P&O Cruiser does a Saga Cruise

[Ardennais]

I would feel the same Dermotsgirl. We don’t mind sharing a table over a quick lunch but never for dinner. We’re not rude or even quiet - it’s just our preference! 

[Windsurfboy]

13 hours ago, Dermotsgirl said:

That’s something we can consider for next time, weather permitting. Thank you

This was the tables on the side undercover,leading from back of the buffet to the rear teracce, there were about 5 tables either side. It was over 30 degrees  so we liked the full shade

[Dermotsgirl]

4 hours ago, Windsurfboy said:

This was the tables on the side undercover,leading from back of the buffet to the rear teracce, there were about 5 tables either side. It was over 30 degrees  so we liked the full shade

Ah yes, I know the tables.  There was one day when we had been ashore and came back just before three o'clock. We wanted a snack and went to the buffet, but it was just closing. They directed us to the Verandah, but as we were walking through, we saw that there were some items still out on the buffet. So we took a couple of pulled pork rolls, and sat down one of those little tables. It was really pleasant, and we both agreed that it was a nice place to sit.  This was a round Britain cruise, and they didn't seem to set anything up for al fresco dining, apart from the Verandah.

 

I also thought, next time we will  make more use of the Living Room. There are snacks available there, appropriate to the time of day. There didn't seem to be a huge choice, but at least it's possible to sit where you want.

[Dermotsgirl]

Part 5

 

Entertainment.

 

Evening entertainment was centred around the Playhouse (theatre) with one show per night  starting at 9.30pm (15 minutes later on formal nights) and the Britannia Lounge (Crows Nest/show lounge type of venue), with the one show starting at 9.45pm. There was also music around the ship in other venues.  Just having the two main shows each evening, meant that people made a choice, and there was none of this rushing off at the end of the show to get to the next venue when the cruise director is trying to talk. All very civilised!

 

The entertainment was as might be expected. There was a production show team ( I called them the Saga-Liners) who were very talented. One night, instead of the usual musical show, they did an Agatha Christie play, which made a nice change. The visiting acts  for evening entertainment included a singer, a fiddler, a classical  pianist, and even Roy Walker turned up - we have seen him so many times, I have literally lost count. We didn't see him this time, 5+ times is enough in a lifetime!

 

There were two 'young groups doing nostalgia' type acts - The Beatles Experience (self explanatory) and  'Straight Circles' who played 50/60s music.  I enjoyed both groups, but felt their repertoires were broadly similar.  I get the that the demographic tends to really like this stuff, but as a teenager from the 70's , I would love to see something from the 70's or 80's. Just my opinion.

 

There was a wide selection of day time activities, including port presentations (they were very useful), visiting lecturers on subjects such as nature and maritime history, crafting, bridge, line dancing, deck games, watercolour painting, carpet bowls, quizzes, a choir, a few films. we just dipped in and out, but for a short port intensive cruise, there were a plethora of activities. It reminded me of the P&O of 20 years ago, with such a packed schedule.

 

If a person is looking for entertainment, then I think that they would not be disappointed.

 

Excursions.

 

One of the selling points of Saga is that excursions are included

 

On our six port cruise, 4 of the excursions were included, and we did three of these

 

In the Isles of Scilly, a trip to Tresco was included, which was pleasing, as we had not done this excursion last time we were there. The other excursions were more of a panoramic nature. We did two of them, but did something else in Belfast, as we had done a City Tour before.  In all, three of the tours we did were paid for, 

 

The included tours are ok, and I suppose that they are panoramic to allow as many people as possible to access them. However, I like to get a bit more up close and personal, so I could imagine that in some ports panoramic tours would not be something that I would be interested in.  I think I'd prefer a 'tour allowance'. so that the individual could select what tours they wanted to include as 'free' tours. 

 

So yes, some tours are included, but the value to the individual will be variable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PurpleMoonlight]

Saga have some interesting itineraries, and they are very tempting. But I feel I would be paying for a lot of stuff included in the price that I simply don't want, and that puts me off somewhat.

[Dermotsgirl]

Part 6

 

General points not mentioned elsewhere.

 

A third of the passengers were new to Saga. In order to join the Britannia loyalty club, 35 nights onboard are required. A further third of the passengers were Britannia Club members, with the other third being returners, but hadn't enough nights to join the BC.

 

Most passengers looked like the were 70+  At 63, I think I was in the younger element!

 

On this 10 night cruise there were 2 formal nights, which I felt was 'right'. Most passengers followed the dress code guidelines on formal nights.

 

The crew, led by Captain Kim Tanner, were superb.  I got the impression that they were happy, and genuinely wanted to help.  I can't recall any service problems at all, very easy to get a drink if you wanted.

 

Which reminds me, the inclusive drinks were very good.  It was all named stuff, like the Whitley and Neill rhubarb and ginger gin, and the included wines were very drinkable. I probably 'didn't get my money's worth' but enjoyed being able to have a drink when I fancied it, and not having to think any more about the cost. On, and Pepsi came out of a tin and not on the pump.

