 Durant
& Cheryl Imboden'sEurope for Cruisers europeforcruisers.com |
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Swan Hellenic Cruises
ABOVE: Swan Hellenic's Minerva (in its old Explorer II livery) on a cruise to Antarctica. INSET BELOW: The English-style Shackleton's Bar.
All ocean cruises are aboard a 12,500-ton, 350-passenger vessel with an ice-strengthened hull for Antarctic cruising during the European off-season. The ship, which entered service in 1996, was rechristened Minerva in 2008. Minerva has a capacity of 350 passengers and is decorated in English "country house" style. Accommodations range from standard cabins to deluxe suites with balconies. Two cabins are equipped for disabled passengers. Swan Hellenic's European itineraries include the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, and cruises to such northern destinations as the Faroe Islands, the Baltic states, and Russia. Most European cruises are 14 to 16 days in length. Cruise line's Web site:
Photos copyright © Swan Hellenic. Used by permission. |
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Swan Hellenic is a
long-established British line that emphasizes "discovery cruising," with guest lecturers and
shore excursions that focus on history, art, and sightseeing. If you're the sort of traveler
who's more likely to carry a Blue Guide than a Born to Shop book,
Swan Hellenic is your sort of cruise line.
