOAS, the University of London.
MARTIN BELL first worked as a BBC war correspondent, covering difficult and dangerous news stories around the world. He later stood as an independent candidate in the General Election of 1997, winning the Tatton seat with an 11,000 majority, becoming as he put it, ‘an accidental Member of Parliament’. Martin Bell left politics in 2001 and now acts as an ambassador for UNICEF and as an outspoken critic of the state of journalism today.
PROFESSOR CHRISTOPHER ANDREW
Contemporary History at Cambridge University, Honorary Professor at Queen’s University, Belfast, former Visiting Professor at Harvard, Toronto and Canberra, and Honorary Air Commodore. Christopher Andrew’s Defence of the Realm, written as Official Historian of MI5, was 2010’s ‘Politics’ best-seller.
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MR CHRISTOPHER BRADLEY is a is a NADFAS lecturer specialising in North Africa and the Middle East. He is also a guidebook writer and photographer; his latest books include The Berlitz Guides to Oman 2011 and Egypt Red Sea Coast 2012 and Insight Guide to Egypt 2009. He has also worked as a cameraman and TV producer for the National Geographic, BBC and Channel 4. DR ROBERT BRADNOCK is a Senior Visiting Research Fellow in Geography at King’s College London and Associate Research Fellow at Chatham House. His main interests are in the fields of geopolitics and environment. He was Director of the Geopolitics Research Centre at the School of Oriental and African Studies, a founder of the Journal Geopolitics, and Head of the Department of Geography at SOAS. His major research has been in the political and environmental geography of South Asia and its region. His latest book is An Atlas of South Asian Affairs. PROFESSOR DAVID BRAUND MA PhD (Cantab) DLitt (Batumi) has been working in the Mediterranean and in the Black Sea region for over 30 years, mostly on ancient history and archaeology. He has spent most of his career at Exeter University, where he has been Professor of Black Sea & Mediterranean History since 1996. Fluent in Russian, Georgian and Modern Greek, he is currently completing a book on Artemis and Aphrodite. In 2014 he is an Onassis Fellow in Greece.
THE REVD PROFESSOR JUDITH BROWN was born in India and educated in England. As an academic, specialising in South Asia and wider aspects of imperial history, she taught as a Fellow of Girton College, in Manchester University, and then in Oxford, as Beit Professor of Commonwealth History and Professorial Fellow of Balliol College (19902011). Most of her writing has been on modern Indian politics (with biographical studies of Gandhi and of Nehru), the South Asian diaspora, and more generally on the British empire. She trained for ordination at Cuddesdon. MR ANDY BUNTEN is an obsessive enthusiast about wildlife, who obtained degrees in Zoology and Environmental Technology at Newcastle and Imperial College, before embarking on a career in nature conservation. He has worked for local government, wildlife trusts, and, for 26 years, the RSPB. Now a Consultant, Andy is an enthusiastic traveller who has led wildlife groups to numerous destinations around the world. DR PETER CADDICK-ADAMS TD FRHS was educated at Sandhurst and Wolverhampton University. Since May 1999 he has lectured at the UK Defence Academy where he gained his PhD. He has also served in the Regular and Reserve Forces and was NATO Historian in Bosnia (1996-7), and UK Historian in Iraq (2003). His recent books are Monty and Rommel: Parallel Lives (2011) and Monte Cassino: Ten Armies in Hell (2012). One of the UK’s most experienced battlefield guides, Peter has led over 200 visits to more than 50 battlefields around the world. DR PETER CATTERMOLE Formerly a lecturer in volcanology and planetary geology at the Universities of Sheffield and UCW Aberystwyth, Peter was for many years a Principal Investigator with NASA’s Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program, specialising in the study of volcanoes on Mars and Venus. Peter has travelled widely, working in South America, the Atlantic Islands and the Mediterranean. He has written 20 books and many academic papers, several in collaboration with the late Sir Patrick Moore.
MISS THEODORA CLARKE is an expert on Russian and Soviet art and lectures widely on classical and modern painting. She attained her Masters at the Courtauld Institute of Art. She is the Director of Russian Art Week in London and edits the online arts magazine Russian Art and Culture. As a freelance art critic she has written for The Telegraph and The Burlington Magazine. Her latest book on contemporary and avant-garde art is Re-imagining Russia. LIEUTENANT COLONEL ANTHONY COUTTS-BRITTON served as an infantry officer before pursuing a second career with NATO and its Partnership for Peace Programme. He is a history lecturer and battlefield guide. He specialises in the wars of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries making the Balkans and the Black Sea Region a specific area for study. MR STEPHEN DUFFY has recently retired as Senior Curator at the Wallace Collection. Educated at Oxford University, his specialist interest is the art of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, but he is also fascinated by many other periods. A very experienced lecturer and exhibition organiser, his books include The Discovery of Paris, Richard Parkes Bonington and (with Jo Hedley) The Wallace Collection’s Pictures: A Complete Catalogue. CANON ANDREW EVANS is an honorary Canon of Bristol Cathedral and former Area Dean of North Wiltshire. Currently the Team Rector of Bridport in Dorset, Andrew has worked as an Officiating Chaplain for HM Forces and is a Chaplain for the Royal British Legion and Royal Naval Association. Andrew is a contemporary historian and member of the British Association for Local History. His recent areas of research have included the rural temperance movement and he is a member of local groups preparing to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War. MR OLIVER EVERETT CVO is Librarian Emeritus of the Royal Library, Windsor Castle, where he was Librarian and Assistant Keeper of the Royal Archives, 1985-2002. He was in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, 1967-78, including postings in India and Spain. He was Assistant Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales, 1978-80 and Private Secretary to Diana, Princess of Wales, 1981-83. He lectures widely in Britain and abroad. MARTIN GAYFORD has written prolifically about art and music, contributing regularly to newspapers, magazines and exhibition catalogues. He has written books about Van Gogh, Constable, Michelangelo and published a volume of conversations with David Hockney. Lucian Freud painted and etched his portrait, an experience he described in Man with a Blue Scarf (2010).
CANON RALPH GODSALL is a priest vicar of Westminster Abbey and a Canon Emeritus of Rochester. A graduate of Queens’ College, Cambridge in Classics and Theology, he has travelled extensively in the Near and Middle East. He has a particular interest in the origins of Christianity across the region and an understanding of contemporary issues confronting Christians in Palestine/Israel, Syria, Iraq and Egypt, who see their history and their destiny bound up with the countries where they live and with the dominant Muslim/Jewish culture. MS JOANNA HARDY FGA DGA FRSA is a gemmologist and an independent jewellery specialist with over 30 years’ experience in the jewellery industry. She trained as a goldsmith before working at De Beers, where she valued and graded rough diamonds. As a polished diamond dealer she worked in Antwerp, Tel Aviv and Mumbai, and later joined Philips Auctioneers. For 14 years she was a senior specialist and auctioneer in the jewellery department at Sotheby’s, London. Joanna is a Freeman of the City of London and Liveryman of the Goldsmiths Company. MR GEORGE HART was principal lecturer on the British Museum’s antiquities collections from Egypt, Greece, the Levant and the civilisations of the ancient world. For 12 years he was Chairman of the Friends of the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, and is on the Board of Trustees of the Egypt Exploration Society. He is also an editorial advisor on its bulletin, Egyptian Archaeology. He has written books on Egyptian mythology and religion and is the author of a two-volume history of the Pharaohs. PROFESSOR CHARLES HIGHAM FBA is Research Professor at the University of Otago, New Zealand, a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and an Honorary Fellow of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. For over 40 years he has undertaken archaeological fieldwork in Southeast Asia and southern China, his most recent research involving the origins of the civilisation of Angkor. His books include an Encyclopaedia of Asian Civilisations, The Civilisation of Angkor and Early Mainland Southeast Asia: from First Humans to Angkor. PROFESSOR TOM HIGHAM is a Professor of Archaeological Science at the University of Oxford. He is a specialist in archaeological dating, using radiocarbon methods. He is also the Director of the Advanced Studies Centre at Keble College, Oxford, where he is a Fellow by Special Election. He is originally from New Zealand. PROFESSOR CAROLE HILLENBRAND OBE FBA is currently Professor of Islamic History at the University of St Andrews. In 2005
SIR TONY BRENTON KCMG is a distinguished British diplomat and a fellow of Wolfson College Cambridge where he is writing
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Stoppard’s Travesties and at the Royal Court in Ubu Roi and Pirates. He played the title role in Sherlock Holmes-The Musical at the Bristol Old Vic and then on a national tour. He toured Alan Bennett’s Single Spies, playing both Guy Burgess and Anthony Blunt, and more recently played the eponymous hero in Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell.
she was awarded the King Faisal International Prize in Islamic Studies – the first non-Muslim ever to receive this award. She has published six books and many articles on the Crusades, Islam, and Muslim history. She was awarded an OBE in the 2009 New Year’s Honours List. PROFESSOR ROBERT HILLENBRAND FBA taught Byzantine art for many years at Edinburgh University. He is an Emeritus Professor of Fine Art at Edinburgh University, and is currently Professor of Islamic Art at St Andrew’s University. His 170 publications include prize-winning books on Islamic architecture and Islamic painting. He has held visiting professorships at seven universities and was Slade Professor of Art at Cambridge in 2008. PROFESSOR ANDREW HOPKINS is Associate Professor at the University of L’Aquila and is a recognised authority on Italian architecture. He has been a fellow at Harvard University’s Villa I Tatti in Florence, the Center for Advanced Studies in the Visual Arts at the National Gallery in Washington D.C., the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles and at the British School at Rome. His books include Italian Architecture from Michelangelo to Borromini (Thames & Hudson’s World of Art series (2002), and Baldassare Longhena and Venetian Baroque Architecture for Yale University Press (2012). PROFESSOR TONY HOPKINS is Emeritus Smuts Professor of Commonwealth History at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Pembroke College. He is known for his work on international history, the British Empire, and globalization. He is a Fellow of the British Academy and holds honorary doctorates from the Universities of Stirling and Birmingham. PROFESSOR MARK HORTON FSA is Professor in Archaeology at the University of Bristol and one of the presenters of the BAFTA award-winning BBC2 Coast programme. He studied for his PhD at Cambridge University. He has directed archaeological excavations in many parts of the world, including the Caribbean, East Africa, Egyptian Nubia and the United Kingdom. THE RT REVD GRAHAM JAMES read history at the University of Lancaster and completed his theological training at Oxford prior to his ordination in 1975. He was appointed Bishop of St Germans in his native Cornwall in 1993 and translated to Norwich in 1999. He is the lead bishop for the Church of England on media issues. He entered the House of Lords in 2004, and currently serves on the Select Committee on Communications. PROFESSOR COLIN JONES FBA is Professor of History at Queen Mary University of London and an historian of France. He has taught at universities in Britain, France and the United States. President of the Royal Historical Society (2009-2012), his books include The Cambridge Illustrated History of France (1994), The Great Nation: France from Louis XV to Napoleon (2002), Paris: Biography of a City (2004) and, forthcoming in summer 2014, The Smile Revolution in 18th-century Paris.
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DR STEVE KERSHAW As a Classics Tutor for Oxford University Department for Continuing Education, Professor of History of Art for Rhodes College and the University of the South, and as a lecturer for the V&A, Steve Kershaw has travelled extensively in the world of the Greeks and Romans both physically and intellectually. His books include A Brief Guide to the Greek Myths and A Brief History of the Roman Empire. MR STUART LAING was elected Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, in 2008, following a career in the British Foreign Service. Specialising in Arab and Middle Eastern affairs, he served in Saudi Arabia and in Cairo and then as Deputy Ambassador in Riyadh. He was appointed High Commissioner to Brunei, Ambassador in Muscat and Ambassador in Kuwait. Stuart researches on Arab and East African history and is the co-author of a book on Omani-British history, Unshook Till the End of Time. REAR ADMIRAL JOHN LIPPIETT CB CBE had a 36 year career in the Royal Navy culminating in three jobs as Rear Admiral. His book, War and Peas: Intimate Letters from the Falklands War, based on his experiences ‘Down South’, was broadcast on BBC radio to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the war. He became Chief Executive of the Mary Rose Trust in 2003 and has overseen the creation of a stunning new museum which opened in 2013. MR NIGEL McGILCHRIST was a scholar at Winchester College and a First Class graduate from Oxford, and has lived and worked in the Mediterranean – Italy, Greece and Turkey – for 30 years. He is author of the twenty-volume series of cultural guides to the Greek Islands, McGilchrist’s Greek Islands, and of the Blue Guide to The Aegean Islands. He lectures widely in art and archaeology at museums and institutions in Europe and the USA. THE REVD PROFESSOR TERESA MORGAN is Broadcaster, writer and distinguished supporter of Humanism. Jenni Murray, made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in the Queens Birthday Honours List in 2011, has one of the best loved voices on BBC radio, where she has been the regular presenter of Womans Hour since 1987. In 1998 she was nominated Radio Broadcaster of the Year and in 2007 she became a member of the Radio Academy Hall of Fame. She was recently given a lifetime achievement by the Media Society. She also writes regularly for various newspapers and magazines, and is the author of several books. She is a feminist and critic of the institute of marriage, a supporter of the right to die when one choses, patron of several charities including the Family Planning Association and the Breast Cancer Campaign, and vice-president of Parkinson's UK. CAPT CHRIS MORRISON is no stranger to the Southern Oceans and his talks will cover the broad range of maritime history including: conflict both recent and historical; exploration and discovery; the birth pangs of nations and their navies; the Merchant Navy and trade; and the plans and decisions - good and bad - which
wove the maritime tapestry at the bottom of the world. DAME JENNI MURRAY is University Lecturer in Ancient History, Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford, and an associate priest in the parish of Littlemore. A historian of culture and mentalité, she has written extensively on Greek and Roman education, ethics, and early Christianity. She has also written two popular religious books: Seasons of the Spirit and EveryPerson Ministry. LORD JOHN JULIAS NORWICH, 2nd Viscount Norwich, spent twelve years in H.M. Forces Service, with posts at the Embassies in Belgrade and Beirut and at the Disarmament Conference in Geneva. He has been General Editor of Great Architecture of the World, The Italian World, The New Shell Guides to Great Britain and the Oxford Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Art. On radio, Lord Norwich was for four years Chairman of the popular panel game My Word. For television he has written and presented some thirty historical documentary films on subjects which include the Fall of Constantinople, Napoleon’s Hundred Days, Cortes and Montezuma, Maximilian of Mexico and the Knights of Malta. Lord Norwich is Chairman of the Venice in Peril Fund & Co-Chairman of the World Monuments Fund. MR JEREMY PATERSON taught ancient history for nearly 40 years at Newcastle University, where he was also Dean of Arts. He studied in Oxford and at the British School at Rome. Although primarily a social and economic historian, his research and publications range widely and include the ancient wine trade, the archaeology of the Roman Empire, early Christianity, and Cicero. He also chairs the Minimus project to introduce Latin in primary schools. PROFESSOR GERVASE PHINN, taught in a range of schools for fourteen years before becoming an education adviser and schools inspector. He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer, a consultant for the Open University, Honorary Fellow of St John’s College, York. He has published many articles, chapters and books and edited a wide range of poetry and short story collections. Gervase is probably best known for his best selling autobiographical novels: The Other Side of the Dale, Over Hill and Dale and Head Over Heels in the Dales. Gervase remains a natural storyteller and one of the most accomplished public speakers of any kind. THE RT REVD STEPHEN PLATTEN, recently retired as Bishop of Wakefield, is a welltravelled ambassador in international affairs, and was for a number of years lead speaker on this for the Bishops in the House of Lords. A former lecturer in theology and Dean of Norwich, he has written widely on theology and its historical and literary background. He is at present Rector of St Michael’s Cornhill in the City of London and an assistant Bishop in that Diocese.
