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Minerva%lt;br%gt;28 Night Grand Desert Shores%lt;br%gt;Piraeus to Dubai

Minerva
28 Night Grand Desert Shores
Piraeus to Dubai

Ship: Minerva
Cruise Line: Swan Hellenic Cruises
Departures:  07 November 2012
Duration: 28 Nights
Ports: Piraeus, Antalya, Limassol, Tripoli, Beirut, Port Said, El Sokhna, Aqaba, Sharm-el-Sheikh, Safaga, Djibouti, Salalah, Muscat, Khasab, Dubai
Airport gateway (Arrival) : Athens
Airport gateway (Departure) : Dubai

Itinerary

Date Port Arrive Depart
07 Nov Piraeus, Greece    
08 Nov Piraeus, Greece   2.00pm
09 Nov Cruising the Mediterranean Sea    
10 Nov Antalya, Turkey 8.00am 3.00pm
11 Nov Limassol, Cyprus 8.00am 7.00pm
12 Nov Tripoli, Libya 8.00am 7.00pm
13 Nov Beirut, Lebanon 7.00am 7.00pm
14 Nov Port Said, Egypt 4.00pm 11.00pm
15 Nov Transiting the Suez Canal    
16 Nov El Sokhna, Egypt 6.00am 11.00pm
17 Nov Cruising the Red Sea    
18 Nov Aqaba, Jordan 7.00am 8.00pm
19 Nov Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt 7.00am 7.00pm
20 Nov Safaga, Egypt 6.00am  
21 Nov Safaga, Egypt    
22 Nov Safaga, Egypt   11.00pm
23 Nov Cruising the Red Sea    
24 Nov Cruising the Red Sea    
25 Nov Cruising the Red Sea    
26 Nov Djibouti, Djibouti 8.00am 8.00pm
27 Nov Cruising the Arabian Sea    
  Djibouti, Djibouti   2.00pm
28 Nov Cruising the Arabian Sea    
29 Nov Salalah, Oman 11.30am 6.00pm
30 Nov Cruising the Arabian Sea    
01 Dec Muscat, Oman 4.00pm Overnight
02 Dec Muscat, Oman   2.00pm
03 Dec Khasab, Oman 11.30am 7.00pm
04 Dec Dubai, United Arab Emirates 8.00am  
05 Dec Dubai, United Arab Emirates

* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected

 

Cabin Pricing

* All prices quoted are PER PERSON in Australian Dollars and include Port Charges and Fuel Charges (if applicable).
* All prices quoted are for the cruise departing on . Prices for alternative departure dates may vary.

Onboard Credit offer
GBP100 onboard credit per cabin for Category I/H on selected sailings
GBP200 onboard credit per cabin for Category D on selected sailings
Sales are valid from 18NOV11-17APR12

Gratuities included

Cabin Single Twin Triple Quad + Child + Infant
Category N - Baltic Deck Inside Aft---$3900------------Book or Enquire
Category I - Baltic Deck Outside Aft Portholes---$5449------------Book or Enquire
Category G - Aegean Deck Outside Aft Window---$6430------------Book or Enquire
Category D - Sun Deck Balcony Suite---$7950------------Book or Enquire
 

Ports

Piraeus

Piraeus is located to the south of Athens. It is the capital of the Piraeus Prefecture and belongs to the Athens urban area. It was the port of the ancient city of Athens and it was chosen to serve as the modern port when Athens was re-founded in 1834. Piraeus remains one of the busiest shipping and industrial centres of the Mediterranean.

Country - Greece
Distance from port to City -
Distance to Airport
Currency - Euro Dollar (EUR)

Places of Interest
Greek Maritime Museum and Piraeus Archaeological Museum.

Antalya

Antalya, Turkey's principal holiday resort in the Mediterranean region (ancient Pamphylia), is an attractive city with shady palm-lined boulevards, a prize-winning marina on the Mediterranean. Antalya is the shining gem of the Turquoise Riviera with some of the clearest waters and most beautiful coast along the Mediterranean, the region is great for divers, swimmers and yachting types.

Country - Turkey
Distance from port to City - 0kms
Distance from port to Airport - 13kms
Currency - Turkish Liyra (YTL)

Places of Interest
Kaleici, Archaelogy Museum, Historic Museums

Limassol

On the island's south coast, Limassol is very much in the Greek sector of Cyprus. Nearby crusaders' castles, Greco-Roman ruins, olive groves and vineyards all speak to a lifestyle that is intrinsically Hellenic, and wizened lacemakers weave the traditions of their ancestors into their detailed work.

