Northern Europe - South Africa and St. Helena Island

C L A S S I C   S O U T H   A T L A N T I C   V O Y A G E S

The Royal Mail Ship St. Helena offers voyages between the UK, Cape Town and the British Dependency of St. Helena, a tiny island within the tropic of Capricorn in the South Atlantic. Sailing aboard the RMS St. Helena is a unique and unforgettable experience. The lifestyle, reminiscent of the great liners of the past is relaxed: lounging on the sun deck, traditional entertainment, excellent food and wine, impeccable service and the informality of newfound friendships or, if prefered, the solitude of contemplating an ever-changing ocean.

Then too, there are the fascinating and very different ports of call, with hundreds of years of history behind them. Rugged, mountainous Tenerife where Nelson lost an arm; tiny Ascension Island, now a hub of world communications; Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in South Africa back dropped by the flat-topped grandeur of Table Mountain, etc.

Portland Vigo Tenerife Ascension Island St. Helena Cape Town

Much more vital to this service, however, and the real raison d’être of the RMS St. Helena, is the island of St. Helena. The ship is the main, virtually the only, way of getting to these remote, rugged and beautiful islands. Everything on them must be delivered by sea. However this will change in a few years as an airport is planned and the first flights will bring a new generation of tourists. The RMS St. Helena, will likely be gone and the era of this unique mode of travel will be consigned to the history books.

Photos from St. Helena: Jonathan, possibly the oldest tortoise in the world, enjoying life amongst the magnificent gardens of Plantation House, the Governor’s Official Residence. (Top) And Napoleon’s house, today a small museum.

It takes approximately a month to sail the 6,000 nautical mile voyage south from Portland, UK, calling at Tenerife and Ascension Island, and then spending a number of days on St. Helena before sailing on to Cape Town. The same voyage is offered in reverse order, calling also at Vigo, Spain before arriving at Portland. If you haven’t got quite so much time you can fly to Cape Town take the cruise to St. Helena, and stay on the island for a few days while the ship makes passage to Ascension Island, then sail back to Cape Town. 2011 SCHEDULE and FARES (6 pdf page, 165 KB) DECK PLAN (1 pdf page, 595 KB).

 

 

The 6,767 GT, 345-foot RMS St. Helena, built in 1989, sails with British and St. Helenian officers and crew, carrying 1,500 tons of cargo and 128 passengers.

 

All the ship’s officers and crew, as well as hotel staff, are very friendly. Part of their function is to help you enjoy your time on board and ashore. Every senior officer hosts a table at dinner, so you are able to get to know them well over the course of the voyage.

Passenger accommodations are among the most modern available today. There is a shop selling both souvenirs and essentials for the voyage. The purser’s bureau also acts as the ship’s bank, changing travelers’ checks and foreign currency, as well as acting as travel agent, post office, international telephone exchange and publisher of the ship’s daily newspaper. All cabins on decks A and B (T-category) have air conditioning, private facilities and open views of the ocean.

The RMS St. Helena is also an open ship where all passengers are free to visit both the bridge and the engine room to see how an ocean going vessel really functions. You only need to ask. There is even a doctor on board and a small but well equipped hospital. The ship’s laundry service will do all your washing and ironing, but those who wish can use the self service laundry facility which is fully equipped with washer, dryer, and an iron. While swimwear is not allowed in the public rooms, dress during the day is very informal. Even dressing up for dinner is optional.

 

WHAT’S INCLUDED - Prices quoted are for full board, excluding drinks and other personal expenditures. The cruise only fare does not include accommodation on St. Helena. It should be noted that passengers are not allowed to remain onboard while the ship is in port except where the option to continue to Ascension Island and back has been booked (please see next paragraph).

 

ST. HELENA - ASCENSION SHUTTLE - If the ship is due to make a shuttle trip to Ascension Island, the sea voyage fare does not include this shuttle. Accommodations permitting, cruise only passengers may remain on the ship for this voyage on payment of an extra £649.

 

RESERVATIONS - can be made by completing a Registration Form and providing a 25% deposit. The balance of the fare is payable 75 days prior to departure. Payments by check or wire are welcome in either the basic tariff currency, as quoted by the steamship line, or USD/CAD at the prevailing exchange rate, subject to a final adjustment at the time the ticket is issued, about four weeks before departure. The fare amount quoted in the basic currency is fixed and there will be no adjustments, up or down, before or after the voyage, unless the contract stipulates otherwise. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the anticipated return date, and a visa may be required, depending on the voyage and passengers’ citizenship. There is no age limit.

Cancellation fees are as follows: over 60 days, loss of deposit; 30-59 days, 50% of the fare. No refund will be made within 30 days of departure. To protect your investment, Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is highly recommended. Travelex Insurance packages are available to Maris customers worldwide. International Health and Accident Insurance (Medical) is required on all our voyages. While Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is highly recommended; it protects your investment from the moment you buy the policy (at the same price as it would be one day before the voyage). And if you take it within three weeks of your initial deposit, pre-existing conditions are waived. Please contact us through the Inquiries page.

