Saga Pearl II Captain's blog

Our next visit was the beautiful island of Madeira, and its capital Funchal. Discovered by Portuguese explorer Joao Goncalves Zarco in 1419, it was originally formed by a volcanic eruption and became part of Portugal’s vast empire. Sugar plantations first bought wealth here and many British emigrants were drawn to the capital after King Charles II of England granted it an exclusive franchise to sell wine to England and its colonies.

We arrived off Funchal at 1700 where we dropped our anchor, in prime position, in order to enjoy the remarkable firework display at midnight as we prepared to ring out the old and welcome in the new as 2012 approached. The evening’s entertainment commenced in true Saga style with a formal cocktail party where all our guests could enjoy a glass or three of ‘bubbly’ prior to yet another sumptuous dining experience. This was followed by two Cabaret Shows, starting with ‘Classical Favourites’ presented by The La Perla Quartet and then Celebrity Entertainer & International Recording Star, Stuart Gillies.

Following this our bagpiper Willie Cochrane led our passengers in their formal attire out onto the open decks as we waited for the clock to strike midnight. As it did the sky came alight over Madeira, quite literally, as 3 million Euros worth of fireworks exploded in the night sky, a sight truly unlike any other. There really aren’t the words to describe what an amazing spectacle those fireworks make but trust me there is no better place on earth to spend New Year’s Eve, what a magical start to 2012, and I wish all our readers a very Happy New Year! 

Following the excitement of welcoming in the New Year I took the ship alongside our berth in Funchal for 0300 on New Year’s Day. In the morning the first tour to depart presented our passengers with the chance to experience something a little bit different. The ‘Levada Walk’ allowed them to follow a ‘levada’ trail, the irrigation channels that were created by Portuguese settlers in the 19th century. All painstakingly carved out of the rock by hand, it was these channels that carried fresh water from the north to the drier southern regions of the island. This helped to create its lush landscapes and the guided walk allowed our passengers the opportunity to enjoy mountain views of the green farmland that covers Madeira.

Slightly less strenuous was the second tour to leave, the ‘Leisurely Madeira’ coach trip was exactly that, a leisurely way for our passengers to enjoy some of the islands finest sights. Travelling from Funchal, through the popular suburb of Sao Martinho, to Pico dos Barcelos and then on to the winding scenic roads to Eira do Serrado, our passengers were able to relax and enjoy the views of Madeira’s highest peaks. Carrying on their trip they took in some wonderful landmarks, including Madeira’s largest statue, a beautiful baroque church, a tropical garden and the islands famous toboggan run, all situated in the picturesque village of Monte.

The final tour off also took our passengers to Monte but this time, along with enjoying all of its famous landmarks they were able to enjoy the botanical gardens, home to a variety of plants and flowers from all over the world which thrive in the temperate climate. As if this wasn’t enough, fabulous views looking over the coast and across the ocean made sure that they enjoyed a trip to remember, although as the tour finished with a visit to a wine lodge for a tasting of some of the island’s famous wines, perhaps one or two memories ended up a little hazy!

Known as the ‘Round Isle’, La Gomera is one of the oldest and smallest of the Canary Islands. Perhaps overshadowed by the obvious charms of its neighbour, Tenerife, from a distance this cone shaped volcanic isle with its massive grey skyline can appear foreboding. But once ashore, a different world awaits discovery.

The first tour excursion to depart this morning was the ‘Islands Delights’ tour. A wealth of breathtaking views await on this excursion, which ascends up the breathtaking hills of La Gomera.

After leaving the capital and the coastline behind, the coach took our passengers up the arid slopes which lead up to the wooded valleys. After climbing to around 4000 feet, the passengers arrived at Garajonay National Park, home to one of the worlds few surviving laurel woodlands, a beautiful forest which once covered the entire Mediterranean basin and is considered today to be a ‘Living Fossil’.

The second tour to depart this morning was ‘Scenic Gomera’. Our guests left San Sebastian and headed towards the marvellous forest of Garajonay National Park, listed by UNESCO as world heritage site. Towering at over 4000 feet above sea level, the views from here are magnificent panorama taking in the neighbouring islands of Tenerife to the east and La Palma to the west. There were a number of stops, allowing our passengers to take pictures of this truly magnificent scenery.

We departed our berth shortly after 10pm tonight and we’ll be proceeding at full speed towards our next port of call Funchal, on the island of Madeira. We’re set to be anchored off Madeira on New Year’s Eve in order to view what will be for many the highlight of the cruise, the simply spectacular fireworks display.

