Small Ship Cruise News: Swan Hellenic, Venerable British Firm, to be Revived

The beloved Minerva. * Photo: Ted Scull

All Leisure Group, a UK firm that operates Swan Hellenic and its sole ship MINERVA ceased operations in early January. The firm started cultural cruises in the Mediterranean in 1954 was known for its superb lecture program, creative itineraries, and with the MINERVA, its country-house hotel atmosphere, drew mainly British passengers.

G Adventures, an expedition company, has taken on the brand but not the ship. The firm intends to operate a smaller vessel of under 200 passengers, and while keeping the educational lecture program, the experience will be a more active one, using Zodiacs for exploring, and presumably attempting to attract a broader age range. The line will re-emerge in 2018, and loyal Swans will be watching what the new owners have wrought out of this venerable old firm.

— TWS