Country - Cyprus
Distance from port to City - 0kms
Distance from port to Airport - 60kms
Currency - Cypriot Pound (CYP)

Places of Interest
Temple of Apollo, Omodos Village, Aphrodite's Rock

Tripoli

More than 1,700 years ago, Tripoli was formed by the union of three cities-Sabrata, Ouia and Liptes. Before that, it was one of the four most powerful Phoenician cities in the Mediterranean. 130 km east of the city is the ancient Roman ruins of Leptis Magna. Today, Tripoli is a capital of absolutely beautiful architecture, with a dash of Ottoman and Spanish influences subtly evident in the streets and faces

Country - Libya
Distance from port to City - 0kms
Distance from port to Airport - 34kms
Currency - Libyan Dinar (LYD)

Places of Interest
Arch of Marcus Aurelius, National Museum, Roman ruins of Leptis Magna

Beirut

Lebanon's capital city is a vibrant, stylish metropolis, with all of the fun, fashion, and flair that a city lover could look for. All over the city, sleek, modern buildings are springing up, alongside arabesque Ottoman and French-style buildings, giving Beirut a unique style that is all its own. Beirut has a balmy, mild climate that is perfect for year round visits. From sipping coffee at an open air café, to shopping for cutting edge fashions at a boutique shop, to exploring the treasures of the country's National Museum, to dancing the night away at a trendy club, Beirut has something to offer for everyone.

Country - Lebanon
Distance from port to City - 0kms
Distance from Port to Airport - 12kms
Currency - Lebanese Pound (LBP)

Places of Interest
Jeita Caverns, Roman Baths, Al-Omari Mosque, The Corniche, Beirut National Museum

Port Said

While youthful Port Said is often overlooked for Egypt’s legendary capital of Cairo, it’s well worth a look, especially the outstanding beaches north of town. Of course, don’t miss nearby Cairo, which has been the nation’s heart and soul for more than 1,000 years. Rarely is the dichotomy of modern and medieval sensibilities more apparent—skyscrapers tower over earthen houses, and fast cars dart around donkey-drawn carts, as this teeming city of 16 million residents live harmoniously.

Country - Egypt
Distance from port to City - 0kms
Distance from port to airport - 160kms
Currency - Egyptian Pound (EGP)

Places of Interest
National Museum, Cairo, Pyramids of Giza

Aqaba

The waterway to the Red Sea - the commercial sea port of Aqaba (Al 'Aqabah) is the only outlet to the Hashimate Kingdom of Jordan, and is situated at the top of the Gulf of Aqaba. Aqaba brings a refreshing release from the rose-coloured desert to the North.

Country - Jordan
Distance from port to City - 0kms
Distance from port to Airport - 10kms
Currency - Jordanian dinar (JOD)

Places of Interest
Aqaba Fort

Sharm-el-Sheikh

With its unique location, in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt is considered the strategic passageway, the meeting point between Asia and Africa, and the cradle of great civilizations. With its diverse features of environment that combine together history, tourism, industry and agriculture, it has become a main attraction for tourists, travelers and businessmen.

Country - Egypt
Distance from port to City - 0kms
Distance to Airport - 1.5kms
Currency - Egyptian Pound (EGP)

Places of Interest
Coral Reef, Ras Mohammed National Park, Mount Moses

Safaga

Safaga was for many years a merchant port – now the town, with its wide azure bay, long sandy beaches and pretty islands, is a favourite sports destination in the Red Sea Riviera. Safaga is especially popular among windsurfers, and was the host of the 1993 Red Sea World Windsurfing Championships.

Country - Egypt
Distance from port to City - 0kms
Distance from port to Airport - 50kms
Currency - Egyptian Pound (EGP)

Places of Interest
Windsurfing in Safaga Bay

Djibouti

Djibouti city is the country's namesake seaside capital city and has an interesting history first establishing itself as a French territory before gaining independence. Due to this past, the city is a mix of Western/European and African influences.

Country - Djibouti
Distance from port to City - 2kms
Distance from port to Airport - 5kms
Currency - Djiboutian Franc (DJF)

Places of Interest
Le Marche Central (Central Market ), Aquarium Tropical de Djibouti, L'Escale marina, Lac (Lake) Abbé, Lac Asal, Lac Goubet

Salalah

Like a magic carpet spread before the sea, Oman's coastal plain is one of the most fertile areas of Arabia. Famous since antiquity as the source of frankincense, Salalah was already a prosperous town when Marco Polo visited it in the 13th century! Inland rise the forbidding Al-Quarà Mountains, and the desolate "Empty Quarter" of central Saudi Arabia.