For cabaret show time this evening we invited our guests to join international comedian, Joe Goodman in the Discovery Lounge. For those passengers who wanted to stay up late they could enjoy ‘Late Night Cabaret and Cocktails’ from our cocktail pianist, Adam Reece.

Due to a berthing conflict with another cruise ship, we were duly informed by our local agent in La Gomera that we would not be able to berth there as planned this morning. To say I was somewhat miffed by this news would be an understatement, however as I mentioned to our guests fate is a peculiar thing and can very often work in our favour.

As we would now be calling to La Gomera tomorrow, we were able to add in an extra port of call and visit the remote Island of El Hierro. Very few passenger ships have the opportunity to visit this beautiful little island, mostly due to their size, but the dear little Saga Pearl II was able to glide onto her berth in Puerto Estaca, on the east coast of the island, with ease.

El Hierro, nicknamed Isla Del Meridiano (the Meridian Island), is the smallest and farthest south and west of the Canary Islands.

Like the rest of the Canary Islands chain, El Hierro is sharply mountainous and volcanic; only one eruption has ever been recorded on the island from the Volcan de Lomo vent in 1793, which lasted a month. According to the ministry for Industry, Tourism and Commerce, El Hierro will become the first island in the world to be energy self-sufficient. This will be achieved through a 50 million pound project combining a greater than 11 megawatt wind farm and two hydroelectric projects.

We were able to offer our guests one tour this morning and what a popular excursion it was. ‘The Canaries Forgotten Treasure’ departed the tiny harbour of La Estaca and ascended towards the small capital town of Valverde, meaning the green valley. A drive through this charming town followed the only Canary Island capital that is inland. Our guests then ventured into the beautiful mountains of El Hierro, where they stopped at the view point of Jinama some 1,300 metres above sea level where our passengers where afforded stunning views of the valley of El Golfo.

Santa Cruz, La Palma is also known as ‘La Isla Bonita’ (the beautiful island). La Palma is typified by lush forests of pine, laurel and fern which contrast with the rugged splendour of the gigantic Taburiente crater.

The Island is dotted with attractive villages, which are a delight to discover, and the capital, Santa Cruz also makes for an interesting day of exploration for our passengers.

We docked in Santa Cruz, La Palma at 08.00am and the first tour excursion off this morning was ‘La Palma Panoramic’. The passengers got to take in the highlights of La Palma on a scenic drive around the Island, beginning in the capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma. They continued to Mirador de la Concepcion, before arriving at Taburiente Crater, the largest erosion volcano in the world, where our passengers got to stop and take those all important photographs.

From here, our guests took a journey through the western area to experience wonderful views of Los Llandos  de Aridane, a large town surrounded by cacti and banana plantations.

The second tour to depart was ‘The Forest Walk’, a guided hike through Los Tilos Forest, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve home to a profusion of ferns, trees and other indigenous species. The tour begins with a short panoramic drive up into the hills to Mirador de la Conception, a spectacular vantage point with views over the city. From here the passengers had a 50-minute drive to Los Tilos, which literally translated means ‘laurel forest’. Then the passengers set out on a one-mile walk through the wonderful forest of ancient laurels, lime trees and giant ferns.

Our departure time tonight was set at 11pm.  Following dinner we invited our passengers into the Discovery lounge for show time for a night with a local show ‘The Canarian Experience’.  A wonderful time was had by all and this was followed by ‘cocktails and cabaret’ with our own ‘king of the keys’ cocktail pianist, Adam Reece.

Considered by many as the prettiest of the Canary Islands, today our cruise saw us visiting Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, an almost circular isle that has the peak of Pozo de Las Nieves, its highest point, at the centre. With the attraction of exciting city life in the capital along with buildings and a history that dates back to the 15th century, there really was plenty to see and do during our time here, and as with so many of the islands in this area, the subtropical climate meant that something as simple as sightseeing was a treat in itself, providing a chance to appreciate the islands lush green vegetation and exotic palms and fruits.

The first tour off today gave our passengers the opportunity to really get a feel for the history of the port. The ‘Essence of Gran Canaria’ started by visiting the Bandama crater, an extinct volcano which rises nearly 1,900 feet above sea level. Having taken in the wonderful island views, they went on to Teror, a charming, quaint little town whitewashed houses with red tiled roofs and ornate carved balconies. Having strolled through the cobblestone streets it was time for refreshments at La Hacienda del Buen Sucesco, the oldest ranch in the Canary Islands that dates back to 1572, and is now a hotel set amongst a set of banana plantations.

