khkate

Saga markets itself as an all-inclusive, luxury cruise line. However, with the introduction of their new ships, things slipped a bit, especially post-pandemic. Generally, the transport TO the ship is excellent, but it has been noticed (and commented on by many) that the transport home after the cruise can be sub-standard. It also seems that on occasions, Saga have resorted to using Uber, which is not necessarily the same standard of driver or vehicle as one expects when they have previously used Titan Mercedes MPVs or similar. 

Also, their "included" insurance has so many exclusions - it is much more likely than one can be refused that cover - they prefer to suggest you try the "paid" insurance policies from their own insurance arm (and this can be more expensive than travel ins policies from other companies). 

Food is always controversial, but even pre-pandemic, it was noticeable that portions became smaller, and the choices less, or more limited. Menus got repeated more often too. The choice of included drinks is basically "house" wines and spirits - branded drinks have to be paid for. 

They say you get included excursions, but these often are only panoramic ones. If you actually want to explore a bit more 'in-depth', you have to pay for it, or book your own. 

I think Saga now base their expensive fares on the fact that every cabin is an outside cabin with a balcony. But it is very noticeable that their range of cruise itineraries have become very limited and repetitive. I think before you make the "leap" from P&O (or indeed any other line) to Saga, you need to compare prices on a like-for-like basis (meaning similar standard of cabin and similar itinerary. 

12 hours ago, JMMKUK said:

Only time we sailed P&O was out of school hols but loads of kids with awful parents who had taken then out of school.

P&O being a large cruise line, it has ships of different sizes, and it also has 2 ships - Aurora and Arcadia - which are adult only. So, it is still possible to sail on P&O and avoid kids, and still enjoy a much cheaper cruise than anything comparable on a Saga ship!!

Mind you, people going on about the "blocks of flats". Saga two 'new' ocean ships could be labelled "Blocks of flats" too - especially when one compares them with the original Saga ships - Rose, Ruby, Sapphire and Pear (1 and2)

1 hour ago, JoJo1947 said:

People are so naive. If you book to travel in the winter no good going on about safety delays . 

Actually, naivety has nothing to do with it. As is oft quoted on the TV programme "Saving Lives at Sea", UK is an island nation. This means it is surrounded by water, each of which have a notorious reputation whatever time of year - English Channel, Irish Sea, Atlantic, North Sea - and that is before you even think about the Bay of Biscay. So, if you book a cruise any time of year, you are liable for poor sea conditions and strong winds. One can have calm waters all the way in winter months and stormy seas in summer months. 

Spirit of Discovery cruise ship back in UK after 100 passengers hurt in storm - BBC News

The link to the news items on the BBC News website. Seems even somebody within Saga refers to the vessel as a boat rather than a ship! 

On Cruisemapper, Spirit of Discovery is listed as picking up the pilot for Portsmouth at 6pm this evening. 

Sorry, but couldn't work out how to do message along with image. But the map is from Cruisemapper with circled blue vessel being Discovery and the blue vessel heading south at the top is Adventure, so both vessels are now in the Bay. Wind is less violent closer to shore, so Discovery's direction makes no sense. Certainly Saga's attitude to safety seems to have changed. Jan 2014 when there was violent weather in the Bay, both their current ship *Saga Pearl and Saga Ruby) holed up in Lisbon for 3-4 days (and gave those on board the opportunity to be flown home). As somebody else has already remarked, safety of ship, crew and passengers should be the priority, but obviously isn't. 

Not unusual for this to happen, and pasengers are often not advised until ship departs port. What is different is them going to Falmouth - Cherbourg is the usual 'bolthole'! 

1 hour ago, jsforum said:

Not as I recall 

Having attended many talks by destinations speakers over the years on Saga ships, never ever have any of them done just 20 minutes. Their allocated session time is 45 minutes, and i know that Hazel times (and practises) her presentation numerous times before each talk is presented, to ensure that she doesn't short-change passengers, or over-run. Maybe, you fell asleep for one half! 

We've been in S501 twice and never experienced any noise from the gym or any other location. We also never experienced any issues with movement from the ship in bad weather. 

On 6/12/2022 at 10:15 AM, jh1809 said:

I'm another Saga newbie, and will be cruising on Spirit of Discovery to Greenland next month. A couple of things that I haven't been able to find out and would welcome enlightenment on:

 

1. Is there a laundry service on board? I don't mean a self-service laundrette - that's not how I want to spend my holiday! If so, is it included in the cost of the cruise or does it incur an extra charge? (I suspect it will be chargeable, but that's fine so long as it's not too exorbitant.)

 

2. Is it possible to purchase foreign currency on board? Though I don't suppose there will be that much opportunity to spend any in Greenland.

Not sure of the current requirements for purchasing foreign currency on board, but I know it used to be that you could only do by using a personal cheque or cash - not credit/debit card, or using your cruise card either - just something to be aware of. 

Re the "six drawers" in the dressing table, they aren't. On one side, a double drawer front is actually one drawer and quite deep, the other drawers are quite shallow - so quite limited in that area.