Voyages of Discovery take on Minerva

[Geordieboy]

UK-based All Leisure Group said it has secured a long-term lease of Explorer II for summer operations under the Voyages of Discovery/Discovery World Cruises banners. The 394-berth ship will join the 650-berth Discovery for destination-intensive itineraries.

 

Explorer II destinations will include Southern Africa, the Red and Black Seas, Libya, the Mediterranean, the Norwegian Fjords, the Arctic, Canada, the US Eastern Seaboard and South America.

Owned by V. Ships, the 12,500gt vessel will continue to operate in Antarctica for Abercrombie & Kent during the balance of the year.

‘We have identified a gap in the marketplace for the type of quality, destination-intensive itineraries and small ship experience that the Explorer II can offer and this was an opportunity not to be missed,’ said Roger Allard, chairman of All Leisure Group. Explorer II sailed as Swan Hellenic’s Minerva from 1996 until 2003 and then operated on charter in the summers as Saga Pearl for the UK’s Saga Cruises, spending the balance of the year with A&K. The ship will undergo a soft refurbishment before entering service with Voyages of Discovery/Discovery World Cruises