Spirit of Adventure

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated MS Spirit of Adventure cruise ship is the second of two identical polar expedition vessels built for Saga Cruises at Meyer Werft's shipyard in Papenburg Germany. Spirit of Adventure (delivered in August 2020/inaugurated in July 2021) has one sistership - Spirit of Discovery (delivered in June 2019).

The vessel (IMO number 9818084) is UK-flagged (MMSI 232026551) and registered in London.

Saga Cruises is a UK company, a division of Saga Group. With the purchase of Saga Rose (former NCL ship MS Sagafjord), in 1997 Saga Holidays started passenger shipping operations under the brand name "Saga Cruises". Unlike Saga's old fleet (Saga Sapphire/now Blue Sapphire and Saga Pearl 2), the new liners are fully owned by Saga Group and replaced the two chartered vessels (Sapphire, Pearl 2).

The vessel is owned by Saga Group and operated by the UK-based cruise company (via Saga Holidays) exclusively. The shipowner Saga plc is a British travel company and cruise brand targeting mainly UK travelers in the 50+ age group. Saga UK annually serves around 2,7 million customers. The company is LSE-listed (on London Stock Exchange) under the stock symbol (ticker) SAGA.

Decks and Cabins

Saga Spirit of Adventure staterooms (554 total) are all with step-out balconies, which also means that the ship has no Inside cabins. Cabin categories include Standard Balcony, Deluxe Balcony, Midship Suites and larger Panorama Suites. More than 100 "single cabins" are specifically designed for solo travellers (can be booked with single occupancy rates), which is approx 20% of the ship's capacity.

Staterooms as decors and colour schemes are in three styles. First group's design features garden-like elements with light timbers, pastel-green colours, beautifully embroidered fabrics. Second group's design incorporates the more sophisticated grey with a dark-timber scheme, with pink-orange accented furnishings and carpet and upholstered headboard. Third group's colours are most calming, in neutral sunset tones with burnt oranges.

All cabins offer as standard (complimentary) amenities smart HDTV (infotainment system - Internet, on-demand movies, ship info channel, real-time camera views from the Bridge), direct-dial phone, large wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), hotel-type beds (two twins, convertible double beds or fixed double beds with headboards), luxury bedding and pillows, bedside cabinets, wall-mounted reading lamps, mirrored dressing table (writing desk with a chair and magnifying mirror), separate lounge area (low table with two comfortable armchairs), en-suite bathroom (WC, glass shower, single-sink vanity with under sink storage), private step-out balcony (with table and deckchairs), individually controlled air-conditioning, LED lighting, keycard room access.

The boat has 14 decks, of which 10 are passenger-accessible and 6 are with cabins.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Spirit of Adventure has 4 restaurants (3x specialty, 1x Dining Room), several bars and lounges (indoor and outdoor), wellness complex (Fitness, Spa, Hydrotherapy Pool, 5x treatment rooms, 2x Saunas, Steam Room, Beauty Salon, Sports Court), Boutique Shop (jewellery, perfumes, clothing, special occasion gifts, confectionary), Library, Lobby area (Reception, Tour Desk), 2 swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), Promenade Deck (wraparound), Sun Deck (with comfortable seating, outdoor gym equipment), laundrettes (on all cabin decks). The ship has all 6 elevators (2 clusters of 3 lifts).

"Saga Adventure" ship features all-balcony staterooms, modern hotel amenities, British-style themed onboard activities, professional and traditionally attentive service. There is a choice of dining experiences, bars and entertainment venues, including speciality (one of which Asian, serving complimentary wines), outdoor Lido Deck (with open-air/alfresco dining space), Saga's signature Britannia Lounge, theatre lounge, central hub (named "The Living Room").

The Living Room is a midship lounge with floor-ceiling windows, comfortable modern seating (3-seater sofas, lounge chairs). Living Room's cafe bar doubles as patisserie during the day (serving gelato ice-cream, premium coffee and fresh-baked cakes) and as speciality cocktail bar in the evenings. The design features a sculptural grand staircase and full-height artworks.

