Saga cruise

[Hawkey01]

I decided to change the heading in this forum as it has been around for so long.

Back in the early part of last year, the end of May beginning of June my wife and I had booked on a Saga, 12 day cruise going up to the Baltic.

As with all their holidays we were picked up from home and whisked down to Dover. A bit of a hike from here in Somerset but a comfortable and stress free journey down. We had opted to share a vehicle - a large VW van. Luxuriously appointed inside with comfortable seating. Our travelling companion were already aboard and after conversation found they also lived in Burnham On Sea. We had never met before.

We duly arrived in Dover at our allotted time and went through the joining process. All very stress free and luggage had been whisked away onboard. We were met onboard and shown to our cabin and met our steward for the trip. Luggage soon arrived and my wife set to unpacking. We had been upgraded to a Deluxe standard cabin which was very large with its own walk in wardrobe. Large bathroom and an extra large balcony. We duly sailed and headed northward.

That evening we were booked into one of the speciality restaurant which on the
Spirit of Adventure was the Steak house. Had an exceptional meal and retired to our cabin.

The ship was A1 in every respect and the staff were without doubt superb. Nothing was to much trouble. The Captain and most of the deck/Eng officers were British and majority of the catering and hotel were Pilipino.

The itinerary was - Gothenburg, Copenhagen, Klaipeda, Bornholm, Wesermunde, Arrhus, Kristiansand and return to Dover.

A very enjoyable cruise. We would thoroughly recommend them for a cruise. Although they appear expensive on paper but when you consider that once aboard - with minor exception like the Spa - everything is paid for. Several excursions were also included with others available if you wished to pay.

Just a short revue to change the heading and maybe make others to post here.

Neville

[Engine Serang]

At 74 I feel I'm too young to embark upon a Saga Cruise.

[YM-Mundrabilla]

Rarely considered a cruise over the years preferring, initially, for our overseas junkets to do bus (err coach) tours in both Britain and Europe with Trafalgar and subsequently Insight. Having gained a little confidence from the escorted tours we did four or five tours in Europe on our own travelling by rail between places that we liked. Our most recent trip being in 2017.

Now, in our early 80s, we are done with large expeditions (everything/everywhere is a large expedition from Oz) we have momentarily considered a cruise. But with whom and where to we ask ourselves? Cruises from Melbourne are diminishing both in numbers, routes and operators. There is not a great choice it seems.

Put simply, with absolutely no experience we are wary (scared) of a cruise! Viking, I think, advertises 'no kids or casinos and all in fares which appeals (but as a non drinker no doubt expensive) but apparently they rarely visit Melbourne anyway.

Any thoughts/suggestions or whatever as a starting point.

In all probability we will do nothing despite what you may say. I am pretty good at that.

[Hawkey01]

ER - At 74 you are well within the age profile for SAGA. Don't forget they cater for age group 50 plus. Although I have to admit there were a lot of very elderly passenger but also a lot of younger ones.
A lot of the older passengers were a great deal more interesting to talk to. We only came across one couple who we vowed that we would not share a table with again. She was - sorry - a retired teacher and he - well we never found out as she hogged the conversation and disagreed with everything and knew everything!

We had never taken a cruise before only numerous voyages on cruise ferries to Spain! I had always shied away from them. Having experienced one we would do it again but not in a hurry. We have made a river cruise in the past which was excellent. So may take another next year.

Interestingly we did learn from some who seemed to spend their whole live on cruises that P&O which was always one of the best has gone - in their words - to the dogs.

YM-M we of course in UK have a multitude of companies to choose from and also a very varied list of
itineraries. What little I know about the companies down under seem to be mainly the Carnival group out of Sydney. I believe there are some others which do round OZ and NZ.

Neville

[John Rogers]

Wife and I love river cruises, and we try to do at least 3 a year.

[YM-Mundrabilla]

Thanks Neville.
Interesting about P and O as they seem the main player ex Melbourne.
Just confirms that it is 'Sydney or the bush' in cruising as in so many other things.
So, 'when in doubt do nowt'.
Regards
Geoff

[Engine Serang]

When you reach Sydney you're half way to Southampton, or Florida, the home of Cruise Ships.