Cruising with the company’s Call of the Arctic Tern in July, art lovers will not only be able to see a master in action, but also get valuable tips from him. Professor Peter Welton has agreed to conduct a series of lectures and demonstrations on this cruise.

Welton is a Professor of Fine Art at Leicester’s De Montfort University. He decided to become a water colour painter a decade ago. Since then he has produced many highly acclaimed paintings. One of them is a water colour landscape he produced for the Queen.

He will share his expert knowledge of the history of art with passengers and also present master classes in water colour painting – something for which he is renowned throughout the world.

The 15-night cruise will depart on the 21st July and visit exciting locations such as St Kilda, Dublin, Isafjordur, Reykjavik, Akureiri, Siglufjordur, Torshavn on the Faroe Islands and Akueri before venturing back to Portsmouth.

Prices start at £1,695 per person sharing a double inside cabin.

In other Swan Hellenic news, it seems that the company’s decision to use Portsmouth as a base for its ship Minerva has paid handsome dividends. The ship’s maiden cruise, Coast of a Kingdom, is already fully booked and there are fewer than 100 cabins available on the other no-fly departures.