His 30 films include the original Italian Job(!) Ken Russell’s Mahler and Tommy, Liliana Cavani’s Beyond Good And Evil, Merchant Ivory’s Jane Austen In Manhattan, The Thirty-Nine Steps and most recently Colour Me Kubrick with John Malkovich. He has best actor awards from both the Venice and Paris film festivals. PROFESSOR SIR GHILLEAN PRANCE FRS VMH, is a former Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and an expert on the Amazon, having led annual expeditions there for more than 25 years. He has also lived with at least 16 Indian tribes to understand the relationship between plants and humans and collected more than 450 Amazonian plants new to science. PROFESSOR SANDY PRIMROSE MBE BSC PHD is a microbiologist with degrees from the Universities of Strathclyde and California. After undertaking research in Australia he became an academic at the universities of Edinburgh and Warwick. More recently Sandy has been running a technology consultancy, acting as an advisor to various government agencies, serving on the Board of the Health Protection Agency and is Chairman of a number of early-stage companies. MRS KIM J SAUNDERS has lived, worked and travelled in Asia for more than 20 years, and lived in Singapore from 1999 and currently Malaysia. Her professional expertise as a teacher and writer includes the history, ethnography, religions, arts and cultures of the region. Her independent research is focussed on the contemporary textiles of south-east Asia. MR MICHAEL SAUNDERS graduated from New College Oxford with a Modern History degree. He has worked in Asia for over 25 years, in senior management positions for multinationals and now runs his own business consultancy, Aspects of Asia. He lectures on the history and development of Southeast Asia and is currently writing a history of Singapore and researching aspects of Southeast Asia’s WWII military history. He works with Singapore’s Ministries of Defence and Education and leads specialist training courses for Singapore’s tourist guides on the heritage of Singapore. He is a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society. PROFESSOR GARY SHEFFIELD is Professor of War Studies at the University of Wolverhampton. A leading military historian with particular expertise in the two world wars, he has published many books including, most recently, The First World War in 100 Objects (2013) and A Short History of the First World War (forthcoming in 2014). He regularly broadcasts on radio and television, writes for the national press, and leads tours to the world's battlefields. DR MICHAEL SQUIRE is Lecturer in Classics at King's College London, with a special interest in Graeco-Roman art and the history of its reception. His books include Panorama of the
Classical World (2nd ed. 2008), Image and Text in Graeco-Roman Antiquity (2009), The Iliad in a Nutshell: Visualizing Epic on the Tabulae Iliacae (2011) and The Art of the Body: Antiquity and its Legacy (2011). MISS SARAH STANIFORTH worked for the National Trust from 1985-2014, most recently as Museums and Collections Director. She read chemistry at Oxford University and studied paintings conservation at the Courtauld Institute of Art. She is President of the International Institute for Conservation and has a number of other non-executive roles. Her professional interests include buildings and collections conservation, museum and heritage management and bringing historic places to life through excellent standards of presentation and interpretation. PROFESSOR CHRISTOPHER STILLMAN, spent 40 years at Trinity College Dublin studying geology and volcanology, ancient and modern, in many parts of the world, including Iceland, the Canaries, and southern Italian volcanoes including Vesuvius, the Aeolian Islands and Etna. Since retirement his interests have extended into environmental issues related to climate change and the degradation of the natural world caused by mining and the inexorable growth of the world’s population. SIR ROY STRONG FRSL is an historian, broadcaster, diarist and gardener. He is a former Director of the V&A and of the National Portrait Gallery. A prolific writer on a wide range of subject matter his latest books are Visions of England (2011) and Self-Portrait as a Young Man (2013). He has a keen interest in the British Raj and in recent years has been exploring what remains of its architecture and artefacts on the Indian subcontinent. MR NEIL TAYLOR is a specialist in 20th century political history with particular reference to the former communist countries. After a career in the travel business which involved frequent tours behind the Iron Curtain and to East Asia, he now divides his time between London and Tallinn. His most recent book is the Bradt Guide to Estonia (2014). THE REVD CANON ANGELA TILBY is a residentary canon of Christ Church Oxford and responsible for the Continuing Ministerial Development within the Oxford Diocese. Angela spent 22 years as a producer within the BBC's Religious Department, initiating and producing major documentary projects for radio and television. After ordination she became Tutor and then Vice-Principal of Westcott House and then, for nearly five years, she was vicar of St Bene't's Church. Well-known to Radio 4 listeners as a contributor to 'Thought for the Day' she is interested in history, spirituality and world religions. SIR MARK TULLY KBE was born in Calcutta. Based in Delhi he was the BBC’s India correspondent for 22 years, becoming known as the ‘voice of India’. He was knighted in 2002. Since leaving the BBC in 1994 he has written several books including India in Slow Motion,
India's Unending Journey and India: The Road Ahead, and appears as a regular presenter on Radio 4’s ‘Something Understood’. THE RT REVD DR MICHAEL TURNBULL CBE DL, formerly Bishop of Rochester and Bishop of Durham, has been a guest speaker with Swan Hellenic for a number of years and specialises in relating cruise destinations to their religious histories and their relevance to contemporary political events. He also speaks about the interpretation of religious art, the history of tourism and the ethics of warfare. PROFESSOR WILLIAM VAUGHAN FSA is Professor Emeritus in History of Art at Birkbeck College, University of London and Senior Research Fellow, Tate Britain. He is also a Trustee of the Art Fund. He is a specialist on Romanticism, particularly in Britain, America and Northern Europe. He has organized several exhibitions, including one on the German artist Caspar David Friedrich (Tate) and one on the British landscapist Samuel Palmer (British Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York). PROFESSOR KEITH WARD FBA has held lecturer posts in Logic at the University of Glasgow, Philosophy at St Andrew’s and Philosophy of Religion at King’s College London. He was Fellow, Dean and Director of Studies in Philosophy and in Theology at Trinity Hall Cambridge, where he was also Lecturer in Divinity. He was the F D Maurice Professor of Moral and Social Theology at the University of London, where he was later Professor and Head of Department of History and Philosophy of Religion. An ordained priest in the Church of England, he was, until 2003, Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford. DR CHRISTOPHER WHITTON is a Lecturer in Classics at Cambridge University, where he teaches Greek and Latin language and literature. His research focuses on the literature and cultural history of the Roman empire, including a recent commentary on Pliny the Younger’s Letters, but his interests extend across the ancient Mediterranean world. He is also Director of Music at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. ROSALIND WHYTE is an experienced guide and lecturer at Tate Britain and Tate Modern. She is also a docent at the Royal Academy, a regular lecturer at Dulwich Picture Gallery and to various independent art societies throughout the United Kingdom and abroad. She has represented the Tate as a cruise speaker, and has lectured independently on Baltic cruises and leads art appreciation holidays to various British locations. She has a BA and MA from Goldsmith’s College and an MA from Birkbeck College. Additional speakers will be added in due course and information will be available on our website at www.swanhellenic.com Please note that Guest Speakers accompanying each cruise may change without notice. Final information on your guest speakers will be received on board.
ROBERT POWELL Extensive theatre credits include repertory seasons in Stoke, Scarborough and Bolton. He has worked in the West End, with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Tom
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VOICES OF EXPERIENCE
Our renowned Guest Speakers - Europe
Jeremy Paterson - Historian
PROFESSOR CHRISTOPHER ANDREW is Emeritus Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at Cambridge University, Honorary Professor at Queen’s University Belfast, former Visiting Professor at Harvard, Toronto and Canberra, former MI5 Official Historian and Honorary Air Commodore. His books include international best-sellers on the role and influence of secret intelligence in Russia and Britain.
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GRAHAM ARCHER CMG is a former British High Commissioner in Malta. As a diplomat he specialised in international relations and conflict resolution, and he has travelled widely in Europe and the Mediterranean. He is a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George and a Knight of the Venerable Order of St John. Since retirement from the Diplomatic Service he has been a regular lecturer on current affairs, he has been a Deputy Chairman of the South East Region of the National Trust and is currently a council member of the Royal Overseas League.
DR COLLEEN BATEY is Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Glasgow with extensive experience of excavation and publication in the arena of Viking and Late Norse Culture © Historic Scotland of the North Atlantic and Scotland. She has travelled widely in the British Isles, Scandinavia and North America as a Guest Lecturer and over the past 13 years has also worked as an Expedition Team member in the Arctic, Baltic and Black Sea regions.
PROFESSOR IAN BECKETT FRHistS is Professor of Military History at the University of Kent. Previously he has held chairs in both Britain and the United States. He is Chairman of the Council of the Army Records Society and Secretary of the Buckinghamshire Military Museum Trust. He is internationally known for his work on the First World War, and on the history of the British Army.
DR PETER CATTERMOLE is a former university lecturer in planetary geology and volcanology and worked for many years as a Principal Investigator with NASA on the volcanoes of Mars. Now a freelance writer and lecturer he continues to travel widely, explaining modern geological ideas. With a life-long interest in astronomy, he appeared regularly on BBC TV’s Sky at Night programme.
DR ANN BIRCHALL FSA is an archaeologist of international repute specialising in the history, art and archaeology of the Mediterranean. She was Assistant Keeper, Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum. She has been involved in excavations both in the UK and abroad. She is an author and broadcaster on both radio and TV and presented an award-winning two-part BBC TV documentary on her excavations of one of Nelson’s ships, HMS Colossus.
SIR RICHARD DALES KCVO CMG is a former Ambassador to Norway and High Commissioner in Zimbabwe. He retired in 2002 after 38 years in the Diplomatic Service where most of his postings were to either Africa or Scandinavia, including two spells in Denmark. Since retirement, he has been Chairman of the Anglo-Norse Society and a member of the Governing Council of the University of East Anglia and was Chairman of International Alert from 2006 to 2010.
PROFESSOR JEREMY BLACK MBE studied at Queens’ College Cambridge, St John’s College Oxford, and Merton College Oxford before joining the University of Durham as a lecturer in 1980. There he gained his PhD and ultimately his professorship in 1994. He joined Exeter University as Established Chair in History in 1996, specialising in post-1500 military history, 18th-century British history, international relations, cartographic and newspaper history. A renowned expert on the history of war, he has written more than 100 books.
CANON ANDREW EVANS is an honorary Canon of Bristol Cathedral and currently the Team Rector of Bridport in Dorset. He is also a Chaplain for the Royal British Legion and the Royal Naval Association. Before becoming a parish priest Andrew taught for 17 years and was a Deputy Head Teacher. A contemporary historian by training, Andrew is particularly interested in the history of the Royal Navy during the 18th to 20th centuries.
ANDY BUNTEN is an obsessive enthusiast about wildlife, who obtained degrees in Zoology and Environmental Technology at Newcastle and Imperial College, before embarking on a career in nature conservation. He has worked for local government, wildlife trusts and, for 26 years, the RSPB. He was RSPB’s Regional Director for the South East of England for five years before, in 1991, moving to the North of England to take up the reins of Director there. Now a Consultant, Andy is an enthusiastic traveller who has led wildlife groups to numerous destinations around the world.
PROFESSOR CAROLE HILLENBRAND OBE is Honorary Professorial Fellow and former Head of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Edinburgh. In 2005 she was awarded the King Faisal International Prize in Islamic Studies – the first non-Muslim to receive this award. An author of several books and many articles on medieval Islamic history, she was awarded an OBE in the 2009 New Year’s Honours List. PROFESSOR ROBERT HILLENBRAND FBA has long-standing research interests in the clash of civilisations, especially between East and West. An Emeritus Professor of Fine Art at Edinburgh University, his publications include studies on mosques, palaces and decorative arts in Islamic Spain.
CAROLINE HOLMES is an internationally renowned garden historian, lecturer, designer and author fascinated by how people and plants have historically shaped landscapes and what we can learn from them. Caroline lectures for the Royal Horticultural Society, NADFAS, museums and galleries and is also a part-time tutor for the University of Cambridge’s ICE. She devised and designed the Humanist Renaissance gardens around Notre Dame de Calais REAR ADMIRAL JOHN LIPPIETT CB MBE had a 36-year career in the Royal Navy culminating in three jobs as Rear Admiral: Flag Officer Sea Training (1997-1999), Chief of Staff to NATO Forces and Senior British Officer in the Southern Region – based in Naples (1999-2002) – and finally Commandant of the Joint Services Command and Staff College (2002-2003). His book, War and Peas; Intimate Letters from the Falklands War, was broadcast on BBC radio to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the war. He became Chief Executive of the Mary Rose Trust in 2003. PETER MAWBY has travelled widely and is a regular and highly successful cruise ship lecturer. Peter is currently researching the environmental impact of changing patterns of agriculture on the birds of the Western Dales, working in conjunction with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the British Trust for Ornithology and the Environment Agency. He is now in great demand to speak to enthusiasts from the RSPB, Scottish Ornithologists Club and regional Wildlife Trusts. NIGEL MCGILCHRIST was a scholar at Winchester College and a First Class graduate from Oxford, and has lived and worked in the Mediterranean – Italy, Greece and Turkey – for 30 years. He is author of the 20-volume series of cultural guides to the Greek Islands, McGilchrist’s Greek Islands, and of the Blue Guide to The Aegean Islands. He lectures widely in art and archaeology at museums and institutions in Europe and the USA.
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
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VOICES OF EXPERIENCE
Nauplia, Greece THE MOST REV’D DR BARRY MORGAN has been Bishop of Llandaff since 1999 and Archbishop of Wales since 2003, having previously been Bishop of Bangor from 1993-9. He read History at London and Theology at Cambridge, having served in turn as a university lecturer, parish priest, director of ordinands, and archdeacon. He is a Fellow of six Welsh universities, a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Wales. He has published a number of articles and books, his latest being a study of the religious poetry of R S Thomas.
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JEREMY PATERSON taught ancient history for nearly 40 years at Newcastle University, where he was also Dean of Arts. He studied at Oxford and at the British School at Rome. Although primarily a social and economic historian, his research and publications range widely and include the ancient wine trade, the archaeology of the Roman Empire, early Christianity, and Cicero. He also chairs the Minimus project to introduce Latin in primary schools. He has lectured and travelled extensively in the Mediterranean region.
PROFESSOR GERVASE PHINN taught in a range of schools for 14 years before becoming an educational adviser and schools inspector. He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer, a consultant for the Open University and Honorary Fellow of St John’s College, York. He has published many articles, chapters and books and edited a wide range of poetry and short story collections. Gervase is probably best known for his best-selling autobiographical novels The Other Side of the Dale, Over Hill and Dale and Head Over Heels in the Dales. Gervase remains a natural storyteller and one of the most accomplished public speakers of any kind.
