Saga Cruises all set to return to the UK

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

With just three weeks until Saga Cruises returns to the ocean on Spirit of Discovery, the ship is a hive of activity as it prepares to relaunch. Spirit of Discovery was initially launched in July 2019 so had only recently taken to the waves when COVID-19 locked down the country. Her first sailing as restrictions lift will see her depart Tilbury on Sunday June 27 on a six-night Scottish Highlands and Islands cruise.

It will then go on to complete two, six-night itineraries from the Northern Isles to the Fjords on July 3 and 25 respectively, and in between will take in a Great British Isles Adventure cruise from July 11th for 14 nights. When she is at full capacity, Spirit of Discovery will accommodate 999 guests across 554 cabins, although this number is being capped further for these initial cruises to observe COVID-19 protocols.

At this stage, the 540-strong crew are joining the ship over the coming days ahead. Many are returning crew members so regular guests will recognise friendly faces. Once on-board the crew will re-familiarise themselves with the ship and their roles as well as go through extensive Covid-protocol training ahead of any guests arriving on board. The ship will also undertake a number of sea trials, which enable the crew to practice and refine key elements like breakfast, lunch and dinner service, theatrical performances, the daily cleaning routine, and restocking at ports. 

While she was in dock over the past year, the maintenance crew also took time to invest in further improvements including the installation of handwashing stations at the entrance to all the restaurants.Spirit of Adventure will also leave on its inaugural cruise on July 26th. Nigel Blanks, Chief Executive, Saga Cruises, said in a statement that the line is looking forward to welcoming guests on Spirit of Discovery on June 27 as it set off around the British Isles.

He shared that the company is aware how keen guests have been to get on-board and crew members are excited to give them an incredible cruise experience. He shared that everyone have all waited so long to cruise again, and want to make this as special as possible for everyone.

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