Janet-

That also happened to us, his within 2 minutes, mine the next day

Have a look at Craghoppers.They also have a outlet site with an extra 20% off at the moment. We found that they easily dried over night if hung in the bathroom.

When is your cruise? The excursions have not been listed until about 6 weeks before and sometimes much later.

17 hours ago, blairbuie said:

Saga cruises have a good reputation, their admin does not!

I think many will agree with this. 

Hi blairbuie, sounds intriguing, do you want to describe your hoops. It might help others in a similar situation.

1 hour ago, JoJo1947 said:

Why strange? Straight forward to me

nosapphire sees FAQ's stating cancelling without penalty until 72 hours before the ship sails yet I see 48 hours before arrival at the excursion port 

How strange, this is what I see on FAQ

Search Saga Ocean Cruise FAQs | Travel & Service Information

You can change or amend your choice of excursions up to approximately 7 days before departure. After that please visit the Explore Ashore Desk when onboard to make any changes. Please note you can cancel a tour free of charge (unless specifically stated in the tour description) up to 48 hours prior to that port of call. After that you will still need to pay the full excursion cost (unless you have a medical exemption certificate from the Ship’s doctor).

The operation of excursion is subject to them reaching minimum required numbers. If we need to cancel a tour for that reason you will be offered an alternative tour where possible or a full refund.

Thank you Nooosey

I was hoping Saga would continue with private cars. Lets hope no more drivers test positive, or indeed, any of the passengers and crew but I don't think that's going to happen.

Are private transfers still being offered or have June sailings reverted to shared cars?

Yes,we needed a landing card for Turkey. Saga sent this already completed to our cabin for signature. We then returned it to reception and they issued us with a digital coded pass for entry through turnstile.

Can't fault Saga on this aspect.

Agree with Windsurfing about PLF site. We thought we would save time by entering our details and saving as a frequent traveller but would not save. It all gets so frustrating

Solo travellers are well catered for. There are meetings arranged for lunch and afternoon tea. Also a chance to meet others to go ashore with. Tables in the food venues are still a max. of 6.

After a busy few days I thought I'd post a few food photos, but have had to give up, don't know if it's the lack of band with or just my bumbling fingers. Incidentally I've found WiFi to be reasonable.

We have another antigen test today.

Reception has completed our Passenger Locator Form so that's something we do not have to worry about. The day 2 after arrival test will be delivered to our cabins on the last night along with instructions. I must say Saga are making it very easy for us.

Thank you LandC yes we are having a good time. Expecting to arrive in Istanbul at 1900 today.

Back to my thoughts on  food. I find it well cooked and presented with a good variety. Some days I find I struggle to make my mind up and want it all. Perhaps I'd better tell Saga to arrange a people carrier for the return journey and not just a car!

Last night we ate at the Club and had a good steak but next time I think I'll ask for a smaller portion.

I've also found that if you mention you like something to the waiter they offer to serve it to you the following day.

Catastrophe, we've eaten all the fresh strawberries, I did enjoy them with my porridge. Having to make do with mixed berries which I presume are frozen.

We've not been to afternoon tea so can't comment on that although I did have an embarcation scone with jam and clotted cream which was delicious.

We were on Discovery in August and had such a wonderful waitress we asked to be seated in her section again. She looks after us that well that we have only ventured once, so far, into the specialities. We enjoyed the food.

There are only 620 passengers on board so there shouldn't be any problems getting multiple bookings if wanted.

The weather started off cold and windy with rough seas. If I remember correctly, the Captain said 8 meter swells. The sick bags were out.

From Malaga onwards things have improved, generally calm seas, plenty of sun, with temperatures in the low to mid 20s and sometimes as high as 28.

Thank you Kohima, such a simple solution. I am now the owner of two (almost) identical eyebrows

Sorry, having trouble with the quote button.

How about putting your masks in a pocket, handbag, tucked into your waistband or shirt. In fact anywhere you would put a handkerchief.

