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Saga Cruises Coronavirus update

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Saga Ocean Cruises suspended its fleet's passenger shipping operations by cancelling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 15, 2020, through July 2021. Operations are currently planned to resume in 2021 with Spirit of Adventure (July 26/Maiden Voyage) and Spirit of Discovery (August 2).

All affected bookings received full monetary refund (100% of the fare paid) or 125% refund in FCC (future cruise credit) with rebooking made within 24 months. Saga UK's 'Cruise Price Promise' allows penalty-free cancellation up to 14 days prior departure.

Saga Cruises fleet

  • Spirit of Adventure

    Saga Ocean Cruises
    Year built2021 new ship
    Passengers999
    Homeports Southampton Dover
  • Spirit of Discovery

    Saga Ocean Cruises
    Year built2019 / Age : 2
    Passengers999
    Homeports Southampton Dover
  • Spirit of the Danube

    Saga River Cruises
    Year built2022 new ship
    Passengers192
  • Spirit of the Rhine

    Saga River Cruises
    Year built2021 new ship
    Passengers192
  • MS Douro Queen

    Saga River Cruises
    Year built2005 / Age : 16
    Passengers130
  • MS Carmen

    Saga River Cruises
    Year built2001 / Age : 20
    Passengers136
  • MS Dutch Melody

    Saga River Cruises
    Year built1999 / Age : 22
    Passengers140
  • MS Filia Rheni II

    Saga River Cruises
    Year built1999 / Age : 22
    Passengers154
  • MS Johannes Brahms

    Saga River Cruises
    Year built1998 / Age : 23
    Passengers84
  • MS Rex Rheni

    Saga River Cruises
    Year built1979 / Age : 42
    Passengers151

Review of Saga Cruises

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, Saga Ocean Cruises suspended its fleet's passenger shipping operations by cancelling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 15, 2020, through July 2021. Operations are currently planned to resume in 2021 with Spirit of Adventure (July 26/Maiden Voyage) and Spirit of Discovery (August 2).

All affected bookings received full monetary refund (100% of the fare paid) or 125% refund in FCC (future cruise credit) with rebooking made within 24 months. Saga UK's 'Cruise Price Promise' allows penalty-free cancellation up to 14 days prior departure. All shipboard employees (fleetwide) remained on the docked vessels. Both SAGA ships' berthing location (during the no-sail period) is London-Tilbury Port.

Saga Cruises (Saga Shipping, website) is a British company, luxury cruise brand and division of Saga Group (CEO Euan Sutherland). With the purchase of Saga Rose (former NCL ship MS Sagafjord), in 1997 the company started passenger shipping operations under the brand name 'Saga Cruises'. Saga Rose was the flagship until 2004 when Saga Ruby was bought from Cunard Line (previously named MS Caronia). Saga Travel's CEO is Nick Stace.

For summer 2003, Saga Holidays chartered Minerva (1989-built) which sailed as Saga Pearl. Saga Rose was retired in 2009 after a final 37-night Mediterranean voyage. Subsequently, the ship was laid up in Gibraltar and in 2010 scrapped in China. In 2014 was acquired Saga Ruby (former NCL ship MS Vistafjord, currently hotel-ship Saga Ruby), with the last voyage for Saga in January 2014.

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Company history

While on its final cruise in the Caribbean, Saga Ruby had one of its generators fail which disabled vessel's air-conditioning plant. Then it was decided to cancel the sailing and head for a Western Mediterranean itinerary. Saga Ruby returned to Southampton on Jan. 9, 2014 due to bad weather. While in Funchal Madeira, the ship met up with Saga Sapphire for New Year's Eve fireworks display. Saga Ruby then departed for Gibraltar out of Southampton for the last time on January 10 and was handed over to her new owners on Jan 13, 2014.

In 2005, Saga Cruises introduced the 'Spirit of Adventure Cruises' brand. In March 2006, MV Spirit of Adventure (former Orange Melody) entered into service. In 2013, Saga sold the brand.

Until 2020, Saga Holidays operated two ships under charter - Saga Sapphire and Saga Pearl 2. The former fleetmate Saga Ruby was built and launched under the name Vistafjord for the Norwegian America Line. In 1983, the ship was sold to Cunard, and in 1999 was renamed to Caronia. In 2004, Cunard sold it to Saga. It was operated as 'Saga Ruby' until 2014 when was sold to a Chinese company, renamed Oasia, operated as a hotel ship until 2017, then scrapped at Alang India.

