Celebrating 30 years of ocean cruises with two fabulous new adventures

Saga marks three decades of ocean cruising by creating two brand new itineraries, one in the UK and one in the Med.

by Lesley Bellew

Excitement has been building over the best way to celebrate Saga Cruises' 30th anniversary in 2027 but what could be better than a bespoke new itinerary for each ocean ship: Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure?

Both sailings, in May 2027, will feature a host of onboard events and entertainment to mark the anniversary of Saga's first-owned ship Saga Rose sailing from Dover in 1997.

Before we take you on a trip down memory lane, discovering three decades of landmark events that make Saga what it is today, here's a sneak peek at the two new sailings.

Guests and crew alike will be celebrating the past, present and future of Saga Cruising. As well as reunions to meet friends made over the years, it will be a special time to welcome new guests to the Saga Cruises' family.

Spirit of Discovery - The British Isles: Our 30th Anniversary Cruise

Beautiful Falmouth in Cornwall

Spirit of Discovery will set sail from Dover on May 13, 2027 on a cruise that will fondly remember Saga's first-owned ship Saga Rose sailing from the same port in 1997, as well as the Spirit of Discovery's maiden voyage in 2019.

Saga Cruises' first bespoke ship, Spirit of Discovery will cruise the East coast of England to Newhaven, in Scotland. Guests can visit the capital, Edinburgh, where the castle sits on Castle Rock at the top of the Royal Mile. The nearby National Museum of Scotland holds a spectacular collection of Scottish jewellery – did you know that when Julius Caesar invaded Britain, he was keen to conquer Scotland for its freshwater river pearls?

The next ship's call will be the “Granite City” of Aberdeen, where the Dee and Don rivers meet the North Sea. Visits to the Aberdeen Maritime Museum and the Aberdeen Art Gallery are a must, as well as viewing King's College and the 14th-century St Machar's Next stop, from the Shetland Islands' capital Lerwick, has to be a visit to Jarlshof, on West Voe Beach. There has been a settlement here since the Neolithic period and it is easy to imagine early settlers sailing onto a beach that remains completely unspoilt.

A stop in Liverpool comes next - fans can visit the nearby The Beatles Story Museum in the Royal Albert Dock or see The Cavern Club in Mathew Street where the Fab Four once played.

Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is another lively maritime city - it is worth considering the vibrant Cathedral Quarter and Titanic Quarter with the world's largest Titanic visitor attraction, Titanic Belfast. Or take a day tour to the dramatic landscape of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed basalt cliffs at the Giants' Causeway in Country Antrim.

After Cobh, where you can take a tour to Cork or Blarney Castle, the next stop is Falmouth, the third deepest harbour in the world. Why not walk into the town to try a Cornish pasty or, for garden lovers, tour one of Cornwall's iconic temperate gardens?

Further along the South-West coast, in Portsmouth, a visit to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a must – it's where The Mary Rose Museum is home to King Henry VIII's flagship Mary Rose and Britain's greatest naval icon, HMS Victory. Exploring the decks of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship would be a fantastic way to end this maritime celebration before sailing back to Dover and the symbolic safeguard of the White Cliffs. Between shore excursions, guests can enjoy the unique atmosphere of the ship. Whether it's listening to music in the lounge or joining a craft class, the crew create a sense of warmth and friendliness so everyone feels at home.

Join The British Isles: Our 30th Anniversary Cruise

Spirit of Adventure – Croatia and the Mediterranean: Our 30th Anniversary Cruise

The Dubrovnik coast

Malaga enjoys an average of 320 days of sunshine a year – which is a great reason to head to Southern Spain on Spirit of Adventure. Whether it's a beachside cafe day or exploring the Moorish citadels of Alcazaba and Gibalfaro Castle, Malaga is a wonderful first call on this anniversary sailing which gives a nod to Saga Rose's maiden cruise on the Med.

There's not much that's lovelier than seeing the Mediterranean from a cruise ship, especially the beautiful Spirit of Adventure, and guests will be urged to get up early as the ship sails into the Grand Harbour of Valletta, in Malta. It's a must-see view of the capital city's honey coloured limestone fortifications as they come into focus at sunrise. It's easy to walk straight into the UNESCO-listed old town of Valletta, built by the Knights of St John, and seeing Caravaggio's only signed painting in the ornate St John's Co-Cathedral is a real highlight.

Guests can look forward to sailing across the sparkling Adriatic Sea to Croatia's Dalmatian coast for the cities of Split and Dubrovnik. After a feast of culture and history, the ship heads to Italy's Puglia coast to make the most of the seaside town of Brindisi with its palm-fringed promenade.

For more beach life, guests can also swim in Corfu's turquoise waters or in Cagliari, Sardinia, where there are inviting sandy white beaches along the Gulf of Angels.

Spirit of Adventure returns to Spain for the homeward journey where Cartagena never disappoints with its Roman amphitheatre just a short walk from the port.

After almost three weeks at sea, the last port of call before returning to Portsmouth is the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, where a tour to see stalagmites and stalactites in St Michael's Cave is always popular.

On the return journey, make the most of sea days and all the indulgences that Spirit of Adventure has to offer: lazing by The Lido pool, relaxing in The Spa's hydrotherapy pool and steam room or a sumptuous afternoon tea. Every day on Spirit of Adventure is a celebration of cruising.

Join Croatia and the Mediterranean: Our 30th Anniversary Cruise

How it all began: Marking 30 years with a journey down memory lane

In June 2019 Spirit of Discovery was delivered and christened by Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall, in a grand ceremony in the Port of Dover with the White Cliffs of Dover as an iconic backdrop.

The construction of Spirit of Adventure was already underway although the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 pressed pause on plans. The existing ships, Saga Pearl II and Saga Sapphire, were retired and Spirit of Adventure launched in July 2021.

The new sister ships headed into a next chapter with distinctive yellow funnels that stand out in every port – and, of course, proudly flying the Red Ensign – the flag of British-owned ships. The two boutique ships are Saga Cruises' first bespoke vessels after a series of landmark moments over 30 years that made Saga Cruises what it is today.

Saga acquired its very first ship in 1997. It purchased the Sagafjord (launched in 1965) and renamed her the Saga Rose. The 587-guest ship departed the Port of Dover on her maiden sailing to the Mediterranean and was an instant hit. Saga Pearl followed, chartered six years later in 2003, to keep up with demand.

Around the same time, when Saga Rose's sister ship, Vistafjord, came onto the market, Saga bought and renamed her Saga Ruby, sailing out of Southampton to the Caribbean and Central America in 2004.

Five years later, Saga Pearl II replaced the then 50-year-old Saga Rose, setting sail on a voyage in March 2010 that took 446 guests to the Norwegian fjords.

In 2012, Saga Pearl II was briefly renamed Quest for Adventure and operated adventure-style cruises to destinations including Russia. In the same year, a medium-sized ship was bought and Saga Sapphire sailed to the Med with 720 guests enjoying the results of its multimillion-pound refurbishment.

And finally, most recently in 2019 and 2021 the new ships, Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure, were memorably launched and remain firm favourites to this day.