However, perhaps the most talked about tour of the day was the afternoon departure. The ‘Sand Dune Camel Safari’ let our guests ride camels through the sand dunes and gave them the chance to see the sights in a different way and from a very different perspective. With two passengers riding each camel, while strapped into basket seats, it has been the talk of the vessel since their return amongst all those who were lucky enough to go, and amongst many of those who wish that they had done. With plenty of stories to tell and pictures to show, the tours today really did us proud and were a treat for all our passengers, and of course special praise must go to our tours department, without whom, none of it would have been possible.

Our departure time was set for 5pm and as always it was a delight to be able to give the order to cast off our lines and take the Saga Pearl II to sea once more. Today was also a special day for me in that my dear little baby boy is 1 year old today. So before I sign off I must say a big ‘Happy Birthday Corey!’

A Very Merry Christmas to you all Ladies and Gentlemen!

Following a wonderful Christmas morning spent at sea during which time I welcomed our passengers first to a Christmas Morning Church Service led by our Chaplain the Reverend Tim Couchman and then to a traditional lunchtime Christmas Cocktail Party. At the party I decided to let our guests into the story of my Christmas the previous year. As many of you will know my Wife Kelly gave birth to our dear little boy Corey on the 27th December 2010, having been in labour since Christmas Eve! I miss them both dearly and I hoped this Christmas would prove to be a slightly less fraught affair!

I then invited our guests into the Dining Rooms for a traditional Christmas Lunch, Turkey with ‘all the trimmings’ was the favoured choice of the day, complemented beautifully with complimentary wine-a little Christmas gift from me. Lunch proved to be a gastronomic delight-all served up in typical Saga style and elegance.

I’d set our arrival time for our overnight stay in Tenerife at 6pm this evening, allowing our guests a few hours respite with which to ease off the luncheon excesses.

As I guided the Saga Pearl II gracefully around the breakwater at Santa Cruz harbour and onto her berth it seemed like no time at all before we were all fast and our gangway was duly landed.

All our guests were offered the chance to take part on a complimentary tour to an open air Classical Concert in the port, laid on each year by the people of Tenerife on Christmas Day and attracts well in excess of 10,000 locals. From speaking to those who attended it was said to be a truly magical evening and the perfect way which to round off Christmas Day, certainly something to be considered again for the future I think.

As Boxing Day arrived I was on hand at the gangway to bid farewell to those guests on this morning’s first excursion to ‘Mercedes and La Laguna’. Our passengers travelled to the charming fishing village of San Andres, one of the islands oldest settlements and famous for its stunning golden beach, Las Teresitas. Interestingly, the beach itself was partially manmade using 216,000 tonnes of sand imported from the Sahara. Along with enjoying some stunning scenery and visiting some of the islands most historic sites, our passengers were also able to relax and refresh with some local wine and cheese.

The next tour this morning took our passenger’s to visit one of Tenerife’s most striking natural features. Rising 12,000 feet, ‘Mount Teide’ is the highest peak in the Spanish territories and is a volcano that has lain dormant for a hundred years. The all day tour also provided a chance to visit Los Roques de Garcia with its views of extraordinary, lunar like landscapes that are made up of unusual rock formations, lava flows, vast flatlands and volcanic tunnels.

As we drifted off our berth and out to open sea once more the evening’s entertainment started with a team trivia quiz hosted by our Assistant Cruise Director Mike. Cabaret Showtime followed where Piano A Deux with ‘Rhapsody to Royalty’ took to the stage. For those passengers who wished to continue the evening, there was ‘Late Night Cabaret and Cocktails’ to be had with our cocktail pianist Adam.

As Christmas Eve approached our cruise took us to our first Canary Island port and the charming island of Lanzarote, a volcanic island designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with landscapes and scenery that have been shaped by an explosive past. A great selection of restaurants serving a wide range of local specialities along with the virtual absence of rain and the benefit of duty free shopping make the island an extremely desirable holiday destination. Arrecife itself is the main port and capital and is a pleasant town with a modern seafront and colourful gardens.

Once again there were two tours for our passengers to enjoy, the first of which was the ‘Lanzarote Panoramic’ excursion. This trip took our passengers on a relaxing and scenic drive through some of the prettiest and most unspoilt areas on the island. With regular stops for photographs and chances to experience the local food and culture, it proved to be a very popular choice amongst our guests and a fine way to see this attractive part of the world.