CHRISTINE SKELMERSDALE has been an enthusiastic gardener since childhood and has been Managing Director of Broadleigh Gardens, a nursery which specialises in smaller bulbs, woodland and foliage plants, for 40 years. An inspirational lecturer, she lectures widely in Britain and abroad both on gardening topics and plants in the wild. Author of Creative Gardening with Bulbs (1989), she writes articles and reviews for a number of gardening publications and published Gardeners Guide to Bulbs in July 2012. Christine was a member of the Council for the RHS for 11 years.
THE RT REVD TIM STEVENS read Classics and English at Cambridge and worked for the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office prior to ordination in 1976. He was appointed Bishop of Leicester in 1999 and retired in 2015. He was Convenor of the Bishops’ Bench in the House of Lords between 2009 and 2015 and a member of the Select Committee on Lords Reform. He is currently Chair of Common Purpose UK.
NEIL TAYLOR is a specialist in 20th century political history with particular reference to France and the former communist countries. After a career in the travel business which involved frequent tours to East Asia, he now divides his time between London and Tallinn. His most recent book is the Bradt Guide to Baltic Cities.
Additional speakers will be added in due course and information will be available on our website at www.swanhellenic.com Please note that Guest Speakers accompanying each cruise may change without notice. Final information on your Guest Speakers will be received on board.
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
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A WIDE CHOICE OF CABINS
Stylish and well-appointed balcony suites
DELUXE BALCONY SUITE, Category B – a choice of 12 These Deluxe Balcony Suites feature a deep teak deck balcony with floor-to ceiling patio doors and are 31.13m² including balcony (which measures 9.38m2). Featuring a separate sitting area with sofa, chair, table, flat screen TV, refrigerator and tea and coffee making facilities, all Deluxe Balcony Suites on the starboard side have en suite shower facilities while all those on the port side have en suites with baths. With our compliments: A welcome bottle of Champagne and mineral water on embarkation. Mini Bar: first set up is complimentary. Fruit Basket: replenished on a daily basis. Complimentary return chauffeur service within 75 miles see page 24.
M
inerva now offers 44 balcony suites – some of the most spacious and comfortable balcony suites afloat – as well as a choice of eight other categories of outside and inside cabins. All cabins are twin-bedded and if requested at the time of booking can be made into a single queen bed.
OWNER’S SUITE, Category A – Discovery or Explorer Suites – a choice of 2 unique suites These premier suites are 34.30m² in total, incorporating a private balcony measuring 7.5m2 with floor-to-ceiling patio doors, and a separate sitting area with sofa, chair, table, flat=screen TV, refrigerator and tea/coffee-making facilities. The Owner’s Suite on the starboard side has en suite shower facilities while the Owner’s Suite on the port side has en suite bath facilities. With our compliments: Champagne on embarkation: replenished free of charge on request. Bottled mineral water: replenished free of charge on request. Mini Bar: replenished as per consumption. Fruit Basket: replenished on daily basis. Canapés: served on daily basis. Complimentary return chauffeur service within 75 miles - see page 24.
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SUPERIOR BALCONY SUITE, Category C – a choice of 10
BALCONY SUITE, Category D – a choice of 20
These Superior Balcony Suites, feature a balcony with floor to ceiling patio doors. Overall cabin area of 30.70m² includes the balcony (which measures 7.5m2). Featuring a separate sitting area with sofa, chair, table, flat screen TV, refrigerator and tea and coffee making facilities, all Superior Balcony Suites on the starboard side have en suite shower facilities, while all those on the port side have en suites with baths.
These Balcony Suites, feature an expansive teak deck balcony with floorto-ceiling patio doors bringing the total size inclusive of balcony to 28m² (balcony measures 7.10m2). Featuring a separate sitting area with sofa, chair, table, flat screen TV and refrigerator, all Balcony Suites on the starboard side have en suite shower facilities, while all those on the port side have en suites with baths.
With our compliments: A welcome bottle of Champagne and bottled mineral water on embarkation. Mini Bar: first set up is complimentary. Fruit Basket: replenished on a daily basis. Complimentary return chauffeur service within 75 miles - see page 24.
With our compliments: Bottled mineral water: first set up is complimentary. Mini Bar: charged as consumed.
AEGEAN DECK CABIN OUTSIDE, Category F & G – a choice of 56 These outside cabins on Aegean Deck range from 12.1m² to 13m² in size and feature large picture windows. All Aegean Deck cabins (including inside cabins, Categories K & L) feature en suites with showers. Outside cabins on Baltic Deck, Categories H & I, are similar but have two portholes instead of picture windows. All cabins on Baltic Deck (including inside cabins, Categories M & N) feature en suites with showers. With our compliments: A welcome bottle of mineral water on embarkation.
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TRAVEL INSURANCE It is a condition of booking your cruise that you have fully comprehensive travel insurance valid from the date of deposit being made. We will require you to give us details of your travel insurance company including the policy number. You must ensure that, as a minimum, it covers cancellation for the total value of the cruise, delay or curtailment, medical charges, evacuation (form the vessel) and repatriation costs. We suggest you discuss the various policies that are available with your travel agent.
GENERAL INFORMATION
PASSENGERS WITH SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Swan Hellenic will always try to accommodate passengers with special requirements. If you or any person travelling with you suffers from any medical condition, disability or limited mobility you must contact our office for advice before any booking is confirmed. Please read clause 10 of the Booking Conditions – FITNESS TO TRAVEL ON THE CRUISE SHIP, PREGNANCY, BEHAVIOUR, DISABILITY OR REDUCED MOBILITY, MEDICAL AND MOBILITY EQUIPMENT.
HOTELS & LAND TOURS
Passengers who have never cruised before, or who have not cruised with Swan Hellenic, will no doubt have many questions to ask about the ship, our operation and many other matters. This section has been written to give you some general information about cruising with us, and we feel sure during your voyage. Please note that instructions contained in this section form part of our Booking Conditions. Our aim is your complete enjoyment of the cruise and our staff, together with the ship’s crew, will do all that they can to ensure this. The information given here is correct at the time of printing (May 2015), but is subject to change without notice.
BEFORE YOU GO RESERVATIONS & PAYMENTS
A deposit of AU$750 per person or 10% of your total holiday cost whichever is greater (or full payment for bookings taken within 119 days of departure) and a completed booking form are required to secure your reservation and must be received within 7 days of booking. The balance is due from your travel agent no later than 119 days prior to your sailing.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Flights; meals other than onboard your cruise (aboard Minerva); beverages (beer, wine, spirits, sodas) travel insurance; optional shore excursions; items of a personal nature; passport costs or visa fees; vaccinations (if required); transfers; pre- and/or post cruise hotel accommodation and porterage.
BOOKINGS
Bookings in Australia and New Zealand may be made through your preferred travel agent.
PASSPORTS & VISAS Swan Hellenic requires a valid passport with spare pages, valid for at least six months after the date of return for all Australian/New Zealand citizens. Depending on your cruise itinerary and countries visited, you may need to purchase and obtain required visas prior to departure from your home country. Full information on visas for your cruise for Australia/New Zealand passport holders will be sent to you approximately 16 weeks before departure. In some countries group visas may also be obtained by Swan Hellenic, however, Swan Hellenic may not always be able to obtain group visas for non UK passport holders. In some countries group visas are
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restricted to allow passengers to participate in shore excursions organised by Swan Hellenic only. If you wish to explore independently in these countries it will be necessary for you to obtain and purchase an individual visa prior to the cruise departure. This information is subject to change and it may be necessary for other visas to be obtained and purchased. Other nationalities should consult their travel agent/ embassy regarding visa/entry requirements. Please check with your travel agent, applicable consulate or embassy, or Swan Hellenic before travelling to make sure your documentation is in order. Some countries place restrictions on certain nationalities obtaining group or individual visas. In such ports you will not be permitted to disembark. All the information stated is correct at the time of printing, May 2015, and is subject to change. Swan Hellenic will endeavour to inform passengers of any mandatory requirements and changes in the pre cruise documentation which is sent approximately 8 weeks prior to the cruise departure. Please note that it is the responsibility of each passenger to check with the various embassies or consulates involved in their particular cruise, to ensure that they have the necessary visas and correct documentation to enter all the countries visited. Any passengers arriving at the departure port/ airport without a passport, correct visas (if required) or correct documentation will be refused permission to board the ship/aircraft. Failure in this respect is not covered by insurance and no refund can be made.
CHILDREN There are no recreational facilities for children aboard Minerva and reservations for children are not advised.
Pre- and or post-cruise hotel and land packages are available with selected cruises. For all the available options, please contact us for all the latest information. The company reserves the right to assign your hotel based on pre-reserved space at hotels contracted. Hotel rooms are not usually available until approximately 3.00pm on the day of arrival. Certain land packages and excursions will not operate if minimum numbers are not met and others may have a maximum capacity. The sequence of escorted land tours may vary from the brochure. If, for any reason, a hotel or entertainment feature is cancelled or otherwise unavailable, the company reserves the right to cancel, make substitutions or omissions and is under no obligation, except that in the event of cancellation you will receive a full refund of any payments received for that service. Please note that the terms for cancellation by the passenger of any pre-booked land stays and excursions are as per our general cancellation terms, as detailed in our Booking Conditions.
SHORE EXCURSIONS Shore excursions are included in your cruise fare in every port of call, where available. Please note that the company reserves the right to amend, cancel or substitute an included shore excursion and in these circumstances is under no obligation to make a refund. Additional optional excursions, including some as mentioned in the brochure, may be available at supplementary cost. The excursions programme outlined in the brochure may be subject to change. The full Shore Excursion programme and Booking Form will be sent approximately 8 weeks prior to departure. All excursions should be pre-booked although it is possible to book on board (subject to availability). Please note it is not possible to credit the non-use of an included shore excursion in any way. The value of shore excursions, up to £650 per person, is based on a typical 15-day cruise with a combination of full and half day excursions in the major ports visited including entrance fees and guides.
ONLINE SERVICES – ALREADY BOOKED Our website au.swanhellenic.com features an Already Booked section. Here you will be able to find useful information such as Frequently Asked Questions, Your Cruise Book (available 8 weeks prior to departure) and Partner Services. You can also update your Mandatory Passenger Information online.
JOINING YOUR CRUISE Portsmouth For cruises departing from and/or returning to Portsmouth there will be complimentary return coach transfers from London Victoria coach station and Southampton Airport. Pre-booking is required to participate in these transfer services. Embarkation will generally begin three hours before the ship is due to sail.
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS The Company will have no responsibility, financial or otherwise, in regard to air, hotel, transport or any other arrangements made by passengers with third parties. Passengers should ensure that any such arrangements are transferable and refundable and covered by their travel insurance, in the event of delay, amendment or cancellation of any of these independent arrangements, or of your cruise. Information regarding embarkation and disembarkation times as well as access to the port will be given in your Pre Cruise documentation. Passengers on a cruise only package must make their own arrangements to transfer from the airport to the ship and vice versa. This is also applicable to passengers booked on a pre or post tour whereby passengers must make their own arrangements to transfer from the hotel to the airport and vice versa.
ON BOARD CURRENCY AND PAYMENTS On board Minerva all prices are in £ Sterling. As there are limited foreign exchange facilities on board, we would recommend that you purchase any currency requirements you expect to need before you travel. There is little opportunity to visit banks whilst on excursions. For purchases ashore, many shops accept most Travellers’ Cheques and major Credit Cards. A cashless system operates on board with passengers settling accounts at the end of the cruise. Payment methods – Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards (2%-3.5% surcharge dependent on card used), Visa debit cards only, Travellers Cheques and cash are accepted for payment of shipboard accounts. Personal cheques and Mastercard debit cards are not accepted.
ON BOARD BAR CREDIT Where on board credit has been allocated, please note that this is for the use of non alcoholic or alcoholic drinks only purchased in the Minerva bars and restaurants. On board bar credit is non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
HEALTH, VACCINATIONS & MEDICAL INFORMATION As health regulations are ever changing, we recommend that you consult your GP a or travel clinic t least 12 weeks before your intended departure to check the latest requirements for the countries you will be visiting and take a copy of your itinerary and personal travel plans for review with your practitioner. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully protected with the appropriate vaccination certificate(s) for your cruise. Vaccination requirements are subject to change without notice. Any passenger arriving at the airport/port without the correct vaccination or exemption certificate (s) will be refused permission to board the ship. No passenger refund is applicable. Depending on the itinerary, passengers should consult their GP regarding the possibility of taking a course of anti-malarial tablets prior to their departure. Conditions of entry to each port vary according to the conditions set by each country and port authority and may differ to the advice given by the World Health Organisation and doctors. We have to abide by the latest information given to
us by the port authorities that allow the ship entry to the port of call. In certain countries, Yellow Fever inoculations are mandatory for each passenger whether or not you intend to proceed ashore. You will be required to obtain and carry an original Yellow Fever certificate stamped by an authorised Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre. The certificate itself is valid from 10 days after vaccination for a period of ten years. If you are excused on medical grounds you will be required to obtain and carry an original Yellow Fever (charges apply) Exemption Certificate stamped by an authorised Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre. Certificates will be inspected upon embarkation. You will not be able to travel or embark the ship without a valid certificate as stated. Regulations requiring mandatory Yellow Fever Vaccinations and certificates are laid down by the local Port and Health Authorities, and the vessel will be unable to obtain entrance to certain ports if the correct paperwork, as stated above, is not available. This requirement may differ from the advice given by the World Health Organisation and your local doctor. Other countries recommend that precautions are taken against Malaria and other diseases. You should seek advice with regard to your personal itinerary, including pre/post voyage travel, as Malaria advice and/or prophylaxis may be recommended. Health advice varies from time to time depending on the situation of the country you are visiting. Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all passengers. If you do not normally enjoy good health, you should consult your doctor regarding the advisability of taking a cruise and being away from the usual medical and hospital facilities. Your insurance company must be advised of any pre-existing conditions at the time of booking and of any conditions arising subsequently prior to departure, otherwise your insurance may be invalid and you will be responsible for any costs arising from medical treatment or repatriation. We ask you to advise us at the time of booking of any disability or illness so that we can advise our onboard medical team.
MEDICAL ATTENTION We hope you will find it unnecessary to use the ship’s medical facilities during your voyage. If, however, the occasion does arise, it is comforting to know that we do carry a fully qualified doctor and nurses. The doctor or nurse will make a charge for their services as well as requiring payment for any medicines or drugs needed. Such charges are normally reclaimable under your travel insurance, less any excess, however, you should check your travel insurance product inclusions and exclusions. In the unlikely event that you require urgent medical attention ashore, we will assist by contacting your insurer who will make the necessary arrangements for your treatment and repatriation.
