MINERVA
IMO 9144196
Registered Owner: Evante International Trading - Greece - Operator: Sete Shipmanagement - Greece.(Wait on futher instructions to rebuilt as a superyacht)
Sept.20-2017. Acquired by Peter Insull and ready for new life at sea. Peter Insull today announced. Insull having been involved in the deal that there is a good chance the vessel will be rebuilt or converted into a private or charter yacht. If indeed reborn as a luxury yacht, the vessel will certainly count as one of the largest super yacht in the world. |
Jan. 4-2017 Swan Hellenic announces that all cruises are cancelled. Ship is for sale. Laid-up in France. Minerva has meanwhile been returned to her owners and placed on the charter market. Subsequent reports indicate that G Adventures is seeking a replacement ship to recommence Swan Hellenic operations. Both Minerva and G Adventures’ own 134-berth Expedition are managed by V.Ships in Monaco. |
History: Ship first sailed on charter as Minerva
for Swan Hellenic from 1996 to 2003. Swan Hellenic at that time owned by
Carnival Corp.& Plc. aquired the former R-8 and renaimed in Minerva-II.
Carnival Corp.& Plc. decided febr.22-2007 to stop with Swan Hellenic. Lord Sterling, former Chairman of the P&O Group
and Chairman of Swan Hellenic bought the Swan Hellenic ‘brand', consists
of database rights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights,
together with related memorabilia and comprehensive library. Swan
Hellenic has joined the All Leisure Group on july 2007 in order to
return to cruising in 2008. The Swan Hellenic cruising operation will be
re-established at least one year earlier than anticipated, as the 350
berth Explorer II, formerly Swan's ship Minerva, will be refurbished and
reintroduced as a Swan Hellenic branded ship in May 2008.
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Aug.2011 Swan
Hellenic announced a major refurbishment of their highly popular Minerva.
Six cabins will
be removed to free up additional space, giving the refurbished Minerva a
total of 181 cabins – all with new en-suite facilities.Of these, 32
cabins will have balconies added, bringing the number of balcony suites
up to 44. A forward-facing
observation lounge and a new walk-around promenade one deck up from the
new balcony cabins. Minerva will
retain her current 350 passenger level and renowned British country
elegance style and ambience.Included in this refurbishment will be a
significant technical upgrade to improve the ship’s efficiency,
manoeuvrability, comfort and environmental performance.
Swan Hellenic's Minerva will interrupt her
planned itinerary on November 23-2011, in Sharm El Sheik and will sail
in ballast to Germany where she will be drydocked for almost two months
at Lloyd Werft shipyard to undergo an extensive upgrade. Ship will
return to service march 2012.Investing in greater comfort and more
advanced technology. To save fuel costs, the Minerva is getting a new
double crankshaft plant including propellers during her stay.This change
is required in order to allow the installation of a Promas integrated
propeller and rudder system developed by Rolls Royce. It is installed
between the double propeller and the rudder blades and is designed to
optimize water flow patterns below the surface. In addition, the ship is
getting a new Voith stern thruster to improve her maneuverability in
confined waters. The yard is concentrating on changes above the surface
but general maintenance and repair work is also being carried out on the
hull below the water-line. On deck 9 is being made bigger and an
aluminum superstructure is being added. Deck 8 is also being widened or
modified to allow for 20 additional suites with balconies. A further 12
cabins are also being fitted with balconies. Also on Deck 8, Lloyd Werft
have work to do in the stern where the deck is being lengthened to offer
more space for passengers. Additionally, the bathrooms in 150 standard
cabins are being renovated and six cabins on Deck 5 are giving way to a
new Beauty Center and Fitness Area. An on-board sauna is being
reconstructed to create more space in the popular Shackleton Bar. |
Entered service: 1996 - Refits: 2003/2012 - Gross tonnage: 12.892 - Pass. cap. lower beds: 350 - All berths: 382 - Passenger decks: 6 - Length: 135,10 m.- Beam: 16,60 m. - Main propulsion : 2 diesel engines make MAN - B&W output each 3480 kW. - 2 Controllable pitch propellers - Service speed: 14 knots - Original Built: Okean Shipyard Nikolayev - Ukraine - Converted Mariotti - Italy - Yard no. 595 - Classification: Rina - Flag: Bahamas.
Major refit: 2012 Lloydwerft -Germany
Originally intended as
Spy ship for Russian navy. After the hull was finished in 1989 Russian navy
changed policy and decided not to finish the ship.
Purchased by V-Ships and converted to a cruiseship.
Former names: Minerva
1996-2003 - From 2003 Abercrombie &
Kent and Saga Cruises jointly charter the ship for about 6 month a year each. In wintertime sailing for A&K as Explorer-II. In summertime
for Saga as Saga Pearl. After Saga acquired in 2004 the Berlin (New Saga
name:
SPIRIT of ADVENTURE)
the charter agreement ended.
Saga has been replaced by Phoenix Seereisen - Germany in summertime. In wintertime still on charter to Abercrombie &
Kent sailing as:
Explorer-II . In summertime as: Alexander von
Humboldt for Phoenix Seereisen - Germany. Charter agreement ended on nov. 2007.
Passenger space ratio all berths: 33.74 |
Old MINERVA
EXPLORER - II
SAGA PEARL
ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT
Minerva - Swan Hellenic
After major refit 2012
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