VIDEO: Saga Cruises' Spirit of Adventure leaves Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany

   August 31, 2020 ,   Cruise Industry

Saga Cruises' new liner Spirit of Adventure arrived in Emden Germany (port on North Sea) Monday morning, August 31, following her successful conveyance along Ems River. Spirit of Adventure departed Meyer Werft's Papenburg Shipyard Sunday afternoon, August 30, and moved backwards (a safer method to control maneuverability) assisted by two tugboats.

In early-March 2019, Saga Cruises announced that its newbuilds (the sisterships Adventure and Discovery) are all-inclusive liners. This means that Saga Group's 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.

The vessel's construction started on March 27, 2019, with the steel-cutting ceremony at Meyer Werft's shipyard in Papenburg Germany. The vessel's keel-laying ceremony was held on June 3, 2019, attended by Robin Shaw (Saga Travel's CEO). 

The vessel is UK-flagged (MMSI number 232026551) and registered in Southampton. The liner was initially scheduled for launch in July 2020, and the christening ceremony planned for August 19, 2020 (to be held in Portsmouth England). However, as the global pandemic affected the shipbuilder's activities, in early-April, Saga Plc announced that the delivery from Meyer Werft will be delayed, but still taking place within the next 12 months.

The vessel was launched (floated out from drydock / covered building dock I / Hall 5) on July 24, 2020. In the afternoon, the funnel was fitted (by a crane) then the vessel was moored at the outfitting pier. The launch ceremony was attended by Nigel Blanks (Saga Cruises' Managing Director).