SS Regular Tries Another Cruise Line Shock!

[Tothesunset]

Now passing Peterborough (which is also sound life advice) in the VW Caravelle on the way to Southampton. Clean, comfy vehicle which we have to ourselves plus the very helpful driver. 

 

This is so much better than fighting through the scrum that is Heathrow (our usual departure point). 

[Silver Spectre]

9 minutes ago, Tothesunset said:

Now passing Peterborough (which is also sound life advice) in the VW Caravelle on the way to Southampton. Clean, comfy vehicle which we have to ourselves plus the very helpful driver. 

 

This is so much better than fighting through the scrum that is Heathrow (our usual departure point). 

‘Live’ from East Anglia!

[Tothesunset]

4 minutes ago, Silver Spectre said:

‘Live’ from East Anglia!

Not often you see "Live" and "East Anglia" in the same sentence. 

[Tothesunset]

You remember I said I'd try not to compare Saga with SS? Yeah, well ignore that. It's impossible not to use SS as a baseline. 

 

So after 24 hrs I've got to say I'm impressed. The standard cabin is a couple of sq mtrs smaller than a veranda on, say, the Wind but it's well planned, the air con is controllable and the bathroom well designed. There's a bit less hanging space and no storage equivalent to the SS built-in units in the seating area but it's not an issue for us. 

 

The food has been good so far but need a few more meals to form a decent opinion. The staff have a similar attitude to SS staff with very much a can do attitude. 

 

So if there were a satisfaction scale on which SS scored 100 I'd be putting Saga at around 90.  But we are perfectly content with that as we are easy to please. 

 

The one thing that does stand out, however, is the demographic. Aside from one Irish lady everyone seems to be British. That's not a criticism, just an observation. I'd say the average age is perhaps 5-10 years higher with quite a few passengers with mobility issues (who are very well served by the staff). 

 

Anyway, we dock in my homeland tomorrow so I'm a happy bunny. 

[lincslady]

I wonder how the included drinks compare?   I can't imagine there is the same amount of choice, or quite the same quality as on SS or Seabourn - but then I think the overall cost per day of Saga is quite a lot less.

[les37b]

On 7/8/2022 at 8:54 AM, Tothesunset said:

Now passing Peterborough (which is also sound life advice) in the VW Caravelle on the way to Southampton. Clean, comfy vehicle which we have to ourselves plus the very helpful driver. 

 

This is so much better than fighting through the scrum that is Heathrow (our usual departure point). 

 

I bought my first house in Peterborough. I lasted there 6 months. In a remarkable coincidence, my old boss, also bought his first house there..... In the same road. Small world.

 

Have to admit, the age range and lack of international flavour are things that would concern me too. The ship and expected standards however I suspect would be fine.

[Tothesunset]

3 hours ago, lincslady said:

I wonder how the included drinks compare?   I can't imagine there is the same amount of choice, or quite the same quality as on SS or Seabourn - but then I think the overall cost per day of Saga is quite a lot less.

Correct, Lola, the choice is more limited. Now, for us that really isn't an issue because we are neither big drinkers nor particularly knowledgeable or discerning. I like a nice, cold pale beer and OH is generally happy with the free pour wines. I can't, in all conscience, comment on the quality of the included beers, wines and spirits. 

 

We've just finished our second dinner, again in the Nepali restaurant. The food was excellent although it is fair to say that the flavours are an amalgam of SE Asian cuisine rather than specifically Nepali (I spent 3 years with, variously, 6 Gurkha Rifles, 7 GR and the Training Depot of the Gurkhas in Hong Kong as well as trips to Nepal so I know whereof I speak!). 

 

We are still marvelling at how empty the ship seems with 800 pax. There really is plenty of space. And we like that. 

 

The per diem cost is around £220 but that includes travel insurance and transport to and from the port. I've got to say it represents excellent value for money.

 

Of course SS and Seabourn  have the edge on Saga and I'd choose SS every time if someone else were paying. But we are very happy - so far! 