BARS & ALCOHOL Please note that bars may have to be closed for the sale of alcohol and cigarettes in certain waters. Only alcohol purchased in the ship’s bars and restaurants may be consumed on Minerva
DINING ARRANGEMENTS Breakfast, lunch and dinner are arranged on an open sitting basis and may be taken in the Swan Restaurant or the Veranda. Opening times will vary according to the daily programme.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS Our onboard telecommunications systems mean that you are never more than a telephone call away from your home or office. All cabins feature directdial telephones, whilst fax facilities are available at Reception. The Internet Lounge, situated on Bridge Deck, allows you to access your email account (please note certain types of access, including Skype and other VOIP protocols are blocked due to bandwidth restrictions). This also applies to Apple and MS programmes, such as iCloud. com which, because of band width restrictions, are also unavailable on board. Internet cards are available for purchase on board. WiFi is available for use on personal laptops in certain areas. Satellite coverage cannot be guaranteed. Kindle users; please note
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travel outside the EU, controls on data protection may not be as strong as the legal requirements in your country of residence. We will only pass your information on to persons responsible for your travel arrangements. This applies to any sensitive information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities or dietary/religious requirements. (If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers, whether in the EU or not, we will be unable to accept your booking). In making your booking you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons. Full details of our data protection policy are available upon request.
CHANGES TO YOUR CRUISE & ITINERARY
that you will not be able to access the mailbox, on your device, via the onboard WiFi system. Please use the terminals in the Internet Lounge.
including in cabins and on excursion coaches, is strictly prohibited.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
After embarkation and prior to Minerva setting sail there will be a full emergency muster station drill. This exercise is to give all passengers precise information on the correct route from their cabins to the places where they should muster in an emergency, together with instructions about life jackets and emergency procedures. This Muster Drill is a requirement of law and all passengers must attend.
Cabins and suites feature 220 volt current. The use of hair dryers, electric rollers, curling irons, electric shavers and other small appliances should be checked with Reception, but, for safety reasons, the use of travel irons and any personal tea/coffee making equipment is strictly prohibited. Each cabin is equipped with a hairdryer.
LAUNDRY & PRESSING
EMERGENCY MUSTER DRILL
Valet service is available for laundry and pressing. A laundry bag and order form are provided in your cabin wardrobe. Some passengers may wish to make use of the self-service launderette on Aegean Deck – washing powder is provided. Dry cleaning is not available on board.
NOISE
WHAT TO WEAR
PORTHOLES
As a general rule, for days on board and ashore, summer clothing/casual wear is the order of the day. It should be light, comfortable and easy to care for. A sweater and jacket for cooler evenings and a light raincoat are also advisable. On cruises to northern latitudes, warmer, layered, windproof clothing will be necessary. On more southerly cruises the weather will usually be suitable for sunbathing, so don’t forget your wrap, bathing suit, sunglasses, sunhat and sunscreen. For trips ashore and for getting into and out of the ship’s tenders, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes are a must. You may also want to bring with you a camera, extra binoculars, an umbrella, sunscreen and insect repellent. In certain countries, shorts, short skirts, bare arms and shoulders will not be appreciated locally and you may be prohibited entry to certain sites. Please refer to the notes section in the Cruise Book for each excursion. During the day, the general atmosphere on board is informal and casual clothing, including shorts, is perfectly acceptable. However, just as at a land based resort, we ask you to cover swimwear when entering the ship from the open decks. In the evening, the dress code varies according to your chosen restaurant. The Veranda is smart casual; for ladies that means dresses or blouses with skirts or trousers and, for gentlemen, long trousers and shirts with collars. In the Swan Restaurant gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie. As a courtesy to other passengers, the dress code will be observed; please ensure you are correctly dressed to avoid any embarrassment on entering the Swan Restaurant for dinner in the evening. On formal nights (approximately two in a 15 day cruise), gentlemen are invited to wear black tie or dark suits and ladies to wear evening gowns or cocktail dresses.
In rough weather or for operational and security reasons, port hole covers (known as deadlights) may need to be closed. Cabins with port holes are located on Baltic Deck. On cruises where the vessel sails through the Red and Arabian Seas, the vessel is subject to the requirements of the International Maritime Organisation for anti-piracy. The requirements are designed to protect the ship from the potential risk of attack, which includes the rigging of razor-wire and the closing of the cabin deadlights. The captain is required to comply with these requirements, which vary day to day dependent upon the reported level of risk.
SMOKING Smoking is only permitted in designated areas on the open decks. Smoking outside these areas,
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There are all kinds of noise associated with a working vessel when the ship is in motion. We recognise that tolerance levels vary so please contact the Reservations Department if you require further information before you book
GENERAL SPECIAL REQUESTS We are unable to accept ‘conditional bookings’. Please advise any special requests clearly at the time of booking and we will do our best to comply with your wishes. We must point out that failure to fulfil a special request cannot be considered a breach of Contract on the part of the company.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS We particularly ask you to tell us in writing of any alterations to your address before departure, and in any communication, please state the cruise on which you are travelling
The information in this brochure outlines details of our carefully planned programme. Should any subsequent events cause us to change our plans or affect the published itinerary in any way, we will let passengers know as soon as possible. Disembarkation at anchorage ports are subject to local weather and sea state conditions. However, in the event of war or threat of war, political unrest, terrorist activity, piracy, natural or nuclear disaster, we maintain the unreserved right to cancel, postpone or alter without prior consultation, any itinerary in whole or in part, in order to safeguard passengers, the ship and employees. See Booking Conditions on pages 64-67.
GUEST SPEAKERS/SPECIALIST ENTERTAINMENT
If any of our confirmed Guest Speakers or specialist entertainers are unable to travel on their allotted cruise, Swan Hellenic reserves the right to engage alternative Guest Speakers, specialist entertainers or to alter the advertised programme.
OVERSEAS STANDARDS
It is a fact of life that when we travel to different countries, we often find that the customs, traditions and general pace at which things are done can be very different from what we are used to in Australia/New Zealand. In so far as standards of safety are concerned, the suppliers of services must comply with the rules and regulations of their own country and these are not always as strict as they are in Australia/New Zealand. Every care is taken to contract the best available transport. However, standards can vary and not all vehicles will have air conditioning or seat belts.
DANGEROUS GOODS We direct your attention to the fact that it is an offence to carry on board an aircraft or a ship any goods of a dangerous or damaging nature. Remember that petrol and other lighter fluids, including fluids for hair curlers, come under the terms of the Explosives Act; their inclusion in baggage is strictly prohibited.
BROCHURE ACCURACY The information contained in this brochure is checked for accuracy by our UK staff, our overseas staff and our agents. Nevertheless, we would ask you to bear in mind that things can change and often these things can happen without our prior knowledge. However, should we become aware of any long term or permanent change which is considered to have a permanent effect upon your enjoyment of the cruise we will do our utmost to advise you.
DATA PROTECTION Please be assured that we have methods in place to protect the personal booking information held by us. This information will be passed on to the principal and to the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements. The information may also be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law. Certain information may also be passed on to security or credit checking companies. If you
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BOOKING CONDITIONS 1 THE CONTRACT
1.1 The contract is between All Leisure Holidays Limited trading as “Swan Hellenic” (‘The Company’) and each person booking with the Company (including the parents or guardian of any person under 18 years of age) (“the Passengers”). Please note that information contained in the section headed “General Information” in our brochure or in these or any other comparable sections, and any other relevant information on our website also form part of your contract with the Company. 1.2 The Lead Passenger warrants as a fundamental term of the contract that he/she has read and agrees to these terms and conditions and has the authority by each Passenger named on the confirmation invoice to be bound by them. Furthermore that he/ she is authorised by each passenger named on the confirmation invoice (and, where such passenger is under 18 years of age, by his/ her parents or guardian) to enter into a contract with the Company on their behalf. Unless otherwise indicated, the Lead Passenger warrants that the Passenger information given may be used by the Company or its partners for future marketing purposes. 1.3 A binding contract comes in to place when you pay the full deposit (or where appropriate the full price) and a confirmation invoice is issued even if the Company is unable to confirm all holiday details (e.g. flights) at the time of booking. A confirmation invoice will be sent to the Lead Passenger. If you pay by credit card, a fee will be charged to your tour price. Fees differ by card type. Please contact us to obtain the applicable surcharge fee for your card type. 1.4 All details on the confirmation invoice (and on any additional documents produced by the Company) will be deemed to have been accepted unless the Company receives notification to the contrary, in writing, from the Lead Passenger immediately that the confirmation invoice is received. If you have not received your confirmation invoice within 7 days of booking your cruise please contact us immediately. If any errors are not immediately identified and reported, any cost of rectifying the same at a subsequent date must be met by the Passenger. Please note that Passengers not following these instructions will be fully liable for any costs that may subsequently be incurred in rectifying errors at a later date. v All invoices and vouchers must be checked by Passengers and the Company must be notified of any errors immediately. 1.5 It is expressly agreed that all Passengers and their luggage are carried subject to the Conditions of Carriage of the airlines and shipping company used, some of which limit or exclude liability. Any compensation payable by the Company for non-performance or improper performance of land, sea and air carriage services shall be limited in accordance with the international conventions which govern such services by the carrier. See paragraphs 12 and 13. 1.6 For bookings made through an approved Travel Agent, the Agent holds any monies paid on behalf of the customer for the Company. 1.7 The Company reserves the right to cancel bookings and levy cancellation charges on the scale in section 8 below if balance payments are not received in full 119 days before departure. Travel insurance (where purchased through us or directly with a third party) does not form part of your contract with the Company or of any “package”. 1.8 The contract and all other proceedings arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by English law and the jurisdiction of the English courts. If and in so far as a claim against the Company is governed EU Regulation 392/2009 relating to the Liability of carriers of passengers by sea in the event of accidents (or the Passenger Liability Regulation (EU 392/2009) or in respect of non-international carriage by the Athens Convention 1974 or 2002 and or in the case of river cruises. The Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1996 (LLMC 96) as amended by SI 1998/1258 in the Court competent to hear such claims.
2 THE BOOKING PROCESS
2.1 A non-refundable deposit of AU$1,000 or 10% of the total fare due, whichever is greater (or full payment for bookings taken within 119 days of departure) is due upon booking. A higher Deposit amount may be payable if any supplier(s) require additional payments for a service prior to the balance due date. Payment of a Deposit means acceptance of these Booking Terms & Conditions. The Company takes no responsibility for credit card or foreign currency transaction processing fees levied by issuing banks. 2.2 If the Deposit and/or balance are not paid on time, the Company reserves the right to cancel the contract and apply any cancellation charges set out in section 8. 2.3 Passengers must be fit to travel. Any passengers with reduced mobility or with other physical or mental disabilities or conditions which may require special treatment or assistance (including Passengers who may require the use of a wheelchair) must advise the Company prior to booking. They may be required to complete a questionnaire and provide medical evidence of fitness to travel at the time of booking and upon receipt of which they may be asked to accept additional Booking Terms & Conditions before a confirmation invoice is issued and a contract entered into. See paragraph 10. 2.4 The Company may (at its discretion) offer Passengers at the time of booking a guaranteed cabin booking (a “Guarantee Cabin”). Under such offers a Passenger is guaranteed to receive a cabin of a specified type although the precise location of the cabin is at the Company’s discretion. The Company may (at its discretion) upgrade a Guarantee Cabin to a higher category cabin at no additional cost to the Passenger. The Company may allocate specific cabins under guarantee offers at any time up until the Passenger arrives on the vessel at the port of embarkation. Once Guarantee Cabins have been allocated, the Company is unable to accept Passenger change requests. If Passengers book one or more back-to-back cruises and one or more cruise includes Guarantee Cabins, it is possible that Passengers may be allocated different cabins on each cruise and may need to move between cabins on changeover day(s).
3 PRICE PROMISE & PRICE CHANGES
3.1 The Company reserves the right to alter the published prices of any of the cruise holidays. Prices can go up or down. Passengers will be advised of the current price of the holiday that they wish to book before any contract is confirmed. 3.2 The Company guarantees that no surcharge will be added to the basic price of the Passenger’s cruise holiday once the booking has been confirmed irrespective of any subsequent fluctuation in currency exchange rates or increases in international air fares or other costs associated with the holiday. In return for this guarantee and its risk, the Company shall not be able to make any refunds in the event of favourable exchange rate variations or other decreases in costs that may result in the reduction of the selling price. This price promise only applies to the basic cost of the Passenger’s cruise holiday and does not apply to any optional or tailor made services including but
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not limited to insurance premiums, credit card charges, optional excursions or amendment fees. 3.3 The Company reserves the right to correct any errors in the brochures or on the websites at any time prior to the price being confirmed at the time of booking. 3.4 On very rare occasions the Company may have made a genuine mistake in the price quoted and subsequently confirmed to the Passenger for their cruise holiday. This may come to light at any point prior to departure and the Company are not obliged to honour the original price if a genuine mistake has been made in the pricing of a Passenger’s cruise holiday. The Passenger will be asked to meet any additional costs if they wish to go ahead with the holiday. However, should the Passenger not wish to meet these additional costs, the holiday will be cancelled and the Passenger will receive a full refund. 3.5 All outstanding balances on on-board accounts must be settled in full before the Passenger disembarks the vessel. If any Passenger fails to settle their on-board account then the Company shall be entitled to take whatever steps may be necessary to recover the monies due and shall be entitled to pass on to the Passenger any costs incurred in doing so. 3.6 Passengers must be aware that the holiday price quoted may include different points of departure and return from/to the UK. In such cases there may be additional costs associated with transfer between the two places not included in the holiday price that will be passed on to the Passenger. 3.7 The Company may decide, at any time, to advertise Saver Fares on selected cruises or cabin grades. These are subject to availability and the Passenger’s cabin number will not be allocated at the time of booking. Saver Fares per person and per couple are payable in full at the time of booking, 100% cancellation and amendment fees apply and cabin category, location and number will not be confirmed at the time of booking but allocated prior to departure. Fares are based on two people sharing one cabin. Saver Fares and Saver Fares per Couple exclude the complimentary chauffeur service to the port/ airport, car parking at the port, past passenger discount, back to back discount and coach transfer on all cruises. Loyalty discount of 5% cannot be applied to Saver Fares.
5 TRAVEL INSURANCE
4 OUR RESPONSIBILITY AND SHORE EXCURSIONS
4.1 Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we regret that the Company cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss as a result of Force Majeure. In this Contract, “Force Majeure” includes any event which the Company or any supplier of the service(s) in question could not even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include (whether actual or threatened) war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, technical problems with transport, closure of airports, ports or airspace, changes of schedules by airlines, adverse weather conditions, epidemics, health risks and pandemics, fire, closed or congested airports or ports and all similar events outside the control of the Company and our suppliers. 4.2 The Company is not responsible for any improper or nonperformance of any services of the package holiday which are wholly attributable to the fault of the Passenger, the unforeseeable or unavoidable act or omission of a third party unconnected with the provision of any of the services to be provided under the Contract; unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of the Company and/or the relevant supplier, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised including (but not limited to) an event of Force Majeure; or any event which the Company and / or relevant suppliers could not even with all due care have foreseen or forestalled. In the event that the Company is responsible for any death, injury or illness caused by the negligent acts and / or omissions of its suppliers of services which form part of the Package then the Company limits its liability, where applicable, by the International Conventions. 4.3 Where death and or personal injury and or loss of or damage to property occurs during carriage by air or by sea then the liability and the extent of damages recoverable will be dealt with by their conditions of carriage and the International Conventions set out in paragraphs 12 and 13 and not otherwise. 4.4 Where there is any loss of or damage to property including luggage which is not covered by any International Convention and where liability is not limited by reference to any enactment, terms or conditions, then any legal liability that the Company may have for any such losses or damage will not exceed £500 per Passenger. 4.5 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Contract, the Company shall not in any circumstances be liable to the Passenger for any loss or anticipated loss of profit, loss of revenue, loss of use, loss of contract or other opportunity nor for any other consequential or indirect loss or damage of a similar nature.
