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; Walvis Bay, Namibia with its wildlife and desert landscapes; Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in South Africa back dropped by the flat-topped grandeur of Table Mountain, etc.

Portland Tenerife Ascension Island St. Helena Walvis Bay 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.       If you haven’t got quite so much time you can fly to Cape Town or Walvis Bay, Namibia to join the ship, 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 or Walvis Bay.       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. As a result of high fuel costs a fuel surcharge is applied to cruise fares, currently 14.66%. 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, are payable 75 days before departure. The fare may be paid for by check or wire (by exception only, credit cards may be accepted) in either the basic tariff currency, as quoted by the steamship line, or any of the following major currencies GBP/USD/CAD/EUR 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 must be obtained for West African countries, 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, covering you from the moment you buy the policy, are available to all our customers, worldwide, on our website page "Before You Sail".       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 publication with its listings that include color photos of the ships and cabins, itineraries, prices etc., is a good place to learn about freighter travel." New York Times - May 18/03

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