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Swan Hellenic casts net further with new destinations for winter 2011-12

Swan Hellenic's winter 2011-2012 programme features cruises throughout northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Black Sea, North Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Following particularly successful sales for Far East cruises this year, the cruise line will return to the region in late 2011 with ports of call throughout India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Indonesia and the Philippines including a return to Yangon in Myanmar.

New ports, all accessible only by smaller cruise ships, featured across Europe, Asia and Middle East include the wildlife conservation reserve of Sir Bani Yas island in the United Arab Emirates, the Vietnamese coastal city of Qui Nhon, and the French fishing town of Port Vendres close to the Spanish border.

The 320-guest Minerva is also small enough to transit the Corinth Canal in Greece, the Kiel Canal in Germany, the Yangon River in Myanmar and the Saigon River in Vietnam.

Highlights of winter 2011-2012

A return to the Persian Gulf with a 16-day ‘Into the Persian Gulf’ discovery cruise from Mumbai, India calling at destinations such as Dubai for an overnight stay, Manama in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, the exclusive wildlife reserve island of Sir Bani Yas in the United Arab Emirates, and ending in Muscat, Oman. Prices from £2,425 per person in March 2012

An insight into the tribes, religions and cultures of Indonesia and South East Asia with a 22-day ‘East of Java’ cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong with ports of call including Semarang in Java, Bali, Lombok, Komodo, Sandakan in Malaysia for a visit to an orangutan sanctuary, and Manila in the Philippines before arriving in Hong Kong. Prices from £3,345 per person for a 22-day fly-cruise in January 2012

Transit the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh, enjoy five different ports of call in Vietnam, and explore Sihanoukville in Cambodia, and Ko Samui in Thailand on a 21-day ‘Kingdoms of South East Asia’ cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore. Prices from £3,295 per person for a fly-cruise departing in late January 2012

Following the traditional routes of spice traders, a 15-day ‘Colours of India’ cruise takes in ports such as Gandhi’s birthplace, Porbandar, as well as an overnight stay in Mumbai. The 15-day cruise from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Colombo in Sri Lanka costs from £2,185 per person for travel in December 2011

Inclusive shore excursions such as a full day in Luxor for the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, and a full day at the city of Petra in Jordan on the 16-day Along Desert Shores cruise from Oman to Sharm El Sheikh, plus many more, are all part of the main cruise fare

Grand voyages available from 28 days up to 42 days cover a huge range of destinations throughout the continents of Europe and Asia such as a 37-day ‘Oriental Odyssey’ taking in ports of call throughout Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines before ending in Hong Kong

Cruises in Northern Europe depart from Portsmouth for the first time in 2011 following the extensive redevelopment of the port. Complimentary coach transfer to and from Portsmouth is included for no additional cost for all no-fly guests.

Colin Stone, managing director, Swan Hellenic explained: “Bookings for the new winter 2011-2012 Swan Hellenic season have started encouragingly with passengers responding to the rich variety of experiences on offer including traditional tea in a Bedouin camp in Saudi Arabia, visiting the remote Toraja highlands on the island of Sulawesi to discover stilt houses, or in Java climbing to the summit of the Borobudur Buddhist temple complex.

“Interest in Minerva’s cruises and grand voyages remains extremely strong with fewer than 100 cabins available on cruises departing before April 2011. We’re confident that our summer 2011 season, and our new collection of tailor-made discovery cruises for winter 2011-2012 which includes a return to Yangon in Myanmar, will appeal to our passengers’ love of informed discovery travel.”

As part of the discovery nature of the cruises on offer, all sailings are escorted by expert guest speakers relevant to the destinations, cultures and experiences on offer.

Guest speakers in the winter 2011-2012 season include TV experts from programmes such as the BBC’s Coast, former directors of world-class museums such as the V&A, the British Museum and the Tate Britain, and botanists from Kew Gardens, as well as familiar faces such as politician Lord Patten and broadcaster Peter Snow.

All prices include return flights from the UK, transfers, shore excursions worth up to a value of £500, meals and the guest speaker programme onboard ship. There are no additional gratuities and entrance fees to all attractions featured on the shore excursion programme are included.