 

 

Rotterdam, Holland (Day 1); Tilbury, England (2); Bremerhaven, Germany (4); Las Palmas, Canary Islands (10); Cape Town (19), Port Elizabeth (21) and Durban (24), South Africa; Cape Town (26) and Las Palmas (36), 2nd calls; Rotterdam (42) .

 

DAL Kalahari Passengers: 7 Deadweight: 63,000 tons Containers: 4,000 Length: 265 m Speed: 25 knots/46 km Built: 2005 Officers & Crew: Int’l Owners: DAL, German

 

Accommodations and Fares The 36 sq. m. twin-bedded suite, consisting of a living room and bedroom including bathroom with shower and private facilities. The 29 sq. m. twin-bedded cabin, consisting of a bedroom with sitting area and bathroom with shower and private facilities. The 21 sq. m. cabin with a pullout couch for two, sitting area and bathroom with shower and private facilities. The 21 sq. m. single cabin, consisting of a bedroom with sitting area and bathroom with shower and private facilities. All located on upper decks, facing forward (view may be obstructed by the containers stowed on deck), furnished with the Radio/TV/DVD player and a small fridge. (EUR) €2,300 - €3,050 per person double; €3,280 - €4,600 single occupancy, one way, depending on ports in South Africa and season. Please see The Fares (1 pdf page, 35 KB).

General Information Passenger cabins and shared facilities, such as the dining room, lounges, exercise room and swimming pool are located on various decks. Passengers must be fully mobile and able to negotiate the stairs. Front and aft views may be obstructed by the containers stowed on deck. Self service laundry facilities are available. The electrical current is 220/50 AC. A two-prong round adapter and converter are needed for North American appliances. A steward will clean the cabin once a week, or more often if necessary.

A small onboard shop provides a limited selection of beverages, cigarettes and toiletries at duty free prices. Onboard expenses may be paid for with cash in €/$ (EUR/USD). Tipping is at the passenger’s discretion; $/€3-5 per person per day is recommended. Telephone, fax and email connections are available, but no Internet, through the Captain’s office. The average port time is one day.

 

Reservations Reservations can be made by completing a Registration Form and providing a 25% deposit. The balance of the fare is payable 70 days before departure. The fare may be paid for by check or wire in either the basic tariff currency, as quoted by the steamship line, or in USD/CAD at the prevailing exchange rates and subject to a final adjustment at the time the ticket is issued, a few weeks before departure. By exception only, credit cards may be accepted for payments in US$.

 

Requirements Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the anticipated return date, and a visa for China and the USA must be obtained, depending on the citizenship and voyage. The steamship line's Medical Questionnaire must be completed by your doctor, and International Health and Accident Insurance is required, as is the vaccination (or exemption) certificate against yellow fever on voyages to China and through the Suez Canal. The age limit is 79. Cancellation fees are as follows: over 60 days, loss of deposit; 30-59 days, 50% of the fare. No refund will be made within 30 days of departure. To protect your investment, Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is highly recommended. Travelex Insurance packages are available to Maris customers worldwide. International Health and Accident Insurance (Medical) is required on all our voyages. While Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is highly recommended; it protects your investment from the moment you buy the policy (at the same price as it would be one day before the voyage). And if you take it within three weeks of your initial deposit, pre-existing conditions are waived.

Please contact us through the Inquiries page.

We are most grateful for the support, including comments such as the following, which we have been receiving from our valued customers and club members as well as from the steamship lines and media over the years:

	"Maris is sailing under fair skies with a following wind under your command." John Carrick Editorial writer Sydney, Australia Sep/99

	"Q: It has always been my dream to take a long voyage on a cargo ship. Can you tell me if this is possible any more? - A: Maris in New York offers such voyages on a daily basis." Sunday Times London July 1/01

	"Maris Freighter Cruises website, as well as monthly newsletter which illustrates itineraries, ships, prices etc., is a good place to learn about this type of cruise and travel." New York Times May 18/03

	"We are very appreciative of the work you have undertaken on our behalf for many years and the effort you have put into making our passenger service a success ... Our sincere and grateful thanks." Richard Mellor P&O Nedlloyd London Jan/05

	"As a faithful reader of your monthly publication, I wish to compliment you and your staff on the informativness and thoroughness, setting forth in honest and detailed manner descriptions of this means of travel." Martin Ems Retired Manager Passenger Services, American President Lines - Feb/07

	"I just wanted to send you my thanks for the beautiful publication you produce each month. I hope you'll keep freighter travel as your primary focus always, as it sets you apart." Alison Senter (Member since '95) New Lisbon, NJ Jan/10

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