Classic cruising with Saga

A cruise aboard Saga's ships enables you to explore a host of fascinating destinations while enjoying the traditions of classic cruising — fine dining, first–class entertainment, elegant surroundings and attentive, friendly service.

Our ships are designed with wide decks, comfortable cabins and large public rooms so that you can enjoy your time at sea as much as your days ashore. They also offer an excellent choice of on-board activities and entertainment.

Saga Ruby

 

Saga Ruby is a friendly, medium-sized ship carrying 661 passengers. Facilities include a library, ballroom, spa, top-deck gymnasium and golf simulator. As well as the main Dining Room you can dine at the more intimate View restaurant, seating 28 people, for no extra charge.
 

Saga Pearl II

The perfect complement to Saga Ruby, Saga Pearl II will offer the same classic cruise experience and excellent facilities. She will carry just 446 passengers, so her small size will ensure a particularly relaxed and intimate atmosphere onboard.

Exclusively for travellers aged 50 and over

Saga’s cruise ships are exclusively for travellers aged 50 and over, which means there are no children or teenagers on board. A travelling companion or family member travelling with you may be aged 40 or over.

Classic cruising aboard our ships

Classic cruising is as much about the journey itself as the places you visit, so we try to make the time you spend on board equally as memorable as the destinations you visit.

Our customers are often surprised by the sheer choice of activities and entertainment on offer, but it's really up to you what and how much you join in with.

During your days at sea, or should you wish to stay on board while the ship is in port, you will find plenty to entertain you. Whatever you choose to do, each day is sure to be truly enjoyable.

You could attend a fascinating talk by one of our guest speakers, watch a cookery demonstration, attend an art class, or challenge someone to a game of table tennis, deck quoits or shuffleboard. You might even want to play in one of the regular tournaments.

For those who love to dance, the ships' bands are happy to play requests. Whether you prefer to line dance, waltz or rumba, there are plenty of opportunities to learn a few new steps at one of the pre–dinner practice classes with our experienced dance instructors. If you're in the mood for something more relaxing, let our resident pianist entertain you while you enjoy a late–night cocktail.

 

The light–hearted afternoon quizzes are always popular, as are the films in the cinema, which range from the latest releases to classics of the silver screen. You may also be able to share the day’s experiences with friends and family by e–mail in the Computer Centre or join one of the computer classes.

Our ships have extensive libraries with hundreds of reference books and novels, so there's no need to bring your own. You can even borrow a film to enjoy in the privacy of your cabin. There is also a card room where you can join other players for a game of bridge, whist or cribbage. You can build up an appetite for dinner with a work–out in the gym. Qualified staff are on hand to advise you how to use the equipment and to help you devise a fitness programme. Or you could enjoy an invigorating swim in one of the pools, walk around the deck, or try a new activity like yoga or pilates. Saga Ruby has a gym on the top deck so you can enjoy a workout while watching the world go by.

 

Treat yourself with an aromatherapy massage in the spa, or a sauna or manicure in the beauty salon. Take a dip in the indoor pool or choose from a range of beauty treatments. When the weather is fine, it's easy to find a quiet corner out on deck to read or sunbathe, and both ships have plenty of cosy, out–of–the–way places where you can relax quietly.

Each evening, a programme for the following day's events will be posted to your cabin, letting you know about the next port of call and the classes, lectures and activities on offer. In short, you can do as much or as little as you please and the ship’s inviting bars and lounges provide plenty of space to enjoy a drink and watch the world go by.

Fine dining has become one of the time–honoured traditions of cruising and whichever ship you join you can expect each mealtime to offer an irresistible feast… from hearty breakfasts that set you up for the day's sightseeing to five–course dinners, indulgent late–night buffets and leisurely afternoon teas.

A myriad of flavours

Our teams of chefs work tirelessly to ensure your meals are of the highest standard, cooked to perfection and impeccably served.

You can expect imaginative menus with a choice of dishes often reflecting the cuisine of the area that you are visiting. You could find yourself tucking into a Scandinavian Smorgasbord, savouring tapas or perhaps a German or Italian–style lunch, while Russian dishes often make an appearance on Baltic cruises.

 

Separate menus are also prepared for special diets including vegetarian, vegan, gluten–free, lactose–free, diabetic, low-sugar, low sodium and low–fat.

Please note that selected special diets eg; Kosher meals may incur an additional supplement.

A choice of venues

On board Saga Ruby, dinners are served at one leisurely sitting in the elegant Dining Room, any time between 7pm and 9pm, so you never have to rush your meal. Also aboard Saga Ruby, you can choose to dine at the more intimate View restaurant, which seats just 28 people, for no extra charge — just book on board. You can even look forward to dressing up for the occasional formal evening.

 

On Saga Pearl II, there are no fixed seating plans and meals are served at one leisurely sitting. You can choose to dine either in the main Dining Room, with dinner served between 7pm and 9pm, or the Verandah restaurant with its relaxed atmosphere and waiter service.

You may also be invited to dine in the Chart Room or Ward Room with the Captain or officers, located just off the Dining Room. These intimate, private rooms seat just 14 guests so you can enjoy an especially convivial atmosphere, as well as an excusive menu.

Our included 24–hour room service means that you can also enjoy a snack, meal or drink in your cabin whenever you please at no extra charge.
 

 

Entertainment

 

Entertainment aboard our ships is wide-ranging and high quality.

From evening show time to classical recitals and a comprehensive lecture programme, there is something for everyone, both day and night.

Pleasurable days at sea

In the elegant and spacious public rooms you'll find a host of activities and entertainment taking place. During the morning there might be a fascinating port talk, a cookery demonstration or a fun trivia quiz. In the afternoon you can enjoy melodies from the resident pianist and during the great cruising tradition of afternoon tea there is music from a classical ensemble or band. Later the ships' resident musicians provide musical accompaniment to pre–dinner cocktails.

Captain's Cocktail Party

At the beginning of your cruise you will be invited to the Captain's Cocktail Party, where guests join the Master of the ship in toasting the start of their holiday. It is always a great social occasion and a wonderful opportunity to get to know fellow cruisegoers.

Live entertainment for all

Throughout your cruise you can enjoy performances from high quality cruise entertainers, such as singers, instrumentalists and opera singers.

The ship’s band can play a variety of styles and are happy to take requests and you can also look forward to a varied programme of classical concerts, spanning Bartok and Schumann to the waltzes of Austria and the tangos of Argentina. You can also watch productions by our resident musical theatre company.

 

Plus, on some cruises you may be joined by well-known personalities – Katherine Jenkins, Neil Sedaka, Chris Beardshaw are just a few of the celebrities to have joined our ships in the past.
 

Rounding–off your evening

 Perhaps round off your evening with a nightcap in the intimate South Cape Bar on Saga Ruby or Shakletons on Saga Pearl II.
 

Public Rooms

Saga Ruby’s furnishings give the ship an elegant yet contemporary feel. Her well-appointed public rooms and bars allow you to mingle with other passengers and relax whilst enjoying the varied entertainment available.