|
|
If you're tired of glitz on a ship, and don't care if you ever see chrome, mirrors, atriums, fountains, or plastic deck chairs again, then the Swan Hellenic is the line for you.
They're trying to broaden their appeal to the American market right now, especially for their Caribbean cruises. But on a recent 4-day repositioning cruise on the Minerva II of the Swan Hellenic Line almost everyone I met came from the middle of England, or at least areas outside of London.
Although these people may not seem as sophisticated as those in the city of Big Ben, they're just as smart. Most Brits are far better read (and better conversationalists) than Americans, and this ship prides itself on catering to the "intellectual" crowd.
I noticed this minute I entered my (large) stateroom and saw that the book by my bed was the "The Collected Short Stories of Rudyard Kipling". Imagine entering a standard ship's stateroom and finding a copy of John Cheever's short stories in lieu of the Bible by your bed!
When I asked the purser where the library was - and by the way, with 4,000 books, it's the best stocked library I've seen on any ship-I was told there were two. "Do you want the fiction or the intellectual one?" she asked.
Even announcements may contain British witticism. On one of the inevitably rainy days we had at sea (unfortunately emulating British weather), the announcer declared that all should "convene who are going ashore on the ambitiously named Scenic Tour…"
The Swan Hellenic line also prides itself on intelligent lectures by interesting and knowledgeable guest speakers, which comprise the main entertainment. No, you won't find Las Vegas type shows or even gambling here at night. Classical concerts, dramas, and operettas are more like what they offer.
It works here, although whether they'll have to dumb down for their hopeful American clientele we'll learn later.
If you're worried that this ship offers British-type bland food, forget it. The cuisine was excellent. The décor of the ship is described as a "floating English country house," and it does have a comfortable feel as well as a beautiful look. It's also physically delightful, for the expensively upholstered furniture in the dining room had what I call "springy seats." When you sit down, your back doesn't cave in since the chair is convex, so you can rest comfortably.
Throughout the ship there are beautiful antiques, faux fireplaces, gorgeous rugs, marble floors, majestic banisters with wrought-iron design and real wooden deck chairs. Even the cabins are tastefully decorated, with unusual touches like binoculars.
The exercise room, which faced the ocean, was state of the art, with plenty of treadmills, stationary bicycles, and Cybex machines. The spa offered all that Americans are used to - and more. They also had a steam room indoors, and outside there were two steaming Jacuzzis next to the pool.
I hope the Swan Hellenic makes it in the American market because all I can say about it after spending four days on this ship is "Hail Britannia."
SWAN HELLENIC
Return to Cruises | Return to Home Page |
