Swan Hellenic is celebrating its 60th year of discovery cruising with early booking offers for its 2014/15 season and a special Diamond Anniversary itinerary.
In August 1954, the first Swan Hellenic trip took 128 passengers and four classical history experts around the Greek islands onboard the m.s. Miaoulis. To commemorate that sailing, the line is offering its Diamond Anniversary 15-day Swan’s Hellenic Celebration itinerary on Aug. 13, 2014 that closely replicates the route of that first cruise. The 350-guest Minerva departs Naples, Italy and calls at Nauplia, Delos and Santorini, Greece and transits the Corinth Canal, which Minerva can access due to her small size, before arriving in Athens (Piraeus). The cruise includes overnights in Naples, Kusadasi, Mykonos and Athens. Fares begin at $3,229 per person through 6/30/13.
The new season, which is now available for booking and can be viewed on Swan Hellenic’s website (www.swanhellenic.us), offers itineraries to destinations in the Baltic, Black Sea, Adriatic, Mediterranean, India and the Far East. Swan Hellenic continues to offer its Black Sea cruise on Aug. 27, 2014 (fares from $3,799 per person through 6/30/13). Brochures may be pre-ordered through the cruise line’s website.
In celebration of the new 2014/15 season, Swan Hellenic is offering an early booking offer of up to ten percent on the new itineraries (departing April 28 through Dec. 19, 2014) for bookings made by June 30, 2013. In addition, those who book an oceanview or balcony stateroom by June 30, 2013 will receive an onboard bar/beverage credit bonus of up to $300 per stateroom.
The new season commences in April 2014 with a series of 12- to 16-day round-trip cruises from London to the Baltic, British Isles and Mediterranean regions. Cruise highlights include:
A Scandinavian Spring – This 12-day cruise departs London (Portsmouth) April 28, 2014 and calls at Oslo, Norway and Copenhagen, Denmark. As part of the line’s partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, guests can explore the gardens of Scandinavia. Fares begin at $2,609 per person through 6/30/13.
D-Day 70th Anniversary: Reflections of France – Mark the anniversary of the D-Day landings and the centenary of the start of World War II on a 13-day cruise that sails from London (Portsmouth) on June 4, 2014 and includes a visit to Ypres, France and the In Flanders Fields Museum, as well as a special service of remembrance on the June 6 anniversary date as the ship sails off the coast of the Normandy beaches. Guests will be accompanied on this sailing by a military historian, who will provide insight into the battle sites. Fares begin at $2,944 per person through 6/30/13.
Icelandic Summer – Depart London (Portsmouth) June 16, 2014 on a 16-day exploration of Iceland. Cruise off the Outer Hebrides, home to colonies of gannets and fulmars. Visit the city of Reykjavik, the most northerly capital. Visit Iceland’s “Golden Circle,” Gulfoss, a thundering waterfall and the geyser area. Visit the fishing community of Grundarfjördur, discover the glacier at Snæfellsjökull National Park or join a hike around the lower part of Mount Kirkjuvell. Fares begin at $2,969 per person through 6/30/13.
Minerva will end 2014 in Asian waters, sailing several enrichment and destination cruises, including the following:
Indian Exploration – This 15-day experience on Nov. 20, 2014 includes a shipboard overnight in Muscat, Oman before calling in Porbandar, India’s first port of call, Gandhi’s birthplace. The ship continues south to Mumbai, Kochin and Tuticorin and enjoys a day cruising around the tip of India before arriving in Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital. Fares begin at $2,849 per person through 6/30/13.
Travels in Indochina – This 16-day holiday cruise on Dec. 19, 2014 includes a shipboard overnight in Singapore. After cruising the South China Sea, Minerva calls at Sihanoukville and the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. Celebrate the holidays while cruising the Vietnamese coast toward Nha Trang, and call in Qui Nhon before sailing onto Da Nang. Enjoy a day at sea then cross the Red River delta to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Ring in the New Year sailing across the South China Sea to Hong Kong. Fares begin at $3,324 person through 6/30/13.
For more information, visit www.swanhellenic.us.