The cruise liner also has a modern wellness complex and 2 swimming pools (outdoor and indoor). The Spa complex consists of Beauty Salon, Hydrotherapy Pool, Salt-Steam Room, Saunas (one is infrared), 5 treatment rooms (for massages, latest beauty treatments and therapies). Library Lounge offers coffee and fresh cakes and one of the best-stocked book collections at sea. The 444-seat Playhouse Theatre has tiered seating and hosts grand-scale evening show productions, cinema screenings, live music performances.

The ship's team of Executive Chefs serves the all 5 onboard restaurants. Grand Dining Room (main restaurant) serves the best of British-influenced cuisine specialties. The chefs use locally produced food sources (based on cruise itinerary/destination) and create menus of ever-changing dishes. Passengers are able to make a reservation and eat in any of the other 4 restaurants at no extra cost. House wines from the ship's cellar are complimentary and served in every restaurant.

On Lido Deck is The Verandah Restaurant that consists of Bar and Grill with separate indoor and outdoor seating areas. These are actually two restaurants combined into one, with self-service buffet lunch and waiter-served dinner. Open-kitchen allows passengers to watch ship's chefs preparing the food during their galley (kitchen) show.

Khukuri House is an Italian restaurant with Nepalese cuisine, traditional artwork, room dividers (Dhaka fabrics), hidden lighting. Most tables are 2-seat (combined into 4-seat clusters) plus 4-seat tables with sofas and armchairs (by the floor-ceiling windows).

The Amalfi is a sophisticated Italian restaurant providing an authentic dining experience. Its design features 4-colour tiled flooring, floor-ceiling lighted wine cabinets, up-lit screens, red leather chairs.

In June 2018, Saga Cruises signed a partnership deal with Jools Holland (English pianist, singer, BBC TV presenter) for "The Club by Jools" steakhouse restaurant. By the 5-year partnership deal (until 2024), at the Jools restaurant will be performed live music and its bar will be designed like a cabaret lounge from the 1950s. The dinner-only restaurant's menu features classic steaks (fillet, T-bone, ribeye, tomahawk steaks), live music performances (by resident and guest musicians) and premium cocktails.

Itineraries

Saga Spirit of Adventure itinerary program is based on roundtrips from two UK homeports (Dover and Southampton) and was planned to start with the Maiden Voyage from Dover leaving August 21, 2020. The 17-day Baltic Sea voyage featured an overnight in St Petersburg Russia and also visiting Stockholm Sweden, Copenhagen Denmark, Visby Sweden, Tallinn Estonia, Aalborg Denmark. Other scheduled for the inaugural 2020 season (and eventually cancelled) itineraries included:

• "The Inaugural Cruise" (August 21 from Dover) - prices started from GBP 4700 pp.
• "This Sceptred Isle" (September 7 from Dover) - from GBP 3470 pp.
• "A Norwegian Canvas" (September 21 from Dover) - from GBP 1510 pp.
• "A Taste of France and Spain" (September 28 from Dover) - from GBP 2710 pp.
• "Tales from the Ancient Mediterranean " (October 10 from Southampton) - from GBP 5180 pp.
• "Stars of the Canaries" (November 1/Southampton) - from GBP 2670 pp.
• "Rhythm of the Caribbean" (November 15/Southampton) - from GBP 6670 pp.
• "Christmas Sights of Amsterdam " (December 16/Southampton) - from GBP 750 pp.
• "Canary Island Christmas" (December 20/Southampton) - from GBP 3750 pp.

Due to COVID-related construction delays (shipyard closures), the ship's inaugural cruise was rescheduled several times - and eventually planned for July 26, 2021. However, the Maiden Voyage had to be amended due to Scotland's continuing lockdown restrictions (enforced through August 9, 2021).