[Tothesunset]

2 minutes ago, les37b said:

 

I bought my first house in Peterborough. I lasted there 6 months. In a remarkable coincidence, my old boss, also bought his first house there..... In the same road. Small world. 

 

Have to admit, the age range and lack of international flavour are things that would concern me too. The ship and expected standards however I suspect would be fine.

I'm being unkind to Peterborough but I'm sure it's not going to win European City of Culture any time soon. 

 

Your second para sums our thoughts up nicely. 

[les37b]

7 hours ago, Tothesunset said:

I'm being unkind to Peterborough 

 

I think you were being accurate! lol

[labrasett]

So hows it going Tothesunset?    Silence for several days leads one to wonder if you are dying of ecstasy or have topped yourself because Saga doesnt come up to scratch?    😃

[lincslady]

They have been in port every day so far, so probably too much to see and do to comment yet.

 

There is a day at sea on 16th - maybe he will have time to comment then. Being a bit of a Saga fan, I can't think it can be bad enough to feel like topping yourself; I have little but good to say about the line, though have not been able to cruise with them for several years.

 

Lola

[beaujolais]

He still has time to post on other cruise forums

 

[Tothesunset]

I've just checked the contract to see that if I don't post each day I have to refund your subscription. 

 

One gripe that isn't exclusive to this voyage is the unreliability of the Internet. The included WiFi is not only slow but is also patchy. 

 

Two more dinners since last report. I tried all the vegetarian options in the MDR and they were very good. I'm not vegetarian but I'm always curious about the quality of dishes for this minority group. I think a vegetarian would be well impressed. 

 

Last night we ate in "Amalfi" the Italian specialist restaurant. This is going to upset a lot of people but here goes: we preferred it to La Terazza. Sorry, but there you have it. I'd caveat my remarks, though, by saying that we have often felt Terazza doesn't live up to its promise and we ate there less and less during our SS voyages.

 

Included excursions have been OK so far. Essentially coach tours of the area. They're fine, do the job. Hard to be enthusiastic about sitting on a coach for 3 hrs but the scenery of West Cork, Galway and Connemara is adequate compensation. 

 

One thing we really like is the housekeeping of the suite. It's immaculate each time we return. The room steward is so thorough. 

 

Oh yes, we found out only yesterday that there is a food outlet - The Veranda - which you have to know is there. It's broadly equivalent to the pool grill and every bit as good and, best of all, stays open until 1500 - ideal for excursion returnees. 

 

We never go to shows so you won't get any comments on entertainment. So there. 

[Tothesunset]

You see? All we need is a little patience. It's like London buses: you wait ages then 2 come along at once. 

 

We've actually got a bit of movement on the ship from a 2.5 to 3 metre swell. It's riding well, though. 

 

Tonight we had dinner in The Grill. This is an informal venue but also somewhat lacking in character. The food, however, was really good. I don't think I can match this to an equivalent SS venue so, for once, I don't have to make a comparison. 

 

The ship has an area they call The Living Room where tea, coffee and snacks are available throughout the day. We haven't used it yet but it does seem very popular. We've also forgone afternoon tea but intend to right that particular oversight on the next sea day. 

 

But, my goodness, this bed is comfortable. We were both asleep by 9.30 last night then woke in a panic at 7.15. Still got to our excursion on time, though. It was paid for and those that know me will confirm my inability not to get the full value. 

 

Another thing that's very obvious is how quiet the ship is mechanically. We are on deck 8  and except for the whisper of the air con there is simply no noise. No creaking, no wind whistling around the veranda door - it's really quiet. Quieter than a Professor of Quiet from Quiet University, it is. 

[Lady Meer]

On 7/7/2022 at 11:55 AM, Daveywavey70 said:

They switched last Autumn Jwh, uk agents have all been dropped. 

We’ve been on SoA this year and booked with our regular UK TA.

[Daveywavey70]

On 7/8/2022 at 12:50 AM, jwh said:

Interesting.  Such a bold move by them and one that will make it hard to come 'cap in hand' at a later date.   Most agents have long memories. 

They certainly do jwh.  Most that have made that move have come to regret it.