mv Minerva accidents and incidents

January 2017Other Incidents

In January 2017, the shipowner All Leisure Group cancelled all January cruises on MV Voyager (Voyages of Discovery brand) and also on MV Minerva (Swan Hellenic brand).

The Voyager ship (currently Vidanta Elegant) was supposed to depart from Malaysia on Jan 4 (15-day Asian itinerary "Riches of the Orient"). The Minerva ship had scheduled departure on Jan 3 (15-day Canaries itinerary "Gateway to the Atlantic Isles").

The shipowner explained its decision in a brief Twitter post as “operational reasons”. All Leisure Group PLC (All Leisure Holidays) also owns the brand "Hebridean Island Cruises" and other travel businesses.

In early 2016, the company's Managing Director and chairman R.J. Allard announced that company's “cruise division continued to be unprofitable”.

Unconfirmed reports said that potential buyers inspected the Voyager ship during a recent drydock in Singapore (Keppel shipyard).

In 2017, reportedly All Leisure Group sold off its brand "Hebridean Island Cruises", and that company's other 2 brands (Travelsphere, and  "Just You") are operating under "G Adventures" licence (possibly also sold).

In late November 2015, All Leisure Group sold the 50-passenger ship Hebridean Princess to HP Shipping for GBP 2,9 million (paid in cash). Then the vessel was time-chartered / leased by All Leisure for an 8-year period (until 2023). HP Shipping is owned by private investors, including Roger Allard (shareholder and chairman of All Leisure Group).

In late August 2016, All Leisure Group sold its cruise tour operator "Discover Egypt" (Nile cruises) to its own management team. Discover Egypt is currently part of Platinum Holidays (est 2016 May) and includes Roger Allard, Philip Breckner (All Leisure Holidays’ commercial director) and David Wiles (All Leisure Holidays’ director).

In October 2015, All Leisure Group left the stock market after months of tough trading conditions. Company's turnover for 2015 (through October) was GBP 127,3 million, down from GBP 138,9 million in 2014. However, the Group reported a GBP 0,5 million profit - compared to GBP 7,5 million reported loss in 2014 and GBP 13,2 million reported loss for 2013.

28 April 2010Structural and Technical Issues

Departure May 1, 2010 ("Classical Civilizations" itinerary from Aqaba Jordan to Istanbul Turkey), was officially cancelled due to needed ship repairs.  "Ash issues" were discovered on April 28, during the ship's regular maintenance.

As compensation, all booked customers received a full refund, plus 10% future Swan Hellenic cruise booking discount (on deals booked by the end of 2010). The next scheduled 16-day Mediterranean cruise (itinerary May 15-31 from Istanbul to Valletta Malta) was not affected.

20 December 2008Propulsion / Power Loss

On December 20, 2008, due to mechanical problems, Swan Hellenic cancelled the ship's first two Antarctica voyages. All bookings were fully refunded.