By
Michele Witthaus |
The revitalised Swan Hellenic ship Minerva has sailed into Portsmouth International Port to launch the port’s 2012 cruise season.
Having completed an extensive upgrade over almost three months at Lloyd Werft in Germany, the luxury vessel arrived on 2 March with a range of new and improved features. Enhancements include an additional 32 balconies to existing cabins, an increase in the number of balcony suites to 23 per cent of all cabin accommodation, a new forward facing panoramic observation lounge and bar (the Orpheus Lounge) on the top deck, a dedicated internet lounge, an extension to the ship’s Shackleton Bar, an outdoor walk-round promenade deck and new en-suite facilities in every cabin.
Colin Stone, managing director of Swan Hellenic, said: “Minerva’s upgrade marks a new chapter in the long history of Swan Hellenic. We are delighted that Minerva will be starting Portsmouth’s 2012 summer cruise season in true style – a welcome return after operating our first Portsmouth season in 2011. Our passengers find sailing from Portsmouth International Port very convenient, and the new multi-million pound terminal and facilities are ideal from which to commence a cruise.”
Portsmouth International Port expects a 10 per cent increase in cruise visitors this summer on last year’s total, with 35 cruise ships already confirmed. Martin Putman, port manager of Portsmouth International Port, remarked: “Despite the challenging economic climate, we continue to see positive growth in the cruise business at Portsmouth. It shows the confidence passengers and cruise lines have in our ability to deliver a great start to their holiday.”
The new-look Minerva’s first outing from Portsmouth is a 15-day cruise calling at Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz, Casablanca, Lanzarote, Tenerife, La Gomera, Santa Cruz de la Palma and Funchal. The vessel’s parent company All Leisure Group has committed to basing three ships at Portsmouth every summer until at least 2015.