The second tour was to the famous ‘Fire Mountain’. This exciting excursion took a visit to the incredible site of Timanfaya National Park and offered a chance to learn about some of the history that has helped to shape the island over the years. It is hard to imagine the eruptions of the 1730s, when the volcanoes in the Timanfaya area erupted for six years and covered nearly a third of the island with lava. A chance to stop at Janubio with its salt pit crater, where vegetables are grown in fields of lava pellets and grapes are cultivated in cinder pits is also an amazing sight and something that is not easily forgotten.

Well what a night of entertainment we had ahead of us, sprinkled with festive cheer on Christmas Eve starting with a grand Christmas raffle and auction to raise money for the Philippines disaster fund, with John as auctioneer a great time was had by all. This was followed by Cabaret Showtime where we invited vocalist and entertainer Colin Francis to take to the stage. Following Showtime our passengers enjoyed some Mince Pies, Eggnog, Gluwein and Hot Chocolate, prior to a most touching Christmas Eve Carol and Church Service accompanied by our magnificent Filipino Choir. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house as the Choir made their entry into the Discovery Lounge in full nativity costume, candles held aloft and singing ‘Silent Night’-just beautiful and the perfect way to welcome in Christmas onboard the Saga Pearl II.

Shaped by the Atlas Mountains on one side, Agadir is framed on the other by a magnificent crescent shaped beach. While little is known of the city’s origins, the Portuguese created a fortress here at the end of the 15th century, naming it Santa Cruz de Ghir. Freed from Portugal’s occupation by the Saadians in 1540, Agadir grew into a colourful and prosperous port and became newsworthy in 1911 when a German gunboat, the Panther, sailed into the bay as a protest against the division of North Africa between the Spanish and French.

The first excursion to depart this afternoon was ‘Folieberberes Fantasia Show’, this wonderful tour took our passengers to the Folieberberes Restaurant for a spectacular cultural ‘Fantasia Show’, combining acrobatics with Moroccan songs and dance in traditional costume, a folklore troupe entertained our guests while they sat under the shade of tents in the Agadir palm grove. The show was rounded off with an amazing display of horsemanship from the Moroccan Cavaliers.

The second tour was ‘Taroudant A Taste of Morocco’, on this excursion our passengers could get a taste for traditional Morocco and learn about the different cultures in this fascinating country with a visit to Taroudant. After a journey of about 90 minutes our guests arrived at the old walled city surrounded by bastions and ramparts which lies within view of the High Atlas Mountains. Departing from the port our passengers headed east, journeying inland through the Souss Valley, where the produce from its citrus groves are exported worldwide. Our intrepid guests also passed the region’s famous Argan trees, cornfields, and other rural scenes before arriving at Taroudant. The Saadians made Taroudant their capital during the 16th century, leaving behind the historic red-ochre ramparts which the passengers viewed as they entered the city.

As we bid farewell to North Africa and set off on the next leg of our journey towards the beautiful Canary Islands the evening’s entertainment started in style with a classical recital with The La Perla String Quartet presenting ‘Classics from around the world’. This was followed by our nightly team trivia quiz hosted by Resty. Finally we invited our passengers into the Discovery Lounge for Cabaret Showtime for an evening with our very own cocktail pianist Adam Reece.

A fine and clear morning greeted us as we made our approach to the fascinating destination of Casablanca. This was to be my third visit to the major Moroccan seaport this trip and by far the most favourable weather wise.

Shortly after our harbour pilot boarded within the breakwaters, I was able to steer the Saga Pearl II gently alongside and onto her berth. In double quick time our gangway was being hoisted into position.

The first tour to depart today was the all day excursion ‘Rabat Revealed’. Before departing Casablanca the guests on this tour stopped for a quick ‘Kodak moment’ at the Hassan ll Mosque and then headed out of the main city into Morocco’s administrative capital, Rabat. Their first stop was at the Royal Palace esplanade to admire the beautiful gardens and exquisite mosaics. A little more was learnt about the city’s history as our passengers visited the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum. The tour was completed in style with a traditional Moroccan lunch and a relaxing drive back to the hustle and bustle of Casablanca.

The second excursion the ‘Casablanca City Tour’ departed in the early afternoon. This tour commenced with a leisurely drive to the heart of the city and a stop at the largest mosque in Morocco, Hassan ll, set on a promontory overlooking the ocean. Our guests enjoyed a drive along the Corniche where they then stopped at a seaside hotel for some cooling refreshments. Our passengers then returned to the city centre and headed for the famous Habbous Quarter for a chance to see the Royal Palace and the French Cathedral of Notre Dame.

Following our evening departure, the entertainment commenced with a team trivia quiz hosted by our Rebecca and this was followed by cabaret showtime where we invited the spectacular Gail Davies Production Company to the stage with their scintillating ‘Love Sweet Love’ production show.

