For some time we have thought about a Saga sea cruise, we are of an age when we thought we would be the right age demographic, i.e. mid 60’s and the thought of being picked up at the door and taken to the port by a liveried chauffeur rather than suffer the tedious queueing and waiting at an airport, being herded around like cattle and paying a fortune for parking was something of a draw. The opportunity presented itself with a five night taster cruise from Portsmouth exploring the Western Maritime Ports aboard Spirit of Discovery.

Right up front we would acknowledge that Saga did so well in so many areas and potentially it could have been a really amazing cruise. The chauffer service was excellent both ways, the welcome at Portsmouth, the boarding process, being escorted to our cabin and the speed at which luggage arrived. First class. The service throughout from the crew was as good as it gets, as regulars with Cunard and past Silverseas passengers we felt the crew to passenger ratio was higher, service was as good or better, and they were really caring.

The ship itself is beautiful, comfortable, and spotlessly clean. Our ‘basic’ cabin was good, it was a standard cabin and did everything it should but storage was a little limited. The TV info system worked really well and there were extensive entertainment options including loads of films and, interestingly, a live feed of all the shows, lectures, and entertainment from the theatre. First time we have seen that. Read more