Country - Oman
Distance from port to City - 0kms
Distance from port to Airport - N/A
Currency - Omani Rial (OMR)

Places of Interest
Sultan Qaboos Palace, Al-Hisn Souq

Muscat

Situated on a striking cove on the Gulf of Oman, ringed by striking volcanic mountains and guarded by two ancient Portuguese forts, diminutive Muscat is the capital of the Sultanate of Oman. Its architecture is a picturesque blend of Arab, Indian, African and European styles. Look for the sultan's palace at the water's edge, or visit the important national museum.

Country - Oman
Distance from port to City - 0kms
Distance from port to Airport - 6kms
Currency - Omani Rial (OMR)

Places of Interest
Sultan's Palace, National Museum

Khasab

Khasab is the regional center of Musandam Governorate in the Sultanate of Oman. It is located very close to the Strait of Hormuz about 60 km away from Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates.

Country - Oman
Distance from port to City -
Distance to Airport
Currency - Rial (OMR)

Places of Interest

Sultanate of Oman

 


Dubai

A relatively new tourist destination, Dubai has gained in popularity in the recent years. It is essentially a desert city with superb infrastructure, liberal policies and excellent tourist amenities. Just 5 hrs from Europe and 3 hrs from most parts of Asia, Dubai makes a great short break for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining, sporting events, and even a few sinful pleasures. It is a city of superlatives: for the fastest, biggest, tallest, largest and highest, Dubai is the destination.

Country - United Arab Emirates
Distance from port to City - 0kms
Distance from port to Airport - 8kms
Currency - Emirati Dirham (AED)

Places of Interest
The Burj Hotel, Duty Free Shopping Centres, Bastakiya

Minerva Cabin Info

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Cruise line info

Swan Hellenic Cruises

Swan Hellenic Cruises

With over 50 years experience in discovery cruising, Swan Hellenic know all the ingredients for the perfect cruise. From the onboard environment to inspiring itineraries, and from our knowledgeable reservations team to our European ship's officers and attentive crew, we are committed to providing you with the ultimate discovery cruise experience.

 

Ship info

Minerva

PLEASE NOTE:

From November 2011 to March 2012, Minerva will be embarking on a visionary multi-million pound upgrade to take Swan Hellenic and Minerva forward into the next era.
New specifications will feature an increase in balcony cabins, taking the total number to 44 balcony cabins, or 23% of passenger accommodation. There will also be an upgrade for all cabin ensuites and added space and comfort in public areas.
Please visit
here for more information on this exciting new development.


 
No matter which corner of the globe you choose to discover, after exploring ashore, you will always appreciate Minerva’s stately comforts: a relaxed lounge with entertainment, well-stocked library, restaurants, gym, Wheeler bar and Shackleton's bar. An elegant environment in which polished wood and gleaming brass are complemented by works of art and fresh flowers.



Dining

This ship has 2 restaurants

  • Main Dining Restaurant
  • Veranda Dining Room

Entertainment

  • Darwin Lounge / Lecture Hall
  • Wheeler Bar
  • Shackleton's Bar
  • Cinema

Onboard Activities

  • Swimming Pool
  • Gymnasium
  • Sauna & Spa Services 
  • Beauty Salon
  • Library / Card Room 
  • Smoking Room
  • Boutique and Gift Shop
  • Photography Services 

Ship facts

Ship Details
Gross Tonnage 12,500 Tonnes
Star Rating TBA
Size/Style of Ship Mid-Size
Entered Service 29/04/1996
Registry The Bahamas
Former Name N/A
Length 132.9 metres
Beam 20.1 metres
Draft 5.8 Metres
Propulsion/Propellers NA
Maximum Cruising Speed (knots) 15
Passenger Capacity (twin) 350
Crew 160
Nationality of Officers British/European
Nationality of Crew International
Total Cabins TBA
Total Inside cabins  
Total Outside cabins  
Cabin/Suites with Balcony  
Wheelchair Accessible Cabins  
Passenger Decks 6
Cabin Electricity 110v
Elevators 2
Self-Service Laundry Yes
Onboard Currency (subject to change)  

Minerva Deck plans

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