The extra mile: Saga cruises hate hidden costs

You’ll be surprised to discover all the thoughtful additions included in the price of a Saga cruise – from premium wines to speciality dining and port excursions.

By Laura Millar

What’s one of the most annoying things you can experience when embarking on a dream trip (apart from having to sit in the middle seat on a flight, or stumping up for extra baggage fees)? That’s right: hidden extras – those little unexpected, or unadvertised, costs which push your final bill way beyond what you originally expected.

It means you have to keep a beady eye on every menu price, receipt, or even the amount you want to tip that lovely waiter who recommended your new favourite wine at dinner, just to try and keep your costs down.

It’s not much fun, especially when the whole point of a holiday is to enjoy yourself. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way, especially if you’re booking a luxury boutique cruise with Saga. They include so much in the price that you might, by the end of it, be questioning whether you actually owe them more money!

Read on to discover all the surprising extras which are covered from the minute you book your trip – and which are often charged for by other cruise lines – and the small, yet considered, touches which make a big difference…

Food for thought

Dining and drinking are among life’s greatest. And on an all-inclusive cruise, a true joy is trying out all the different restaurants on board.

Quite often, other cruise lines charge extra for speciality dining, meaning that you might miss out on a particular culinary experience. That doesn’t happen on a Saga cruise. If you fancy treating yourself to a special night out, you absolutely can, and at no extra cost.

The main dining room serves British and international cuisine, while the Grill offers a more casual and relaxed culinary experience alongside the al fresco Verandah. There are also two mouth-watering speciality restaurants on board each of the ships Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery.

Spirit of Adventure transports you to the sun-drenched Italian coast with Amalfi, which serves high-end Italian cuisine. On the menu, you’ll find a delectable range of Mediterranean dishes, plus the freshest locally-sourced fish and meat purchased in port that day, all given an Italian twist.

Tuck into the likes of Amalfi grigliata di pesce, a simple yet flavoursome mixed seafood platter, or a delicate scallop ravioli with rich crayfish bisque. Dial up the classics, such as an insalata Caprese which combines creamy mozzarella with ripe fresh tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar, or a rustic, Tuscan-style beef pappardelle: hand-crafted ribbons of pasta mixed with a braised beef cheek ragù simmered in hearty Nebbiolo wine. All finished, of course, with a sweet slab of dreamy, coffee-infused tiramisù.

Feeling more adventurous? Then take a trip to Nepal at Khukuri House, the first Nepalese restaurant at sea, inspired by the Gurkha heritage in Saga’s home town of Folkestone.

Overseen by Kathmandu-born chef Shovan Gautam, the menu lets you savour the flavours of Pemba Lama’s South Nepalese curried prawn, cooked in a creamy coconut curry with Himalayan spices, or slow-roasted garam masala duck - a lightly smoked whole duck with an aromatic coconut and coriander sauce served with spiced plum chutney and garlic naan bread.

Spirit of Discovery also whisks you eastwards – at East to West chefs showcase the full diversity and vibrancy of Eastern cuisine, from classic favourites to those with a contemporary twist. Try the likes of baked red snapper marinated in ginger, lemongrass and garlic, or melt-in-the-mouth Korean-marinated grilled sirloin steak, served with Asian chimichurri and a spicy cucumber salad. Finish on a refreshing note with a coconut mousse accompanied by a passion fruit sorbet, or a lemongrass creme brulee with a mango and pineapple compote.

Fresh seafood is the order of the day at Coast to Coast, an exclusive restaurant which only seats 74 guests. You’ll enjoy the very best locally-sourced fish, from pan-roasted barramundi in a caponata and Chardonnay sauce, to halibut Bordelaise or baked lobster Thermidor in an elegant, intimate environment.

To accompany all this incredible food, all-inclusive drinks, including premium spirits, wines, beers, mixers and soft drinks, come as standard. And from 2027, this will include premium wines, too, as Saga celebrates its 30th anniversary year.

Finally, no matter where you are in the world, Saga keeps a little slice of proper British tradition on board: afternoon tea. Expect freshly baked cakes, scones fresh from the oven, dainty finger sandwiches – maybe even a glass of fizz (why not, you’re on holiday!) – all complimentary and served at your table.

You’ll also find classic crowd-pleasers such as fish and chips, burgers and dozens of flavours of ice cream on deck. And don’t forget you can have (almost) anything you want delivered directly to your cabin, with Saga’s 24-hour room service.

A grand day out

Of course, while it might be hard to tear yourself away from all the delightful distractions on board the ship, one of the best things about a cruise is the constant change of scenery, waking up in a new destination almost daily. While many other cruise lines charge for excursions, at Saga there’s always at least one included in every port. You can choose to relax and enjoy the sights on a panoramic tour or join a guided walking tour.

For example, on the Jewels of the Mediterranean tour, you could be strolling down the famous La Rambla in Barcelona, exploring the Rock of Gibraltar with its many cheeky macaque monkeys, or immersing yourself in the atmospheric, labyrinthine cobbled lanes of the Medina in Tangier.

More dramatic landscapes can be found on Saga’s Greenland and Iceland Adventure, where you can marvel at the striking Hallgrimskirkja church in Reykjavik, admire the thunderous, horseshoe-shaped Godafoss Waterfall, or meet the people of Nanortalik, the southernmost town in Greenland, to find out more about life in this charming small community.

And with Saga cruises across Europe, Norway, the Americas, the Caribbean, and more, you’ll always find something to captivate your attention. Of course, if you’d rather explore independently, Saga includes complimentary bus transfers from the ship into the nearest town centre, with the Explore Ashore desk on hand to help with information about the best local attractions, opening times and public transport, to help you get the most out of your time spent off the ship.

The best of the rest

It goes without saying that the hospitality you’ll encounter on board is second to none. Saga’s crew have an innate sense of service, whether it’s greeting you by name, remembering your favourite tipple, or how you take your coffee or like your steak cooked. They will go above and beyond, in any way they can, to ensure you have the best experience on board, and ashore.

Saga appreciates that you’ll want to reward them for all their hard work, and this is why gratuities are included in the cost of your cruise, too (a surprise extra added on by some cruise lines).

In addition, you can benefit from a complimentary return chauffeur service direct from your door to the ship, onboard Starlink WiFi, all port taxes, fees and charges, unlimited luggage and porterage at the ship, and travel insurance and additional cancellation cover (subject to medical screening).

What else can you expect? All entertainment and activities on board, spa access to the hydrotherapy pool, infrared sauna and steam roof, a selection of fitness classes and use of the gymnasium, swimming pools and hot tubs. Now all you have to do is book, then relax, knowing that everything is taken care of – and that you don’t have to worry about being presented with a big bill at the end!