Creating and delivering a top quality service is not something that can come about overnight, as Swan Hellenic Ð the gold standard in cruising Ð amply demonstrates. This is a company with a distinguished provenance, a proud heritage, and a continuing passion to maintain the highest standards of service.

Swan Hellenic is the market leader in discovery travel. The company's reputation as the master of the art of discovery cruising has been built on 50 years of experience. It has uniquely married the enjoyment of exploring intriguing destinations, with the provision of a sophisticated and relaxed country house style of service and accommodation.

The company was established by Mr W F Swan, one of the earliest entrepreneurs of British travel and former private secretary to the famous Sir Henry Lunn, another pioneer of British travel (founder of the well-known travel agency Lunn Poly). In 1931, Mr Swan set up Swan's Travel Bureau and his son, R K Swan Ð current president of the company Ð joined the agency five years later. This was the start of a successful business dedicated to rail and shipping, and the provision of organised tours in Europe.

In the early 1950s, the Swans were approached by the Hellenic Society to run a tour of Greece for its members. Greece was just recovering from the war and there was little infrastructure left, so a cruise was thought to be the most comfortable and convenient way to see the country. Consequently in August 1954, the first Swan Hellenic Mediterranean cruise headed for the Greek Islands.

A year later, the second Hellenic cruise took place with the eminent archaeologist Sir Mortimer Wheeler joining the cruise as a Guest Lecturer. He subsequently became Chairman of the company and the concept of discovery travel escorted by distinguished Guest Speakers was born.

In 1961, Swan Hellenic operated its first cruise on the Nile, followed five years later with its first tour to India. A 25% interest in the company was sold to the merchant bankers, Charterhouse, in 1961 and was subsequently sold seven years later to the Forte hotel chain, which then became Trust House Forte. In January 1983, Swan Hellenic was acquired by P&O.

The 300-passenger floating country house hotel, Minerva, entered service in 1996 and at the same time, a programme of exotic winter cruises to the Gulf, Indian Ocean and the Far East was introduced. The ship offered a mix of comfort and intimacy and travelled to some of the world's most popular 'must-see' destinations, as well as those off the beaten track, from the Mediterranean to the Baltic, Black Sea, Red Sea, Africa, Arabian Gulf, India, Far East, Central America and the Caribbean.

In 2003, Minerva was replaced by Minerva II, a ship that further extends the Swan Hellenic tradition of comfort, style and service, and that opens up a range of new destinations in the Caribbean and Central America. Cruises can now be combined with pre- or post-cruise land tours or stays, giving passengers a chance to explore the area in more detail.

All Swan Hellenic cruises offer high standards of service and prices that are inclusive of excursions and tips, providing easy and relaxing travel. Many Swan Hellenic cruises offer a special variety of benefits and discounts. These range from early booking discounts to special reductions for loyal passengers and first time cruisers.