Earlier in 2009, Saga UK acquired Astoria (Saga Pearl 2). Followed a GBP 14 million drydock refurbishment of the 1981-built vessel. The upgrades included new Veranda Restaurant; new balcony cabins; new Library Lounge; redesigned Spa, renovations to both swimming pools. The ship has 126 twin-bed cabins, 25 twin or king-bed cabins, 42 double-bed cabins. Of all staterooms, 20 are with balconies and 9 with French balconies. Saga Pearl 2 has 60 single cabins (almost 1/4 of all staterooms). Among Saga's signature trademarks are the shipboard Afternoon Tea service and ballroom dancing. Saga ships departure from UK ports (Southampton and Dover) on cruises to the Canaries, Baltic, and the Mediterranean. Itineraries range between 7- and 24-days in length.

IMPORTANT: Saga Sapphire and Saga Pearl 2 were both withdrawn from service (left the fleet) after the two new Saga ships - Spirit of Discovery (2019) and Spirit of Adventure (2020) - were delivered. In August 2019 was announced that Saga Sapphire will be acquired by ANEX Tours (Turkey's largest travel agency/tour operator), starting operations for ANEX Tour in mid-2020. However, due to the Coronavirus crisis in 2020, the 39-year-old liner was officially sold to ANEX Tours in July 2020. Renamed to 'Blue Sapphire', it starts operations for ANEX Tours in 2021, with roundtrips from homeport Antalya Turkey to Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea ports.

  • In November 2019, after acquiring Thomas Cook Group's subsidiaries in Germany (Oger Tours, Bucher Reisen and Neckermann) and Russia (Intourist, 1929-founded USSR-Russia travel brand privatized in the 1990s by Vladimir Yevtushenkov), ANEX Tours became the world's second-largest tour operator - after TUI Group. The company's Chairman (Neset Kockar) commented that expects the annual passenger volume to increase to 8 million and the turnover to reach ~EUR 10 billion (~USD 11 B).
  • Thomas Cook Group plc (2007-founded / 2019-defunct) was a British travel group formed by the merger of Thomas Cook AG (British-German, 2001-founded) and MyTravel Group plc (British, 1972-founded). Neset Kockar (ANEX Tours) was the second-largest shareholder in Thomas Cook Group plc - after Fosun International China.

New ships

In 2017, Saga UK ordered two new cruise ships with capacity under 1000 passengers, each vessel with a total of 540 cabins and suites. The shipbuilder is Meyer Werft (Papenburg Germany). Unlike all previous Saga ships, these two are fully-owned by the company.

The vessels were scheduled for deliveries in 2019 July (Spirit of Discovery) and 2020 August (Spirit of Adventure). This is a new series of polar expedition ships with ice-strengthened hulls. Each vessel costs USD 350 million and has a total of 540 staterooms (cabins and suites), of 100 are single cabins (designed for solo travelers, no single supplement required), which is approx 20% of all cabins. The other staterooms are in categories Standard Balcony, Deluxe Balcony, Mid-Ship Suite and larger suites.

Among the signature venues onboard are the Britannia Lounge (2-level Atrium bar lounge), The Verandah (specialty restaurant) and an outdoor (alfresco dining) restaurant. Each vessel has two swimming pools (indoor and outdoor).

At the end of March 2017 was announced the name selected for the first ship - 'Spirit of Discovery' (scheduled delivery June 2019). The second vessel was ordered in September 2017 - 'Spirit of Adventure' (scheduled delivery August 2020).

In mid-September 2018 was announced that starting January 2020, Saga's new ships deals will be all-inclusive. Fares include unlimited (shipboard served) house spirits, beers, wines (by the glass) and soft drinks. Company's packages also include:

  • UK travel package (to/from departure port), Shuttle bus transfer (to the nearest downtown from the port)
  • Onboard gratuities, Porterage
  • Onboard Welcome cocktail party
  • All onboard meals, afternoon tea, live entertainment
  • Unlimited tea and coffee (selected ship venues)
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • 24-hour room service
  • premium service (2 staff members for 3 passengers)

In early-March 2019, Saga announced that company's both newbuilds (the sisterships Adventure and Discovery) are all-inclusive cruise liners. This means that Saga cruise fares are inclusive of specialty restaurant dining, drinks (wine, beer, house spirits, soft drinks), 24-hour room service, Wi-Fi, gratuities, transfer (chauffeur service to/from homeport for cruise passengers based within 250 ml / 402 km distance). Shore excursions remain optional and at additional cost. The cruise company offers complimentary shuttle bus services in all ports where the town/city is over 0,5 km from the ship.

