The outside pool on Saga Sapphire – there’s a deeper one inside
Blue skies break over Saga Sapphire
The traditional profile of Saga Sapphire (Picture: Saga)
Saga Sapphire is rather like its passengers – a little dated on the outside but feeling definitely younger on the inside.
The 37,000-tonne ship is 30 years old and looks like it should be bobbing around in a child’s bath tub, in contrast to the floating apartment blocks of more modern vessels.
On deck, it looks solid and traditional, like something out of Carry On Cruising – I was half-expecting Sid James to show his face at any moment.
The beach club on Saga Sapphire – fish and chips and mushy peas a speciality
There’s even a British seaside atmosphere around the pool, with a ‘beach club’ selling fish and chips, mushy peas and steak burgers. On each side are kiosks with ice cream and jars of sweets. One deck up you can find shuffleboard and a mini putting green ambitiously called St Andrews.
Treats for those who remember trips to the sweet shop
But as soon as you open the doors to the interior, you’re back in the 21st century with muted colours, comfortable furnishings and plenty of space. Sofas sit in the stair wells and there is an impressive contemporary sculpture in the three-storey atrium of fish caught in a whirlpool.
One of the themed areas in the Pole to Pole restaurant
Just like that – the Tommy Cooper bar
Bars are cosy and welcoming – there’s even one dedicated to Tommy Cooper – and the restaurants are broken up into themed areas.
Down on deck 2 is a deep inside pool, a windowless small gym and the spa staffed by cheerful Britons.
Saga, unlike many cruise lines, makes no pretence of being a young brand. Its brochures and websites aren’t full of twentysomethings in flowing gowns or raffish facial hair laughing over cocktails.
There are many comfortable corners and discreet furnishings
It is what it says on the tin and appeals unashamedly to the over-50s which, I realise with a start, now includes me – though I’m still 30 in my head. So there are no distracting children, play areas or video arcades on board – just card rooms, libraries and lounges.
The entertainment during the ship’s visit to Southampton was The Big Wheels of Motown and The Upbeat Beatles, who had septuagenarians bopping around like they were teenagers again.
Detail from the three-storey ‘whirlpool fish’ sculpture in the atrium
When I started cruising eight years ago I doubted I would ever sail with Saga or Fred. Olsen. First, their names and image said ‘old people’ and, second, that full stop after ‘Fred’ irritated the hell out of me.
So what do I think of Saga now? I’m pleasantly impressed. The cabins, though many don’t have balconies, are spacious and comfortable, the staff are friendly and the general atmosphere cheerful and relaxed. It’s reassuringly British, with familiar sockets, everything in sterling, and tea available 24 hours a day.
There’s a restful, muted look to the colour schemes
And they do some nice touches – all tips are included, the spa staff don’t nag you to buy products, and – best of all – they provide a car and driver to pick you up and take you home.
When some members of the audience started waving walking sticks to a rendition of Sweet Caroline in one of the lounges, I decided I was still a little young – despite what my birth certificate says – for a Saga cruise. But it certainly gives me something to look forward to as I get older.