Saga Ruby

The 1973-built MS Oasia cruise ship was a UK-built ocean liner (initially named "Vistafjord") for Norwegian America Line (1910-1995). In 1983, the vessel was sold to Cunard Line and retained her original name until 1999, when she was renamed "Caronia." In 2004, the ship was sold to Saga Cruises and renamed "Saga Ruby." In 2014, she was sold to a Chinese company and used as a hotel ship (Oasia). The liner was last refurbished in 2014 and scrapped in Alang India in April 2017.

The ship's identification numbers were 7214715 (IMO) and 248563000 (her last MMSI, Malta-flagged).

History - construction and ownership

The 666-passenger Saga Ruby resembled North America's medium-sized luxury cruise vessels. After the name change in 2004, she underwent an extensive GBP 17 million refurbishment.

In April 2012, Saga Cruises launched its new ship, Saga Sapphire (now Blue Sapphire), and at the end of 2013 the company said farewell to Saga Ruby, which had charmed thousands of travelers with her classic lines and elegant furnishings.

Itineraries

In January 2014, Saga Ruby was sold for USD 14 million to Millennium View Ltd, a privately held company headquartered in Singapore. The new owners planned to convert her into a floating hotel in Burma. In mid-February 2014, she sailed from Gibraltar as Oasia under the Bahamas flag, managed by FleetPro Ocean.

Cabins

Saga Holidays was among the few companies offering single cabins on cruise ships. Saga Ruby (Oasia) featured 92 single cabins, nearly a quarter of her total accommodations. There were 383 cabins onboard, 34 of which had balconies. All cabins included a bathroom with a shower, a wardrobe with drawers, a writing desk or dressing table with chair, a radio, flat-screen television, DVD player, telephone, hairdryer, and air conditioning. Upon request, twin beds could be converted into a king-size bed. The wall-mounted lamps were flexible and adjustable, ideal for late-night reading.

The suites featured whirlpool tubs in all bathrooms, while duplex suites offered two private balconies, a sauna, bar area, exercise equipment, and a library lounge with a sound system. Six cabins were equipped for wheelchair access, and six additional cabins were designated for guests with special needs. For groups traveling together, X and Y category cabins could accommodate three passengers.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Dinner was served with open seating due to the relatively small number of guests onboard. The Dining Room was open nightly from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Passengers could also dine at the alternative venue, The View, which required reservations but carried no additional fee. This intimate restaurant accommodated just 28 guests. It adjoined the PreView Bar, where nightly music and dancing were offered. The venue was open to all passengers and maintained a cozy atmosphere. Breakfast and lunch were served in both the Dining Room and the buffet-style Lido Cafe. Twenty-four-hour room service was also available.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Saga Ruby offered daily afternoon tea in the ballroom and midnight buffets in the Lido Cafe. Alcohol prices were affordable, although beverages were not included in the all-inclusive fares, and were priced at nearly half the cost found on mainstream cruise ships. One of the ship’s most striking public spaces was her library, featuring dark wood bookcases, an extensive selection of books and DVDs, and comfortable leather chairs by the windows. The modern Spa Aquarius included an indoor pool, steam room, sauna, and salon. The gym, with floor-to-ceiling windows, spanned the width of Bridge Deck. The spa was operated by the UK-based Harding Brothers and offered standard treatments as well as several tailored to Saga’s clientele, including a facial lift treatment and an arthritis and fluid-retention massage. An outdoor pool was located on Lido Deck, surrounded by sun loungers.

Most passengers onboard Saga Ruby were over 50 years old, and none were younger than 40. The ship provided a child-free, relaxed environment for guests seeking a quieter cruising experience. She was also well suited to solo seniors, with approximately 20% of her staterooms designed for single travelers.