The 15,721-ton, 540 passenger Voyager will join the Voyages of Discovery brand in December 2012 as the second ship of the fleet, which includes Discovery (although Discovery is transferring to Cruise & Maritime Voyages next year).
It is currently in its final stage of refurbishments in Portland Port in the U.K., and is due to set sail on its maiden voyage on 4 December 2012.
Northern Ireland-based international contracting company, Mivan, specialists in cruise ship refurbishment, will be completing the project which marks the final stage in a multi-million pound investment by Voyages of Discovery (part of All Leisure Group).
Like its sister ship mv Discovery, the small size of Voyager means that the ship is able to access remote, out of the way ports essential for the Voyages of Discovery destination-led cruise offering. The line has also introduced an explorer theme to the whole ship.
Formerly the Alexander von Humboldt, the ship was built in 1990 and previous owners were (in reverse order): Club Cruise, Casino ship (based Hong Kong) and Cunard.
Voyager has had major technical upgrades as well as more balcony cabins (30 in total).
It will have 270 cabins, 87% of which are outside cabins.
There will be open seating dining in two restaurants, plus an intimate pre-bookable specialty restaurant, The Explorer Club.
New features
Scott’s Lounge – a classic piano bar serving cocktails into the evening
The Lookout Lounge providing panoramic views from the front of the ship
A new terrace with all-weather awning added to the Veranda Restaurant to allow guests to dine al fresco style
Introduction of new digital media players allowing guests in all cabins to access and view a large selection of films, classical concerts and documentaries
New artwork added to key public spaces
Upgrade of all soft furnishing in public spaces
Complete refurbishment of the library and its reference books
New dual purpose Bridge Club which can also be used for Guest Speaker lectures and functions onboard the ship
Following Voyager’s first two cruises sailing in the Caribbean, it will embark on a series of itineraries in Central and South America, heading to the Amazon in early 2013.
