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Swan Hellenic is a London based cruise line that entered the cruise industry by chartering liners and cruise ships from other companies. After being taken over by P&O in 1983, they continued to operate as normal with chartered cruise ships and riverboats. P&O and V-Ships of Monaco bought an uncompleted Russian research vessel that was being built in Italy so they could have it converted to a small luxury cruise ship named Minerva. This ship then joined the Swan Hellenic cruise line as their first new built cruise ship.

Minerva has 6 decks, 1 pool, fitness center, 142 outside cabins of which 12 have balconies, 52 inside cabins, can carry 388 passengers and a crew of 157.

Minerva was operated on cruises from London - the Baltic Sea ports in Denmark, Poland, Russia, Estonia, Finland, Norway & Sweden. Other cruises out of London called at France & Portugal before traveling throughout the Mediterranean. Minerva was also operated on cruises to the Middle East, India, Asia & Africa.

Minerva was returned to V-Ships late in 2003 so they could charter her to Saga Holidays to be operated under the name Saga Pearl. This ship was last known to be operating under the name Alexander von Humboldt.

Swan Hellenic replaced Minerva by chartering the cruise ship R Eight. This ship will be operated under the name Minerva 11.

View the website for prices and itinerary of Swan Hellenic ships at www.swanhellenic.com and Saga Holidays ships at www.saga.co.uk/travel.