In early-November 2019 was announced the shipbuilding order for Spirit of the Rhine - a 192-passenger riverboat debuting in 2021 May. The boat cruises on the rivers Danube-Main-Rhine-Moselle and the Dutch waterways. In early-February 2021 started the construction of a second newbuild riverboat - the sistership Spirit of the Danube (2022 May).

Saga Holidays ocean- and river cruising experience

Saga Cruises offers both Ocean and River cruise travel vacations. All the company's vessels are chartered. The cruising experience is classic, elegant and comfortable. Passengers are able to choose from today’s amenities such as modern spas, Internet cafes, alternative dining in intimate restaurants. Do not expect shopping centers, casino or lustrous shows - Saga passengers like the relaxed and good-mannered social life. Traditional English tea is served each afternoon; ballroom dancing is presented nightly.

Saga passengers are more adventurous than it might be imagined. They seek a high level of comfort and service while they are careful not to squander pensions on gambling (the reason why there are no casinos on Saga’s ships). They also demand fine food, that is well-prepared, from varied menus. Some of the mainstream cruise lines may get away with fortnightly or weekly menu cycles. That wouldn’t be welcomed by Saga Cruises customers who are free to stay onboard for back-to-back cruises.

When you are not out or it is one of those lazy days at sea onboard Saga’s ships, you will be surprised by the great number of onboard activities. You will have the opportunity to join painting or computer classes, keep fit with Pilates and yoga, enjoy swimming, attend a talk from guest speakers. Relax with new and old friends, or look for some quiet time in ships' cozy areas. Other diversions include the beauty salon and spa - go for a pampering treatment or a massage or try the gym - go for a refreshing yoga course. A well-stocked library with thousands of books is also provided. Another choice is using one of the computers and keep in touch with family and friends.

In the evening onboard Saga ships, while heading to the next destination before dining, enjoy an aperitif in ships’ bars, or work up with pre-dinner dance classes. At formal nights (one for a week-long cruise, two for a 14-night cruise) enjoy the feeling of occasion. Later take your seat for a show, go dancing, watch a film or socialize with friends - you may even enjoy a nightcap accompanied with live music in the inviting lounges and bars.

On select cruise itineraries, you will be entertained by celebrities. But the best part of all is that with no children on board, kids’ games arcades or clubs taking up space, everything aboard is designed for your pleasure.

No matter which Saga ship you choose (ocean or river), each mealtime is going to be an exciting dining experience. Good breakfast is essential when you have a day full of activities - plenty of choices await for you for the day ahead. Choose from a waiter-served meal, the buffet onboard Saga Ruby, or eat out on deck. Opt for full English breakfast brought to the cabin. There are plenty of things to tempt you at lunchtime: choose from the buffet or enjoy a cooked-to-order lunch in the main restaurant.

Afternoon tea is a cruising tradition on Saga cruise ships with tempting cakes, pastries, sandwiches… really hard to resist. Dinner is usually the highlight of the day - it is always waiter served, one sitting, sometimes offering six courses - distinctly refined. A talented team led by Executive Chef is available onboard Saga cruise ships, so you can look forward to tempting meals prepared with the finest ingredients.

Delicious wines from well-stocked ‘cellars’ are recommended from sommeliers who are also on hand. Main courses, including game, fish, meat, vegetarian dishes, are followed with desserts from a selection of soufflés, tarts, pavlovas, exquisite petits fours. The best of all is that you will never feel rushed to end your meals or have to wait for guests, as flexible arrangements make sure you dine at any time between 7 - 9 pm.

Saga Cruises customers

The Saga cruise line targets 50-and-older customers and is kids-free. The company sells directly to the public, not counting on travel agents. Allowing traveling companions who are 40+ years old is beneficial to couples who want to cruise together with grown-up families and in-laws, and also to those who need assistance and personal care. Saga's customers are elderly and almost exclusively British, with occasional passengers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, rarely Japan. Saga provides free chauffeur service (door-to-door) for passengers who live within 75 mi (120 km) of cruise departure ports, and also shared chauffeur for up to 250 ml (400 km) homeport distances. Alternatives include coach and rail transportation, or domestic flights (from the UK) which can be fare-included. Saga also offers free parking to all its cruise passengers.

Saga Cruises enjoys a high repeat booking rate (about 75%). To attract first-timer cruisers, since 2016 Saga offers 'Love it First Time'. By this initiative, a full cruise full refund is guaranteed to anyone who doesn't enjoy the company's cruising vacation product. The cruise line guarantees that if passengers find that the experience is not for them, they can leave the cruise ship at the next available call port. The 'Love it First Time' offer applies only to new bookings and first-time customers.