5.1 It is a condition of booking that each Passenger has adequate travel insurance in force from the time of deposit being made for the entire duration of the holiday. We suggest you discuss with your travel agent the various travel insurance policies that are available. Policies can be purchased that provide full protection in the event of a trip cancellation, interruption, curtailment, personal illness, injury, medical and hospital fees, evacuation (from the vessel) and repatriation costs or damage to property. Confirmed details of your travel insurance must be provided to the Company at the time of booking, but no later than six months prior to the date of departure or at the time of booking if bookings are made within six months of the date of departure. 5.2 The Company is not responsible for checking that Passengers have the correct level of insurance and will not be liable for any costs, howsoever arising, in excess of any travel insurance cover purchased. In particular Passengers should check that their insurance arrangements cover all likely scenarios should they have to cancel their cruise and for any pre-existing medical conditions.
6 PASSPORTS & VISAS
6.1 It is the responsibility of all Passengers to check and fulfil the passport, visa, and immigration requirements applicable to their itinerary. Passengers must check passport and visa requirements for their own specific circumstances with the relevant Embassies or Consulates as applicable. 6.2 Passengers must understand that passport, visa and immigration requirements do change. Passengers are responsible for checking the up to date position in good time before departure. 6.3 The Company requires a valid passport with spare pages valid for at least six months after the date of return for all Australian/ New Zealand citizens. Passengers, must check passport and visa requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of the country (ies) to or through which they intend to travel. 6.4 All Passengers must ensure that they have the correct travel documents in their possession before departure. Passengers may incur fines if they fail to comply with documentation or visa requirements. The Company will re-charge to the Passenger any such fines that have been paid by the Company on the Passenger’s behalf. 6.5 The Company does not accept any responsibility for Passengers who are denied disembarkation or are unable to travel, or who incur any other loss because they fail to comply with any passport, visa, or immigration requirements. Cancellation of any part of the holiday that arises due to problems with visa/ passport, or immigration requirements will be subject to cancellation charges set out in section 8.
7 CHANGES TO BOOKING DETAILS BY PASSENGERS
Shore Excursions
4.6 Where the Company provides or sells a shore excursion to the Passenger the Passenger shall be bound by the terms and conditions of the supplier of the shore excursion supplier. 4.7 The Company does not perform shore excursions which it sells to Passengers. These are performed by local operators who may themselves engage the services of third party suppliers. The Company will at all times endeavour to appoint reputable and competent operators who comply with all prevailing local rules, regulations and standards. It should be noted that, outside Australia and New Zealand, standards of hygiene, accommodation and transport might differ from comparable standards inAustralia and New Zealand. 4.8 Local laws and regulations of the relevant country will be applied to assess the performance of suppliers and the Company. The Company’s legal obligations will have been performed if the supplier has complied with local laws and regulations even if the laws of England have not been met. 4. 9 In the event of an excursion being cancelled, the Company will take all reasonable steps to ensure that Passengers are offered a choice of an alternative excursion and/or a full refund in the case of optional excursions. 4. 10 Passengers cancelling optional excursions or packages prior to departure which include hotel accommodation or flights will be refunded in accordance with the schedule set out in clause 8.1. Passengers cancelling optional excursions or packages after departure will not be entitled to a refund. If in such cases the cancellation is due to ill health a supporting letter from the ship’s Doctor (charges may apply) may enable Passengers to make a claim on their Travel Insurance Policy. Any Passenger that fails to
attend an excursion for whatever reason will be deemed to have cancelled. 4. 11 Passengers wishing to change optional excursions that do not include hotel accommodation or flights will be allowed to do so on presentation of the appropriate ticket(s) at the shore excursion desk during the advertised opening hours and at least 72 hours prior to the ship’s arrival in the excursion port. Any amended booking will be treated as a new booking and the price charged (if applicable) will be set at the prevailing on board price which may be higher than the original brochure price for the same excursion Any excursions that are cancelled by the Company will have their balance credited to the Passenger’s on board account. 4. 12 Any changes to optional excursion arrangements requested by Passengers less than 72 hours prior to the ship’s arrival in the excursion port will only be allowed subject to availability and the terms and conditions of the excursion operator and full cancellation charges may apply if the requested change cannot be accommodated. All other conditions are as (4.6) above. 4. 13 The Company is not responsible for the performance of and has no liability for shore excursions which are not sold by the Company. Passengers are advised to take great care in purchasing shore excursions from third parties in the ports to ensure they are safe and are covered by insurance. 4.14 Details of the shore excursions will be sent to Passengers in “Your Cruise Book” prior to departure. Activity levels are detailed to help Passengers select excursions appropriate to their physical ability. The Passenger should consider the activity level of the excursion and the accessibility of the port, which may require the use of tenders. In the interest of the Passengers health and safety and that of our sdtaff and other Passengers the Company reserves the right to decline the Passenger from participating in an excursion of it is deemed unsuitable. This decision will be made by the ship’s Captain or his representative and is binding.
7.1 The Company will do its utmost to ensure that amendments requested by Passengers are accommodated, but the Company makes no guarantee that these requests will be met. Any change request must be made by the Lead Passenger and the Company reserves the right to pass on the costs of making any such changes. Passengers must be aware that charges associated with amendments are likely to increase nearer to the date of departure. 7.2 Additional passengers or cruises may be added to a booking at any time subject to availability. In each case a deposit (or full payment, as relevant) per additional Passenger will be required by the Company and all other booking conditions must be met before the new contract exists. 7.3 Requests for significant amendments to booking details (e.g. change of sail date) received before the balance due date will be treated as a new booking. At the Company’s sole discretion, the original booking will either be deemed cancelled (and be subject to the cancellation charges set out in section 8), or will be deemed amended (and be subject to an Amendment fee of AU$250 per Passenger). A maximum of one change of sail date per booking will be considered for an Amendment fee of AU$250 per Passenger as long as the change to the sail date is requested at least 119 days before the booked departure date. Any deposit paid, discount applied or promotion applicable to a booking that is cancelled or amended will only be transferred to a new booking at the Company’s discretion. Any offers currently available on the cruise that the Passenger wishes to transfer their booking to will also only be applied at the Company’s discretion. 7.4 For amendments to booking details received before the balance due date (e.g. passenger name changes) an administration charge of AU$125per Passenger affected will be charged. If name changes are required to scheduled flight details, the charge may be significantly more than $125 per Passenger and will be quoted
on request. Passengers should also be aware that airlines may not allow transfer of Passenger names and in such cases a flight booking might need to be cancelled and rebooked, subject to availability, and at the Passenger’s expense. 7.5 After an amendment is applied a new confirmation invoice will be issued at which point the contract will be deemed to be amended accordingly.
8 CANCELLATION BY A PASSENGER
8.1 A Passenger may cancel a booking at any time.
Cancellation will take effect when the Company has received written notice of cancellation signed by the Lead Passenger. Cancellation Period before departure within which the Company receives notice
Cancellation charge per Passenger
After payment of deposit
Loss of deposit
112 to 60 days before departure
60% of holiday charge*
59 to 29 days before departure
90% of holiday charge*
28 days or less before departure to departure date
100% of holiday charge*
10 FITNESS TO TRAVEL ON THE CRUISE SHIP, PREGNANCY, BEHAVIOUR, DISABILITY OR REDUCED MOBILITY, MEDICAL AND MOBILITY EQUIPMENT
charges payable to the Company are: Cancellation and/or amendment fees charged by your travel agent and/or associated supplier are not included and may be additional to Swan Hellenic’s fees as outlined above. 8.2 The Company may incur costs from the time a Passenger’s booking is confirmed and may be unable to resell a cruise holiday. Therefore, the above cancellation charges will be payable depending on when notification of cancellation is received from the Lead Passenger. Charges for optional services including, but not limited to insurance premiums, credit card charges, pre-booked optional excursions and amendment fees are not refundable in the event of cancellation. 8.3 If the Passenger has paid an additional charge to secure specific tailor made services such as a change of airline or date of travel or to secure a special airfare or upgrade, this cost is non-refundable in the event of cancellation as 100% cancellation fee may apply as soon as the booking is made and the ticket is issued. Passengers should ask for full details of cancellation charges at the time of booking but the scale of charges shown will be calculated on a % of the cost of all other arrangements and the non-refundable charges will be added to that cancellation charge to give the total charge. 8.4 A Passenger will not have a right to exclusive occupancy of a cabin with two or more berths unless any applicable single occupancy premium has been paid. In the event of a Passenger becoming a single occupant of such a cabin due to a cancellation, he/ she will become liable to pay any applicable single occupancy premium.
9 CANCELLATION OR ALTERATION BY THE COMPANY
other navigable waterways. 9.13 In respect of cruise travel where the port of embarkation is in the EU and the Company reasonably expects the departure of a cruise to be delayed for more than 90 minutes beyond its scheduled departure time, Passengers departing from port terminal shall be offered free of charge snacks, meals or refreshments as are appropriate given the waiting time, provided they are available and can reasonably be supplied. If the delay in departure necessitates a stay of one or more nights or a stay additional to that intended by the passenger where and when physically possible the Company shall, subject to the Package Travel Regulations 1992, offer Passengers departing from port terminals free of charge adequate accommodation on board or ashore, and transport to and from the port terminal and place of accommodation in addition to the snacks, meals and refreshments previously referred to. The maximum amount that the company will pay for accommodation ashore and transport to and from the port terminal shall be equivalent to 80 Euros per person per night for a maximum of three nights. The company will not have an obligation to provide such accommodation ashore where the delay is caused by weather conditions endangering the operation of the ship.
9.1 The Company reserves the right at its sole and absolute discretion at any time to cancel, postpone or alter without prior notice or consultation any cruise in whole or in part in order to safeguard its Passengers, its crew, its employees or the vessel in the event of war or threat of war, political unrest, terrorist activity or threat of terrorist activity, nuclear or natural disaster, riots, civil strife, adverse weather conditions or other similar events as previously defined (“Force Majeure”) or for any other valid operational reason. If the majority of ports that the Company aims to visit during any one cruise have to be changed on UK Foreign Office advise before the cruise commences, the Company undertakes to offer Passengers an alternative cruise or refund of the cost of their cruise in full, less any optional charges paid including but not limited to insurance premiums, credit card charges, pre-booked optional excursions and amendment fees. 9.2 If under clause 9.1 the Company cancels a cruise before the scheduled departure date it will offer, when possible, a subsequent alternative departure of similar standard (which must be accepted in writing within 14 days of the offer being made), or the choice of a full refund of all monies paid, less any any optional charges paid including but not limited to insurance premiums, credit card charges, pre-booked optional excursions and amendment fees. 9.3 If under clause 9.1 the Company cancels a cruise after the scheduled departure date, it will return all Passengers as soon as practicable to the UK and make a proportional refund for any unused services, less any non-recoverable expenses incurred. 9.4 If under clause 9.1 the Company alters the planned itinerary only, refunds will be limited to any balances outstanding on shore excursions. 9.5 In any of the circumstances mentioned above the Company shall not be liable to pay any compensation, nor shall Passengers have any further claim against the Company. 9.6 The Company and the Captain of the ship are unable to guarantee that the ship will call at every advertised port or follow every part of the advertised route. They will at all times endeavour to maintain the advertised programme but reserve the right at their sole discretion to make any alternations they deem necessary. 9.7 The company also reserves the right to cancel any cruise by giving written notice at least eight weeks before departure if sales of that departure have not reached 70% of capacity. Under such circumstances clause 9.2 will apply and the Company shall not be liable to pay compensation, nor shall Passengers have any further claim against the Company. 9.8 The Company reserves the right at its sole and absolute discretion to use a substitute ship of similar standard to the original ship should it prove necessary to do so. 9.9 In addition to the rights of the Company, Aircraft and Ship’s Captains always have the right at their absolute discretion to vary any planned routing without prior notice or consultation if they deem it necessary to do so in the interests of safety. 9.10 Any flight details contained in the Company’s brochures and on confirmation invoices are provisional. Final flight details (including timings and routings) will be issued near to departure and may differ significantly from any provisional information previously provided. 9.11 If for any reason details of a cruise have to be altered before departure (and subject to Clause 9.1) the Company will notify the Lead Passenger as soon as possible. 9.12 The Company will not be held responsible for, nor have liability in respect of, delays caused by third parties during passage through sea areas controlled by vessel traffic schemes, canals, rivers or any
10.1 The Company’s priority is the comfort and safety of its Passengers who are asked to provide prior to booking as much information as possible regarding any special assistance that may be required in the port, during embarkation and on board the vessel. This information is required in order to ensure that the carrier is able to carry Passengers safely and in accordance with applicable safety requirements established by international, EU or national law or in order to meet safety requirements established by competent authorities including flag state. 10.2 Every Passenger warrants that he/she is fit to travel by sea and that his/her conduct or condition will not impair the safety of the cruise ship or inconvenience the other Passengers. The Company and the carrier reserve the right to require any Passenger to produce medical evidence of fitness to travel in order to assess whether that Passenger can be carried safely in accordance with applicable international, EU or national law. 10.3 It is the Passenger’s responsibility to advise the Company , at the time of booking, of any medical conditions on mobility limitations. If the passengers condition changes after the booking is made the Company should be advised immediately. For the purposes of EU 1177/2010 Disabled Person’ or ‘Person with Reduced Mobility includes any person whose mobility when using transport is reduced as a result of any physical disability (sensory or locomotor, permanent or temporary) intellectual or psychosocial disability or impairment, or any other cause of disability, as a result of age, and whose situation needs appropriate attention and adaption to his particular needs for the service made available to all passengers. Passengers with Reduced Mobility and or Disabilities must advise at the time of booking of their specific needs with regard to accommodation, seating or services required from the carrier or terminal operator, or their need to bring medical equipment, or to bring a recognised assistance dog on board the vessel or of any other known disabilities or who in the Carrier’s and or Master’s opinion is unfit or unable to travel or anyone whose condition may constitute a danger to themselves or others on board on the grounds of safety. 10.4 The requirement to notify the Company at the time of booking of any medical equipment required on board is to ensure that the medical equipment can be lawfully carried and/or carried safely. It is the passenger’s responsibility to ensure that all medical equipment is in good working order and for arranging enough equipment and supplies to last the entire voyage. The ship does not carry any replacement and access to shore side care and equipment may be difficult and expensive. Passengers must be able to operate all equipment. 10.5 If it appears to the Company or the carrier, the Master or the Cruise Ship’s doctor that a Passenger is for any reason unfit to travel, likely to endanger safety, or likely to be refused permission to land at any port, or likely to render the Carrier liable for Passenger maintenance, support or repatriation, then the Carrier or the Master shall have the right to take any of the following courses: (i) Refuse to embark the Passenger at any port; (ii) Disembark the Passenger at any port; (iii) Transfer the Passenger to another berth or cabin; (iv) If the Cruise Ship doctor considers it advisable, to place or confine him/her/her in the Cruise Ship’s Hospital or to transfer the Passenger to a health facility at any port, at the Passenger’s expense (v) to administer first aid and administer any drug, medicine or other substance or to admit and/ or confine the Passenger to a hospital or other similar institution at any port provided that the ship’s doctor and/or Master considers that any such steps are necessary. 10.6 The vessels have a limited number of cabins adapted for Disabled Persons or Persons with Reduced Mobility. Not all areas or equipment on the vessels are suitable for access to Disabled Persons or Persons with Reduced Mobility. Passengers must check with the Company at the time of booking to enable the Company to assess your needs with the performing carrier. 10.7 Those passengers requiring the use of a wheelchair must furnish their own standard size wheelchairs and must be accompanied by a travelling companion fit and able to assist them. Passangers must be able to board the vessel using the stepped gangway with the assistance of their travelling companion. The ship’s wheelchairs are available for emergency use only. Passengers must not use mobility scooters of motorised wheelchairs on board the vessel. If the Passenger wishes to take a mobility scooter or motorised wheelchair they must be gel or dry cell battery only with a width of no more than 78cm to enable access to the cabin. Each part should weigh no more than 23kg. Any passenger taking a mobility scooter aboard the Vessel must reside in a disabled cabin. Use of a manual wheelchair is permitted on board the vessel for any Passengers residing in an adapted cabin. 10.8 Not all ports of call will be accessible by wheelchair and some may be by tender. The decision will be made by the Master of the vessel; it will be based on safety and will be binding. Passengers must check at the time of booking in order to avoid disappointment. 10.9 If there are any particular conditions, which require personal care or supervision then such personal care or supervision must be organised by the Passenger and at the passenger’s expense. The vessel is unable to provide respite services, one to one personal care or supervision or any other form of carer for physical, psychiatric or other conditions. 10.10 In accordance with EU 1177/2010 where it is strictly necessary
