Tag Archives: Spirit of Discovery

Saga Looking Into ‘Partnership’ for Cruise Business

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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.”

Earlier this month, Sky News reported that Saga was looking into a range of potential options for its cruise operations, which included selling a stake in the business.

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 Adds Four More Celebrity Faces to Their Entertainment Line-Up

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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.”

Saga Welcomes Two New Captains

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Saga Cruises is welcoming two new captains for the Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure, as they return to service.

Darin Bowland and Jason Ikiadis will join Kim Tanner as the Captains of Saga’s cruise ships that are exclusively designed for guests who are over 50.

Bowland will take the helm of Spirit of Discovery on June 27 as she heads off around the British Isles, and Captain Tanner will take Spirit of Adventure on her inaugural 15-night cruise around the British Isles on July 26, according to a press release. 

Bowland has previously held positions with Royal Caribbean and Carnival Corporation (Holland America), after starting his career as a cadet with the Royal Canadian Navy in 1985.

On joining Saga Cruises, he said: “When I first joined the cruise industry the business was all about the guests. After many years of driving larger ships with 3000+ passengers, I am really looking forward to getting to know our guests and crew. Also, I love exploring, and I can’t wait to show our guests the many fantastic destinations that Saga offers.”

Ikiadis comes from a long line of seafarers, including his own father who was a ship’s captain, and his paternal grandfather who was in the Royal Navy.

“Following in their footsteps was inevitable” he added.

Ikiadis first went to sea in 1984 and has held many positions since, working up the ranks to Captain for cruise lines such as Azamara and TUI.

“Saga is a well-established and well-known brand, with a loyal base of guests who enjoy that personal experience,” said Ikiadis. “Being able to Captain two brand-new ships is really exciting. The sister ships give a respectful nod to previous Saga cruise ships but these are thoroughly modern and contemporary in design. They’re also a dream to drive thanks to the fact they boast the very latest in ship technology.”

Regular Saga Cruisers will also recognize Captain Kim Tanner who has been with the cruise line for five years and is popular with guests and crew alike. C

Captain Tanner said: “I’m so looking forward to getting out to sea on our ships again. Although we successfully delivered Spirit of Adventure last year she still hasn’t had any of our guests on board and I really can’t wait to show everyone how beautiful she is. The best part of the job is being out on the ocean and showing our guests what Saga cruising is all about with our fantastic modern and contemporary boutique cruise ships.”