Saga Sapphire makes her debut at Dover. As this is a large post I've opened it as a new topic.
Monday saw the first arrival of Saga'a newest vessel, Saga Sapphire. Saga Shipping, part of the Saga Group, is based in Folkestone has been a loyal customer to the port and town of Dover since the acquisition of the Saga Rose in 1996. Although aimed at the 50+ age group Saga also operate another cruise company, Quest for Adventure, which caters for those over 25.
Briefly, the ship was completed in 1981 as the Europa for the German Hapag-Lloyd company. In 1999 she was sold to Star Cruises and re-named Superstar Europe and later Superstar Aries. In 2004 she was again sold to the Spanish company Pullmantur and re-named Holiday Dream until 2007 when, in a move to capture some of the French cruise market, Pullmantur transferred her to an associated company Croisières de France where she was again re-named Bleu de France.
Since the acquisition by Saga the ship has undergone a multi-million pound refit and refurbishment in Sicily. Despite some early problems she is well and truly now in service.
I can't recall ever seeing this ship before under any of her previous names, but I know the standards Saga set and what their customers expect so I was expecting something special. Being given the opportunity to look around her and see for myself, I was thoroughly impressed. Although the Sapphire is considerably larger than other Saga vessels a concern felt in some quarters was that the personal touch - so characteristic of Saga - would be lost. However, the company planners and designers really know their business and any such concerns will I'm sure quickly disappear.
One such move is an actual reduction of the former passenger capacity to allow for the addition of new balcony cabins, and the increase in crew numbers to allow the highest standards of customer care.
Dover seems to put a weather jinx on cruise ships when they first arrive at the port. MSC Lirica came in a pea-souper and both Carnival Splendor and MSC Poesia arrived for their naming ceremonies in a downpour. I nearly froze to death waiting for the Boudicca to arrive, and the lovely little Le Diamant spent most of her week here bobbing up and down in a rainstorm. In keeping with this tradition, to greet Saga Sapphire there was a 30 knot NNW wind blowing across the harbour carrying with it the last of a sea fog which made it quite dull and cold - hardly weather for May. The day did brighten up a bit later but annoyingly the wind persisted.
Here are a few pictures. As there are so many things to see on board I've had to concentrate on the open deck and public areas. A lot of detail and quality gets lost when uploading but these give an idea of the exceptionally high standard of work carried out by Saga.
A dull early morning arrival
Finally berthed at Cruise Terminal 2
This is what Saga customers like - open deck space ..... and there's plenty!
A view of the bow from the uppermost deck.
From the aft upper deck. The ship at Terminal 1 is the former Saga flagship Saga Pearl 2, recently transferred and re-named Quest for Adventure.
Not entirely sure what this is .... but definately a dragon! One of the many facinating decorative features around the ship.
The main lounge is the largest open public area on board.
Part of the well-stocked library.
Although there is no large central dining area these pictures show sections of the various restaurants.
The 64-seat East to West restaurant that specialises in Indian, Sri Lankan and Thai cuisine. In fact there is a definite Asian and Oriental theme running throughout the ship.
To greet arriving passengers, in the Atrium, - and rising over three decks - is a magnificent 22-ft high figurine composed of a shoal of 1,395 metal fish. I met he lady that designed and constructed it and was amazed at her description the detailed work involved. (not an easy shot to get. As well as using an ultra-wide angle lens, I had take it quickly by laying on my back before the arriving passengers spotted me and started to worry!).
At the end of the day it was time to go, but as the wind hadn't abated two tugs were required to assist Sapphire off the quay.
And there we go! A thoroughly enjoyable day for me. If you want more I suggest the Saga website - the Captain's Blog is particularly interesting.