for the safety of the Passenger, the Company and or the carrier can require a Disabled passenger or Person with Reduced Mobility before it accepts the booking that a Passenger is assisted by an accompanying person who is fit and able to provide the assistance required. 10.11 Assistance dogs are subject to national and EU Regulations regarding travel. It is the passenger’s responsibility to check the position prior to the cruise and to be satisfied that the assistance dog can be carried to the ports of embarkation and disembarkation and that the dog is not prohibited from going ashore at the various ports of call. Assistance dogs must have all necessary papers and comply with national Regulations regarding health, vaccinations, training and travel. 10.12 Where any mobility or other equipment is lost or damaged by the fault or neglect of the Company then it is the Company’s or carriers absolute decision as to whether to repair or replace such equipment. Unless the Company and or the Carrier agree otherwise and in writing Passengers are limited to bringing 2 items of such mobility or medical equipment on board per cabin with a total value not exceeding £2200. All equipment must be capable of being carried safety and must be declared before the cruise. The Carrier may decline to carry such equipment where it is not safe to do so or where it has not been notified in time to enable a risk assessment to be carried out. 10.13 Where a Passenger is refused embarkation as a result of safety and/or fitness to travel and or failure to give notice under EU 1177/2010 or otherwise, neither the Company nor the carrier shall be liable for any loss or expense occasioned to the passenger thereby, nor shall the passenger be entitled to any compensation from the carrier. 10.14 Any Passenger who embarks, or allows any other Passenger for whom he or she is responsible to embark, when he or she or such other Passenger is suffering from any sickness, disease, injury or infirmity bodily or mental or to his/her knowledge has been exposed to any infection or contagious disease, or for any other reason is likely to impair the safety or reasonable comfort of other persons on board or for any reason is refused permission to land at his/her or her port of destination shall be responsible for any loss or expense incurred by the Company, carrier or the Master directly or indirectly in consequence of such sickness, disease, injury, infirmity, exposure or refusal or permission to land unless in the case of sickness, disease, injury, infirmity or exposure the same has been declared in writing to the Carrier or the Master before embarkation and consent in writing of the Carrier or the Master to such embarkation has been obtained. 10.15 Pregnant women are highly recommended to seek medical advice prior to travel at any stage of their pregnancy. Women who are up to 23 weeks pregnant at the end of the cruise are required to produce a medical certificate of fitness to travel. Ships cannot, for safety reasons, carry pregnant Passengers of 23 weeks or more by the end of the cruise. The Company and the Carrier reserve the right to request a medical certificate at any stage of pregnancy and to refuse passage if the Company and/or the Master are not satisfied that the Passenger will be safe during the passage. 10.16 The ship’s doctor is not qualified to deliver babies on board or to offer pre or post natal treatment and no responsibility is accepted by the Company in respect of the ability to provide such services or equipment. The cruise ship’s doctor is not a specialist and the ship’s medical centre is not required to be and is not equipped to the same standards as a land-based hospital. The Vessel carries medical supplies and equipment as required by its flag state. Neither the Company nor the doctor shall be liable to the Passenger as a result of any inability to treat any medical condition as a result. 10.17 The Company and the carrier are entitled to administer a health questionnaire prior to boarding. All Passengers must follow the vessels instructions and procedures relating to all matters including health, safety, hygiene and security. Any Passenger boarding a ship at initial embarkation who has not filled in the required pre-boarding health declaration must inform the Company of any sickness and/or diarrhoea experienced less than 72 hours prior to embarkation. In the interest of Passenger’s safety the Company reserves the right at its discretion, to refuse boarding. In such circumstances the Company shall not be liable to pay any compensation, nor shall Passengers have any further claim against the Company. The Company and the carrier are entitled to request Passengers to remain in their cabins in the event of illness which is or may be infectious. 10.18 In the event of illness or accident, Passengers may have to be landed ashore by the Company and/or Master for medical treatment. The Company makes no representations regarding the quality of medical treatment at any port of call or at the place at which the Passenger is landed. Medical facilities and standards vary from port to port and the Company makes no representations or warranties in relation to such standards. 10.19 The Company does not accept any responsibility for Passengers unable to travel, or who incur any other loss because they fail to comply with any health formalities. The Company takes no responsibility for Passengers denied embarkation and/ or disembarkation on medical grounds. Cancellation of any part of the holiday that arises due to health requirements will be subject to cancellation charges as set out in Section 8. 10.20 Any cost or expense reasonably incurred by the Company for or on behalf of the Passenger in respect of any form of medical, dental or similar treatment, hotel, transportation, repatriation, damages to fixtures and fittings (including the soiling of soft furnishings i.e. mattresses) or any other expense shall be repayable by the Passenger to the Company irrespective of whether the sum is covered by the Passenger’s travel insurance arrangements. 10.21 If a Passenger is refused entry to board an aircraft because, in the opinion of the Captain or airline staff, the Passenger is unfit to travel or represents a threat to the safety of the aircraft or its Passengers or crew or is abusive or disruptive, the Company will not be liable to complete the Passengers holiday arrangements and will not be liable to pay any refund or compensation. 10.22 Unless approved by the Company in writing prior to departure, Passengers may not bring on board any controlled substances. 10.23 Passengers may not bring on board any prohibited substances, any animals or any goods of a flammable or dangerous nature. Doing so will render the Passenger strictly liable to the Company for any injury, loss, damage or expense suffered by the Company as a result. The Passenger will also be personally liable for any statutory penalties. 10.24 Passengers are required at all times to follow the instructions of employees and crew regarding the use of ship’s equipment (including hand sanitizers) and general behaviour whilst on board. The Company will not be responsible for any consequential injury, illness, financial or other loss incurred by Passengers if they fail to
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
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11 COMPLAINTS
11.1 Any Passenger who encounters a problem during a cruise must immediately report it to the reception desk on the ship and ensure that the issue is recorded in the ship’s log together with any action taken to resolve it. If the matter cannot be resolved during the cruise, and the Passenger wishes to pursue a complaint, the Passenger must write to the Company within 28 days of final disembarkation to allow the complaint to be investigated properly. If the Passenger does not give the Company the opportunity to resolve the issue locally during the cruise by reporting it to a member of the ship’s crew at the reception desk and having the issue recorded in the ship’s log, then the Company may not be able to deal positively with any complaint on your return. 11.2 The Company is a Member of ABTA, membership number W0302. 11.3 Passengers are asked to make any complaints relating to EU Regulation 1177/2010 whilst on board the vessel. If the complaint is not resolved at this time you must make a formal complaint to the Company within 2 months from the date of the circumstances giving rise to the complaint. Within 1 month of receipt of the complaint the Company will respond informing the Passenger whether the complaint has been substantiated, rejected or is still being considered. The Company will provide a final response to the Passenger no later than 2 months after receipt of the complaint.
12 CARRIAGE BY SEA OR INLAND WATERWAYS AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
12.1 Carriage by sea is subject to the Carriers’ Conditions of Carriage which are contractually incorporated into the contract with the Company. Copies of the conditions of carriage will be sent to Passengers with their travel documentation but they can be provided in advance upon request. They are also available on board the ship and on the Company’s website. It is important that you read these documents as they set out your rights and obligations. They also contain limitations of liability. 12.2 The liability of the Company and the carrier to Passengers for carriage by sea in respect of death, personal injury and or loss of or damage to luggage is governed since 1 January 2013 to International Carriage by EU Regulation 392/2009 relating to the Liability of carriers of passengers by sea in the event of accidents by the provisions of the Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea 1974 as amended in 1976 (“The Athens Convention) for Domestic Carriage For the purposes of EU 392/2009, the Athens 1974 and 2002 The Company is a contracting carrier. EU Regulation 392/2009 may be viewed at: http://eurlex. europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:20 09:131:0024:0046:EN:PDF The Athens Convention 1974 may be viewed at: http://www. admiraltylawguide.com/conven/ passengers1974. html. The Athens Convention 2002 which comes into force on 23 April 2014 may be viewed at https://www.gov.uk/ government/uploads/system/ uploads/attachment_data/file/261628/ Misc.6.2013_ Prot_2002_Athens_8760.pdf or are available from The Company on request. EU Regulation 392/2009 and where applicable The Athens Convention 1974 or 2002 are contractually incorporated and applicable to the Contract, The Company shall be entitled to the benefit of all limitations, rights and immunities conferred by EU Regulation 392/2009 and where applicable the Athens Convention 1974 or 2002 in respect of any ship on which the cruise is performed. 12.3 EU Regulation 392/2009 and where applicable The Athens Convention 1974 (from April 23 2014 the Athens Convention 2002) limit The Company’s and the Carriers’ liability for loss or damage to luggage and make special provision for valuables. It is presumed that luggage has been delivered undamaged unless written notice is given to the Company and/or the performing Carrier. a) in the case of apparent damage, before or at the time of disembarkation or redelivery; or b) in the case of damage which is not apparent or of loss, within 15 days from the date of disembarkation or redelivery or from the time when such redelivery should have taken place. Damages for cabin luggage payable by the Carrier are limited up to 2250 SDRs approx. £2,111.41 if EU Regulation 392/2009 and or Athens Convention 2002 applies or where applicable the Athens Convention 1974 limit of 833 SDRs approx. £781.80 . 12.4 Limits shall be reduced in proportion to any contributory negligence by the Passenger and by the maximum deductible specified in Article 8 by the passenger in accordance with Article 8 (4) of the Athens Conventions or EU Regulation 392/2009. All Claims must be brought in accordance with EU Regulation 392/2009 or where applicable the Athens Convention 1974 or 2002 within 2 years of the date of disembarkation from the ship. 12.5 In respect of domestic carriage in the UK, The Athens Convention will apply and the limits for death/personal injury are
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46,666 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) approx. £43,794.67 these limits may also apply to domestic cruises in the EU. Where the carrier has a principal place of business in the UK the limits of liability per passenger may be 300,000 SDR approx. £281,541.21 per carriage. 12.6 In respect of international carriage EU Regulation 392/2009 applies the limits for death/ personal injury caused by a shipping incident, with the exception of circumstances beyond the Carrier’s control (ie act of war, natural disaster, act of a third party) to no more than 250 000 SDRs approx. £234,587.82 per passenger per carriage . Except for cases involving war and terrorism damages up to a further 150 000 SDRs approx. £140,752.69 may be payable in respect of a shipping incident unless the Company or the carrier proves that the death or personal injury occurred without the carrier’s fault or neglect. Where death/ personal injury is caused by a non- shipping incident it is for the passenger to prove that the death or personal injury was caused by the fault or neglect of the carrier. The maximum sum payable to any passenger under EU Regulation 392/2009 is limited to 400 000 per passenger per carriage which is approx. £375,340.52. The maximum sum payable in cases involving war and terrorism where the carrier is liable is 250 000 SDRs per passenger per carriage or 340 000 000 SDRs per ship per carriage. 12.7 The Company and the carrier are not liable for valuables, monies or other securities including jewellery and watches. If they have been deposited with the reception desk on the ship for safe keeping and a receipt issued then in those limited circumstances the Company’s and the carriers liability will be as set out in EU Regulation 392/2009 or where applicable the Athens Convention1974 or 2002. The use of safes on board a Vessel is not a deposit with the ship or with the Company under the EU Regulation 392/2009 or where applicable the Athens Convention 1974 or 2002 or otherwise. The limits are 3,375 SDRs approx. £3,166.45 pursuant to EU Regulation 392/2009 and the Athens Convention 2002 or 1200 SDRs approx. £1,125.81 pursuant to the Athens Convention 1974. 12.8 An SDR is an international monetary unit, The exact value of an SDR fluctuates with the daily exchange rate, The daily exchange rate can be viewed at the international monetary Fund website .http://www.imf.org/external/np/fin/data/rms_sdrv. aspx and an SDR converter is available at http:// coinmill.com/GBP_SDR. html#SDR=46 666, The values in the booking conditions are those of 26 March 2014 and may fluctuate upwards or downwards. 12.9 In so far as the Company and its servants and/ or agents and suppliers may be liable to a Passenger in respect of claims arising out of carriage by sea, the Company shall be entitled to all the rights, defences, immunities and limitations available, respectively, to the actual carrier and under the relevant Conventions, and nothing in this Contract shall be deemed as a surrender thereof. The Company’s liability will not at any time exceed that of the carrier under its Conditions of Carriage and/or applicable or incorporated conventions or other legislation. 12.10 Where carriage is performed on Inland waterways and the vessel does not go to sea the liability provisions relating to sea going vessels do not apply to the cruise. In those cases the liability of the Company and the carrier to Passengers shall be determined in accordance with English law and The Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1996 (LLMC 96) as amended by SI 1998/1258 The Company’s liability pursuant to SI 1998/1258 a copy of which will be provided by on request or can be found at (http:// www.legislation. gov.uk/uksi/1998/1258/article/4/made). The limits for non-sea going passenger vessels Is SDR 175,000 per passenger limit (approx.$270,500.04 or £164,185.05) . Liability for property claims will be at least SDR 1,000,000 under SI 1998/1258 (4(b)(i)). 12.11 The Strasbourg Convention on the Limitation of Liability of Owners of Inland Navigation Vessels referred to as the “Strasbourg Convention” with protocols and amendments. applies to vessels sailing on waterways located in the territory of a state party subject to (i) the “Revised Convention relating to the Navigation of the Rhine of 17 October 1868” and (ii) the “Convention of 27 October 1956 concerning the canalization of the Moselle” ( Article 15(1) of the Strasbourg Convention: http://www. ivr.nl/downloads/forms/B2.pdf). If the Strasbourg Convention applies the limits for passenger claims are SDR 60,000 per passenger subject to a minimum of SDR 6,000,000 (see Article 7). A copy of the Strasbourg Convention can be found at. http:// www.ccr-zkr.org/files/conventions/ clni_2012_en.pdf. The Company’s and the carrier’s for death, injury, illness, damage, delay or other loss to person or property of any kind suffered by Passengers shall, in the first instance, be governed by the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1996 (LLMC 96) as amended by SI 1998/1258 or where applicable the Strasbourg Convention. The Company’s liability therefore shall not exceed those limitations provided by the said LLMC 1996 and SI 1998/1258 or where applicable Strasbourg Convention or in any further revisions, protocols and/ or amendments thereto as shall become applicable. Where the LLMC 1996 or If applicable Strasbourg Convention permits us to apply a deductible, we may apply that deductible.
payments to you are due from us, any payment made to you by the airline will be deducted from this amount.
