Search Ocean Cruise FAQs

You can book online whenever you like, or call us free on 0800 096 0079.

To book you'll need these details for everyone who’s travelling:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Home address
• Contact number
• Passport number
• Emergency contact details

If you're taking out the optional Saga Cruise Travel Insurance, which is tailored for the over 50s, we’ll also need your medical history to check your eligibility. It’s underwritten by Astrenska Insurance Limited.

Cabin guarantees let you book a minimum cabin grade if you’re not fussy about choosing a specific one or having the beds set up in a particular way. Sometimes this means you’ll get an upgrade (although that’s not guaranteed).

Instead of getting your cabin number when you book, we’ll assign it to you later on, or when you come aboard. It could be anywhere on the ship. If you don’t accept it, we’ll treat that as a cancellation. Also, twin cabins might have two single beds or one double.

Please note, cabin assignments are final and the ship cannot make any changes to your assigned cabin.

Absolutely. We have a lot of solo travellers on our ocean cruises. Find out more about singles cruises.

If you aren’t sure, have a look at our accessibility and support section. Or call 0800 096 0079 and one of our advisors will be able to help you decide.

You can call 0800 096 0079 to register your interest with a fully-refundable deposit.

Once you have made the advanced registration we will contact you before the cruises go on general sale, giving you the opportunity to be the first to book.

Making an advance registration gives you the opportunity to secure your choice of cabin at the best possible price.

You can read our brochures online or order a copies by post. If you’d like them posted, just choose which you’d like us to send and they’ll appear on the top left of the page. Then enter your address and we’ll post them out.

Of course. The best way to do this is to update your communication preferences at MySaga Or call us free on 0800 092 3665.

Please note it might take up to six weeks for us to stop mailing you.

You can do this at any time on Manage my booking. Otherwise, call 0800 504 505 and one of our guest advisors can do this for you.

You can do this in Manage my booking up to 30 days from departure. Otherwise call 0800 504 505 and one of our guest advisors can do this for you.

We offer a 14-day cooling off period. So if you change your mind in that time, you can cancel or change your booking without any charges. Just call 0800 504 505 to speak to one of our guest advisors.

After that we’ll charge our normal cancellation or amendment fees. You’ll find these in our booking conditions.

Please call through to one of our guest advisors on 0800 504 505, who will be able to discuss options with you.

COVID-19 vaccinations are no longer a mandatory requirement although we do highly recommend that all guests travelling with us are up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, where available.

If requirements for the countries we visit change and proof of vaccination, testing, or additional documentation is required, we will inform you.

You must inform us if you have symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in the 48 hours before your cruise, or if in the 10 days before your cruise you have symptoms of influenza or COVID-19, or if you have been in contact with any confirmed cases of these, as you may be unable to travel if you are suspected of having a transmissible illness.

Mask wearing is no longer mandatory unless a requirement for a destination we are due to visit.

If face masks are required in any of the destinations you visit, these will be provided for you onboard.

Testing for Covid-19 is no longer required and will only be conducted in the following circumstances:

• If you are tested by the Medical Centre
• If testing is required by a destination we are visiting

If you return a positive result, you will be required to isolate in your cabin. If you are asymptomatic, you will be released from isolation on day five. If you have symptoms you will need to remain in isolation until you are asymptomatic, up to a maximum of 10 days. Anyone that you are sharing the cabin with will only be required to isolate if they have symptoms and return a positive test.

There is a medical team onboard, including a Doctor, located in the dedicated medical centre on Deck 4 midships. If you take regular medication, please make sure you bring enough with you to cover the full duration of your cruise. It may be helpful to prepare a list in case you need medical services during your cruise.

A Global Health Insurance Card allows guests to get healthcare in the EU, and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country. This maybe free or require payment equivalent to what a local resident would pay. You can find more information and apply for this online.

Our chefs prepare a variety of options, including vegetarian and vegan as standard. Gluten-free bread and pasta are also available on board. For diabetics, we offer options such as sugar-free jams, lower-sugar desserts, and sugar-free scones.

Food allergies

If you have any food allergies or specific dietary requirements, it is essential that you advise us at the time of booking. Your requirements will be noted and passed on to the Food and Beverage teams before you board the ship.

