Medeba

You are quite right, Denarius. I have been reflecting on your posts in this thread. When I started this thread I did not think about those of Saga's clientele who don't use the internet or have email. I imagine it is quite a large number; they are definitely disadvantaged when it comes to knowing when excursions are available for booking. Indeed, I suspect that those of us who look at CC are a tiny minority of Saga's customers. Perhaps Saga could send out a copy of the excursions timetable with one of their many mailshots? At least customers would then be aware when to make a phone call to Saga to book excursions.

Yes, I agree. That's partly why I posted the link to the website so at least people will know when the excursions are available. I, for one, have put the dates relevant to me in my diary so I can keep an eye out for the email or, if it doesn't arrive on the published date, I can go online and have a look.

Quite by chance I came across information on the Saga website about the timescales for booking excursions for Saga ocean cruises for the remainder of this year. I thought it might be helpful to post the link (for those people, like me, who were ignorant of the existence of this information!): https://travel.saga.co.uk/cruises/ocean/the-saga-cruise-experience/explore-ashore/excursion-availability.aspx

I see your France and Spain cruise is now on the website. That must be a relief!

I too am glad I pre registered. My two cruises are £900 and £1000pp more expensive.

Ditto

Booked two cruises today, one at 30% (Christmas Canaries) and (Italy and West Med) at 35%. My advance registration was paid early March 2023. Now the hard part - saving up!🤣

Ditto!

May have been a tad hasty. I checked a couple of cruises and they worked where previously they came up with 2024 dates. Have just looked again and the Natural Wonders of Iceland cruise is showing when I use Chrome but not Safari. I haven't been through them all - am trying to get my ironing finished! 😂

This link works for me too. Much better than the link from the Saga email. Not sure how you've done that, but thank you.

I think someone at Saga should grab a keyboard and type out all the itineraries on a pdf and send that out 🤣

Yes, you're right. I think we have all got used to referring to an e-brochure (like last year's pdf) but you do have to look at each individual cruise listing: such a pain! The pdf was so much easier to look at all the cruises and compare the itineraries.

This mess with the E-Brochure is a disgrace. But, on a selfish note, I have found two cruises that I'm interested in. Would have been nice though to be able to see all the cruises planned but faulty links make that impossible. Just wondering what the prices are like.

We liked him too. We've only done two Saga cruises so far and Darin was the Captain on both. He was also due to be the Captain on our SoD July cruise.

Just seen on other social media that Captain Darin Bowland is now working for Ritz Carlton Yachts and Saga is advertising for a replacement.

Still waiting patiently for the 2025 summer E brochure.......(sigh)

I must admit that I've taken a sneaky look at some Port Authority websites to see if I can see any Saga bookings in the ports I'm interested in. No luck. I'm such a sad person 😂!!

That means it could be March before we get the E Brochure! Even later than last year (I got the E Brochure on 28 February). I just wish Saga would get on with it as I'm holding off other plans until I see the itineraries. I know we're all fortunate to be able to have these lovely cruises given what's going on in the world at the moment but the waiting around is beginning to take its toll 😂.

We had an extended balcony in Concierge on Sirena and two lounge chairs were supplied when I asked (but this was in 2017). It was a bit cramped with the other balcony furniture but we managed. No harm in asking.

Not sure if the old lists you refer to includes the list of drinks I posted in the 'Included Drinks' thread (post 4 on page 4 of this forum) but, if not, you may find it helpful. I expect that some changes have been made since then and hopefully someone will have taken a photo on a more recent cruise than mine.

Hopefully this link from the Saga website will help answer your question: https://travel.saga.co.uk/cruises/ocean/our-ships/spirit-of-discovery/wellbeing.aspx

We liked our one Viking Ocean cruise very much (Northern Lights Jan 2019) but we paid more per night for that cruise than we have ever done and that's nearly five years ago! I would like to cruise with them again but we too are no longer keen on flying (but would do it for a special cruise). I haven't checked recently but I think Saga's prices are a fair amount less than Viking's, especially if you book at pre registration time. Saga's entertainment is definitely better and it is 'all inclusive' which Viking isn't. I do prefer the Viking ships - they are so stylish - but, overall, I think Saga is better value for money. We do miss the international passenger vibe on Saga, though.

You may find this link useful (but it only goes up to March 2024 at the moment): https://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Cruise_Ship_Schedule/

Same here but I may succumb to one of the lovely ice creams in the afternoon 😁.

I booked a 2024 5 day cruise a couple of days ago (it still had a 35% discount on E deck cabins) and I took the opportunity to ask about when the summer 2025 cruises would be available for those who had pre-registered. I was told 'probably' January/February.