The line’s programme begins with Aegean Classics on November 2 2016, with five overnight stays as she cruises from Cyprus to Greece.

During the voyage, Minerva will make four port calls along Turkey’s Lycian coast, including Kusadasi.

Colin Wilson, group sales director of All Leisure Holidays said the sailings would also be accompanied by “carefully selected guest speakers who would bring to life each port of call, with their in-depth knowledge of the region”.

He added that the line had also increased the number of overnight stays in port, in Dikili and Istanbul in Turkey, Volos in Greece and Dubrovnik in Croatia.

Other highlights of the season include a maiden call at the Unesco-listed port of Tarragona on the north-eastern coast of Spain during the Fiestas de Navidad cruise.

The ship will also transit the narrow Corinth Canal during the Adriatic Coasts to Venice, a 13-day cruise starting on November 27 2016, which includes a sail along the Kotor Fjord, and overnight stay in Dubrovnik, a Unesco-listed city and ends in the iconic floating city of Venice.

In 2017, the ship will head out of the Mediterranean on a 15-day cruise calling at ports in France, Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal, Madeira and the Canary Islands.

The line has also organised pre and post-cruise optional extensions, from a three-night stay in Venice with a visit to Verona, a stay in Rome with a tour of the Vatican Museum or three nights in Aix-en-Provence.

Swan Hellenic is offering saving of up to 10% on all winter 2016 / 17 cruises booked by October 31 2015.