Your questions answered

You only have to look at all that we include in the price to appreciate the excellent value for money we offer. We include all on-board gratuities, travel insurance and additional cancellation cover, travel to and from your departure and arrival points, all of your meals on board, the use of tea and coffee stations throughout the day, plus much more. Other than shore excursions and drinks from the bar, which are priced at an extremely competitive rate, there is very little left for you to budget for.

How much luggage can I take?

There are no luggage restrictions on cruises sailing from the UK. Our cabins have good storage, while large items can be stored separately - your cabin steward or stewardess will arrange this for you. You may wish to consider soft-sided luggage, which can be tacked more easily. Porterage of luggage is included, so after arriving at your port of embarkation, the next time you see your suitcases is in your cabin. For cruises involving flights there will be the usual airline restrictions on the size and weight of your luggage.

The ship's 'currency' is pounds, but we operate a convenient, ‘cashless’ system so you do not need to carry money around with you. During the first day, simply register your credit or debit card at the Information Desk. You then sign for everything you buy during your cruise, such as drinks or laundry service. On the last morning before disembarkation, you will receive a summary of your on-board account. To settle your bill we accept Saga Platinum credit cards, travellers cheques, other Visa cards, Mastercard or cash.

Our Purser's Office offers a foreign exchange service with no commission and competitive rates. Currency can be bought on board with travellers cheques or UK bank notes.

All meals are included, and meal times are detailed in the daily programme and may vary from day to day, depending on when the ship arrives in port, excursion departure times or on-board activities.

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Can you help with my special diet?

In most cases, special dietary requirements can be catered for such as low cholesterol and gluten-free diets. Please advise us of your needs at the time of booking.

Please note: Selected special diets such as halal meals may incur an additional supplement.

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Is smoking allowed?

Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the ships and is only permitted on open decks in designated areas. Smoking is also allowed on guest balconies although we ask you to consider your neighbours.

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What should I wear?

Daytime: The dress code on board is smart but casual during the day. Popular items of clothing include beachwear, shorts, casual shirts and trousers. Don't forget to pack swimwear for the ships' pools or trips to the beach. Out of consideration to fellow guests, we ask that swimwear be restricted to the open decks. For trips to Scandinavia and the north, it is a good idea to pack a lightweight rain-proof jacket and a jumper in case of chilly days at sea.

Evenings: Many passengers enjoy the sense of occasion that more formal wear brings in the evenings, so there are three evening dress codes:

On formal evenings ladies tend to wear a long dress, cocktail dress or evening trousers, and men wear a dinner jacket or tuxedo (if preferred, a dark lounge suit and tie may be worn).
On informal evenings, ladies usually wear a less formal dress or trousers, and men choose from a lounge suit, sports jacket or blazer with a tie.
On casual evenings, ladies wear an informal dress or trousers, and men an open-neck shirt and smart casual trousers.

The daily programme advises the dress code for each evening. The following is a guideline for the formal occasions you can expect:

Number of nights on board:	4	7	14	21
Formal nights:	1	2	3	4

Please note: Aboard Quest for Adventure the dress code for the Verandah restaurant is always casual, and in the Dining Room there are casual and formal evenings, but no informal evenings.

Are there laundry facilities?

There is a laundry service and a dry cleaning service available. Your cabin steward or stewardess will be able to give you prices and further details. There is also a free of charge self-service launderette and ironing facilities aboard Saga Ruby, Saga Pearl II and Quest for Adventure, but no self-service launderette aboard Saga Sapphire.

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Will I be able to use my electrical appliances on board?

Saga Sapphire - Voltage is 220 volts, bathroom electric razor outlets 115/230, and sockets are the standard three-pin UK and recessed European types

Saga Ruby - Voltage is 110 volts, bathroom electric razor outlets 115/230, and sockets are the recessed European or American two-pin types. Some mobile phones, cameras or other appliances won't charge at 110 volts but these can be charged at the Reception Desk - please bring your charger with you.

Quest for Adventure and Saga Pearl II - Voltage is 220 volts, bathroom electric razor outlets 115/230, and sockets are a combination of three-pin UK standard sockets and two-pin European sockets which will require an adaptor.

There is a limited supply of adaptors available from the Reception Desk so it is advisable to bring your own. Your cabin steward or stewardess will be able to advise you further.

How do I book shore excursions?

We will send you full details of all the optional excursions (and included Quest for Adventure excursions) planned for your cruise prior to departure so you can book in advance, or onboard subject to availability.

How do I get ashore?

In most ports you will leave the ship via the gangway. However, in some ports the ship may have to anchor offshore. Our ships’ tenders or special launches will then take you ashore, free of charge. For safety reasons, wheelchair passengers are not permitted in the launches and, unfortunately, must remain on board in anchor ports. If you wish to explore independently onshore, Saga will endeavour to provide a shuttle bus service between the ship and the city or town being visited, when the distance between the two exceeds 500 yards. For most ports in the Caribbean it is prohibited for cruise lines to provide shuttle services. We are unable to provide such transfers in St Petersburg due to tourist visa regulations, or offer individual tourist visas for Libya.

On Quest for Adventure and Saga Pearl II, in a number of ports unless we’ve indicated in the itinerary that you go ashore by launch or tender, you will need to embark and disembark along a narrow gangway with 33 shallow steps. Although we will always aim to use a more convenient gangway, this is not always possible because of the weather, tidal conditions or the berths we are assigned. The gangway can be steep and regrettably if you're unable to use it without assistance you may need to remain on board.

Will I be able to phone home?

Every cabin has a telephone that allows you to make calls form ship to land, anywhere in the world. You can also send faxes and telexes from the ship, further details and prices can be found in your cabin's welcome folder.You can also update friends and family via email from the ship's computers. The cost for using the internet and sending or receiving emails will be charged automatically to your on-board account. Tarriff details are available at the Purser's Office. Mobile phones may sometimes connect to the local network of the country you are visiting, depending on the proximity of the ship to shore. We recommend that you speak to your provider for mobile phone charges if you are planning on taking your phone with you. Smart phones can also incur high data roaming charges if left active.

Can I send letters and postcards home?

You can post your letters and postcards on board and we will then send them for you from the next suitable port. Postage fees will be added to your on-board account.

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Will I feel out of place?

The most pleasing and frequent feedback we receive from cruisegoers is how friendly they have found our ships. Those who are new to cruising are immediately made to feel at home by the attentive crew, and a cocktail party at the beginning of your cruise gets things off to a wonderful start, giving you the opportunity to meet people and make friends.

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See our unbeatable value for money page for a comprehensive list of what's included in the fare.