The autonomous city of Ceuta is a small Spanish enclave on the Moroccan side of the straits of Gibraltar, separated from the Spanish mainland by just 12 miles. The city’s strategic location has ensured it has endured a turbulent history, often being used as a trade and military outpost. Originally an old Carthaginian colony, it has since been held by the Romans, Vandals, Byzantines and Arabs, and has been known as ‘Abyla’, ‘Septem’ and ‘Cibta’.

Following a straight forward arrival and with the Saga Pearl II safely alongside her berth our first tour was ready to depart. This was the all day tour ‘Tetouan, Jewel of the Rif’. This interesting excursion took our guests across the border into Morocco to explore the harbour town of Tetouan. Once there they enjoyed a panoramic drive around the city where the guide passed on information about the city and all its main attractions. Following some our passengers embarked on a walking tour through the Jewish quarter of El Melal and the Bereber Zoco. Finally our guests enjoyed a delectable lunch at a local restaurant where delicious Moroccan specialities where on the menu together with an exotic Arabian show.

The second and final tour to depart was the ‘Sights of Ceuta’. This panoramic excursion took our guests on a drive through the city passing its main harbour, fishing port and the industrial areas. The drive continued on to see the Plaza de Africa, the Cathedral of Ceuta and was completed with a leisurely stroll through the beautiful botanical gardens.

Tonight’s entertainment started in earnest with a special food and drink themed quiz hosted by Resty from our Cruise Department. This was followed by Cabaret Showtime in the Discovery Lounge, where our very own Cruise Director John Parton enthralled guests with his show ‘George Gershwin, The Man & His Music’.

Following our extended stay in Southampton, the first call on our ‘Christmas in North Africa’ cruise saw us visit Portugal and the beautiful port of Lisbon. Famous for its majestic architecture, old wooden trams and Moorish features, Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since the 13th century and is a picturesque and popular port with which to begin. Situated on the banks of the River Tagus, the city is surrounded by nearly two dozen hills and the waterfront stretches for almost 20 miles.

Two tours departed this morning, the first of which was the ‘Lisbon Panoramic’, where our passengers visited some of the most famous landmarks and places of interest that Lisbon has to offer. These included the Monument to the Discoveries and Belem Tower and our passengers were also able to enjoy refreshments at Pasties de Belem, one of the oldest and most characteristic cafes in Lisbon, if not Portugal itself. On their return to the ship they were lucky enough to be able to stop at the top of Eduardo VII Park where they were able to enjoy a panorama of the whole city and then cross the suspension bridge to view the statue of Christ the Redeemer.

The second tour was the ‘Panoramic Coast and Wine tour’. This excursion included visits to the popular coastal resorts of Cascais and Estoril and a trip to a local winery. Our guests also enjoyed a stop at Cabo da Roca, the most western part of Europe, along with the chance to take photographs of the beautiful landscapes and scenery

Our departure times was set for 5pm and as the Saga Pearl II eased off her berth we were gently pushed on our way by the Tagus in full ebb, all under the glow of a beautiful sunset.

The evening’s entertainment started with some pre-dinner drinks in our Sundowner Bar with musical accompaniment from our cocktail pianist Adam Reece, followed by a team trivia quiz hosted by our very own Cruise Director John Parton. We then invited our passengers in to the show lounge for cabaret show time with Comedian Dave Betton. For those passengers who wanted to stay up a little later they could join the cruise staff out on the open decks for a night of dancing under the stars.

Southampton was a busy day for all onboard as we prepared to commence our ‘Christmas in North Africa’ cruise, not least as we had arrived later than planned into our home port due to the fact I delayed our sailing from Bremerhaven due to some particularly ‘nasty’ weather in the English Channel.

We welcomed onboard our passengers in a true festive spirit and it was a delight to see so many familiar and indeed new faces making their way up the gangway for another wonderful Saga voyage. Just as our passengers remember the faces of the crew who they have sailed with before, our crew members, who pride themselves in providing an exceptional level of customer service, welcome passengers they recognise as they walk onboard. In fact, walking around the ship on the first day is a little bit like attending a big reunion, as passengers and crew bump into familiar faces and rekindle friendships along with many new ones being formed.

Throughout the day I had been closely studying the weather reports and indications were that there was another band of unpleasant weather set to make its way into the western approaches just as we were due to set sail. With Storm Force 10 winds and high seas forecast I made the decision to remain in the shelter of Southampton for another 24 hours until the worst of the weather had passed. An audible cheer was heard around the vessel as many of our knowledgeable guests had also studied the weather reports and were anxious to know if we would set sail in such extreme conditions. I took the time to assure everyone that my priorities are always the safety of the passengers, the crew and the ship and that I always have everyone’s comfort, but more importantly their safety, at heart.

