SAGA SAPPHIRE
It was a beautiful, sunny spring morning when I boarded Saga Sapphire at Dover Cruise Terminal, a perfect day to embark on a cruise. Unfortunately, I was not embarking on a cruise to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, or anywhere else for that matter!
I had been invited by Saga Cruises to view Saga Sapphire whilst the ship was in port at Dover. As I arrived at the cruise terminal, disembarking passengers, at the end of their cruise, were collecting their luggage and being escorted by Saga Representatives to their awaiting transport home.
As a day visitor to the ship, I had to present my passport to the port security who then issued me with a temporary visitor pass. I then waited, along with other day visitors, in the departure lounge until it was time to board the ship.
Saga Sapphire was built in 1982 for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, and was originally named Europa. Saga Cruises, who specialise in cruises for the over 50s, took ownership of Saga Sapphire in 2012 and the last refurbishment was carried out in 2016. Weighing in at just 37,301 tonnes, and with a maximum capacity of 720 passengers and 415 crew, Saga Sapphire is classed as a small ship. The passenger to crew ratio of 1.7 means that passengers on this cruise ship are well looked after, with a member of staff always on hand to give assistance.
Cabins and public areas are spread over 10 decks. There are 309 outside cabins, 65 inside cabins and 19 cabins with balcony. Solo passengers are catered for with 56 of the cabins allocated for single occupancy, and 2 cabins are suitable for wheelchair users. With an average size of 220 square feet, these generously sized cabins on Saga Sapphire are much larger than the industry standard, and are very well equipped for ultimate comfort.
We boarded the ship on deck 7. Here you will find the Reception Desk as well as the Aviators bar and seating area. Pole to Pole, the main restaurant on-board, is also located on this deck. The restaurant is tastefully decorated and affords excellent ocean views. The restaurant can accommodate 620 diners and is divided into 4 distinct areas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and The Americas. Both buffet and full service meals are provided, with either fixed or open seating available.
I started my self guided tour by visiting some of the cabins towards the front of the ship on deck 7. I was pleasantly surprised by both the size of the cabins and the amenities provided. There are various bed configurations, ranging from single and twin beds through to full size double beds. Cabins also feature a coffee table and easy chairs, TV, phone, dressing table and wardrobe. Bathrooms offer either a shower or bathtub.
I worked my way up towards the top deck, viewing various cabin grades along the way. As a rule of thumb, the higher up you go, the higher the grade of cabin, with the suites being located on decks 9 and 10. As I was attempting to see as much of the ship as possible during my short visit, I was using the stairs to go from one deck to the next, however, there are 4 lifts available for public use.
As I explored the cabins on each deck, I also took time to visit all the public areas. Deck 8 features the Britannia Lounge where the main shows are held. Entertainment is also provided throughout the ship in various bars and lounges, and dance hosts are also on hand to partner unaccompanied guests if they so wish. Coopers is a bar dedicated to the late, great Tommy Cooper and is an ideal meeting point for a pre-show drink. Also on deck 8 is the cruise sales office, the card room, shops, and photo gallery.
Deck 9 features The Grill, East to West, and Verandah, three wonderful eating places. Both The Grill and East to West are very tastefully decorated and enjoy a very intimate atmosphere. The Verandah is a most pleasant and comfortable outside eating area, which features a bar and offers fantastic views over the stern of the ship.
Deck 11 features The Drawing Room and Library, as well as the outside swimming pool and hot tub, along with The Beach Club Bar, and The Club House with table tennis. Deck 12 is the promenade deck and features both the Saint Andrew's Crazy Golf course and a Shuffleboard. This is also classed as The Sun Deck.
Having worked my way up to deck 12, I then made my way back down to deck 7, where I was treated to an excellent 5 course lunch in The Pole to Pole restaurant. The food and service was exemplary and couldn't be faulted in any way.
After lunch, I had just enough time, before having to disembark, to visit deck 2 in order to view the spar area. I am so glad that I did not miss this area of the ship. It is a most delightful, relaxing and peaceful area. Featuring an indoor swimming pool, hot tub, steam room and sauna, I could easily see myself whiling away the hours resting in this lovely area. There are private rooms where various massages and treatments are available, and a hair and beauty salon, as well as a gym.
Saga Sapphire may be a small ship but she is certainly big on amenities and comfort. There is everything on-board to make any cruise a delightful and enjoyable experience. The ship is both beautiful and practical, and is delightfully decorated with numerous works of art on display throughout the ship. The main focal point is the very impressive fish sculpture that extends 3 decks up to Reception, and is reported to contain at least 1,000 fish, quite spectacular!
Passengers were beginning to board as I disembarked Saga Sapphire. As I watched the crew members greeting their new passengers and escorting them to their cabins, I found myself wishing that I too could be shown to a comfortable, welcoming cabin by the endlessly smiling crew, and that I too could be waving goodbye to the white cliffs of Dover, and embarking on a wonderful adventure. As it was, I drove away from the port of Dover and Saga Sapphire feeling honoured that I had the chance to at least sample, if only for a few hours, the delights that Saga Cruises and Saga Sapphire have to offer.
For more information on Saga Cruises please visit their website at: www.saga.co.uk
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