LONDON -- Swan Hellenic will lease the former Renaissance Cruises'
R8 from Cruiseinvest for seven years and will embark on "discovery
and exploration cruises" starting in April 2003.
The ship will be renamed the Minerva II and will replace Swan
Hellenic's current vessel, the Minerva.
The company said it will release details on its 2003 itinerary
in June. In the meantime, the R8 will undergo a renovation to
provide guests with the "Swan Hellenic country house style."