• Departing from London-Tilbury England, from the itinerary were excluded all the Scottish ports (Newhaven-Edinburgh, Kirkwall Orkney Island, Dundee, Ullapool, St Kilda, Greenock-Glasgow) and replaced with Belfast, Newcastle upon Tyne, scenic cruising (off Isle of Man), Holyhead (Isle of Anglesey, Wales), Liverpool, Bristol, scenic cruising (Isles of Scilly), and Falmouth, returning to London-Tilbury on August 10.
• The naming ceremony (in Portsmouth England) was also rescheduled - for July 19.
• Strangely, the ship's first cruise (officially opened for booking) was departure August 29. The 15-night "Postcards from the Baltic: August" itinerary (Dover roundtrip) included ports in Sweden (Goteborg-Gothenburg, Stockholm), Finland (Helsinki), Russia (St Petersburg), Estonia (Tallinn), Denmark (Copenhagen, Skagen) and Norway (Oslo). Prices ranged between GBP 4157 per person (EUR 4850 / USD 5726) for a Standard Twin cabin with double occupancy, and up to GBP 8204 pp (EUR 9572 / USD 11300) for a Midship Suite with double occupancy.

Like the sistership Discovery, Saga Adventure will be also operated on polar cruises to European and Canadian Arctic regions, as well as on Antarctica cruises with departures from South American ports. Traditionally for Saga, the new liner offers roundtrips from UK ports and fly-cruise deals.

Saga Cruises' new ships are operated with all-inclusive package deals. Fares include unlimited (shipboard-served) house spirits, beers, wine (by the glass) and soft drinks. Packages also include:

• UK travel package (to/from departure port), Shuttle bus transfer (to the nearest downtown from homeport)
• Onboard gratuities, Porterage
• Onboard Welcome cocktail party
• All onboard meals, afternoon tea, live entertainment
• Unlimited tea and coffee (selected ship venues)
• Free Wi-Fi
• 24-hour room service
• premium service (2 staff members for 3 passengers)

For the new ship series, Saga employed the designer company SMC Design, which has extensive experience with cruise vessel design. Among SMC Design's customers are also P&O UK (Sindhu / Indian restaurant), Viking Ocean Cruises (Explorers Lounge), NCL (Mandara Spa).

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 mi / 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 Papenburg shipyard. The vessel's keel-laying ceremony was held on June 3, 2019, and attended by Robin Shaw (Saga Travel's CEO). The ship's inauguration was planned for August 2020. During the keel-laying, a special-edition coin was positioned under the hull's first block. The coin was stamped with the vessel's name, the keel-laying date and the lettering S715 (the newbuild's identification marker during the construction period). The process involves assembling a total of 54 blocks (hull and superstructure).

Next timelapse video shows some phases of the vessel's construction process.

The vessel is UK-flagged (MMSI number 232026551) and registered in Southampton. The liner was initially scheduled for launch in July 2020, and the naming ceremony was planned for August 19 (to be held in Portsmouth England). However, as the global Coronavirus crisis 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).

In August 30-31, 2020, was completed Spirit of Adventure's conveyance (along Ems River) from Meyer Werft's Papenburg Shipyard to Emden Germany, from where started the planned North Sea trials.

The cruise ship was officially delivered to Saga Cruises by Meyer Werft on September 29, 2020, in Emden Germany. The ceremony was attended by Thomas Weigend (Meyer Werft's Managing Director) and Nigel Blanks (Saga's Managing Director). Saga also announced the extension of Spirit of Adventure's canceled voyages through February 4, 2021, with the Inaugural Cruise rescheduled for February 19. Spirit of Discovery's departures were rescheduled to start on March 8, 2021.

The next table shows SAGA Adventure ship's Maiden Voyage in 2021. The 15-day ex-UK itinerary was themed "Postcards from the Baltic August" and priced from GBP 4157 (EUR 4824 / USD 5880) per person with double occupancy.

In mid-June 2021 SAGA Cruises Ltd announced the names of its cruise ship Captains - Darin Bowland (Spirit of Discovery) and Jason Ikiadis (Spirit of Adventure). Bowland (starting in 1985) was previously employed by RCG-Royal Caribbean Group and Carnival Corporation (HAL-Holland America Line's ship Zaandam). Ikiadis (starting in 1984) was previously employed by RCG (Azamara's ship Journey) and TUI (Marella's ships Discovery and Discovery 2).

