Saga Spirit of Adventure to Scandinavia July 2025

[david63]

We called reception. An engineer arrived within two minutes and fixed it in another 2!

Sounds as if it may be a regular occurrence!

[Stephen]

Talking of conveniences, the public loo’s are very impressive too. Like something from a top London hotel.

[Whynd1]

On our previous Saga cruise on our first evening we couldn't believe our luck as we had been
allocted Amalfi as our restaurant that night.
It was so lovely the food was perfect. Service was excellent.
We managed to get booked in later in the cruise.

Lindsey

[Mervyn and Trish]

Important point there. Yes first night dining is allocated.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Promenade Deck. Yes there is one. Wide, traditional (other than it's imitation teak planking) and it goes right round. 3.9 laps equals 1 mile.

[Stephen]

We called reception. An engineer arrived within two minutes and fixed it in another 2!

Sounds as if it may be a regular occurrence!

......Or just good service

[Mervyn and Trish]

Talking of conveniences, the public loo’s are very impressive too. Like something from a top London hotel.

They are. With individual proper hand towels as well as paper and electric hand dryers. And kept immaculate.

Just off now for a free Bridge visit.

[Stephen]

How did you wangle that. I’ll have to remember that for next year.

[david63]

Just off now for a free Bridge visit.

How did you wangle that.

He's talking about a game of cards

Or just good service

Or the plumber was loitering outside

[Stephen]

Just off now for a free Bridge visit.

How did you wangle that.

He's talking about a game of cards

Or just good service

Or the plumber was loitering outside

To be fair we had the same problem on our recent P&O cruise with the loo (I blame Mrs S) and they were pretty quick rectifying it.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Two treats today.

Firstly the ship was due to pass under the Great Belt Bridge , that links various islands of Denmark together, at around 6am this morning. The Captain slowed down so that would be nearer 7am and passengers were invited on to the helicopter deck right at the bow to enjoy the spectacle. It was brilliantly organised with hot drinks and pastries laid on and several officers present. And there were a lot of passengers who turned out.

Once we were through it wasn't long before Reception was due to open to hand out first come first served tickets for free Bridge visits. So I managed to get one for this afternoon. Only a dozen in each group and a very informative briefing by Second Officer Isobel. Our only instructions were no photography, don't distract the officers on watch and don't press any buttons.

[Mervyn and Trish]

First port yesterday was Skagen, right at the top of Denmark where the North Sea meets the Baltic. One of several we've not been to before. When we last did the Baltic two days in St Petersburg was standard. Now they can't do that I suspect they've had to get imaginative filling the gaps.

We'd opted not to do a tour at this one so caught the shuttle bus in for a wander round the attractive largely pedestrianised centre of the town. Followers of other cruise reviews may be disappointed we didn't visit any supermarkets for cabin supplies. No need because it's all included innit!

[Mervyn and Trish]

Daytime activities will be pretty familiar. Quizzes, talks, dancing lessons, crafts etc.

And of course there are deck games, a golf simulator, table tennis, swimming pool etc. The pool was actually a pleasant temperature. Yes I went in.

[Stephen]

I thought reception on all ships was open 24/7.

[david63]

and don't press any buttons.

Some people just like to spoil all the fun

I cannot see any problem with pressing a few random buttons - just to see what happens

[Mervyn and Trish]

I thought reception on all ships was open 24/7.

Sorry yes. Open but Bridge tickets only available from 8am.

[Mervyn and Trish]

and don't press any buttons.

Some people just like to spoil all the fun

I cannot see any problem with pressing a few random buttons - just to see what happens

Seems fair to me. What could possibly go wrong.

[Stephen]

I thought reception on all ships was open 24/7.

Sorry yes. Open but Bridge tickets only available from 8am.

I’ll let it slide this once Merv

Are tickets available every day or just once a week.

[Mervyn and Trish]

More on entertainment. Two main venues, the Playhouse Theatre seating 444. Very similar style of venue to Oriana and Aurora. And the Britannia Lounge. Part show lounge, part bar above the bridge, with a performance space/dance floor, seating 389. The forward part is two decks high, the other part has the gym over. There'll be no report on the gym as I won't be setting foot in there.

Each night there's one main show in each at a similar time so you can't do both. The Playhouse is also televised live in the cabins. Both get pretty full but we've had no problem getting into either.

There's an onboard show company of 6 dancers and 3 singers who are very good from what we've seen so far. Plus in house musicians including showbands and a classical duo, and what appears to be a resident aerial act. As well as the main shows they can be found in smaller venues such as the Living Room, a large bar/lounge at the bottom of the atrium, and the Supper Club. There are some smaller bars around too. Not as many as the megaships obviously but some nice choices.

There are guest entertainers too who appear to be on the cruise ship circuit so may be familiar from elsewhere. We had the DB Dukes a couple of nights back. Two male singers with a four piece backing band, who we thought were very good. Tonight we have Micky Zany, a comedian who's been around for years. From what we've seen so far promises to be entertaining without the modern requirement to be "edgy". I.e . constantly swearing!

I say what we've seen so far because the first night's show was an introductory variety performance with snippets from some of the in-house shows and samples from the guest artistes already aboard.

So far the entertainment has been enjoyable and promising.

Anyway must go now. Need to have a quick shower before dinner.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I thought reception on all ships was open 24/7.

Sorry yes. Open but Bridge tickets only available from 8am.

I’ll let it slide this once Merv

Are tickets available every day or just once a week.

The tours appear to be sea days. There are only four full sea days and today was the second of those. But I think they handed out all the tickets this morning.

[Stephen]

Thanks .

[Mervyn and Trish]

Don't you just love it when someone on your tour coach tells you they've been up all night with diarrhoea? And they still thought it a good idea to come?

[david63]

And they still thought it a good idea to come?

Was this one of the freebies? If so then it is obvious that they would have to go - how could you think otherwise?

People criticise young people but in many way the older some folk get the less responsible they become!

[Mervyn and Trish]

No, a paid one. The only solace I take is if it had been noro I doubt they'd have been physically able to drag themselves out so soon.

[towny44]

Merv, out of interest can you check if the included tours can accomodate full time wheelchair users, who cannot use coach steps or transfer to a coach seat?

I asked someone at the Tours desk and they say they do their best to accommodate all abilities but it depends on the vehicles provided at the port. For the included panoramic tours that is usually ordinary coaches so I'd take that as an unlikely. However she recommended calling the Saga office where they have disability specialists who are keen to do what they can to make things possible.

Thankyou Merv, that's probably what I expected, it being dependant on the coach availability.
Everything else seems to be a high standard and if we were both still able bodied, then I am sure we would probably really enjoy a Saga cruise.
However as Paulines mobility has deteriorated we find we are no longer able to participate in everything on board. So P&O's pricing of Iona/Arvia, along with all the extra dining options on board, the new MDR menus and the latest accessible facilties, make them our go to choice at present..