One of only two ocean-going vessels in the world to still carry the venerable title of Royal Mail Ship, RMS St Helena was built in 1989, specifically to supply the island of St Helena, a British Overseas Territory deep in the tropical South Atlantic.

Hotel group Mantis has now added the vessel its growing Boutique Cruises portfolio, as in addition to being a working ship; she is also a passenger vessel, transporting her guests with style and service from days gone by on a journey to one of the most remote, inhabited islands in the world.

Having signed a contract with the government of St Helena earlier in the year to develop a five star hotel on the island, Mantis will not only assist with the marketing of RMS St Helena, but also bring its hospitality, education and conservation experience to the island with initiatives to develop skills in the community as well as support the natural environment.

As one of the most remote places in the world, more than 2,000 kilometres from the nearest major landmass, and with its rich flora and fauna, the island certainly fits with Mantis’ mantra of ‘unearthing the exceptional’.

Photo: David Bressler

“We’re extremely excited to be marketing this iconic Royal Mail Ship, one of only two left in the world, as part of our growing portfolio of boutique cruises worldwide,” commented Adrian Gardiner, chairman of Mantis.

“This is the first of our exciting steps towards ultimately developing our very own boutique hotel on St. Helena island.”

Mantis Boutique Cruises identifies privately owned, luxurious vessels such as deluxe riverboat Zambezi Queen and expedition ice breaker yacht, Hanse Explorer, that are rich in character and each with their own interesting story to tell.

No ship in the portfolio is the same, much like the collection of hotels that currently make up the award winning Mantis Collection.