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Doubts over Swan Hellenic’s future
A question mark hangs over the future of discovery cruise line Swan Hellenic as it emerged that its single ship is to be transferred.
The 680-passenger vessel Minerva II, currently chartered to Swan Hellenic, is to enter service with Carnival sister line Princess Cruises from April 2007.
Swan Hellenic, one of the oldest names in cruising, confirmed that no replacement vessel had yet been found.
A company statement said: “No replacement vessel has been identified at this stage but the company is continuing to pursue all alternatives for the continued operation of the brand.
“Meanwhile for the duration of Minerva II’s programme, Swan Hellenic remains committed to delivering its unique blend of discovery cruising, excellent customer service and country house-style comfort for which it is renowned.”
The 30,000-ton ship will be renamed Royal Princess and operate 12-day itineraries in the Mediterranean next summer following two weeks in dry dock for modifications to be carried out.
The vessel originally entered service in 2001 as a Renaissance ship before joining Swan Hellenic.
Princess Cruises president Alan Buckelew said: “With the addition of Royal Princess, this further modernises the Princess fleet, which is already one of the youngest in the industry. In 2007 our average ship age will be just under six years.”
Princess already has a fleet of 14 ships including the renamed Royal Princess’s sister vessels Pacific Princess and Tahitian Princess.
Report by Phil Davies
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