 

No trays in the buffet

 

Included Wi-Fi  - adequate.  Did some things ok but it wouldn't entertain other things.  

 

Free Ice cream machine

 

On excursions, Werther's Originals were handed out. This may have been a highlight of the excursion for many!

 

Disembarkation

 

We were given a tag number and a room to wait.  When your number is called, you disembark, collect your luggage, and at the gate, you give you name and tag number.  Your name is called out, your driver makes himself known and off you go to the cars.  I disembarked at 9am and was home for 10 am. Brilliant.

 

 

[Denarius]

1 hour ago, Dermotsgirl said:

Ah yes, I know the tables.  There was one day when we had been ashore and came back just before three o'clock. We wanted a snack and went to the buffet, but it was just closing. They directed us to the Verandah, but as we were walking through, we saw that there were some items still out on the buffet. So we took a couple of pulled pork rolls, and sat down one of those little tables. It was really pleasant, and we both agreed that it was a nice place to sit.  This was a round Britain cruise, and they didn't seem to set anything up for al fresco dining, apart from the Verandah.

 

I also thought, next time we will  make more use of the Living Room. There are snacks available there, appropriate to the time of day. There didn't seem to be a huge choice, but at least it's possible to sit where you want.

Or there is cabin service, 24 hours a day and unlike P&O at no extra charge. One thing of which you may not have been aware is that during meal times you can order from the MDR menu as well as from the normal cabin service one.

[Dermotsgirl]

SUMMARY

 

I think that Saga has quite a lot to offer long time P&O cruisers, who may remember the old days of 20 years ago  Saga have a certain finesse, and a lot of little thoughtful extras that are included in the price.

 

Of course, all this comes at a price and only the individual can decide whether that price is worth it for them

 

All things being equal, personally, I would have an occasional Saga cruise, but would also sail with other lines - some of which may well have lower fares.  

 

However, the situation surrounding the dining did affect my overall enjoyment of the cruise.  It's difficult to explain to non introverts  how it made me feel, but I did feel quite anxious before some meals.  

 

Therefore on balance, if I didn't have a cruise booked with Saga, I probably wouldn't book another one right now, but would look elsewhere. 

 

However, we do have another Saga cruise booked for next May, so I will have to try and find a way of making it work better for us

 

But apart from that - I enjoyed most aspects of the cruise, and yes, I would recommend Saga. 

[Dermotsgirl]

25 minutes ago, PurpleMoonlight said:

Saga have some interesting itineraries, and they are very tempting. But I feel I would be paying for a lot of stuff included in the price that I simply don't want, and that puts me off somewhat.

I can understand that - it's very individual 

[Dermotsgirl]

14 minutes ago, Denarius said:

Or there is cabin service, 24 hours a day and unlike P&O at no extra charge. One thing of which you may not have been aware is that during meal times you can order from the MDR menu as well as from the normal cabin service one.

I don't really want to sit in my cabin to eat.

 

I like to go out to eat, so I can people watch and see what's going on.  I just don't want the next table to be so close that they are almost sitting on my knee ! 

[Bill Y]

Very good report Dermotsgirl, Have also been looking towards Saga but tend to feel that we would not need all the things included in the price.

 

Interestingly only one performance of each show per night, How does that work with the dining, can everyone be fed before the shows starts basically a single sitting or is there a bunfight for early meals as used to be the case with P&O freedom dinning? I used to think on P&O that the stampede to leave the theatre was the rush for the lifts.

[Leomins]

Thank you so much for posting all this valuable information, it gives so much more incite than I could ever glean from their website or standard reviews.

 

Although old enough for a Saga cruise, I am still concerned it may be a little sedate for me. Did you find it so? I completely get where you’re coming from with the prescribed tables as we mainly like a table for two. We only use the buffet rarely but can’t imagine being told where to sit!

[Bloodaxe]

12 minutes ago, Dermotsgirl said:

I can understand that - it's very individual 

 

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.

[Dermotsgirl]

15 minutes ago, Bill Y said:

Very good report Dermotsgirl, Have also been looking towards Saga but tend to feel that we would not need all the things included in the price.

 

Interestingly only one performance of each show per night, How does that work with the dining, can everyone be fed before the shows starts basically a single sitting or is there a bunfight for early meals as used to be the case with P&O freedom dinning? I used to think on P&O that the stampede to leave the theatre was the rush for the lifts.

The opening times for the restaurants are 

 

The Dining Room 6.15pm to 9pm

The Grill  6.30 to 9.00pm

Speciality restaurants 6.30 pm to 9.00pm

 

People mainly seem to want to eat earlier rather than later, and apart from the speciality restaurants no booking is required.  But there doesn't seem to be the massive queues for dining like you'd get with P&O freedom before it opens.  It generally seems to flow quite well, and anybody who wants to see a show can be fed before showtime. Also, it didn't seem to be necessary to get to the show ridiculously early - there were normally some seats available for people turning up just before the show started.

