Swan Hellenic Minerva – my first niche experience…

I have such a lovely job! I remind myself of this often as there can be few jobs that would give me such wonderful opportunities to travel the world and ‘try out’ so many cruise ships. All these experiences allow me to pass on useful advice to clients on a day to day basis so that hopefully their cruising experience is all the better.

On Wednesday I am popping down to Portsmouth, a new port for me, to have a nose around the newly refurbished Swan Hellenic Minerva. I am really looking forward to this as it will be my first experience of a niche cruise line.
Minerva is a tiny vessel at just oveer 12,000 tonnes, carrying just 350 passengers – my kind of ship. As you know, I am not a fan of the giant cruise ships, so I think I am going to feel at home on her straight away. She entered service in 1996 but over the last winter she has had a multi million pound refurbishment, improving and enhancing many of her features so she should be looking top-notch. Cabins and public areas alike have been improved and extended. She now boasts many more balcony cabins and more expansive public areas.
Being a smaller ship allows Minerva to access ports that so many of the large ships cannot. this is why her itineraries are so popular – a chance to explore the mainly inaccessible, prettier ports. And she certainly gets about for a small ship, spending last winter in the Indian Ocean.
Another thing that always interests me is the food! I am looking forward to lunch and of course I will report my findings.
All in all I am really looking forward to the whole day. Watch out for my next post for a full and frank review. In the meantime, have a look at this video to whett your appetite………..