Swan Hellenic's Minerva was named yesterday at a quiet ceremony in Dover, just before the ship set off on its second cruise under its new name - which is actually the vessel's name when it sailed for Swan before, but since leaving Swan five years ago it has sailed as Alexander von Humboldt and Explorer II.
Lady Sterling, wife of the man who bought the brand from Carnival Corp and then sold it on to All-Leisure Group, which also owns Voyages of Discovery, did the honours as godmother and Paul Carter, the cruise director, assures me the Champagne did break.
Jane Archer