On June 22, 2021, SAGA announced Spirit of Adventure's Godmother - Commodore Inga Jane Kennedy (1962-born in Aberdeen Scotland nurse and British Royal Navy officer). "Commodore" is a Royal Navy rank (above captain, below rear admiral) and has NATO ranking code OF-6. Commodore Kennedy is also appointed CBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), QHNS (Queen`s Honorary Nursing Sister), and QARNNS (Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service/Matron-in-Chief between 2015-2017).

• Her military career started in 1987 (Royal Naval Reserve). Between 1998-2000 she served in the Royal Naval Hospital Gibraltar (as Senior Midwife).
• In 2000-2005 served the QARNNS.
• In 2011 she was promoted to Captain, and in 2015 to Commodore.
• In 2012 she was appointed "Honorary Nursing Sister" (QHNS).
• Between 2015-2017 she served as Inspector General of DMS (Defence Medical Services/within the UK's Ministry of Defence) being responsible for inspecting the medical departments across the UK's armed forces (ships and land-based facilities).
• In 2017, she was appointed Head of the Royal Naval Medical Service, Naval Medical Director-General, and Commander (CBE).

The ship's official christening ceremony was held in Portsmouth on July 20, 2021, scheduled to coincide with "Freedom Day". 

The Maiden Voyage is currently planned to depart from London-Tilbury on July 26, 2021. The 16-day itinerary (Around Britain/July 2-Aug 10) included as destinations/ports Isle of Man (Douglas), Newcastle, Belfast, Liverpool, Holyhead (Isle of Anglesey, Wales), Lundy Island, Bristol, Cornwall coastal cruising, Scilly Isles, and Falmouth.

Spirit of Adventure drydock refurbishment 2024

The ship's first drydocking was in 2024 (October 21-November 6) conducted at A&P Falmouth (England UK).

The 2-week project (involving ~500 professional workers) was for routine maintenance and safety/classification inspections, technical updates, machinery and system overhauls, hull cleaning/repainting.

Interior upgrades included renovations of passenger staterooms, restaurants, and entertainment areas, as well as a complete Wi-Fi equipment upgrade. Mechanical works included adjustments to the bow thrusters, anchor maintenance, and servicing of the propellers.

Inaugural itineraries 2020-2021 (CANCELLED)

The Maiden Voyage was originally scheduled for August 21, 2020 (themed "The Inaugural Cruise"). The following tables show the liner's inaugural itineraries in 2020-2021. However, due to the COVID pandemic, the shipyard's operations were severely impacted and the vessel's completion/delivery was delayed.

The Inaugural Cruise's date was first rescheduled for November 5, 2020, then (in late-September 2020) for the following dates in 2021 - February 19, May 5, June 26, and eventually for August 29.

(2020) The 17-day "Inaugural Cruise" was priced from GBP 4700 pp (USD 6150 / EUR 5540) based on double occupancy Standard Balcony cabin rates.

(2020) 14-day inaugural British Isles itinerary (This Sceptred Isle) - from GBP 4015 pp

(2020) 7-day inaugural Norway Fjords itinerary (A Norwegian Canvas Dover) - from GBP 2070 pp

(2020) 12-day repositioning cruise Dover to Southampton (A Taste of France and Spain) - from GBP 3535 pp

(2020) 22-day inaugural Mediterranean itinerary (Tales from the Ancient Mediterranean) - from GBP 5930 pp

(2020) 14-day inaugural Canary Islands itinerary (Stars of the Canaries) - from GBP 3050 pp

(2020) 31-day inaugural Caribbean cruise roundtrip from UK itinerary (Rhythm of the Caribbean) - from GBP 7120 pp

(2020) 4-day inaugural mini-cruise (Christmas Sights of Amsterdam) - from GBP 925 pp

For all cancelled 2020-2021 Saga Spirit of Adventure cruises see at the ship's CruiseMinus page.

(2021/rescheduled and cancelled MAIDEN VOYAGE) 16-day "A Norwegian Aurora" (Norway Fjords itinerary).

(2021/rescheduled and cancelled MAIDEN VOYAGE) 15-day "Grandeur of the Baltic" (Baltic Capitals itinerary).

(2021/rescheduled and cancelled MAIDEN VOYAGE) 15-day "Fjordland Focus" itinerary

Godspeed!