 

It seemed quite relaxed - as there was 'only' about 1000 passengers, everything is on a smaller scale

 

[Dermotsgirl]

22 minutes ago, Leomins said:

Thank you so much for posting all this valuable information, it gives so much more incite than I could ever glean from their website or standard reviews.

 

Although old enough for a Saga cruise, I am still concerned it may be a little sedate for me. Did you find it so? I completely get where you’re coming from with the prescribed tables as we mainly like a table for two. We only use the buffet rarely but can’t imagine being told where to sit!

I'm not a party animal myself, but I wouldn't have called it sedate.  It wasn't raucous, but people were up for a good time and as soon as they got the chance they were up dancing. A good atmosphere, I would say 

[Dermotsgirl]

11 minutes ago, Bloodaxe said:

 

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.

Have a good time, hopefully you'll get a chance to tell us what you think 

[P&O SUE]

Great review thank you. We too would feel awkward at those awful close together tables. We don’t mind talking to people and we’ve had some nice chats with people on cruises but the dining thing we find awkward if the couple obviously don’t want to make eye contact so I completely get it. On one cruise we got talking to a couple on an excursion and bumped into them often round the ship and had a little chat but normally we like to keep ourselves to ourselves.

We were lucky to be given a table for two on Ventura on its own on two cruises so we noted the number and asked for it every night after.

 

Edited August 26, 2023 by P&O SUE

[Windsurfboy]

Have you requested a fixed table for 2 for next cruise.

[Dermotsgirl]

12 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

Have you requested a fixed table for 2 for next cruise.

I haven’t, but I’m going to phone next week, when I feel a bit lively (pesky Covid still having an effect) 

 

I thought that, when we get there, if we don’t like the table that we’ve been allocated, we can at least ask for another one. 

[Dermotsgirl]

56 minutes ago, P&O SUE said:

Great review thank you. We too would feel awkward at those awful close together tables. We don’t mind talking to people and we’ve had some nice chats with people on cruises but the dining thing we find awkward if the couple obviously don’t want to make eye contact so I completely get it. On one cruise we got talking to a couple on an excursion and bumped into them often round the ship and had a little chat but normally we like to keep ourselves to ourselves.

We were lucky to be given a table for two on Ventura on its own on two cruises so we noted the number and asked for it every night after.

 

Yes, sometimes talking just happens naturally, which is great,

[Denarius]

1 hour ago, Leomins said:

Thank you so much for posting all this valuable information, it gives so much more incite than I could ever glean from their website or standard reviews.

 

Although old enough for a Saga cruise, I am still concerned it may be a little sedate for me. Did you find it so? I completely get where you’re coming from with the prescribed tables as we mainly like a table for two. We only use the buffet rarely but can’t imagine being told where to sit!

 I beg to differ. I think personally that it is very civilised to be greeted front of house at a proper reception desk and then be escorted to a table already set with cutlery and glassware ready for you to dine. Safe in the knowledge that you are not competing with anyone else for that table and that it will not be reset and reallocated before you have finished your meal, or whilst you are at the buffet getting your next course.  As compared with P&O buffets where you collect your cutlery with your food and then wander around with a loaded tray trying to find a table - if you are lucky enough to get one. Or eat in relays, going to the buffet in turns whilst the other guards the table like a rotweiller lest someone else commandeers it whilst you are there.

Edited August 26, 2023 by Denarius
spelling

[Windsurfboy]

38 minutes ago, Dermotsgirl said:

I haven’t, but I’m going to phone next week, when I feel a bit lively (pesky Covid still having an effect) 

 

I thought that, when we get there, if we don’t like the table that we’ve been allocated, we can at least ask for another one. 

 

 

I imagine a quiet table by kitchen won't be many others first choice so good luck

[Bill Y]

1 hour ago, Dermotsgirl said:

It seemed quite relaxed - as there was 'only' about 1000 passengers, everything is on a smaller scale

That sounds like a good way to spend a holiday, civilised. Not words that are used to describe the mega monsters.

 

You were critical of the panoramic excursions, were they just "made leisurely" excursions where only places are visited where a coach can get, or were there any included excursions that included walking tours?

[nosapphire]

45 minutes ago, Bill Y said:

You were critical of the panoramic excursions, were they just "made leisurely" excursions where only places are visited where a coach can get, or were there any included excursions that included walking tours?

The included tours are nearly always just a panoramic 2hr coach tour, and it depends so much on who you get as a guide and driver. On one tour our guide stopped the coach about 4 times to get off and take anybody who wanted to for a walk to view something not quite visible from the coach, while other coaches on the same tour nobody got off. The next tour we just drove very slowly round and round with the guide pointing out things that a lot of people could not see anyway because the coach was a very large long-distance coach, extremely comfortable but with very limited view through the windows.

 

[indiana123]

We also prefer tables for two.  

 

We will chat if the other table want to but we do not interrupt them when they are eating.   We have found that chat stops when either table are served (apart from just between us two).  Perhaps we have just been lucky