Saga Sapphire
Saga Sapphire is a small, relaxing, elegant ship, carrying no more than 720 passengers served by 415 crew. All cabins are spacious with an average floor space of 220 square feet and Sapphire also offers 44 specially designed single cabins. All are well equipped with en-suite bathroom, seating area and spacious wardrobes and all come with personal cabin steward, 24-hour room service, a daily bowl of fresh fruit, bathrobes, toiletries and a nightly turn down service. Further luxuries are available with cabin upgrades.
We arrived on board just in time for afternoon tea and were all bowled over by the experience! A fabulous spread of savouries, sandwiches, cakes and my favourite, scones with clotted cream! Time then to prepare for dinner, an amazing barbecue under the stars at The Verandah Grill where there was also the option to eat inside. Shortly after 10 pm the sail away party started on the Verandah Deck and Sapphire slipped her moorings as many guests danced the night away.
Our first full day on board was a day at sea but so much to do! Line dancing classes to bridge to lectures to quizzes to craft classes to bridge and gallery visits! Saga Sapphire certainly has it all covered. If all that was not enough, there was always a spot of pampering in the Spa or the Hair & Beauty Salon to be had!! The evenings offered shows from the onboard troupe together with various guest performances or perhaps a quiet drink accompanied by the resident pianist.
Saga Sapphire is also equipped with both indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, a library, a small computer and learning zone, crazy golf on the top deck and a small selection of shops and several bars. There are two main restaurants, Pole to Pole, with open or fixed seating dining, The Verandah Grill with inside or outside buffet dining and the speciality East to West fusion restaurant by reservation. Located by the swimming pool is The Beach Club serving fish and chips and with beach huts serving constant ice cream and traditional sweets!!
Our journey to Southampton permitted stops at Agadir, Casablanca and El Ferrol in Northern Spain. There are many optional excursions to book in each port ranging from city tours to cultural trips or journeys to cities further afield such as Marrakesh. In Agadir, I was able to visit the ancient Kasbah followed by an insight into Berber traditions which included fantasia, an exhibition of traditional horsemanship and synchronised gunfire. In Casablanca, I joined the city tour to see sights such as the Royal Palace, the Law Courts, the Hassan II Mosque and the traditional quarters. The stop at El Ferrol allows for a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city of Santiago de Compostela with its cathedral and quaint old city. It is the third most popular site of Christian pilgrimage after Jerusalem and Rome as the cathedral was built on the spot where the remains of the Apostle, St James were said to have been found.
One final day at sea and then our early morning arrival in Southampton and home!
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like any further information or advice on Saga cruises or in fact on a cruise product and I should be more than happy to advise.