Plans for a new vessel replacing the ageing Saga Sapphire had been in the making for several years, and after lengthy taks with shipyard Meyer Werft, finally a preliminary agreement was signed in December 2015 for a newbuilding with delivery in 2019 with an option included for a sistership following in 2021. More than two years later in February 2018 construction of the new vessel was started with the keel laying ceremony, involving the first part of her hull, weighing over 300 tonnes. This ship would be Saga’s first ever newbuilding. She was floated out of the building hall in May 2019. As usual when ships leave the small building hall at Meyer Werft, the funnel was placed by a crane on the ship when she was halfway out.
According to Saga, their ship is a small vessel by today’s standards because the Saga experience as a premium brand is typified by small ship style, high standards of customer service and a strong relationship between customers and crew.
SMC Design designed parts of her interior. SMC is well-known in the cruise industry, having alrady worked on ships of Viking Ocean Cruise and NCL. They created a unique design mixing several of the signatures Saga had on their former ships with elements of British modern (hotel) in this way connecting vessels like Saga Ruby, Saga Rose and Saga Sapphire with Spirit of Discovery.
A fortnight after docking out at Meyer Werft she sailed down the River Ems on her way to Emden where she would be fitted out and start her sea trials.
Already on June 24 she was handed over to Saga Cruises. When leaving Emden after delivery, she collided with bollards at the sea locks. Luckily there was only superficial damage. Via the Dutch port of IJmuiden, she sailed to Dover. Dover had frequently been used to base Saga ships and their new ship was also homeported here for her first series of cruises. She was the first ship to use the new berth at Dover Cruise Terminal 4 on which construction had just begun. A week later the new ship was named Spirit of Discovery by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall during an ceremony which was attended by 500 guests. The event was organised as a traditional British garden party, complete with a lawn, trees, flowers and parasols.
On July 10 she departed for her first cruise, a round Britain voyage.
Spirit of Discovery is powered by four nine-cylinder MAN engines, each producing 5,400 kilowatts/ 7,200 hp, totalling 21,600 kilowatts/ 29,000 hp. To increase efficiency a centralised heating water system capable of recovering waste heat was installed which saves 200 MWh yearly.
For todays standards she is rather small, she is marketed as a luxury boutique cruise ship. Her passenger capacity is 999, her crew numbers 505 and Spirit of Discovery has 540 staterooms. Four of her most luxurious suites have been named after the founder of the Saga Group Sidney de Haan, the owner of Meyer Werft Joseph Meyer and the first two Saga vessels, Saga Rose and Saga Ruby. Another eight suites carry the names of areas on the map of the shipping weather forecasts like Trafalgar, Humber etc. Spirit of Discovery’s straightforward exterior design, resembling the Viking Ocean Cruises series of ships, differs from many contemporary ships in that she has tiered after decks, all with seating area’s to enjoy for passengers while almost all cruise ships today have staterooms overlooking the stern maximizing income with a larger number of cabins. Saga gave passenger experience higher priority over income!
On board Spirit of Discovery there are 1,200 pieces of commissioned art worth over a million pounds created by over 40 British artists. It adds to the feeling of subdued luxury one has on board as besides light colors British design elements like mid-century furniture, specific carpet and wall covering designs are deployed creating the ambience of a luxury but understated stylish resort. Two examples of this are the huge bronze artwork consisting of 35 bronze panels depicting typically Brtitish motifs of landscapes, industrial and cultural influences from across the UK, designed by Alun Roberts and created by Emma Pearson’s Feathercast company which specializes in one-off tailor made pieces of art, and also the impressive grand dining room which is flanked by impressive two deck high marble columns in its center, making one remember the classic liner interiors of times gone by.
Double occupancy cabins are roomy, starting at 215 square feet. Every stateroom or suite on board has a balcony, so there are no inside cabins. 109 cabins for single travellers are available (somewhat smaller at 190 sq ft). According to Saga, stateroom design concepts originated from some of London’s top rated hotels interiors and feature the best of classic British yet contemporary design. In all there are 12 grades to choose from, Standard, de Luxe staterooms, (Junior) Suites (with butler service of course), the largest measuring 855 square feet, being the principal categories.