18 hours ago, phillipahain said:

 

 

Not sure where the 2 posters above suggest Masks are placed at dinner other than on tablecloth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had changeover of crew in Malaga. The new crew had been in hotel quarantine for 5days and then isolated onboard for 4 days. They wear black facemasks. 

Malaga was also the first time Saga guests and crew could go ashore independently.

On Day 7 we were all required to have a COVID test.  It was very well organised, only a few seconds queuing and then a nose only swab, back to your cabin to wait for a phone call which came within a few minutes.Infact  I've spoken to several people who said thephone was ringing as they opened the door.

We have all had another test today (day 9), apparently required by Turkish authority.

Most people are very good at wearing masks except for the same few who think it's alright for them to use the masks as a chin hammock. Today the Captain has reminded everyone to wear their masks correctly. What I abhor though is seeing people take their masks off and put them down on the tablecloths.

We booked a guarantee and would,of course, have enjoyed a suite but that wasn't to be.We were ,however, quite pleased with what we were allocated. I can't call it a basic cabin since it is very nice. I love that the bathroom doesn't steam up at all, although it does mean you cannot hang your clothes to remove creases. I also like that there are two easy chairs instead of a settee. It's so easy to move them so you can sit and look out.

What I don't like is the silly little fridge that will accommodate little else apart from the carton of milk. It's also not silent. 

Where , O, where is a magnifying make up mirror,surely this should be standard in a new ship, especially when the ship is aimed at a more "mature" clientele.

Our itinerary included Sardinia and Cinakkale(sp?) Which were replaced with Santorini and an overnight in Istanbul. This was a 1900 arrival so it wasn't a good swop.

We don't drink much in the way of spirits so can't comment much on cocktails but did regress about 40 years yesterday and had a Pimm's. I didn't really enjoy it ,it had an overpowering taste of cucumber, not what I remembered. There is a pop up bar on the promenade deck today with a selection of different flavours of Bloody Marys.

Our pick up time was 1020, with a drive time, according to the AA, of 3 hours 30 minutes. Our driver arrived on time but I was a bit surprised to see how he looked. Dress Code police would have had a field day. When we arrived at the port he was told off by a clip board lady. He protested that his company director said he could wear those clothes.

Anyway, on to testing. Given a nose swab and then a saliva test which was suck a lollipop not spit in a tube. The driver was also told he'd have to have a test to which he protested quite vocally insisting he'd already had 2 that day. I started to get a bit concerned then thinking he doth protest too much but in fact his also came back negative.

Onto check in where we were asked for our COVID Pass. Got our key cards and followed the signs then my heart dropped as I saw about 50 people sitting waiting.

No need for us to worry though the waiting people had only the pass on their phones whereas we'd also printed ours and they had to wait to have theirs checked.

So my tip of the day is to print your pass 

From arriving at the port to boarding took about 50 minutes. All in all I thought it was very organised.

I forgot to say that the admin for this cruise was an improvement on the one in August for which we received no paper work apart from the original booking confirmation. The last cruise was booked with a TA and this one direct with Saga. It was also a guarantee and I saw the cabin number the same time as the excursions appeared.

Or should the title be My Ramblings.

Firstly I must agree with another poster, Saga's admin is abysmal. Nine days before we sailed I phoned to say we hadn't received the excursions. I was told I would get an email the following day with a link which would give me access on line. Never happened. I phoned again. This time I was told they were being posted that day. Of course , they never arrived. 

Throughout this I'd been checking My Saga daily without success but then they appeared. 

Oh, I thought things are improving. That was until I tried to pay for a trip and the little wheel went round and round. So I reached for the phone again and settled down with my copy of War and Peace to wait for Saga to answer. After 10 minutes I heard someone talking to me. My first thought was I'd dialled the wrong number, but no Saga answered  without the 40 minute wait to which I'd become accustomed.

I really don't know why it's so difficult dealing with Saga, I wish they'd get their act together. I should say I find all the people who answer the phone to be very pleasant but so ineffective.