The Royal Horticultural Society is today launching a new collection of RHS Garden Holiday cruises, operated by small ship discovery experts Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery.  The brochure brings together the 2015 programme with new 2016-17 cruises, and features selection of eight dedicated RHS partner cruises with expert RHS speakers on board and special garden visits en route, as well as a wider range of cruises around the world. 

The eight RHS Partner cruises are a combination of fly and no-fly itineraries, travelling to destinations as diverse as the Caribbean and Cuba, countries around the Mediterranean, as well as Madeira and the Azores, with one of the cruises ending with a day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show – a treat for any keen gardener. The two ships featured in the brochure, MV Minerva and MV Voyager, are both small ships; perfect for exploring destinations slightly more off the beaten track as they are able to dock in much smaller ports than larger ships. 

Commenting on the new brochure, Sue Biggs, Director General, RHS, says 'Our cruise programme has proved extremely popular with RHS members and other garden enthusiasts, with a real highlight being the RHS Expert Speakers.  These horticultural experts add a whole new level of interest to the cruise experience.  As well as giving specialist talks and sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm on board and during shore excursions, they are a mine of information for guest's gardening queries and happy to share their invaluable expertise.  What better way gain inspiration for your own garden at home than on a cruise that visits some superb gardens, travelling in the company of some of the country's most experienced horticulturists?'

Highlights of the dedicated RHS partner cruises are as follows:

Swan Hellenic's Glorious Gardens & the Chelsea Flower Show with Lady Christine Skelmersdale

14 day cruise from 14th – 27th May 2016, fares from £2,608pp

This lovely no-fly cruise starts and finishes at Portsmouth, with an itinerary visiting Honfleur, Caen, St Malo, Douarnenez and Nantes in France; St Peter Port in Guernsey and Rotterdam and with a final stop at the glorious RHS Chelsea Flower Show.  Gardens en route include Giverny and Monet's Gardens; Herm Island Gardens just off the coast of Guernsey where head gardener Brett Moore will lead a special tour.  Host Lady Christine Skelmersdale has been Managing Director of Broadleigh Gardens for 40 years and is an expert lecturer and garden writer. 

Swan Hellenic's Riviera & Islands of the Mediterranean with Caroline Holmes

14 day cruise from 30th August – 12th September 2016, fares from £2,280pp

A superb cruise around the French Riviera, which travels on to Monaco, Elba, Corsica, Sardinia and Carthage, as well as Sicily, Capri and finally Citaveccia in Italy.   Garden highlights include Marimurtra botanical Garden with around 3,000 species of subtropical, temperate and Mediterranean plants and Villa Lante in the historic town of Bagnaia. Host Caroline Holmes is an internationally renowned garden historian, lecturer, designer and author who is particularly interested in how people and plants have historically shaped landscapes and what we can learn from them.  She devised and designed the Humanist Renaissance gardens around Notre Dame de Calais.

Voyages of Discovery's Caribbean Colonial Trails with Jekka McVicar

15 day cruise from 6th – 20th December 2015, saver fares from £1,299pp

Visit some of the most beautiful islands of the Caribbean on this 15 day cruise. Visiting Barbados, St Vincent, Bonaire, Curacao, Cartagena, Aruba, La Guaira, Margarita Island, Grenada and St Lucia. Garden highlights en route include Orchid World in Barbados; St Vincent Botanical Gardens – the oldest botanical gardens in the Western Hemisphere and Laberinito Tropical Gardens in Margarita. 

Whilst on board, as well as enjoying the congenial atmosphere, fine dining and entertainment available, passengers will also be able to enjoy a programme of relevant lectures and talks which, on the RHS departures, feature the RHS expert speakers.  

Also featured in the brochure are 12 other fly and no-fly cruises to a variety of destinations around Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.  By booking one of these cruises, as with the other eight RHS partner cruises, customers will be contributing to the invaluable work of the RHS, with a donation from each booking going to the charity.

For full details of the tours, please refer to the brochure, log onto www.rhsgardenholidays.com or visit RHS Garden Holidays at the RHS Stand at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show from 30 June – 5th July 2015.

To book or for further information, please visit www.rhsgardenholidays.com or call 0203 735 1855.

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 For further media information, please contact: Sarah Bolam - sarahbolam2@rhs.org.uk or 07714 337756  

Notes to Editors:

About RHS Garden Holidays

RHS Garden Holidays offer a range of garden-themed escorted tours and partner cruises around the world that combine the gardening-related passion and knowledge of the RHS with the experience of leading tour operators.  Partners for escorted tours are Brightwater Holidays in the UK and Ireland, Europe and Worldwide, Wendy Wu Tours in China and a range of cruises in partnership with Voyages of Discovery and Swan Hellenic.

All tours are escorted by an experienced tour manager and include international flights, transport accommodation and some meals.

A contribution from every booking goes towards the charitable works of the RHS.  On all bookings, there is a promotion to purchase 12 months RHS membership for the price of nine.

About the RHS

The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 by Sir Joseph Banks and John Wedgwood for the encouragement and improvement of the science, art and practice of horticulture. We held our first flower shows in 1820, were granted a Royal Charter in 1861 and acquired RHS Garden Wisley in 1903. From our first meetings in a small room off London's Piccadilly, we have grown to become the world's largest gardening charity.

Today the RHS is committed to providing a voice for all gardeners. We are driven by a simple love of plants and a belief that gardeners make the world a better place. 200 years on we continue to safeguard and advance the science, art and practice of horticulture, creating displays that inspire people to garden. In all aspects of our work we help gardeners develop by sharing our knowledge of plants, gardens and the environment.

RHS membership is for anyone with an interest in gardening. Support the RHS and secure a healthy future for gardening. For more information call: 0845 130 4646, or visit www.rhs.org.uk/join

RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262