We have always been interested in the discovery element of cruising offered by Swan Hellenic; we liked the idea of a ''country house' atmosphere and we were keen on the itinerary. The thought of being in a small ...

Sail Date July 2016

Travelling one

1 Review Written

6 Helpful Votes

Med cruise

Europe - Western Mediterranean

Swan Hellenic appeal to a niche market of rich and retired people and whilst the restaurant and ship crew were very polite and helpful, the Swan Hellenic staff were often rude and condescending. The ship is ...

Sail Date August 2016

Peepsporter

1 Review Written

12 Helpful Votes

Just Not for Everyone

First - the cruise left from Portsmouth, England. We had a very good time on this cruise of the West Coast of the United Kingdom. Ports were Guernsey, Scilly, Fishguard, Stornaway, Oban, Isle of Man, and ...

Sail Date July 2016

Pedleaway

1 Review Written

11 Helpful Votes

Fine Cruise with Woeful Excursions

A splendid glossy brochure described lovely excursions from various ports around Britain from the Channel Islands to Scotland and Ireland. The ship was clean, meals were plenty and of good qualitity, service at ...

Sail Date July 2016

annabel@thehayters.org

1 Review Written

21 Helpful Votes

To hell and back

I chose a cruise as I have terminal cancer and am unable to do very much, so my carer and I decided a cruise would be a very good option as she could do as many of the shore excursions as she wanted to and I could ...

Sail Date February 2016

Brianbluebird

2 Reviews Written

23 Helpful Votes

Excellent

France

Aged 67 and 63 we has a first time on this small ship and will return . We are very experienced cruisers mainly with smaller ships. The food was notably very good indeed, varied and of excellent quality. Choice ...

Sail Date May 2016

Mprouse

4 Reviews Written

39 Helpful Votes

South America Discovery Cruise

Our first cruise on the Minerva. This was a trip made up of two cruises - Timeless South America and Natural Wonders of Latin America. We flew to Santiago in Chile from London Heathrow with Iberia. The flight was ...

Sail Date February 2016

pgoestravelling

4 Reviews Written

55 Helpful Votes

Brilliant Cruise, Terrible Travel To and From It

Caribbean - Eastern

Having spent nearly two weeks on the Swan Hellenic Minerva over Christmas, we are able to give a Cygnet’s opinion (as first time Swan Hellenic travellers are known) of life on the Minerva. Overall we were very ...

Sail Date December 2015

mgoldman666

4 Reviews Written

33 Helpful Votes

Swan Hellenic’s Minerva

Mediterranean

Minerva markets itself as a sea borne country house for those who want something a bit more traditional. This is highly accurate, apart from the lack of wallpaper. From the moment we set sight on our fellow ...

Sail Date November 2015

johncb7

1 Review Written

21 Helpful Votes

We like small ships but not the Minerva

Mediterranean

We were very pleased with our Sun Deck cabin on Minerva. Good size cabin and wide balcony. Stewardess was excellent. The ship appeared to be well maintained and in good order. However things changed when we sailed. ...

Sail Date October 2015

Suewoodcock

2 Reviews Written

36 Helpful Votes

Could be better

Baltic Sea

I travelled on Minerva first December then returned 12/05/2015. The quality of food was poor even since Christmas when chef replaced and obviously budget reduced. The speakers had not liased and there was ...

Sail Date April 2015

AA +Ilovecruising

1 Review Written

7 Helpful Votes

5 Star Staff, 3 Star Ship

Middle East

This is our first and last time we use this ship. It its said to have been refurbished, but boy, does it need another one! DO NOT get a cabin on A or B deck from the reception backwards especially A73 - the ...

Sail Date March 2015

cricman47

2 Reviews Written

19 Helpful Votes

To Burma and Beyond

Asia

An enjoyable cruise which, at the discounted fare, was good value for money (probably 5*) but which seems highly overpriced at brochure price. Booking was made less than three weeks before sailing. Swan Hellenic ...

Sail Date December 2014

LandC

4 Reviews Written

18 Helpful Votes

5 Star Service but Disappointing Cabin

Europe - Eastern Mediterranean

This was our first cruise on the Minerva. We normally cruise on mid size ships, but booked this cruise to celebrate special birthdays. We got an early flight from London; the check in clerk told us that Swan ...

Sail Date October 2014

sdmacg

1 Review Written

1 Helpful Vote

Minerva's guest speakers

Europe - Black Sea

Having just completed our second cruise on Minerva we think that its still doing things right. We shopped around the cruise lines at one time, and have sailed with some that we find too opulent, some with ...

Sail Date August 2014

artemisiag

1 Review Written

2 Helpful Votes

The best pampered, educative time had in years!

Middle East

I went on the 'Holy Lands' cruise, March - April 2013. It was fantastically good value and had the most wonderful time! I loved being on the ship, arriving at an exotic port at dawn, a days fabulous sightseeing,all ...

Sail Date March 2013

C.KENNEDY5

1 Review Written

3 Helpful Votes

Up the Amazon

This was our 5th or 6th cruise on Minerva so it must be reasonably good if we keep returning. We have learned to accept the excessive engine vibrations and carefully choose our cabin accordingly. The staff are great ...

Sail Date February 2014

mjtravellers

1 Review Written

6 Helpful Votes

First and last time on Minerva

Panama Canal & Central America

We wanted an interesting cruise on a small ship over Christmas and New Year and the " Mysteries of the Maya" cruise, visiting Central/South America and the Caribbean, sounded ideal. It was our fourth cruise, having ...

Sail Date December 2013

MelvynG

3 Reviews Written

2 Helpful Votes

Gardens archaeology and wildlife of the British Isles

We sailed from Portsmouth. You transfer by bus from the terminal to the ship, but the transfer is quite short. Long delay boarding as ship was entertaining travel agents. The main feature for us was the quality of. ...

Sail Date August 2013

Seacooky

2 Reviews Written

5 Helpful Votes

Swan Hellenic Spring Celebration Cruise

Europe - Western Mediterranean

Air booked by Swan=Excellent:Phx-Istanbul--Rome-Phx & transfers to/from Minerva. Speakers=Excellent.Itinerary=Excellent.Staff=Excellent.Library=Excellent. Entertainment=Passable.Public ...

Sail Date April 2013

afterdeck

1 Review Written

2 Helpful Votes

Grand Mediterranean Spring Cruise 2013

Europe - Eastern Mediterranean

We arrived independently in Aqaba Jordan & as there was not shuttle bus as advertised we made our own way to the ship which caused some consternation with the Port Security. Anyway they threw our suitcases in the ...

Sail Date March 2013

BRPuffin

1 Review Written

2 Helpful Votes

Sampling southern India

Middle East

I am a traveler who frequently takes solo trips. I had traveled northern India by myself two years before this cruise and wanted to return and do southern India but did not know where to start. When I saw this ...

Sail Date March 2011

Red_Roger

2 Reviews Written

1 Helpful Vote

Hansa and Leningrad

Baltic Sea

From our arrival by car at Dover cruise terminal it was clear that this cruise was going to be a well organised experience. We drove into the terminal under the overall roof of the former Dover Marine railway ...

Sail Date July 2010

dileep

3 Reviews Written

No rating

Amazing Antarctica Adventure