A new ship, two refurbishments
and added itineraries lie ahead
for discovery cruising fans.
SWAN Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery and
Hebridean Island Cruises will undergo
significant improvements and extensions over
the next 12 months.
British parent company, All Leisure Holidays,
is investing millions to develop its offerings to
cruise travellers in response to passenger
feedback.
Swan Hellenic’s mv Minerva will be
refurbished to enlarge its interior and exterior
public areas, with six cabins to be removed to
free up additional space.
All 181 cabins will have new ensuite facilities,
and 32 cabins will have balconies added.
A technical upgrade is also planned to
improve the ship’s efficiency, maneuverability,
comfort and environmental performance.
Voyages of Discovery is introducing a new
ship: the 550-passenger mv Voyager
(previously named Alexander von Humboldt),
which has a “modern hotel feel” and almost
90% outside cabins.
mv Voyager will commence its maiden
voyage in November 2012 with a Caribbean,
Central and South American program including
a cruise of the Amazon.
The brand’s other vessel, mv Discovery, is set
for a major refurbishment and dry dock in
2012/13, with upgrades to the decking, public
areas, cabins, furnishing and dining areas.
Hebridean Island Cruises has launched a
dedicated river program for next year – Royal
Crown will sail on the Rhine in spring and the
Danube in autumn 2012, on a seven-night
itinerary basis.
Roger Allard, executive chairman, All Leisure
Group commented: “We aim to be proactive in
what is a challenging time for the economy
and travel industry as a whole and see 2012
being an exciting year for our three discovery
cruising brands.”