Saga Holidays fly-cruise deals

For the end of 2017 (November and December), Saga Cruises offered 3 fly-cruises. The 8-, 11- and 12-night itineraries were available for booking with all-inclusive prices starting from around GBP 114 per person. Saga's 'flight and cruise' deals are inclusive of airport and seaport transfers, all onboard meals, alcohol (wine by the glass / at lunch and dinner, house-brand spirits, cocktails, draught beers, lager), also soft drinks, afternoon tea, free Wi-Fi and, all onboard gratuities.

Saga Sapphire ship's 8-night 'Canary Island Medley' cruise (prices from GBP 897) departed from Southampton on December 8, 2017.

DatePort
08 DecDeparting from Southampton, England
12 DecFunchal, Madeira Island, Portugal
13 DecSanta Cruz de la Palma, Canary Islands
14 DecSanta Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
15 DecLas Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
16 DecArrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
19 DecLa Coruna, Spain
21 DecArriving in Southampton, England

The Saga Pearl 2 ship's 11-night 'Jewels of the Canary Islands' cruise (prices from GBP 1516) departed from Southampton on November 20, 2017.

DatePort
20 NovDeparting from Southampton, England
25 NovFunchal, Madeira Island, Portugal
27 NovSanta Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
28 NovLas Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
29 NovArrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
01 DecCadiz, Spain
02 DecPortimao, Portugal
03 DecLisbon, Portugal
05 DecLa Coruna, Spain
06 DecAviles, Spain
08 DecArriving in Southampton, England

The Saga Pearl II ship's 12-night 'Contrasts of the Canary Islands and Cape Verde' cruise (prices from GBP 1980) departed from Southampton on November 1, 2017.

DatePort
01 NovDeparting from Southampton, England
05 NovFunchal, Madeira Island, Portugal
06 NovSanta Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
07 NovSanta Cruz de la Palma, Canary Islands
10 NovMindelo, Sao Vicente Island, Cape Verde
11 NovPraia, Santiago Island, Cape Verde
14 NovArrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
17 NovLisbon, Portugal
20 NovArriving in Southampton, England

The Nov 1st voyage included a flight from the UK to Funchal (Madeira), boarding there Saga Pearl 2, and home flight from Lisbon back to the UK.

Itinerary of Saga Cruises

Saga Holidays cruise Itineraries are specialized in travel for the over 50s. The company has more than 60 years’ holiday travel experience in Europe.

Saga free shuttle bus service is available if you want to explore independently - the shuttle will take you to the nearest city center or town. The service is offered if the distance between Saga ship and the city is over 500 yards. At ports of call, you will have a choice of exciting optional excursions. Saga representatives accompany cruisers on the coach. Saga Cruises company is sending a detailed booklet a few weeks before the cruise which gives the chance for pre-booking. If you prefer so, you can also visit the Tours and Travel Office onboard and Saga staff will book the preferred tours for you, if available.

The organized tours are a great way to see the sights. Saga excursions include transport, entrance fees, services of English-speaking guides. Lunch and refreshments are sometimes also included, so you will enjoy without worrying about costs. All excursions are optional, an additional cost will be added to your account. They are subject to change and availability. Among the highlights detailed on Saga cruises, are some that may be seen only by exploring independently or on optional excursions.

'Discovering St James’ Way' itinerary

A discovery of ancient pilgrims’ route is the highlight of one of Saga’s holidays - it runs from southern France over the Pyrenees, ending in Santiago de Compostela. Discover St James (Camino de Santiago) way with Saga. Along the Way, visit ancient cities and villages; do not do the hard work, walking in pilgrims’ footsteps. Look out for highlights as Gaudi’s fairytale Episcopal Palace; stay in Pamplona - evoked by Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises; taste wine in La Rioja’s bodega; see the cathedral cities of Logroño, Burgos, León. For 12 nights, prices start at GBP 899. Among the many inclusions are additional cancellation cover and travel insurance, all breakfasts, ten dinners. You will be accompanied by experienced Saga manager throughout.

