Saga Ruby , the last British built cruise ship will retire in 2014

[CretaMed88]

Saga Ruby:

 

 

Sad news for lovers of classic cruise ships - Saga Ruby is to be retired. The vessel, which will be 40 years old next year, will be withdrawn from service early in 2014, Saga Shipping is announcing today.

 

The decision will also bring disappointment to fans of the associated Spirit of Adventure brand which looks set to disappear when the ship Quest for Adventure returns to Saga's fleet and resumes sailing as Saga Pearl II.

 

Despite a statement by commercial director James Duguid, who told the recent European Cruise Council AGM in Brussels that a new-build ship was under consideration, a UK spokesman continues to deny there are any firm plans to add to the fleet.

 

Previous passengers and those who have booked to take Saga cruises in the coming months will be informed of Ruby's fate by letters which should be delivered this morning.

 

Robin Shaw, chief executive of Saga Shipping, said: "Saga Ruby has delighted cruise-goers for some 40 years, but operating a ship of this age to meet the exacting standards we and others set is becoming an increasing challenge. We have therefore decided that she should be gracefully retired in 18 months. Saga Ruby will in her ruby anniversary year visit many of the ports where she been warmly welcomed over the years.

 

"We believe that Saga cruising has a great deal of potential and we have invested over the last few years well over £100 million on our fleet and we continue to look for opportunities to expand and improve our classic cruise experience."

 

Ruby is the last cruise ship to have been built in Britain. The 24,292-ton vessel, originally called Vistafjord, was built in the Swan Hunter yard at Wallsend on the River Tyne for Norwegian America Line. The company was bought by Cunard in 1983, and the ship was re-named Caronia in 1999.

 

Saga bought the vessel in 2004 and spent an estimated £17 million on a refit carried out at Valletta, Malta. For five years she sailed under Saga's colours alongside sister ship Saga Rose, which was slightly smaller and had been launched as Sagafjord for NAL in 1965.

 

Rose was retired from service in 2009 after completing a record 44 world cruises. Following months of uncertainty she was eventually scrapped in China.

 

The decision to retire Ruby was hinted at just two weeks ago, when I reported the ship would be undertaking its final world cruise during the first three months of 2013. Saga would only say then that "we will no longer be offering a world cruise."

 

Saga Sapphire, the former Bleu de France which joined the fleet earlier this year, was bought for an estimated £37 million and given a £28 million refit. Saga Pearl II had a £24 million refit before entering service with the company in March 2010, and was renamed Quest for Adventure at the beginning of May this year.

 

Saga cruises are restricted to passengers aged over 50 (although travelling companions can be younger). Quest for Adventure accepts passengers from 21 upwards.

[Olive1950]

I remember her as Vistafjord.

 

We sailed on her many times, and sailed on Saga Rose (ie, Sagafjord) as well. Most of these cruises were during the 1980s and 1990s.

 

RIP, Saga Rose.

 

RIP, Saga Ruby.

[CruiseAdict218]

I hope she doesn't meet the same fate as her sister the Saga Rose. :(

[leonardofan]

I remember her as Vistafjord.

 

We sailed on her many times, and sailed on Saga Rose (ie, Sagafjord) as well. Most of these cruises were during the 1980s and 1990s.

 

RIP, Saga Rose.

 

RIP, Saga Ruby.

 

Sailed transatlantic on Sagafjord when she substituted for QEII after Falklands

(Ship virtually empty; had waiter to myself (!) -- rather like a floating version of Last Year at Marienbad).

 

Vistafjord (at time of German unification--they had to add bargain-hunting Americans (like me) to replace German clientele glued (with reason) to their TVs) was best experience I ever had on a ship. Sigh...

[KirkNC]

That is sad, the end of an era.

[DFWGUYZ]

She (then Vistafjord) was our first cruise...I'll never forget stepping off the gagway onto her and sinking into the plush carpeting, being handed a glass of champagne and then whisked off by a staff member to our cabin on the Sun Deck. A true cruise liner.