Saga has confirmed its looking into potential partnerships for its ocean cruises business based on reports in British media.
“We are looking at how we can offer more cruises to more guests in the future,” Saga Cruises CEO Nigel Blanks said in a statement shared on social media.
“This comes on the back of exceptional demand for our boutique ocean cruise offer,” he continued noting that the Spirit of Discovery and the Spirit of Adventure are operating “close to capacity.”
“With this in mind, we have been looking into the possibility of entering a partnership arrangement for our ocean cruise business as the best way to support further growth,” Blanks said.
The move would also create value for the company’s shareholders, he noted, pointing out to Saga’s “unique business, with a strong brand and committed team.”
“We are still in the early stages of the process of exploring opportunities,” Blanks said, noting that transactions of this nature “usually take months rather than days or weeks.”
According to Sky News, the debt-challenged tour operator was working with advisers and also considered selling its two cruise vessels or offloading the entire business under a licensing arrangement.
After initially entering the cruise business with second-hand vessels, Saga Cruises took delivery of two new cruise ships in 2019 and 2020.
Sailing from different ports in the United Kingdom on a year-round basis, the Spirit of Discovery and the Spirit of Adventure were built by the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.
Designed to offer a boutique cruise experience, the 55,000-ton sister ships can accommodate up to 999 guests in double occupancy.
Saga Cruises has added four more celebrity faces to its onboard entertainment line-up in the coming months.
TV stars Jennie Bond, Charlie Dimmock, John Craven and Dr. Sian Williams are the latest celebrities to join Saga sailings to give talks and answer guests’ questions on their specialist areas.
Journalist and broadcaster, Jennie Bond is known as a presenter on two of the BBC’s most popular shows, Cash in the Attic and Rip Off Britain, among others. She will deliver a talk and Q&A session on Saga’s 14-night Winter Sun in the Canaries voyage departing onboard the Spirit of Discovery from Portsmouth on December 7, 2023. Prices for the cruise start from £2,826 per person.
Presenter and editor John Craven OBE, best known for John Craven’s Newsround, will talk to guests about his broadcasting career on the 14-night Canary Island Medley cruise departing from Portsmouth onboard the Spirit of Adventure on December 4, 2023. Prices start from £2,737 per person.
Dr Sian Williams, a registered Counselling Psychologist, will be a guest on the Highlights of Spain and the Balearics cruise on the Spirit of Adventure, departing Dover on September 24, 2023.
Nigel Blanks, CEO of Saga Cruises, said: “We’ve been really focusing on our entertainment program and securing high-quality celebrities to talk on subjects we know our guests will enjoy from life behind the lens, to the royals and gardening. These latest speakers deliver exactly that, and we anticipate a full house for their sessions.”
With more cruise vessels sailing again, premium cruise brands are quickly resuming operations around the world.
Here are the latest plans from eight key brands:
Celebrity Cruises First sailing: In service since June 5, 2021 Ships: Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Xpedition, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Xploration Regions: Caribbean, Mediterranean, United Kingdom, Galapagos and Alaska
As part of its phased restart plan, Celebrity Cruises currently has eight vessels back in service. After first resuming guest operations in the Caribbean and in the Mediterranean, the Royal Caribbean-owned brand welcomed the passengers back in the United Kingdom and in the Galapagos.
Holland America Line First sailing: In service since July 24, 2021
Ships: Nieuw Amsterdam, Eurodam, Zuiderdam, Koningsdam, Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam Regions: Alaska, Mediterranean, Mexico, Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal and California
Princess Cruises First sailing: In service since July 25, 2021 Ships: Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, Regal Princess, Grand Princess, Ruby Princess, Enchanted Princess, Caribbean Princess and Crown Princess Regions: Alaska, United Kingdom, Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii and California
Princess Cruises returned to guest operations in the United States, as the Majestic Princess kicked off a shortened Alaska season in July. Based in Seattle, the vessel remains in the region through late September, before repositioning to Los Angeles for a series of West Coast cruises.
Oceania Cruises First sailing: August 29, 2021 Ships: Marina, Riviera, Insignia and Sirena Regions: Northern Europe, Mediterranean, Caribbean and World Cruise
Oceania Cruises plans to resume service in August, with the Marina welcoming the guests back for a Northern Europe season. The 1,250-guest vessel will resume her originally published voyage schedule, starting in Copenhagen.
A second ship, the Riviera, will restart operations in October, sailing a series of Mediterranean voyages, prior to a winter season in the Caribbean.
Cunard Line First sailing: August 13, 2021 Ships: Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 Regions: United Kingdom, Transatlantic Crossings, Western Europe, Atlantic Islands and Caribbean
Before resuming international operations, Cunard is restarting service in the United Kingdom. Starting on August 13, the Queen Elizabeth offered a series of domestic scenic cruises around the British Islands, sailing from Southampton.
The Queen Mary 2, meanwhile, resumes service in November, offering transatlantic crossings before sailing new short breaks in Western Europe. Later in the year, the vessel is also sailing in the Caribbean with three new cruises.
Dream Cruises First sailing: In service since July 26, 2020 Ships: Genting Dream, World Dream and Explorer Dream Regions: Asia – Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong
The new program has the Azamara Journey resuming service on October 13, with a series of Europe sailings that will be extended through the winter. The Azamara Questwill offer an expanded season in the Caribbean after the initial sailings in the Mediterranean.
The Azamara Pursuit and the new Azamara Onward will resume cruising in 2022.
Saga Cruises First sailing: In service since June 27, 2021 Ship: Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure Region: Europe – United Kingdom, Northern Europe and Mediterranean
Wetravel2u's Weblog 