Naples to Apulia itinerary

Saga Cruises offer is colors of the South 90-night tour. You will travel from Naples to olive groves of Puglia; stay on Ischia island with subtropical foliage. Discover the beautiful scenery of towns along the way; gain a wonderful insight into the Italian way of life. You will stay in four throughout the tour - five-star hotels on a half-board basis. Enjoy the glorious views of the bay while in Naples; visit Unesco World Heritage; listed dwellings in the Apulia region; enjoy naturally heated spa thermal waters at Ischia hotel. As on many Saga holidays, prices start at GBP 949 and single staterooms – available on selected dates – no extra cost! Join Saga Cruises’ team and enjoy tours of Romania, Portugal, the Baltic; go shopping in Greece; join a tour in Croatia; discover Italian Lakes… Additional cancellation cover and travel insurance are one of the money-saving elements that are included in the Saga holidays.

Saga Cruises tours in USA, Mozambique, and Japan

Let your year to embark on one of the most memorable journeys with Saga Cruises experts. The chances Saga Cruises has the right trip you have been looking for, are quite big. Wherever you want to go into the world and however you want to travel, there’s a good chance that Saga Cruises will help. Unlock Japan’s mysteries. Stay in Mozambique’s authentic bush camps, dare to look over the edge of South Rim in Grand Canyon. Saga Holidays seeks for new destinations and new experiences for the over 50s audience - such are these exciting new tours.

Trans-frontier Trail – Mozambique to Kruger

This 12-night tour will make you discover Greater Limpopo Trans-frontier Park and the rich Portuguese. The three national parks in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique are protected and form a territory of 36,000 square miles. Mozambique's most beautiful beaches on the Indian Ocean are the place you could swim off, stay in comfortable bush camps and venture bush walks and safaris- for unrivalled opportunities for spotting wildlife. The size of the group is limited to twenty people. Of course, you will be fed well too - seven lunches, all breakfasts, and dinners are price included.

South West Iconic Parks of America

Wide-open spaces, fresh air and relax. Each of the national parks is more spectacular than the last one; the rock formations are impossibly beautiful and multi-colored. Experience Mother Road and what was left of Las Vegas Route 66 - The Strip is the one place to stay if you travel through Nevada. The best way to experience the Grand Canyon is to stay in the park, close to South Rim. Since you will be in the Wild West, probably you will wish to experience the badlands of Painted Desert; see the Sedona formations of red rocks; enjoy scenic cruising along Antelope Canyon; see the limestone spires in Monument Valley.

Saga Mystery Cruise 2018

Captain Horne's Mystery Cruise surprises up to 720 passengers every day for 3 weeks. The intriguing cruise aboard Saga Sapphire left Southampton UK in November 2018 with Captain Stuart Horne promising to keep 'everyone guessing as long as possible.' He added he would only tell his engineers and navigation team as much as they need to know for fuel management and route planning.

No guarantee where the captain sails but there are all-inclusive drinks and tours as well as entertainment from Syd Lawrence Orchestra on 6 nights. VIP Chauffeur service is guaranteed to and from the port, all included in the fare, along with travel insurance. Another surprise is the array of mystery celebrities/VIP guests on Saga Sapphire.

Ports of call are announced once the ship is berthed, but there is a shore trip included in every port.

The adventure is the last mystery cruise aboard Saga Sapphire and features a choice of table wines at lunch and dinner, as well as house-branded spirits, soft drinks, draught beer, and lager. Afternoon tea, unlimited tea, and coffee in selected venues, welcome cocktail party, free wifi, onboard gratuities, and 24-hour room service are also included.

Norwegian Cruise Casino Coupons

Saga Sapphire departed Southampton on November 27, 2018. Prices for the 21-night cruise started from GBP 3090 pp (based on double occupancy / 2 people sharing a Twin Cabin).

Saga itineraries 2021

Saga Cruises' 7 new itineraries for early-2021 include the 83-night around South America itinerary 'Grand Voyage' visiting the Amazon Delta, Punta Arenas, Cape Horn, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Montevideo on MS Spirit of Discovery. This world cruise is the ship’s longest yet and departs from Southampton on January 6, 2021. Prices include chauffeur service to the homeport, balcony cabin, all-inclusive meals and drinks, daily afternoon tea, free wifi, onboard gratuities. The clockwise South America circumnavigation itinerary begins with a Transatlantic crossing to Brazil, follows cruising through the Amazon Delta, Patagonia, Panama Canal, Ecuador, Colombia. From Callao Peru are offered optional tours to Machu Picchu and Galapagos Islands. Overnights are in Rio and Manaus, as well as Stanley (Falklands).