Staterooms have three colour schemes and styles: Light timbers, pastel-green and embroidered fabrics, in the second series of cabins grey with dark timbers and pink-orange accented furnishings. Finally the third group are decorated in neutral tones with bright shades of orange.
With the introduction of The Club by Jools, situated directly above the Grand Dining Room (in fact the dining room opens up to The Club) Saga has developed a music club together with famous musician Jools Holland. A partnership deal until 2024 has been established with Jools Holland who will be performing here with his band during a handful of cruises each year. Designed as a 1950’s cabaret this space doubles as a steakhouse restaurant where passngers can keep their table after dinner and watch live performances.
Spirit of Discovery offers several high quality dining venues: The aforementioned Grand Dining Room which as its name suggests is grand indeed, decorated in dark red, cream and grey and with its two deck high centre with impressive marble columns at its sides. Her main dining room seats almost 500 passengers. Each cruise, there are 150 tables maximum available which can be reserved by those who prefer fixed dinner times. Remaining tables are all open seating.
The Grill offers a more informal atmosphere. Passengers can have breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner (same menu as the Grand Dining Room on formal nights) here. A show-kitchen allows passengers to watch ship’s chefs preparing food. Adjacent to it is the outside Verandah for alfresco dining with the same dining choices and weather permitting barbecues are organised here.
Seating 74, Coast to Coast is Spirit of Discovery’s seafood restauarant. Classic fish and chips is available,here, but of course also fresh seafood from the regions she visits.
Known from former fleetmate Saga Sapphire, the East to West specialty restaurant 0ffers high quality impeccably presented Eastern cuisine, only dinner is served here.
All specialty restaurants are ecomplimentary, but reservations are needed.
On the Lido deck we find the Britannia Lounge, Saga’s signature lounge which originates from their first ship Saga Rose. With its panoramic windows which continue into the ceiling, this is the place for enjoying spectacular views. During the day an observation lounge, at night there are live performances. A large bar spans the entire width of the Britannia Lounge.
Decorated in art-deco style, the South Cape Bar is the most impressive bar on board Spirit of Discovery as far as interior design is concerned. It traces its origins to the South Cape Bar on board Saga’s former Saga Ruby where it also was the main bar on the ship.
Open almost round the clock, the Living Room next to the lower level of the Atrium on Main deck seats 114 and is a popular coffee bar during daytime, afternoon tea is served here. At night it transforms into a poular venue for enjoying drinks and relax with live music in the background.
The Playhouse Theatre (seating 430 guests) has tiered seating, hosts production shows and live music and doubles as a cinema, while the Library Lounge offers coffee and cakes and stocks one of the largest book collections on any ship: it has 3,500 books on the shelves. Spirit of Discovery‘s Spa houses a beauty salon, steam- and hydrotherapy rooms, saunas and treatment rooms. There are also two pools, indoor as well as outdoor.
In November 2019, Saga Cruises introduced an all-inclusive package as the their new standard . This means that (apart from shore excursions) speciality restaurants, most beverages, WIFI, 24-hour room service, transfers including chauffeur service to/from port for cruise passengers living within a 400 km distance are all included in the cruise fare.
Saga Cruises, a division of Saga Holidays Group and headquartered in Folkestone has finally found their niche with their two new luxury boutique ships. Remembering that they started with acquiring Saga Rose (former Sagafjord of Norwegian America Lines and Cunard), in 1997. They cater for the over 50 years of age traveller. Only if travelling with a partner of 50 (plus) years are guests under 50 allowed to join. In 2005 Saga Ruby was added (former Vistafjord of Norwegian America Line and Caronia of Cunard). Both vessels, having been owned by high-end companies like NAL and Cunard were kown for their impeccable service. It was expected that when operated by Saga Cruises this high level of service would not be matched but Saga did and still does an excellent job. Unlike Saga’s current Spirit of Discovery and soon to be delivered Spirit of Adventure (delivery advanced to autumn 2020), both vessels actually being owned by Saga, while all of their previous ships were chartered, representing an important step forward in the company’s history.
For travellers aged over 50 with a preference for luxury intimate vessels offering destination oriented voyages and great service instead of today’s more impersonal mega cruise ships visiting the well known Mediterranean and Caribbean ports, Saga Cruises hits the nail on the head with their latest two newbuildings!
