Voyages of Discovery to Add Second Ship in December

Alexander von Humboldt at Funchal, Madeira, Portugal on November 6, 2008. Photo © Marcial Fernandes

Voyages of Discovery’s new ship, the 540-passenger Voyager, will join the fleet in December and then embark on its inaugural journey to South America. The ship will undergo final refurbishments in Portland Port, U.K., beginning on Nov. 1, in advance of its Dec. 4 maiden voyage. The ship, formerly the Alexander von Humboldt, was purchased by All Leisure Group in 2009 and has already received technical upgrades and more balcony staterooms.

Voyager will become the second ship in the fleet, joining the 650-guest Discovery, which will undergo extensive refurbishment prior to returning to service in March. Voyager will feature 270 staterooms, of which 87 percent are outside accommodations. Thirty have balconies. The ship will feature open seating dining in two restaurants, plus an intimate pre-bookable specialty restaurant, The Explorer Club, at no extra charge.

Other new additions to Voyager include an explorer theme to reinforce the brand’s destination-led cruises, a classic piano bar, a terrace with an all-weather dining area, digital media players in each stateroom so guests can view films, new artwork and upgraded furnishings in public spaces, a refurbished library and selection of reference books, and a bridge club that can also be used for guest speakers.

The inaugural 17-day sailing departs Dec. 4 from London (Portsmouth) to Barbados. Cruise-only fares begin at $1,699 per person, double occupancy. After a 16-day “Caribbean Gems” holiday cruise on Dec. 20, Voyager departs on a series of South American itineraries that include Panama Canal transits. The 20-day Feb. 6 “Natural Wonders of Latin America” itinerary, for example, includes Chilean fjords, wildlife on Peninsula Valdes, the glacial landscapes and the cities of Santiago and Buenos Aires. Fares in remaining stateroom categories begin at $3,299.