MS Spirit of Adventure cruises in Europe on 6 itineraries (January through March 2021) including

  • 14-night 'Constellations of the Canaries'
  • 16-night 'A Norwegian Aurora' (Northern Lights cruise) with included Aurora Borealis shore excursion, Rauma Railway through ‘Troll Wall, overnight in Sorrisniva Igloo hotel)
  • 15-night 'Taste of the Mediterranean' visits Barcelona, Cartagena, and Valencia and includes flamenco dancing, horse show, paella and tapas-making, chocolate and wine tastings.
  • 8-night 'Scandinavian Rhythms' visits Copenhagen, Frederikshavn, Gothenburg, Odderoya, Kristiansand.

The wellness-themed 16-night 'Exotic Morocco and the Canary islands' itinerary features outdoor yoga classes and guided hikes and visits Lisbon and Madeira Island.

  • 83-night South America: A Grand Voyage, from GBP 17,324 pp, departs from Southampton UK on January 6, 2021.
  • 14-night Constellations of the Canaries, from GBP 2,449 pp, departs January 5, 2021.
  • 16-night Exotic Morocco and the Canaries, from GBP 3,024 pp, departs January 19, 2021.
  • 15-night The Beautiful Canaries, from GBP 2,892 pp, departs February 4, 2021.
  • 16-night A Norwegian Aurora, from GBP 3,117 pp, departs February 19, 2021.
  • 15-night A Taste of the Mediterranean, from GBP 2,799 pp, departs March 7, 2021.
  • 8-night Scandinavian Rhythms, from GBP 1,475 pp, departs March 22, 2021.

The list of Saga UK-operated (chartered) riverboats includes Filia Rheni 2, Amadeus Royal, Amadeus Symphony, Douro Queen (Douro River, Portugal), Johannes Brahms, Rex Rheni, and Dutch Melody (fka River Melody, since 2020). Saga owns two newbuild riverboats - Spirit of the Rhine (2021) and Spirit of the Danube (2022)

Saga Cruises related cruise news

  • Saga extends cruise suspension until June 27

    Saga UK has written to its Cruise and Holidays guests in order to inform them of the company's decision to extend the current suspension of travel...

    March 5, 2021
    Cruise Industry
  • Which cruise lines require COVID vaccinations for passengers and crew?

    A number of cruise lines announced vaccination requirements for passengers and crew as the industry looks to restart after the Coronavirus/COVID...

    February 24, 2021
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  • RCG-Royal Caribbean Group requires crew to receive COVID-19 vaccine

    RCI-Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity, and Silversea Cruises will require the crew to receive the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine before...

    February 12, 2021
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  • Keel laid for Saga Cruises’ new riverboat Spirit of the Danube

    Saga Cruises revealed it is adding a second riverboat - Spirit of the Danube, to its fleet in 2022. The 190-passenger river cruise ship feature 2...

    February 10, 2021
    Cruise Industry
  • Saga Cruises UK requires all passengers to have COVID vaccination

    Saga Cruises UK, part of Saga Group targeting the over-50s travellers, will become the world's first cruise shipping company to require all of its...

    January 20, 2021
    Cruise Industry
  • Saga boasts increased interest in ‘once in a lifetime’ adventures

    Saga UK has experienced a surge in interest from customers looking for travel holidays. During the week following the news of successful trials of...

    December 12, 2020
    Cruise Industry
  • Almaco provides catering solutions for Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Adventure

    In January 2017, Meyer Werft contracted Almaco Group to provide catering solutions for Saga Cruises’ ship Spirit of Adventure. The scope of...

    December 1, 2020
    Cruise Industry
  • SAGA is the first cruise operator awarded COVID-19 health assurance accreditation

    Saga Cruises UK moved closer to restarting passenger shipping operations with the award of new COVID safety accreditation and becoming the first...

    November 28, 2020
    Cruise Industry
  • UK government allows cruises to resume from late-January 2021

    The UK government is working on a package of measures that include the restart of cruises from the UK in late-January 2021. The measures include the...

    November 14, 2020
    Cruise Industry
  • CLIA cruise lines voluntarily extend ex-USA cruise suspension through 2021

    CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), which represents 95% of the world's ocean-going cruise shipping capacity, announced on Tuesday...

    November 4, 2020
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Insider Tips

Norwegian Cruise Lineoffers paper straws with its beverages, but they're pretty flimsy and tend to collapse after a few sips or if they sit in your glass for too long. As an alternative you may want to consider reusable straws. This package of four, right, with cleaning brush is $9.99 and available at Target or online by clicking here.