So safe in the knowledge that a relaxing nights rest lay ahead and the opportunity to take a complimentary shuttle bus into Southampton tomorrow to finish off those last bits of Christmas shopping, our guests settled into their time onboard.

Tonight’s entertainment commenced with some easy listening musical melodies from our cocktail pianist Adam Reece. Later in the show lounge we invited our passengers for a ‘Classical Experience’ presented by The La Perla Quartet.

Bremerhaven is a city at the seaport of the free city-state of Bremen, located at the mouth of the River Weser. Though a relatively new city, it has a long history as a trade port. The town was founded in 1827 but most of the city was destroyed in the bombing of Bremen in World War II. However parts of the city were spared by the Allied forces to provide a usable harbour for supplying the Allies after the war.

The first tour to depart was at 12:30pm, following our overnight stay, and this was the Bremen walking tour, where our passengers gained an insight into the historic city, taking in the major highlights. Some of those highlights included the Cathedral of St. Peter, the City Hall, the statues of Roland and the Bremen Town Musicians and Bremen’s oldest district, with its 15th and 16th century houses.

Shortly after the Bremen Christmas Market Transfer departed where our guests explored the wonderful atmospheric stalls, festively lit streets and seasonally decorated shops. The perfect way to round off a truly magical cruise.

This evening’s entertainment was provided by fabulous Gail Davies Dancers and Singers in their production show ‘Love Sweet Love’ followed by a late night Disco in the Shackletons where passengers had the change to trip the light fantastic.

Hamburg is Germany’s second largest city with a history dating back to Charlemagne. A major port, this vibrant city is home to art and culture, extensive shopping facilities, baroque buildings and waterfront vistas, with its well-known fish market, art galleries and museums nestling amongst several beautiful parks including a botanical garden.

We arrived alongside shortly after 1pm and there was only one tour departing today, but a full one it was with over 350 guests booked! It was the ‘Sound of Christmas in Hamburg’ which departed at 1:45pm.

The excursion started with a panoramic tour visiting the finest residential and consulate areas, the notorious Reeperbahn in St Pauli’s, followed by a stop at St Michael’s church and a walk around the ‘Kameramttsubben’ - a hamlet of restored buildings depicting life in the 18th century.

The final stop was of course at the world famous Hamburg Christmas Market.

The evening’s entertainment commenced with a cocktail party to welcome all the passengers that are new to Saga Cruising. At 9pm, after dinner, the Nutturno Piano Trio presented ‘A Classical Collection’ for this evening’s recital. Shortly after, it was time for the cabaret show time, an evening with Andy Law and the entertainment continued with a late-night disco in the Shackleton’s.

Our departure time was set at 8am the following morning. We will make the short trip round to our next and final port of call, Bremerhaven.

Ijmuiden is the gateway to Amsterdam, the cosmopolitan capital of the Netherlands and one of Europe’s truly great cities, where elegant canals and waterways wind their way through its heart. Much of the city’s charm dates from the 17th century, and an abundance of attractive houses from this era line the narrow cobbled streets.

The first tour to depart once we were safely alongside our berth was ‘A Taste of Holland’. The tour commenced with a drive through the typical Dutch countryside to the small town of Zaandam, north of Amsterdam, where our guests visited Zaanse Schans, a quaint Dutch ‘windmill village’. As they strolled through the quaint streets our passengers watched the craftsmen practising the trades of yesteryear and had an insight to what Dutch life once was. They then continue on to the village of Edam and strolled through the cobblestone streets noticing the unique Carillon tower with its bells that play a melody every 15 minutes.

Their final stop was at a cheese factory where they had the opportunity to sample some of the delicacies before returning the journey back to the Saga Pearl II.

They second tour ‘Panoramic Amsterdam and Canal Cruise’ started with a revealing coach tour of Amsterdam, passing the Baroque Royal Palace at Dam Square and the fascinating Mint Tower. They then continued on to the central railway station and the 15th century Weepers Tower.

After discovering Amsterdam from land, our guests boarded a glass topped canal boat for a one-hour tour though the city’s canals and they enjoyed the historic landmarks of the city from the water before returning back onboard.