14 GUIDES AND GUEST SPEAKERS
14.1 Independent contractors retained by the Company, including but not limited to Guest Speakers, guides, guest personalities and entertainers are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. The Company also retains the right to change any member of ship’s crew previously advertised or disclosed (e.g. the ship’s Captain) without notice.
MINERVA mv MINERVA - SWAN HELLENIC
15 FINANCIAL PROTECTION
15.1 We provide full financial protection for our package holidays. 15.2 For flight-based cruise holidays this is through our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence number 3897. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive cruise holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. We will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where we aren’t able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable). 15.3 If we are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative), through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme. When you buy a package holiday that doesn’t include a flight, protection is provided by way of a bond held by ABTA. License number W0302.
Future Sales Office
Pool
13.1 Travel on board aircraft used in travelling to and from the ship is subject to the airline’s standard ticket conditions, some of which limit or exclude liability in accordance with international conventions. For complete details contact the individual airline(s) directly. 13.2 If your air journey involves a destination or stop in a country other than the one from which you depart, the Warsaw Convention may govern the liability of all airlines involved in your journey, including any portion thereof in a single country. This Convention limits the liability of airlines involved in your journey, including any portion thereof in a single country. This Convention limits the liability of airlines for death or bodily injury and for baggage loss, delay or damage. For many air carriers, the Warsaw Convention limits for bodily injury or death and the defence that they have taken all necessary measures to avoid the damage for the first 100,000 Special Drawing Rights of any such claim do not apply. In addition, in cases of death or bodily injury, many air carriers will make advance payments to the person entitled to compensation, if required to meet immediate economic needs, in proportion to the hardship suffered. European Community carriers provide a minimum advance equal to not less than 15,000 Special Drawing Rights in the event of death. Other air carriers may apply alternate provisions. Denied Boarding, Cancellation and Delay 13.3 Under EU law (EC Regulation 261/2004 you have rights in some circumstances to a refund and/or compensation from your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. However, reimbursement in such cases is the responsibility of the airline and will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday cost from us. Your right to a refund and/or compensation from us is set out in Clause 9. If any
Wheeler Bar
Gym Passenger Launderette Salon Centre
16.1 Swan Hellenic is part of All leisure Holidays. The information we hold about you will be used to deal with your enquiry or booking, provide you with our latest news and offers or invite you to take part in research. We may also share your information with other All Leisure Holidays companies who may occasionally contact you about products and services we feel may be of interest to you. For further information please see the Swan Hellenic Privacy Policy at swanhellenic.com.
Card Room
Library
Orpheus Lounge
PROMENADE DECK SUN DECK BRIDGE DECK
Gift Shop & Kiosk
Shackleton Bar
MAIN DECK
Medical Centre
AEGEAN DECK BALTIC DECK
Reception
Darwin Lounge
PORT Stage
ORPHEUS LOUNGE Forward Banquette Seating
Dance Floor
LIFT
Bar
STARBOARD
PROMENADE DECK - Featuring a panoramic Observation Lounge - Orpheus Lounge BS 20
BS 18
BS 16
BS 14
BS 12
BS 10
BS 8
BS 6
BS 4
BS 2 DB12 DB10 DB 8 DB 6 DB 4 DB 2
16 DATA PROTECTION
Internet Lounge
Swan Restaurant
P8
P6
P7
P5
LIFT
P4
P2
P3
P1
LIFT
DB11 DB 9 DB 7 DB 5 DB 3 DB 1 BS 19
BS 17
BS 15
BS 13
BS 11
BS 9
BS 7
BS 5
BS 3
BS 1
SUN DECK - Balcony Cabins WHEELER BAR
Bar POOL
FUTURE SALES OFFICE
CARD ROOM
LIVINGSTONE LOUNGE
LIFT
SB10 SB 8 SB 6 SB 4 SB 2 OS 2 EXPLORER
SUITE
LIFT
THE LIBRARY
VERANDA
SB 9 SB 7 SB 5 SB 3 SB 1 OS 1 DISCOVERY
SUITE
BRIDGE DECK - Balcony Cabins Bar THE SWAN RESTAURANT
SHACKLETON BAR
GIFT SHOP
LIFT
DARWIN LOUNGE
LIFT
Presentation Stage
KIOSK
MAIN DECK A 88
A 84
LAUNDERETTE GYM A 87
A 83
A 80
A 76
A 74
A 72
A 79
A 75
A 68
A 64
A 62
A 73
A 60
A 58
Shore Excursion Desk
A 70
SALON CENTRE
LIFT
A 48
A 46
A 54
A 50
A 56
A 52
A A38 42
A 55
A 51
A A37 41
A 44
A 40
A 36
A 34
A 32
A 30
LIFT
A 26
A 18
A 14
A 10
A 6
A 2
A 28
A 24
A A 20 16
A 12
A 8
A 4
A 27
A 23
A A A 19 15 11
A 7
A 3
A 21
A 17
A 13
A 9
A 5
A 1
B 18
B 14
B 10
B 6
B 2
B 17
B 13
B 9
B 5
B 1
A 69
A 65
A 71
A 67
A 63
A 61
A 59
A Future Cruise Desk 57
A 53
A 49
A 47
A 45
A 43
A 39
A 35
A 33
A 31
A 29
A 25
B 64
B 60
B 56
B 52
B 48
B 44
B 40
B 38
B 36
B 34
B 32
B 30
B 28
B 26
B 24
B 22
B 23
B 21
Purser’s Reception
A 22
AEGEAN DECK
13 CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE BY AIR AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Veranda
Livingstone Lounge
LOUNGE
comply with the instructions they are given. 10.25 The Captain (or any employee or member of the crew authorised by the Master) will be entitled to search the cabin and/or personal luggage of any Passenger suspected of being in breach of these clauses. In addition, any employee or crew member will be entitled to enter a Passenger’s cabin in order to carry out an inspection, or to undertake cleaning, maintenance or repair work. 10.26 The Company expects all Passengers to have consideration for other Passengers when travelling on our cruises and to treat all staff and fellow Passengers with respect. If in the Company’s opinion, or the reasonable opinion of someone either in authority or from one of our suppliers (such as an airline), any Passenger acts in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, breach of safety and or upset or distress to any of our staff, fellow Passengers or a third party or your behaviour impacts the smooth and or safe running of the cruise we are entitled to disembark the Passenger and terminate the cruise holiday. In such circumstances neither the Company nor the relevant carrier will have any further liability and the Passenger will not be entitled to any refund for any part of the cost of their unused cruise package including any return travel arrangements, transfers or alternative accommodation etc. 10.27 Should any Passenger have the misfortune to suffer illness, injury or death during the period of the cruise arising out of an activity that does not form part of the arrangement made by the Company, the Company will, where appropriate, provide any assistance it can to the affected Passenger, such assistance being limited to a maximum cost incurred by the Company of £5,000 per booking. 10.28 The Company may invite various affinity groups of people with shared interests who choose to travel together onto a cruise. The Company does not envisage that this will materially affect the normal day to day operation of the ship but Passengers must accept that there may be occasions when certain facilities are unavailable whilst these groups are on board.
INTERNET
B 63
B 62
B 58
B 54
B 50
B 46
B 61
B 57
B 53
B 49
B 45
B 59
B 55
B 51
B 47
B 43
B 42
MEDICAL CENTRE
LIFT
B 41
B 39
B 37
B 35
B 33
B 31
B 29
LIFT
B 27
B 25
BALTIC DECK Revised Plan - January 2012. Deck and cabin plans have been amended slightly MINERVA’S PROFILE
FACILITIES INCLUDE
• Gross Tonnage • Length • Beam • Draft • Cruising Speed • Passenger Decks • Stabilisers • Registration
• 44 Balcony cabins* • 100 Outside cabins • (73% outside cabins including 23% balcony cabins) • 8 single cabins • Choice of two Restaurants • Orpheus Lounge • Internet Lounge • Livingstone Lounge • Darwin Lounge • Shackleton & Wheeler Bars • Card Room - max 10 tables • Library
from the previous edition, but may be subject to change during the upgrade period.
12,892 437 ft 66 ft 19 ft 13 knots 6 retractable fin Bahamas
• Swimming Pool • Gift Shop and Kiosk • Gymnasium •C omplimentary Launderette with Washers and Dryers • Salon Centre • Medical Centre • Telephone, Fax and E-mail Facilities • Flatscreen TV, Hairdryer and Personal Safe in every Cabin * Starboard Side = Showers Port Side = Baths
105
STANDARD FARES 2015/16
STANDARD FARES 2015/16
(Australian Dollars, per person twin share)
PRICES INCLUSIVE OF EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME OF TAILOR-MADE SHORE EXCURSIONS & ALL GRATUITIES
PRICES INCLUSIVE OF EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME OF TAILOR-MADE SHORE EXCURSIONS & ALL GRATUITIES
GRAND VOYAGES – NOVEMBER 2015 - APRIL 2016
CRUISES – NOVEMBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 CRUISE CODE
MIN151109
DURATION (NIGHTS) All prices are per person - $
OCCUPANCY Cat Deck
Description
MIN151121
MIN150203
(Australian Dollars, per person twin share)
MIN151221
MIN160104
MIN160118
13
13
13
15
15
15
A Mediterranean Escape
Shores Of The Atlantic
A Tale of Two Continents
Caribbean Colonial Trails
Flavours of Latin America
A Chilean Grand Reserve
Twin
Twin
Twin
Twin
Twin
Twin
$
$
$
$
$
$
CRUISE CODE DURATION (NIGHTS) All prices are per person -$
OCCUPANCY Cat Deck
Description
MIN151109B
MIN151121A
MIN160104A
MIN160319A
42
30
28
27
Grand Voyage to the New World
Grand Transatlantic Adventure
Grand Pacific Coast Explorer
Grand Caribbean & Island Vistas
Twin
Twin
Twin
Twin
$
$
$
$
A BRIDGE DECK
Owner’s Suite with Balcony
$34,545
$23,640
$21,785
$22,025
B SUN DECK
Deluxe Balcony Suite
$31, 095
$21,280
$19,430
$19,755
C BRIDGE DECK
Superior Balcony Suite
$30,230
$20,675
$18,850
$19,185
$9,530
D SUN DECK
Balcony Suite
$27,115
$18,535
$16720
$17,130
$4,930
$6,080
F AEGEAN DECK
Outside Forward Window
$18,080
$12,325
$10,460
$11,155
$6,710
$4,480
$5,680
G AEGEAN DECK
Outside Aft Window
$17,035
$11,610
$9,655
$10,470
$5,490
$5,970
$3,930
$4,900
H BALTIC DECK
Outside Forward Port Holes
$15,080
$10,255
$8,390
$9,170
$4,940
$5,080
$5,600
$3,650
$4,500
I BALTIC DECK
Outside Aft Port Holes
$14,025
$9,520
$7,745
$8,465
$3,830
$4,300
$4,020
$4,780
$3,040
$3,790
K AEGEAN DECK
Inside Forward
$11,545
$7,905
$6,490
$6,920
Inside Aft
$3,660
$4,130
$3,830
$4,550
$2,870
$3,590
L AEGEAN DECK
Inside Aft
$11,040
$7,565
$6,140
$6,585
M BALTIC DECK
Inside Forward
$3,420
$3,900
$3,560
$4,260
$2,650
$3,330
M BALTIC DECK
Inside Forward
$10,340
$7,090
$5,685
$6,130
N
Inside Aft
$3,150
$3,610
$3,230
$3,890
$2,370
$3,010
N BALTIC DECK
Inside Aft
$9,495
$6,500
$5,115
$5,570
Single
Single
Single
Single
Single
Single
OCCUPANCY
Single
Single
Single
Single
$2,800
$3,490
$2,830
$3,740
$2,250
$2,880
P SINGLES
$8,665
$6,005
$4,875
$5,105
MIN160201
MIN160219
MIN160304
MIN160319
MIN160330
17
15
16
12
17
Beauty of the Chilean Fjords
Timeless South America
Natural Wonders of Latin America
A Cuban & Caribbean Medley
An Atlantic Sojourn
Twin
Twin
Twin
Twin
Twin
$
$
$
$
$
A
BRIDGE DECK
Owner’s Suite with Balcony
$11,480
$11,940
$12,940
$14,800
$10,590
$12,340
B
SUN DECK
Deluxe Balcony Suite
$10,330
$10,780
$11,620
$13,240
$9,420
$11,030
C
BRIDGE DECK
Superior Balcony Suite
$10,060
$10,490
$11,270
$12,870
$9,140
$10,700
D
SUN DECK
Balcony Suite
$9,030
$9,430
$10,080
$11,470
$8,070
F
AEGEAN DECK
Outside Forward Window
$6,060
$6,350
$6,620
$7,310
G
AEGEAN DECK
Outside Aft Window
$5,710
$6,000
$6,220
H
BALTIC DECK
Outside Forward Port Holes
$5,080
$5,300
I
BALTIC DECK
Outside Aft Port Holes
$4,740
K
AEGEAN DECK
Inside Forward
L
AEGEAN DECK
BALTIC DECK
OCCUPANCY P SINGLES
Inside Sun Deck
CRUISE CODE DURATION (NIGHTS) All prices are per person - $
OCCUPANCY Cat Deck
Description
A BRIDGE DECK
Owner’s Suite with Balcony
$16,770
$14,080
$14,640
$10,650
$12,530
B
SUN DECK
Deluxe Balcony Suite
$15,010
$12,560
$13,110
$9,530
$11,260
C
BRIDGE DECK
Superior Balcony Suite
$14,590
$12,220
$12,730
$9,240
$10,950
D
SUN DECK
Balcony Suite
$13,010
$10,850
$11,340
$8,230
$9,800
F
AEGEAN DECK
Outside Forward Window
$8,330
$6,830
$7,270
$5,230
$6,510
G
AEGEAN DECK
Outside Aft Window
$7,660
$6,260
$6,810
$4,890
$6,130
H
BALTIC DECK
Outside Forward Port Holes
$6,830
$5,540
$5,890
$4,210
$5,440
I
BALTIC DECK
Outside Aft Port Holes
$6,410
$5,180
$$5,430
$3,860
$5,050
K
AEGEAN DECK
Inside Forward
$5,490
$4,390
$4,580
$3,240
$4,040
L
AEGEAN DECK
Inside Aft
$5,240
$4,180
$4,350
$3,080
$3,850
M BALTIC DECK
Inside Forward
$4,910
$3,890
$4,040
$2,850
$3,600
N
Inside Aft
$4,480
$3,540
$3,660
$2,570
$3,290
Single
Single
Single
Single
Single
$4,320
$3,390
$3,510
$2,460
$2,910
BALTIC DECK
OCCUPANCY P SINGLES
106
Inside Sun Deck
Inside Sun Deck
All prices are per person in Australian Dollars based on double occupancy (except single/sole occupancy cabin category P), including all meals, accommodation and entertainment onboard, port charges/taxes, tailor-made shore excursion programme, all standard gratuities onboard and ashore on included excursions, Captain’s gala nights (two per 15-day cruise), and Swan Hellenic’s world-renowned Guest Speaker and Port Lecture programme. Prices are subject to change. Single/sole occupancy of twin cabins is available on a limited basis subject to a single supplement rate. Call for details.
