Finding my spirit of exploration
I just returned from a 15 night Mediterranean cruise with SAGA and I wanted to tell you all about my experience.
I am a huge fan of Saga and have been since my first cruise on the Saga Sapphire several years ago. I fell in love with that ship and was sad when it was sold. However, when I first boarded the Spirit of Discovery, I knew something very special had happened and within a few hours it had firmly taken hold of my cruising heart.
This cruise was my first time on a SAGA ship since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. I spent a lot of time on the Spirit of Discovery before it was launched, attending various sea trials, naming ceremonies and the maiden voyage, so to say I was excited to be on board again and enjoy everything this ship has to offer is an understatement. I missed this cruise very much and I missed the good friends I made with the crew.
SAGA is for people over 50. It’s an all-inclusive boutique cruise line that strives to provide an extraordinary cruising experience, including delicious food, fascinating destinations, and the occasional celebrity sighting: During my cruise, we were with Jools Holland and Ruby Turner, as well as celebrity chef John Torode. When I say all-inclusive, I mean they really do include everything, from door-to-door chauffeur service to Wi-Fi.
Destination Highlights
We were heading to the Mediterranean, with ports of call including Lisbon, Palma, Cartagena, Toulon, Barcelona, and Gibraltar. Everything was exciting, but the ship itself was what I was most interested in. That said, my destination highlights were Lisbon and Barcelona, which surprised me because neither of those places were on my list of “my favorite places.” Maybe it's because I've been to both places so many times, but this time, I was pleasantly surprised.
In Lisbon, I took one of SAGA's newest shore excursions, a tuk-tuk tour of the city. This tour was great and I highly recommend it, but it's not for people with back problems. It was quite bumpy at times through the uneven cobbled alleys, but it gave me a chance to see things that many people miss. I've been to Lisbon no less than 4 times, and almost everything the tuk-tuk tour offered was new to me. I felt like I really explored the city and got a taste of Portugal's cuisine, not just finding pastel de nata.
Before heading to the famous Park Guell, we visited the Poble Espanyol in Barcelona, which was very beautiful and very interesting. In 1984, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. This place is truly magical! I have seen many photos of this park, but nothing beats seeing it with your own eyes. We were lucky that it was a beautiful day, and the sun shone through the tiles and mosaics, reflecting all kinds of amazing colors. I felt like I was in a fairytale – it didn't look and feel real.
On board
My accommodation on board was a standard balcony cabin located forward on deck 13 (all cabins on SAGA ocean liners have balconies – no interior cabins). This cabin was very comfortable and my cabin attendant was very attentive. There was more than enough storage space on board and all power sockets on board were standard UK 3 pin sockets so no need to bring adapters.
Spirit of Discovery was built specifically for SAGA and you won’t be disappointed with its style, luxury and excellent crew. On board, you’ll find stylish and comfortable lounges such as the Britannia Lounge, located at the very front of the ship with stunning views; the Living Room, where fresh coffee and cakes await you; the Theatre, where Broadway-style shows are staged in the evenings, and more. There’s also a very cozy library and a variety of bars for you to enjoy, including the sophisticated South Cape Bar, and on warm evenings you can enjoy the sea views at the Verandah Bar.
Explore Spirit Dining
Dining options on board are varied, with menus carefully crafted to ensure there is something for everyone. The Club is Spirit of Discovery's signature steakhouse, but there is always a choice of chicken or fish, as well as a selection of sides and desserts. In the evenings, it also becomes a small, intimate venue for live music.
East to West is the ship's Asian fusion restaurant, with a menu that incorporates influences from places like India, Thailand and Indonesia. It's a luxurious experience where the flavours seem to explode on the palette. Most dishes are cooked on the mild side, but don't be afraid to ask if you'd like more spice and heat – the chefs are happy to accommodate your requests – nothing is too much trouble.
If you love seafood, then Coast to Coast is a must-visit. Delicious lobster, shrimp, scallops, turbot and more await you. The menus for all three specialty restaurants change from time to time, but during my cruise, one of the appetizers here was a shared seafood platter that was very large. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the waiter bring a seafood platter out from the kitchen. Although it was a platter for 2, the head waiter said that if I wanted to try it, he could ask the chef to make me a smaller portion. I politely declined because I knew it would still overflow and I would never be able to finish it, nor the main course. SAGA does not sacrifice quality or quantity. I remember sailing on the Saga Sapphire during a Baltic cruise. I asked if I could have extra peas and the waiter brought me a full plate! On another cruise, I also had the tempura crab as an appetizer, which I loved so much that I asked if they could have a second portion for dessert, which was also granted. Coast to Coast also occasionally offers a lunch menu.
The Grand Dining Room is the main dining venue on board and is located below the Club. The menu here is also mirrored in the Grill. The Grill is located on the 12th floor and serves buffet-style breakfast and lunch, with table service in the evening. Both offer a ready-to-eat lunch and dinner menu. If you're on the Spirit of Discovery, I'll give you a mission – see if you can find the bird on the ceiling light in the Club!
The Veranda is the outdoor lunch area on Spirit of Discovery, offering classic burgers, hot dogs, delicious fish and chips, crawfish, and more. One thing I really liked during the cruise was that on days when the weather wasn't so great, they would close this area but serve a special curry lunch or Filipino lunch elsewhere on the ship (usually in the clubhouse). This made the dining experience even more varied.
The entertainment on board was varied and although I don't usually go for shows, I enjoyed it on this cruise. The Spinettes performed on board and were great. As mentioned before, Jools Holland was with us for a few days and he and Ruby Turner put on a fantastic show.
Four years after leaving SAGA, I can say that nothing has changed. The standard is as high as ever. The crew is excellent. The quality of the ingredients is excellent and the choice of dishes is huge. The Discovery Spirit is spotless, I didn't see a single pathetic looking carpet or mark on the wall – it was as if she had just been launched yesterday. I felt like I had finally returned to my home away from home and it was great.
I’ll be visiting her sister ship, Spirit of Adventure, in a few days so keep an eye on my social media channels for photos and more information.
Organized travel
