Saga Cruises is a British company, also run by British people. It is the epitome of a classic cruise style that has gradually evolved into a more modern twist.
The insurance giant’s cruise division, famous for its specialisation in the over-50s market, debuted its first ship, the Saga Rose, in 1996. It quickly gained a reputation for sailings with a reassuringly elegant, homely feel that appealed to an older clientele.
Think afternoon teas, bridge lessons, gentleman hosts and classical music recitals. They also offer onboard prices in pounds with no hidden gratuities or service charges (these are included in the price).
Definitely British, but certainly not old-fashioned, thanks in part to the arrival of the Spirit of Discovery in 2019 and the almost identical Spirit of Adventure two years later, which heralded a new style of what Saga describes as “boutique cruising” with an elegant flair.
1. Where does Saga sail?
Saga has long catered to the tastes of its British clientele with sailings from UK ports, currently Portsmouth and Dover, mainly to the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, Northern Europe and the rest of the UK.
Most durations are 14 to 28 nights, reflecting the longer time it takes to sail from the UK, with voyages to the Adriatic, the Azores, Iceland and Scandinavia. Longer voyages include 30-night explorations of the Caribbean and North America, plus shorter voyages, of five to seven nights, around the UK and to Norway.
Saga Cruises’ three river ships sail on the Rhine, Danube, Dutch and Belgian waterways and the Douro. Saga also charters a river ship for trips on the Rhine and its tributaries.
2. Who is it interesting for?
Not only are Saga Cruises’ ships strictly adults-only, but in keeping with the parent company’s focus on the more mature market, guests must be aged 50 or over. Combined with sailings from UK ports on smaller ships, a sociable atmosphere and extras such as a door-to-door chauffeur service and a reputation for looking after customers in adverse conditions, Saga attracts customers well into their 70s and 80s.
But despite the tired jokes, Saga ships are not floating retirement homes. Passengers may be older, but they are generally livelier and fitter than those decades younger, with a keen interest in the destinations they visit.
Although couples make up the majority of passengers, Saga is popular with single travelers (many widows), who make up more than 20 percent of guests. With more than 100 single balcony cabins on each of its ocean liners, Saga claims to have the widest selection at sea.
It also uses social hosts to organise special events for those travelling alone, with a “Singles Mingle” drinking party as an icebreaker on sailing trips and a Singles Lunch. Special meet-ups on port days also allow singles to join in on shore excursions. An added bonus is the men’s and women’s dance hosts who ensure that no one goes without a round of the floor at the regular tea dances.
The arrival of Spirit of Discovery marked the line’s exclusive partnership with musical mastermind Jools Holland, who will perform on select voyages, as well as one-off appearances from celebrity chefs and household names including Alfie Boe.
Saga also works with conservation organisation Orca, whose experts sail on selected voyages to monitor marine life, with guests encouraged to join in. The organisation also works with BBC Studios, bringing on board stars from some of its most popular programmes.
3. The Saga Cruises fleet
Spirit of Discovery (987 passengers)
Spirit of Discovery heralded a new era for Saga Cruises when she was named in July 2019. Chic interiors and specially commissioned artwork, along with an Art Deco lido deck pool, give this ship an avant-garde feel. Notable features include the line’s first purpose-built theatre, a full-service spa and a library said to be one of the largest at sea. All 554 cabins have balconies, and there’s a popular traditional wraparound promenade deck.
Sails to: Caribbean, Canary Islands, Central America, Mediterranean, British Isles, Iceland, Scandinavia, Iberian Peninsula
Spirit of Adventure (987 passengers)
Spirit of Adventure shares the same structure and layout as Spirit of Discovery, but has a different look and feel with a bolder color palette. The balcony-only ship has 554 balcony cabins, along with the same Art Deco lido pool and promenade deck, plus other amenities including a spa, library and 444-seat Playhouse Theatre with unobstructed views. Five complimentary restaurants include the cabaret-style Supper Club and Khukuri House, the first Nepalese-themed restaurant at sea.
Sails to: Canada and USA, Canary Islands, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Azores, Iberian Peninsula, British Isles, Scandinavia
Spirit of the Rhine & Spirit of the Danube (182 passengers)
Saga Cruises’ first purpose-built river ship, Spirit of the Rhine, entered service in 2021, followed by Spirit of the Danube the following year. Both ships feature a main restaurant and a smaller specialty venue serving dishes created by chefs Nick Nairn and Paul Rankin. There is also a small library, fitness suite and sun deck with a barbecue area and hot tub.
Sails to: Rhine and its tributaries, Dutch and Belgian waterways and the Danube
Spirit of the Douro (126 passengers)
Combining modern amenities with traditional style, this river ship debuts in spring 2024. In addition to a main restaurant, other facilities include an open-air pool on deck, plus a small gift shop and a spa with a gym.
Sail to: The Douro
Spirit of the Moselle (182 passengers)
Joining the Saga fleet in summer 2025, this new boutique ship, similar to sister ships Spirit of the Rhine and Spirit of the Danub, promises light and spacious interiors, with 73 of the 95 cabins featuring French balconies. In addition to the main restaurant, there is a smaller, more intimate dining area at the aft of the ship, along with a sun deck and lower sun terrace.
Sails to: The Rhine and its tributaries (of which the Moselle is one), Dutch waterways
4. Access for guests with disabilities
Saga ships are fully accessible for wheelchair and mobility scooter users. There are 10 accessible cabins; the theatre and Britannia Lounge have infrared induction loop systems for guests with compatible hearing aids.
5. Loyalty Program
The Britannia Club covers both the ocean and the river and has five levels. Benefits range from a welcome bottle of bubbles and free laundry to cabin upgrades and a half-price cruise.
This article was first published in September 2023 and has been revised and updated.