Call Swan Hellenic on 1800 OCEANS (623 267) or visit au.swanhellenic.com
107
STANDARD FARES 2016
STANDARD FARES 2016
(Australian Dollars, per person twin share)
PRICES INCLUSIVE OF AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME OF TAILOR-MADE SHORE EXCURSIONS & ALL GRATUITIES
PRICES INCLUSIVE OF AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME OF TAILOR-MADE SHORE EXCURSIONS & ALL GRATUITIES
CRUISES – APRIL – NOVEMBER 2016 CRUISE CODE DURATION (DAYS) All prices are per person - $
OCCUPANCY Cat Deck
Description
(Australian Dollars, per person twin share)
CRUISES – APRIL – NOVEMBER 2016
MIN160415
MIN160428
MIN160514
MIN160527
MIN160610
14
17
14
15
14
Trois-Riviéres de France
A Baltic Masterpiece
Glorious Gardens & the Chelsea Flower Show
An Icelandic Quest
Fjordlands & Arctic Norway
Twin
Twin
Twin
Twin
Twin
$
$
$
$
$
CRUISE CODE DURATION (DAYS) All prices are per person - $
OCCUPANCY Cat Deck
Description
MIN160830
MIN160912
MIN160924
MIN161008
MIN161021
14
13
15
14
13
Riviera and Islands of the Mediterranean
Mediterranean Mosaic
Sparkling Adriatic
Hellenic Odyssey
Impressions of the Eastern Mediterranean
Twin
Twin
Twin
Twin
Twin
$
$
$
$
$
A
BRIDGE DECK
Owner’s Suite with Balcony
$14,010
$17,080
$16,280
$13,420
$12,490
A
BRIDGE DECK
Owner’s Suite with Balcony
$13,030
$12,640
$15,040
$15,000
$11,620
B
SUN DECK
Deluxe Balcony Suite
$12,680
$15,450
$14,720
$12,140
$11,280
B
SUN DECK
Deluxe Balcony Suite
$11,750
$11,390
$13,570
$13,530
$10,450
C
BRIDGE DECK
Superior Balcony Suite
$12,350
$15,050
$14,350
$11,830
$10,970
C
BRIDGE DECK
Superior Balcony Suite
$11,450
$11,090
$13,220
$13,180
$10,160
D
SUN DECK
Balcony Suite
$11,140
$13,590
$12,930
$10,680
$9,880
D
SUN DECK
Balcony Suite
$10,300
$9,960
$11,890
$11,850
$9,110
F
AEGEAN DECK
Outside Forward Window
$7,610
$9,280
$8,770
$7,290
$6,650
F
AEGEAN DECK
Outside Forward Window
$6,900
$6,630
$7,960
$7,920
$6,090
G
AEGEAN DECK
Outside Aft Window
$7,210
$8,790
$8,180
$6,910
$6,280
G
AEGEAN DECK
Outside Aft Window
$6,410
$6,160
$7,400
$7,360
$5,740
H
BALTIC DECK
Outside Forward Port Holes
$6,410
$7,810
$7,430
$6,140
$5,560
H
BALTIC DECK
Outside Forward Port Holes
$5,810
$5,560
$6,690
$6,650
$5,090
I
BALTIC DECK
Outside Aft Port Holes
$6,010
$7,330
$7,060
$5,760
$5,190
I
BALTIC DECK
Outside Aft Port Holes
$5,500
$5,270
$6,340
$6,300
$4,740
K
AEGEAN DECK
Inside Forward
$5,280
$6,430
$6,240
$5,060
$4,520
K
AEGEAN DECK
Inside Forward
$4,840
$4,620
$5,570
$5,530
$3,820
L
AEGEAN DECK
Inside Aft
$5,070
$6,190
$6,030
$4,860
$4,340
L
AEGEAN DECK
Inside Aft
$4,660
$4,430
$5,360
$5,320
$3,640
M BALTIC DECK
Inside Forward
$4,810
$5,860
$5,730
$4,610
$4,100
M BALTIC DECK
Inside Forward
$4,410
$4,200
$5,080
$5,050
$3,410
N
Inside Aft
$4,480
$5,460
$5,360
$4,290
$3,800
N
Inside Aft
$4,110
$3,900
$4,730
$4,690
$3,120
Single
Single
Single
Single
Single
Single
Single
Single
Single
Single
$4,340
$5,290
$5,210
$4,160
$3,670
$3,980
$3,780
$4,590
$4,550
$2,760
MIN160623
MIN160710
MIN160721
MIN160803
MIN160816
18
12
14
14
15
Hidden White Sea & Norse Discovery
Highlands, Islands & the Emerald Isle
Iberian Maritime Adventure
Celtic Traditions & Edinburgh’s Tattoo
A Portrait of Portugal & Spain
Twin
Twin
Twin
Twin
Twin
$
$
$
$
$
BALTIC DECK
OCCUPANCY P
SINGLES DECK
Inside Sun Deck
CRUISE CODE DURATION (DAYS) All prices are per person - $
OCCUPANCY Cat Deck
Description
A
BRIDGE DECK
Owner’s Suite with Balcony
$19,200
$11,340
$13,420
$15,390
$13,150
B
SUN DECK
Deluxe Balcony Suite
$17,330
$10,240
$12,140
$13,910
$11,850
C
BRIDGE DECK
Superior Balcony Suite
$16,890
$9,970
$11,830
$13,560
$11,530
D
SUN DECK
Balcony Suite
$15,200
$8,970
$10,680
$12,230
$10,360
F
AEGEAN DECK
Outside Forward Window
$10,200
$6,120
$7,290
$8,290
$7,000
G
AEGEAN DECK
Outside Aft Window
$9,490
$5,790
$6,910
$7,740
$6,610
H
BALTIC DECK
Outside Forward Port Holes
$8,590
$5,180
$6,140
$7,030
$5,890
I
BALTIC DECK
Outside Aft Port Holes
$8,150
$4,850
$5,760
$6,680
$5,500
K
AEGEAN DECK
Inside Forward
$7,170
$3,970
$5,060
$5,900
$4,470
L
AEGEAN DECK
Inside Aft
$6,900
$3,810
$4,860
$5,700
$4,280
M BALTIC DECK
Inside Forward
$6,550
$3,580
$4,610
$5,420
$4,020
N
Inside Aft
$6,100
$3,310
$4,290
$5,070
$3,700
Single
Single
Single
Single
Single
$5,920
$2,980
$4,160
$4,930
$3,310
BALTIC DECK
OCCUPANCY P
SINGLES DECK
Inside Sun Deck
BALTIC DECK
OCCUPANCY P
SINGLES DECK
Inside Sun Deck
GRAND VOYAGES – JUNE, AUGUST – NOVEMBER 2016 CRUISE CODE DURATION (DAYS) All prices are per person - $
OCCUPANCY Cat Deck
Description
MIN160816A
MIN160816B
MIN161008A
31
28
40
26
Grand Norwegian Fjords & White Sea
Grand Iberian & Mediterranean Icons
Grand Mediterranean Classics
Grand Ancient Civilisations
Twin
Twin
Twin
Twin
$
$
$
$
A
BRIDGE DECK
Owner’s Suite with Balcony
$30,110
$24,875
$36,880
$25,290
B
SUN DECK
Deluxe Balcony Suite
$27,180
$22,420
$33,245
$22,785
C
BRIDGE DECK
Superior Balcony Suite
$26,470
$21,835
$32,370
$22,175
D
SUN DECK
Balcony Suite
$23,830
$19,630
$29,090
$19,915
F
AEGEAN DECK
Outside Forward Window
$16,010
$13,205
$19,505
$13,310
G
AEGEAN DECK
Outside Aft Window
$14,985
$12,370
$18,225
$12,445
H
BALTIC DECK
Outside Forward Port Holes
$13,445
$11,115
$16,400
$11,155
I
BALTIC DECK
Outside Aft Port Holes
$12,675
$10,450
$15,460
$10,490
K
AEGEAN DECK
Inside Forward
$11,110
$8,845
$13,235
$8,885
L
AEGEAN DECK
Inside Aft
$10,680
$8,495
$12,705
$8,515
M BALTIC DECK
Inside Forward
$10,120
$8,010
$12,000
$8,040
N
Inside Aft
$9,405
$7,420
$11,125
$7,420
Single
Single
Single
Single
$9,115
$6,930
$10,520
$6,945
BALTIC DECK
OCCUPANCY
108
MIN160610A
P
SINGLES DECK
Inside Sun Deck
SWAN HELLENIC DISCOVERY CRUISES Departs
Cruise
No.Days From/To
Cruise reference
CRUISES NOVEMBER 2015 – APRIL 2016 NOV 9, 2015 A MEDITERRANEAN ESCAPE
13
PIRAEUS, Greece / LISBON, Portugal
MIN151109
NOV 21, 2015 SHORES OF THE ATLANTIC
13
LISBON, Portugal / TENERIFE, Canary Islands
MIN151121
DEC 3, 2015
19
TENERIFE, Canary Islands / BRIDGETOWN, Barbados
MIN151203
DEC 21, 2015 CARIBBEAN COLONIAL TRAILS
15
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados / CARTAGENA, Colombia
MIN151221
JAN 4, 2016
15 CARTAGENA, Colombia / CALLAO (Lima), Peru
MIN160104
JAN 18, 2016 A CHILEAN GRAND RESERVE
15 CALLAO (Lima), Peru / VALPARAISO, Chile
MIN160118
FEB 1, 2016
19 VALPARAISO, Chile / WVALPARAISO, Chile
MIN160201
15
VALPARAISO, Chile / GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador
MIN160219
MAR 4, 2016 NATURAL WONDERS OF LATIN AMERICA 16
GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador / COZUMEL, Mexico
MIN160304
MAR 19, 2016 A CUBAN & CARIBBEAN MEDLEY
12
COZUMEL, Mexico / ST. GEORGE’S, Bermuda
MIN160319
MAR 30, 2016 AN ATLANTIC SOJOURN
17
ST. GEORGE’S, Bermuda / PORTSMOUTH, England
MIN160330
A TALE OF TWO CONTINENTS
FLAVOURS OF LATIN AMERICA
BEAUTY OF THE CHILEAN FJORDS
FEB 19, 2016 TIMELESS SOUTH AMERICA
Departs
Cruise
No.Days
From/To
Cruise reference
CRUISES APRIL 2016 - NOVEMBER 2015 APR 15, 2016
TROIS-RIVIÈRES DE FRANCE
14 PORTSMOUTH, England / PORTSMOUTH, England MIN160415
APR 28, 2016
A BALTIC MASTERPIECE
17 PORTSMOUTH, England / PORTSMOUTH, England MIN160428
MAY 14, 2016
GLORIOUS GARDENS AND THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
14 PORTSMOUTH, England / PORTSMOUTH, England MIN160514
MAY 27, 2016
AN ICELANDIC QUEST
15 PORTSMOUTH, England / PORTSMOUTH, England MIN160527
JUN 10, 2016
FJORDLANDS AND ARCTIC NORWAY
14 PORTSMOUTH, England / KIRKENES, Norway MIN160610
JUN 23, 2016
HIDDEN WHITE SEA AND NORSE DISCOVERY
18 KIRKENES, Norway / PORTSMOUTH, England MIN160623
JUL 10, 2016
HIGHLANDS, ISLANDS AND THE EMERALD ISLE
12 PORTSMOUTH, England / PORTSMOUTH, England MIN160710
JUL 21, 2016
IBERIAN MARITIME ADVENTURE
14 PORTSMOUTH, England / PORTSMOUTH, England MIN160721
AUG 3, 2016
CELTIC TRADITIONS AND EDINBURGH’S TATTOO
14 PORTSMOUTH, England / PORTSMOUTH, England MIN160803
AUG 16, 2016
A PORTRAIT OF PORTUGAL AND SPAIN
15 PORTSMOUTH, England / BARCELONA, Spain MIN160816
AUG 30, 2016
RIVIERA AND ISLANDS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN
14 BARCELONA, Spain / CIVITAVECCHIA, Italy MIN160830
SEP 12, 2016
MEDITERRANEAN MOSAIC
13 CIVITAVECCHIA, Italy / DUBROVNIK, Croatia MIN160912
SEP 24, 2016
THE SPARKLING ADRIATIC
15 DUBROVNIK, Croatia / DUBROVNIK, Croatia MIN160924
OCT 8, 2016
HELLENIC ODYSSEY
14 DUBROVNIK, Croatia / PIRAEUS, Greece MIN161008
OCT 21, 2016
IMPRESSIONS OF THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
13 PIRAEUS, Greece / LARNACA, Cyprus MIN161021
To book or request a brochure
1800 OCEANS (623 267)
visit au.swanhellenic.com or contact your local travel agent
Swan Hellenic Worldwide small ship discovery cruises with inclusive shore excursions and renowned Guest Speaker programmes
Brochures from our sister companies
Voyages of Discovery Small ship discovery cruises incorporating Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Central & South America
Hebridean Island Cruises Highlands & islands of Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Eire, the Channel Islands, the Isles of Scilly & Northern France
Please note: we will always send the most up to date brochures - this means the cover designs may differ from those shown above.
Group travel Our cruises are perfect for groups. If you travel with 10 or more adults, whether it’s your family, friends or members of a social club, you can take advantage of our excellent range of benefits. These include: • Dedicated Groups team • Generous discounts and/or free places* • Private cocktail parties* • FREE promotional material so you can keep your group informed
DISCOVER TRAVEL SHOP
Australia 1800 623 267 (toll free) | New Zealand 0800 623 4293 reservations@discovertheworld.com.au au.swanhellenic.com Level 7, 89 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
ABN: 79135750882
| Discover the World Marketing Travel trading as Discover Travel Shop.
Here at Swan Hellenic we have a specialist, Groups team on hand to help you all the way through your booking. To find out more, call us on: 1800 OCEANS (1800 623 267) Monday - Friday from 9am - 5.30pm *Subject to minimum numbers and availability.