I have just returned from our first Saga Cruise which visited Kirkwall, Iceland, Greenland, and Belfast.
To give background to my opinions, I started cruising as a teenager over 50 years ago and am a regular cruiser.
Looking at the Saga marketing I should be easily in their target customer base.
We have returned with mixed emotions, in some ways it was absolutely brilliant, in others it was a struggle.
Our main goal was to visit Greenland and this did not disappoint.
The scenery, icebergs, glaciers and especially Prince Christian Sound were absolutely stunning.
Spirit of Discovery (SoD) is smaller than the ships I usually cruise on and, in many ways I found it to be very good.
The cabin was of sufficient size, well equipped with large comfortable bed, tea/coffee facilities, fresh fruit, bottles (as against ‘bottled’) of water, binoculars etc.
The cabin steward was excellent.
Generally the ship was very clean and in good repair.
Soot deposits on the rear decks were present (as mentioned in other reviews).
The decor, however, was a bit bland and (while of good quality) starts to give the care home feel (feel free to look at the pictures on the Saga site and make your own judgement).
The public areas are limited (but, of course, there are fewer people).
Deck space was good with a great promenade area around Deck 6.
Food was generally very good.
Access to the speciality restaurants (included in fare) was excellent and I used these most days.
The food and service in these exceeded that which I had previously experienced at ‘addition charge’ restaurants.
The main restaurant was of a better standard than previous experiences but not by a great deal.
While there is a room service availability (included) this is not a ship where food is readily available all day.
I found that there was a window in the afternoon where the restaurants were closed.
This occasionally matched the time of returning to the ship.
If peckish I made use of the small bites in the ‘Living Room’.
As usual, there was a restaurant high up with large sea views.
In other ships I have regularly used this area as a tea stop and sea gazing break.
This did not work on SoD as it was either in use as a full restaurant or being set up for use as one.
Basically food service was good if you fitted into their systems.
There was a reasonable ‘drinks included’ choice.
Beers were probably 90% Shepherd Neame – although within that brand there was a good choice of bottled beers.
Availability at the bars was patchy with individual bars regularly running out of particular drinks.
There seemed little attempt to spread the stocks and almost a silo system of availability.
Cocktails were good in the South Cape bar but patchy elsewhere.
The outside bars seemed to be staffed inconsistently and, on more than one occasion I played ‘find the bar’.
The entertainment was a big let down to me.
I do not seek to boogy 24/7 but like a little bit of life.
Equally I do not want to be deafened by music in a bar.
This was occasionally a problem in the Living Room/South Cape Bar/Library area.
This is the central hub of 3 floors so any music from the Living Room just spread up.
What made it worse, for me, was that this (when on) was generally amplified piano or Jazz.
We had occasion to move away from the bar purely so that we could have a conversation.
This 30s/40s/50s era of music seemed to be the bedrock of the entertainment.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not out to criticise the quality of the musicians (which was generally very good) purely the focus on music from before I was born.
Unfortunately I have to mention the resident band in the Britannia Lounge (equivalent of a Crows Nest and an excellent venue).
At least 2 members of this played as though they wished they were elsewhere.
Perhaps they too were frustrated by the era of music expected.
The classical quartet were excellent (if that is your choice of music) The theatre company were also excellent but seemed under utilised.
For evening choice there was the theatre or the Britannia Lounge.
Both shows were at (roughly) the same time and were not repeated that evening.
Basically everything stopped after the shows.
It gave me the feeling of ‘have your cocoa and get to bed’.
To start to bullet point – Included excursions.
These were of the tour round town type – however were quite comprehensive and very informative.
Do not expect the full day type trips to be included.
Excursions were very expensive in Greenland, although, with the exception of one for which I received a refund, were great.
Daytime activities.
Limited.
Port talks were very good and avoided the sales pitch for tours.
A team from an Orca wildlife charity were on board and were very informative.
On the subject of whales, we have all seen pictures of whales right by boats/jumping out of the sea.
Manage your expectations.
Nothing is impossible but you will more likely sight a shape at some distance – even on whale watching tours.
Driver Service to/from the ship.
Both times, good drivers, clean and well maintained vehicles.
Although the wait to leave the ship was a pain.
In the three hours or so I was waiting in the Britannia Lounge I could have driven home.
Fellow passengers.
Generally amongst the most friendly bunch I have cruised with.
It was always possible to have a chat.
I would guestimate the median age as early/mid 80s.
Levels of mobility of all ranges from marathon runners to those who required walking aids.
With pride I can say that I passed the ‘step test’.
This was a compulsory test where we all had to go to a lounge and show that we could step over 2 pieces of tape to board the tenders.
I still have my certificate (which, incidentally, was never requested at the tenders).
It was farcical.
Conclusion.
If you are at a certain time of life Saga SoD offers a fantastic opportunity to partake of supported cruising.
Many fellow guests were ‘Saganouts’ and love it.
Respect to them.
I can see that it holds many attractions.
I suggest, however, that it is time for a chat between the onboard teams and the marketing teams.
Marketing lean towards the Boutique Cruise, onboard lean towards Care Home.
I appreciate that some may find these opinions controversial and will defend Saga to the hilt.
The opinions are, nevertheless honestly held and it would take an exceptional situation for me to return to Saga.
