Looking for my spirit of exploration
I recently returned from a 15-night Mediterranean cruise with SAGA and I wanted to tell you all about it.
I’m a huge fan of SAGA and have been since my first cruise with them on the Saga Sapphire a few years ago. I fell in love with that boat and it was a sad moment when she was sold. However, when I first boarded the Discovery, I knew something very special was happening, and within hours, she had taken a firm place in my cruise heart.
This cruise was my first time back on a SAGA cruise since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. I spent a lot of time leading up to the launch of Discovery Spirit, attending various trial cruises, naming ceremonies, and then her maiden voyage, and it’s safe to say that I’m excited to get back on board and sample everything this ship has to offer. A huge understatement. I miss the cruise lines and the great friends I made with the crew so much.
SAGA is designed for people aged 50 and over. This is an all-inclusive boutique cruise line that is truly committed to delivering an exceptional cruise experience, combining great food, stunning destinations and the occasional famous face: during my cruise we were joined by Jools Holland and Jools Holland ranks. Ruby Turner and celebrity chef John Torode. When I say all-inclusive, I mean they include literally everything, from door-to-door chauffeur service to Wi-Fi.
Destination Highlights
We are heading to the Mediterranean, with ports of call including Lisbon, Palma, Cartagena, Toulon, Barcelona and Gibraltar. It was all exciting, but the ship itself was the biggest draw for me. That being said, my highlight destinations were Lisbon and Barcelona, which surprised me since neither were high on my “places I love” list. Maybe it’s because I’ve been there so many times, but this time, I was pleasantly surprised.
In Lisbon, I took a tuk-tuk ride through the city on one of SAGA’s newest shore excursions. It’s great and I highly recommend it, but it’s not suitable for those with back problems. The walk through the cobbled, bumpy alleyways was quite bumpy at times, but it gave us the chance to see something that many people miss. I’ve been to Lisbon no less than four times and almost everything on offer on the tuk tuk tour was new to me. I felt like I truly explored the city and tasted Portugal rather than just finding the Portuguese egg tarts.
Barcelona took us to visit the Spanish Village, which was beautiful and interesting, and then we headed to the famous Park Güell. In 1984, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared it a World Heritage Site. This website is incredible! I’ve seen lots of photos of the park but nothing beats seeing it in person and we were lucky enough to have a beautiful, sunny day with the light bouncing off all the amazing colors of the tiles and mosaics come out. I felt like I was in a fairy tale – it didn’t look or feel real.
On board
My onboard accommodation was a standard balcony cabin forward on Deck 13 (all cabins on SAGA ocean vessels have balconies – no interior cabins). It was very comfortable and my cabin crew was very attentive. There is more than enough storage space and all power sockets on board are standard UK 3-pin so there is no need to bring an adapter.
Spirit of Discovery was purpose-built for SAGA and her style, luxurious comfort and excellent crew will not disappoint. On board, you’ll find stylish and comfortable lounges, such as the Britannia Lounge at the very front of the ship, with stunning views; the Living Room, which serves fresh coffee and cakes; and the theater, which comes alive in the evenings with Broadway-style productions and more . There is also a very comfortable library and a range of bars to choose from, including the sophisticated South Cape Bar and, on warm evenings, the Verandah Bar where you can enjoy sea views.
Explore spiritual dining
Dining options on board are varied and carefully designed menus ensure there is something for everyone. The Club is Spirit of Discovery’s signature steakhouse, but always offers a choice of chicken or fish and a variety of sides and desserts. At night, the space also transforms into a small and intimate area for enjoying live music.
East to West is the ship’s Asian fusion restaurant, with a menu that incorporates flavors from destinations such as India, Thailand and Indonesia. It’s a luxurious experience and the flavors seem to explode on the palette. Most dishes are light, but don’t be afraid to ask if you want more spice and heat – the chef will happily accommodate – nothing is too much trouble.
If you love seafood, Coast to Coast is a must-visit. Delicious lobster, shrimp, scallops, turbot and more await you. The menus at all three specialty restaurants change from time to time, but one of the appetizer options here during my cruise was the shared seafood platter, and the portions were huge. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the waiter bring one out from the kitchen. Although it was a platter for two, the head waiter said that if I wanted to try it, he could ask the chef to make me a smaller one. I respectfully declined because I knew it would still overflow and I would never finish it or eat my main course. One thing SAGA doesn’t sacrifice is quality or quantity. I remember being aboard the Saga Sapphire on a voyage to the Baltic Sea. I asked if I could have more peas and the waiter brought me a full plate! On another cruise I also had tempura crab as an appetizer and loved it so much I asked if I could have another as dessert, a request that was also accommodated. Coast to Coast also occasionally offers a lunch menu.
The Grand Dining Room is the ship’s main dining venue and is located below the Club. The menu here is also reflected in The Grill. Located on Deck 12, the restaurant offers buffet-style breakfast and lunch, as well as table service in the evenings. Both offer lunch and dinner menus on tap. If you’re aboard the Spirit of Discovery, I’ll give you a task – see if you can spot the bird sitting on the ceiling light in the clubhouse!
Verandah is Spirit of Discovery’s al fresco lunch spot, offering classic burgers, hot dogs, gourmet fish and chips, crawfish and more. One thing I really like during the cruise is that on days when the weather is less favorable, they close this area but serve a special curry lunch or Filipino lunch elsewhere on the ship (usually in the club). It allows for more variety.
The entertainment on board was varied and while I don’t usually attend shows, I enjoyed doing so on this cruise. The Spinettes were also on board, which was great. As mentioned, Jules Holland was with us for a few days and his performance with Ruby Turner was fantastic.
It has been 4 years since I left SAGA and I can say that nothing has changed. As always, standards remain very high. Her crew is excellent. The quality of the ingredients is excellent and the choice of dishes is very extensive. The Spirit was found to be spotless, I didn’t see a sad looking rug or marks on the walls – it was as if she had just been in the water yesterday. I feel like I’m finally back in my home away from home and it feels great.
I’ll be visiting her sister ship Adventure in a few days – so follow my social media channels for photos and more information.
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