If you choose a specialty dining venue that has a dress code, e.g., Le Bistro, be aware that the dress code is not enforced the first or last night of the cruise. I learned the 'hard way' when a young couple was seated across from me at Le Bistro the final night of one of my cruises. The couple wearing swimsuits and flip flops constantly dangled the footwear on their toes or doffed them totally as they sat on their legs with their bare feet extending into the aisle between our tables. Not a pretty sight!
Something else to consider bringing on your cruise are clips to attach your pool/beach towels to your deck chair. While a couple of simple old-fashioned hinged clothespins will work, there are some cute alternatives sold on the ship or available online. These toucan clips are $6.99 on Amazon.

If you're traveling solo and eat at the buffet, you may want to create a small tent card to leave at your table that says something like: 'Please do not clear. Be back shortly.' More than once I've even had a whole plate of food and a full can of beer discarded by an overly enthusiastic NCL employee who was taking his job a little too seriously. Download a template by clicking here.

On most ships 37 on the television is the Movie Channel. To get a schedule you'll need to ask at Guest Services. Someone will bring the schedule to your cabin.

If you're prone to losing things, or just want the convenience of having it close at hand at all times, consider placing your key card in a plastic insert that hangs from a lanyard around your neck. You can buy them onboard for $9.99 (or three for $24.99), but they're a lot less expensive if you buy them at a local store before you leave on your cruise.


The casino is open when the ship is at sea.When at sea, slot machines are open 24/7, while table games typically open up around10 a.m. on sea days and about an hour after the ship leaves port on port days.The size of the casino varies by ship, with the newest ships like the Epic and Breakaway having larger casinos.

Be sure to redeem your slot machine voucher(s) before the casino closes on the last day of your cruise. They're void after that.
Slot machine variety is very good, with a mix of classic reel slots, recently released reel and video slots, and video poker.Denominations range from a penny to $25, with several $1/$5/$25/$100 mixed denominations.Video poker payouts range from 92 to 97 percent based on the pay schedules and optimal play.The casino is catering to a captive audience, literally, so slot payouts can’t be the highest available.All machines are ticket-in/ticket-out.


A typical ship casino has one poker table, four to six blackjack tables, one or two roulette tables, one Caribbean Stud table, and one or two craps tables.The less popular table games may be open only during peak times or upon customer request.Table game minimums are typically $5 or $10, with low maximums on roulette ($200), Caribbean stud ($100) and craps ($300).Some blackjack tables have maximums of up to $2,000.According to casino brochures, high maximums can be arranged in advance of the cruise.There is also a tucked-away blackjack pit with two or three tables for semi-private higher minimum action.

As with the slot games, table game rules are not as good as many onshore casinos.Craps tables offer 3X/4X/5X free odds behind the Pass Line.Blackjack pays 6-to-5 most of the tie, but tables with minimums of $25 or more will pay 3-to-2.Resplitting after aces is not allowed, and most tables allow doubling only on 9, 10 or 11.
All casinos operate in U.S. dollars regardless of the ship’s embarkation point, destinations and currency of other on-ship purchases.You can use $5 to $100 bills in the slot machines and at the tables.You can also get up to $3,000 per day in chips or cash charged to your stateroom account.If you presented a credit card for stateroom charges, this will appear on your account as a transaction charge in U.S. dollars, e.g., not a cash advance and not subject to foreign currency transaction fee; however, on ships that depart from the United States there is a three percent service charge for this convenience.

Warning!

Be sure to cash-out your voucher before removing your players card. If not, any remaining balance will revert to your account and you'll have to download it at the next machine you play. To do this, look for the illustration of a stack of green bills, click on that, then enter your day of birth and the last two digits of your birth year.
In addition, be sure that no one else's players card is already in a machine before you insert any cash-out voucher from a previously played machine. If you insert your voucher, then you pull that other person's card, the amount/value of that voucher will be deposited into the other person's account.
Some ships have a cigar bar.Other than that, the casino is the only place on board inside the ship where a person is allowed to smoke.While that may be fine for gamblers, it is not for people passing by or those who are attired for a dress-up meal and want to be able to wear their clothes again during the cruise.For some ships such as the Star or Jade, the casino is tucked away so this is not a big deal.For other ships, such as the Epic, one has to walk through the casino to get to dinner.
The Bliss and Joy have dedicated smoking casinos that are totally enclosed.

Normally, a player has to accrue 1,500 points to get free drinks while playing in the casino (see Players Club below).However, people traveling on a Seven Stars Voyage automatically get a card entitling them to drinks while they're playing in the casino.Free drinks include draft and bottled beer, well drinks, and basic fruity drinks such as pina coladas.Considering that an adult beverage is a minimum of $5 or more, this is a decent benefit.


Insider Tip

Even if you're on the Ultimate Beverage Plan, you cannot get complimentary bottled water or energy drinks. Consequently, use your casino drink benefits to get these for free in the casino.

