Bloodaxe

An experience a few years ago turned me away form Saga insurance, someone ran into the back of my parked car doing a few hundred pounds of damage. At the time the car was nearly new so I went to the local VW main dealer, they took one look at my insurance and said sorry we do not deal with Saga they take far to long to pay up. They would repair the car but I would have to pay and make the claim with Saga myself Luckily the 3rd party insurers paid up and the garage were happy to deal direct with them. I no longer have any insurance with Saga and other than the Included cruise insurance and never will.

Our one Saga cruise so far was in September, we found the food OK for the most part but not great, one of the best meals in the main dining room was the Liver. In recent years we can only really compare Saga with Azamara and to be honest Azamara would still be our line of choice but we are not fans of flying anymore which rules them out.

I agree but they do not seem to be offered on many cruises. I will keep looking has we cannot commit very far in advance to get the best price.

Until recently I would never have seriously considered Saga, but not wishing to fly to join a cruise anymore the home pick up and included insurance did appeal. We enjoyed our first cruise with them in September but have not booked another yet. I do not usually like booking very far in advance and Sagas policy of reducing discounts doesn't really suit that If we could get a good discount nearer sailing date I would be more likely to book. I do think the cruises are rather overpriced. We have never cruised P and O probably never will, has others have said you pay your money and make your choice.

Not usually allowed for safety reasons has they are glass, we once found ours shattered on embarking, they did replace it has soon has I reported it. They can sometimes be a noise problem, have had to pack the hinges to stop rattles.

It's getting common to only have manned tills at busy times, I was in our local Aldi mid morning on a weekday only self service was open, told they will only open others If it got busy.

Some years ago we joined a cruise in Malaga in early December. We spent a day there before the cruise and that night was the switch on of the Christmas lights. A lovely evening with the streets full of locals and lots of entertainment.

One thing less to worry about with Saga, that and the included insurance is what sold me, I know you pay for it in the price but much less hassle.

We sailed with captain Jason several times on Azamara and had a nice chat with him on our September Saga cruise. Although we had not seen him for over 10 years he remembered us, lovely man.

On our September cruise the speciality restaurants opened for walk ins on sea days. It was a lunch menu.

It happened to us on a Titan holiday, we changed driver and Car at a service area part way down the M1, on the way to Gatwick from Yorkshire. It almost caused us to miss our flight has the second driver was late.

Correct cruise, it was 6 nights.

On our recent cruise we were advised to take copies of our passports and not the originals when going ashore. On the night before we arrived in France copies of our passports were left in our cabin.

Nobody suggested that it was, the original posted was asking for comparisons with other lines and many things have been mentioned.

Has does Azamara, at Saga prices it is a shame that Barista Coffee is not available on the ships. However Sagas included alcoholic drinks are much better than Azamaras swings and roundabouts I guess.

Just meaning that they just have a kettle with tea bags and instant coffee. We did enjoy being able to make our morning tea with real milk from the fridge.

I did not rate the coffee has good anywhere on the ship, obviously just my opinion.

They do not but they do have a proper cafe that serves good coffee and tea all day long.

We had a regular table for 2 which we had requested on with our booking, it was fine and not that close. The closest was in the speciality restaurant which did surprise us. We did enjoy the cruise and will probably book again soon.

But the bean machines are not in the standard cabins unfortunately.

Saga compares very well with Azamara who we have sailed with many times, the standard cabins are nicer than Azamaras basic balconies. The bathrooms are much better without shower curtains, food very similar on both. We did miss the international feel of Azamara and their good Coffee, Saga is very British and the coffee is poor. Azamara is not classed has a luxury line and does not claim to be one, it is a step up from the mainstream ones.

Just back from our cruise, live near York, pick up time 08.30/ 9.00. Shared Car 5 hours to Dover, Great service

Pretty sure I must have, I would remember if I met him, just not great with names these days.

Tomasz and Mario are long time with Azamara, the others are new to me.

Thank you for a very informative review, I already knew about the lack of decent coffee. At Sags prices that is disappointing, you would expect a proper barrister coffee shop somewhere in the ship. The close tables will not bother us has we like to chat and meet people, we join the ship next month.