The final tour to depart was the ‘Amsterdam Christmas Transfer’ this was an hour-long transfer that brought passengers to the heart of Amsterdam. The tour escort guided our guests to Dam Square in the city centre where they could enjoy their own free time to browse the many museums, Christmas markets and art galleries or simply relax in the many cafes.

The evening’s entertainment started with the team trivia quiz with James, followed by Cabaret Showtime with the fabulous voice of Rebecca David. Our guests could then join Robert Craig in the Shackleton’s for the late-night cabaret and cocktails.

I had been studying the weather reports carefully prior to our departure from Southampton as we prepared to set sail on our Christmas Markets Cruise. Sadly early indications were less than favourable. With gale force winds and rough seas forecast, I made the decision to arrive at our first port of call, Ghent in Belgium, a day earlier than planned, thus allowing us some shelter from the elements.

This was to be my first call to Ghent. I must say what a joy it was to guide the Saga Pearl II into the lock system and along the river towards our berth right in the heart of the city.

Ghent is known for its beautiful cobbled streets and winding canals. The 900-plus listed buildings are testament to the fact that not only did it survive the World Wars pretty much intact, but also that it was a very wealthy city in medieval times, having been Europe’s largest cloth producer and the Continent’s largest city.

Following a relaxing evening alongside, ‘Medieval Ghent’ was the first tour to depart at 9:45am. Our guests on this excursion took a stroll along the river to St Michael’s Bridge, which overlooks the old river port and they were able to enjoy the view of the well-known ‘Row of 3 Towers’, consisting of St Nicholas Church Tower, the Belfry  Tower and St Bavo’s Cathedral. The highlight of this tour was the visit to a chocolate factory where a Belgian chocolate maker showed our passengers how raw chocolate bars are made into fine Belgium chocolates.

The second tour today was the ‘Christmas Spirit in Brussels’ excursion which departed at 12:15pm. Passengers embarked on their coach and started their journey to Brussels passing the sational sport stadium and Centenaire Exhibition Halls. Once they reached the city centre, they started their walking tour to discover the old town area with its famous ‘Manneken Pis’ statue and Grand Place.

Following the walking tour, they enjoyed free time to browse the Christmas markets and the city’s shops.

Following departure, this evening’s entertainment programme was something special with a fantastic uplifting ‘Rat Pack Re-Visited’ show from the wonderful voice of Robert Craig.

The evening continued in our Shackleton’s Bar with live, classic, disco music from our cocktail pianist, Andy Law.

The last call on our ‘Colours of the Canary Islands’ cruise saw us visit Portugal and the beautiful port of Lisbon. Famous for its majestic architecture, old wooden trams and Moorish features, Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since the 13th century and is a picturesque and popular port with cruise vessels throughout the year. Situated on the banks of the River Tagus, the city is surrounded by nearly two dozen hills and the waterfront stretches for almost 20 miles.

Two tours departed this afternoon, the first of which was the ‘Lisbon Panoramic’, where our passengers visited some of the most famous landmarks and places of interest that the area has to offer. These included the Monument to the Discoveries and Belem Tower and our guests were also able to enjoy refreshments at Pasties de Belem, one of the oldest and most characteristic cafes in Lisbon, if not Portugal itself. Famous for its traditional and local cakes, many of our passengers took the opportunity to enjoy a taste of the local flavours. On their return to the ship they were lucky enough to be able to stop at the top of Eduardo VII Park where they were able to enjoy a panorama of the whole city and then cross the suspension bridge to view the statue of Christ the Redeemer.
 
The second excursion was the ‘Panoramic Coast and Wine tour’. Including visits to the popular coastal resorts of Cascais and Estoril and a trip to a local winery, our passengers also enjoyed a stop at Cabo da Roca, the most western part of Europe. Along with the chance to take photographs of the beautiful landscapes, the tour also included stunning scenic drives showing our passengers some of the countries incredible scenery.

The evening’s entertainment started with a trivia quiz from one of our cruise staff James and was followed by Showtime with our very own Gail Davies production cast presenting a magical show entitled ‘Sailaway’ a fitting end to a perfect cruise.

It seemed like no time at all had passed since we last visited Casablanca, it was however two weeks ago. Thankfully this time the weather was far more favourable and a cool yet clear morning greeted us as I glided the Saga Pearl II into position and safely alongside her berth.

The first tour that departed was at 8:30am this being the ‘Rabat Revealed’ excursion. Before leaving Casablanca our guests paused for a photo stop at the famous Hassan ll Mosque, they then headed out of Casablanca into Morocco’s administrative capital, Rabat, making their first stop at the Royal Palace esplanade to admire the beautiful gardens and exquisite mosaics. After an interesting insight into the city’s history our passengers visited the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum.