On sea days, there will be a few casino promotions.

Ncl Casinos At Sea Free Cruise
  • Slot Tournaments.Typically $15 or $25 buy-in to play a round and qualify for the finals.Depending on the number of players, the top eight or 30 will qualify for the finals with a top prize of up to $500 and runner-up prizes of T-shirts or the like.Payback is often less than 50 percent overall.
  • Blackjack Tournaments.Typically $25 buy-in to play 10 hands and qualify for the final table to win up to $500 with second and third prize based on the prize pool.Payback is around 65 percent.
  • Texas Hold ’em Tournaments.Typically buyin with $80-$100 for rebuys and add-ons.The house takes a portion of all of the above with a payback of around 65 percent.It is similar to a Turbo tournament on land, with unused blackjack tables being repurposed for the tournament.Some tournaments offer winnings that day, while others are satellites for a larger tournament later in the year. Be sure to ask before you buy in.

The minimum age to gamble at the casino is only 18, regardless of from where the ship embarks.

NCL players club

NCL has its own players club, Casinos At Sea. (Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises now share the same program.) Details can be found on the NCL Players Club page. NCL does not match status with any land-based casinos.

Insider Tip

Ncl Casinos At Sea Free Cruise

Ships with ATMs charge $5.99 per transaction, plus whatever fees your bank may impose.
When you travel for the first time, you start at NCL’s lowest Jade tier.Beyond that, points accrue much the same way they do at Caesars casinos: $5 coin-in slots or $10 video poker is one point.Points accrual for table games is based on play.If you earn 1,000 points you get $10 in free slot play, in $10 increments.When you get to 2,500 points or more, you can redeem the points for comps to defray onboard expenses, or convert them to free play.

Points can be transferred from ship to ship, but you need to verify that you have the same player's club number as with the prior cruise and you may need to have the casino host request a manual transfer.

Check the Casinos At Sea page for details of the amenities you receive at various levels.

At the end of the cruise
There is a two-hour window on the last night of the cruise where you can redeem accrued points for comps or free slot play.If you have more than 10,000 points for the trip, this is worth your time.Although not documented, many players have reported receiving comps beyond the 100 points: $1 ratio listed in the Player’s Club documentation.

Ncl Casinos At Sea Contact

Playing after getting that comp applied to your onboard account will not get additional comps; however, points accrued are valid for 18 months before expiring.

Ncl Casinos At Sea Promotions

  • When NCL offers a promotion for purchasing a cruise, such as its Premium Beverage Package, Specialty Dining Package or onboard credit, you get that, as well as your Seven Stars benefit, when booking your Seven Stars cruise.If you book. then see a better promotion, you can rebook to obtain that promotional benefit up to 90 days before your embarkation date.
  • The best room available to you is not always the most expensive category.Generally speaking, the best you can get on a Seven Stars Voyage is a balcony stateroom.
  • When getting free drinks in the casino, tip the server and bartender at least a dollar!This is proper courtesy and often leads to better quality beverages next time.
  • This is an international trip.If you are carrying more than $10,000, including in checks, you need to report it to U.S. Customs upon boarding the ship in the United States or upon returning to the States.
  • If you plan to take more than one cruise, enroll in NCL’s Latitudes Rewards loyalty program.Benefits accrue as soon as the second cruise, including a Latitudes Rewards free cocktail hour and giveaways.
  • NCL runs a 'CruiseNext' promotion where, if while onboard your cruise, you make a $250 deposit (or more in $250 increments) towards a future cruise, you get an onboard credit for your current cruise. (Purchase two $250 deposit certificates and you essentially get one for free.) That deposit is good for four years on any NCL cruise of more than four days, including a future Seven Stars Voyage or one where you use a cruise certificate provided by your casino. In that case, you can use the $250 credit for prepaying port taxes, service charges, admin fees, etc. Generally, you can use only one certificate per cruise, but NCL has been running a special for months allowing up to two certificates per voyage if you book at least six months out. (Check to see if this promotion is still available.) This is a great deal if you plan to go on another cruise.
  • Cruise Critic is a fantastic source of information about every ship, the layout, shows, dining, etc.
  • If you sail from New Orleans, Harrah’s is a short walk.As a Seven Stars cardholder, you can park your car in the garage for free and walk over from the garage or hotel to the port.
  • No one says you have to gamble while on board.Gambling or not gambling won’t affect your Seven Stars status.NCL will not require you to pay for your stateroom if you avoid the casino.