Our friendly team
In addition to our Captains, the officers and staff look forward to welcoming you and looking after you properly on board.
Throughout your cruise they will offer outstanding service that is attentive without being intrusive and you will no doubt make many friends, as the staff will all take the time to get to know you. Here are just some of our key senior personnel you may meet on board.
Horst Pint, Hotel Director
Growing up in a famous wine-producing region, Horst wanted to pursue a career in hospitality. After attending catering school, he worked at a number of 5-star hotels throughout Austria.
Horst began his seafaring career with Cunard and trained aboard their most prestigious ships, Sagafjord and Vistafjord, which became the now retired Saga Rose and Saga Ruby.
Eddy Denaeghel, Hotel Director
Eddy joined his first ship, Shaw Savill Line's SS Northern Star as a waiter after finishing his apprenticeship at the Portenari Hotel.
He first joined Saga Rose, when it was Sagafjord, in 1976 and has also served aboard QE2 and Vistafjord, which is now Saga Ruby.
After leaving his job as Food and Beverage Manager with Cunard, he was swiftly appointed Hotel Director aboard Saga Rose.
Dawn Cartwright, Hotel Director
Dawn was born in London and raised in South Africa from the age of three. After studying Speech, Drama and Psychology at Durban University, she returned to the UK and began work with Cunard Line in 1990.
Dawn joined Saga Rose in 1999 as Chief Purser and, drawing on previous experience in both the Food and Beverage and Purser's Departments, gained her promotion to Hotel Director.
Helen McDonagh, Hotel Director
Helen joined Saga in 2000 as Second Purser aboard Saga Rose. A year later she was promoted to Finance Purser and then Chief Purser, a position that she held for four-and-a-half years.
Ready for a fresh challenge, Helen moved to the Food and Beverage department, where, after a year of training she became Food and Beverage Manager and finally Hotel Director.
Jo Boase, Cruise Director
Jo achieved an Honours Degree in Dance and Drama at Manchester Metropolitan University and soon after she embarked on a career in contemporary dance, producing, choreographing and performing.
Jo has considerable cruising experience and joined Saga in 2002. She worked as both cruise staff and Assistant Cruise Director on Saga Pearl.
Tanya Whitehurst, Cruise Director
Born and raised in Dandenong, Australia, Tanya began her career as an actress, before moving on to become a Stage Manager, sound and light technician, and Assistant Entertainment Manager.
In 2000 she joined Saga Rose, going on to become Assistant Cruise Director before being promoted to Cruise Director in 2006.
Jonathan Neal, Cruise Director
Jonathan hails from the county of Northamptonshire in the Midlands and from a very young age was interested in the theatre and the performing arts.
In a career spanning 25 years at sea, Jonathan has been the Cruise Director on board a number of major Cruise Lines, and has spent the last six years on board MV Marco Polo for Orient Cruise Lines. In his spare time Jonathan is busy working on his Maritime History lectures, and research into the Life of Lord Horatio Nelson.
Marie Maye Quinto, Cocktail Waitress
Marie was born in Quezon Province, South of the Philippines, on the Pacific coast. She studied Hotel Restaurant Management at the University of Earist from 2000 to 2004 and graduated with a Bachelor Degree.
After a spell at a 5-star Shangri-La hotel she joined Saga Ruby in 2005. Marie most enjoys being at the frontline, meeting as many passengers as possible and being able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the importance of excellent service. During her time off she enjoys exploring her home country.
Channel Ballesteros Pateo, Cook
Channel graduated with a degree in marine engineering in 1993.
During his career he has worked at the Pinausokan Seafoods Restaurant in the Philippines, the Yamato Japanese Restaurant in the Philippines and at the Albatha Hotel in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Channel joined Saga in 2002 and enjoys the excellent teamwork on board.
Teodorico Manalo, Head Waiter
Also known as Teddy, Teodorico attended the Aeronautical Engineering College in Manila. During his studies he worked at a 5–star hotel and at several restaurants in Manila. He joined Premier Cruises in 1997 as an assistant waiter, where he stayed until 1999.
He first stepped aboard Saga Rose on her 2000 Millennium World Cruise and later transferred to Saga Pearl before joining Saga Ruby in January 2005. In his free time Teddy plays basketball and enjoys listening to music.
Solomon Aquino, Head Waiter
Solomon worked at the Hard Rock Cafe in Manila as a Chief Steward before joining Saga in August 1998 as a Lido steward.
He was promoted to assistant waiter, then waiter and is now enjoying his new position as Head Waiter aboard Saga Ruby. Solomon's passions include motorbikes and music.
Joy Vacal, Cabin Stewardess
Joy was born in Manila in the Philippines where her parents, three sisters and brother live. She is married to Isagani Diego, the Night Assistant Housekeeper aboard Saga Ruby, and they have a son, Christopher Diego.
She joined Saga Rose in 1998 as a Room Service Attendant, and after a short period was promoted to Cabin Stewardess.