The tour was rounded off in style with a traditional Moroccan lunch and a leisurely drive back to Casablanca.
The second tour to depart was the ‘Casablanca City’ excursion. This tour commenced with a relaxing drive to the heart of the city stopping first at the Hassan ll Mosque, set on a promontory overlooking the ocean. The drive continued along the Corniche where a welcome stop at a seaside hotel for cooling refreshments was had. Our guests then returned to the city centre and headed for the Habbous Quarter to see the Royal Palace and the French Cathedral of Notre Dame.

Following departure the evening’s entertainment started with a team trivia quiz hosted by Rebecca from our Cruise Staff Department and this was followed by Showtime where we invited our very own singers and dancers from the spectacular Gail Davies production company to take to the stage.

Shaped by the Atlas Mountains on one side, Agadir is framed on the other by a magnificent crescent shaped beach. While little is known of the city’s origins, the Portuguese created a fortress here at the end of the 15th century, naming it Santa Cruz de Ghir. Freed from Portugal’s occupation by the Saadians in 1540, Agadir grew into a colourful and prosperous port and became newsworthy in 1911 when a German gunboat, the Panther, sailed into the bay as a protest against the division of North Africa between the Spanish and French.

The first excursion to leave this morning was ‘Folieberberes Fantasia Show’, this excursion took our passengers to the Folieberberes Restaurant for a spectacular cultural ‘fantasia show’. Combining acrobatics with Moroccan songs and dances in a traditional costume, a folklore troupe entertained our passengers while they sat under the shade of tents in the Agadir palm grove where they enjoyed some Moroccan pastries. The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly the stunning horses and their cavaliers.

The second tour was ‘Taroudant – A Taste of Morocco’, on this excursion our passengers could get a taste for traditional Morocco and learn about its mix of cultures with a visit to Taroudant. After a journey of about 90 minutes our guests arrived at the old walled city surrounded by bastions and ramparts which lies within view of the High Atlas Mountains. Departing from the port our passengers headed east, journeying inland through the Souss Valley, where the produce from its citrus groves are exported worldwide. The passengers also passed the region’s famous Argan trees, cornfields, and other rural scenes before arriving at Taroudant. The Saadians made Taroudant their capital during the 16th century, leaving behind the historic red-ochre ramparts which the passengers saw as they entered the city.

The evening’s entertainment commenced with a classical recital with The Auralio String Quartet presenting ‘Classics from around the world’. This was followed by a team trivia quiz hosted by one of our cruise staff Resty and then we invited our passengers into the discovery lounge for Showtime for an evening with our very own cocktail pianist Andy Law. For those passengers who wanted to stay up a touch later there was late night dancing with The Saga Pearl II Orchestra.

Our run of four Canary Island ports in a row concluded today with Arrecife, Lanzarote, a volcanic island designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with landscapes and scenery that have been shaped by an explosive past. A great selection of restaurants serving a wide range of local specialities along with the virtual absence of rain and the benefit of duty free shopping make the island an extremely desirable holiday destination. Arrecife itself is the main port and capital and is a pleasant town with a modern seafront and colourful gardens.

Once again there was two tours for our passengers to enjoy first of which was ‘Lanzarote Panoramic’. This allowed our passengers a relaxing and scenic drive through some of the prettiest and most unspoilt areas on the island. With regular stops for photographs and chances to experience the local food and culture, it proved to be a very popular choice amongst our guests and a fine way to see this attractive part of the world.

The other tour was ‘Fire Mountain’ with a visit to this incredible site and a chance to learn about some of the history that has helped to shape the island over the years. It is hard to imagine the eruptions of the 1730s, when the volcanoes in the Timanfaya area erupted for six years and covered nearly a third of the island with lava. A chance to stop at Janubio with its salt pit crater, where vegetables are grown in fields of lava pellets and grapes are cultivated in cinder pits is also an amazing sight and something that is not easily forgotten.

Once everyone was back onboard our passengers joined the Cruise Staff on the open decks for a drink at sailaway before heading to their cabins to prepare for our third formal night onboard and another evening of entertainment. We were able to recognise some of our most travelled passengers at our Britannia Club Cocktail Party and thank them for their continued loyalty to Saga Cruises. For all of us onboard it really is a wonderful indication that we are doing things right when we see so many people cruising with us time after time. With everybody in their finery dinner was duly served. This evening’s quiz was hosted by James from our cruise staff and for Cabaret Showtime our guests had the pleasure of being entertained by Violinist and Vocalist Simone Welsh.