We can also cater for Kosher and Halal diets, however please note that we do not prepare these meals on board as we do not have a separate Kosher/Halal kitchen. This means it is essential that you request this in advance when booking your cruise in order for us to order the meals.

When you arrive at the ship

On embarkation day, please go to the ship’s main dining room to join a dietary meeting with the Restaurant Manager and Executive Chef. This will allow you to confirm your dietary requirements, so they can be sure the right food is prepared for your individual needs. Menus can also be provided for you, to select foods that are suitable. If you do not manage to attend the dietary meeting, please speak to the Restaurant Manager or Head Waiter when you go for dinner on the first evening.

Will I be a problem?

We are used to catering for a wide range of allergies and dietary requirements, so do not think that you are alone. We do this for many guests on every cruise, so please remind your serving staff of your requirement or allergy when ordering.

If you have medications related to your diet, you are also advised to keep them with you at all times while on your cruise.

For any concerns, or if your dietary needs have changed since you booked your cruise, please contact our Customer Care Team as soon as possible by telephoning 0800 373 034.

If you’re travelling anywhere that needs them, we’ll tell you when you book. And we’ll remind you in your confirmation documents.

You can also check the latest advice on the NHS Fit for Travel website. If you need any jabs we recommend speaking to your doctor at least 12 weeks before you leave.

We publish the latest information on our travel updates page. If we need to make any changes because of global events we’ll get in touch to talk them over.

It’s a good idea to bring foreign currency for any excursions you’re going to take. You can also pay by card in plenty of places when you’re ashore – though you might want to check fees and let your card provider know you’ll be travelling.

Our ocean cruise ships use a cashless system. So you don’t need to worry about carrying change when you’re on board. All transactions are in British pounds.

Just go to the UK government foreign travel advice website.

Additional luggage labels are available at the port, if required.

You should receive the following: 

• details of your domestic travel arrangements (UK travel pick up times, car parking permits, domestic flight details depending on the option that you've chosen)
• embarkation and disembarkation information
• luggage labels
• emergency contact numbers for whilst you're away.

You should receive your final travel pack approximately 7-14 days before your departure date.

Cruise tickets are not required, but please remember to pack the following documents in your hand luggage as they will be needed to board the ship:

• A valid 10-year passport with at least six months validity remaining. This is required even for cruises around the UK.
• A copy of any visa/ESTA that you have been required to obtain. Although the ESTA form is digital, we recommend bringing a printed copy. This is in case the US port where you will be entering the US experiences IT or technical issues. By having a printed copy you can still be processed and enter the US.
• If you have arranged your own insurance, please ensure that it covers you for COVID-19 and remember to bring your policy documents with you.

A valid passport with at least six months validity is a requirement for British citizens. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter each country and will also be required for UK cruises.

Your passport number, issue date, expiry date and issuing country must be provided to us at least 30 days before travel in order for us to comply with border security check requirements. These can be added to your booking online.

It is not permitted to take aboard any articles or objects capable of causing injury. These include highly combustible or toxic substances and instruments such as knives, penknives, scissors or open razors. Nail scissors with a blade of less than 4cm are permitted.

Customs and security officers have the right to examine your luggage when you embark and disembark, so please ensure you have your luggage keys to hand.

Credit cards for onboard payments are registered once aboard the ship. However, we are looking at ways to incorporate this at the check-in desk without causing any delays. Please note, your accounts are open on board prior to registering a credit/debit card and you can do so at your leisure.

When you register your card you are agreeing to Saga obtaining pre-authorisation, and your bank may reduce the balance of funds/credit available to you. Saga will release this pre-authorisation at the end of the cruise and it may take a few days before the funds are made available to you again.

We will conduct a health screening questionnaire for all guests prior to embarkation. If your health screening indicates a medical concern which would prevent you from sailing, your cruise may be postponed until a later date, and we will ensure you are taken home safely.

Once you board the ship you will be met by a member of staff and taken to your cabin.

Depending on which port you are travelling from there will be some walking required between the lobby and the ship.

Portsmouth - there will be a short walk into the lobby to the stairs or lift. It will then be approximately 50 metres to the check-in desk and security. You will need to take the lift or stairs down to the shuttle bus to the ship.

Dover - there will be a short walk into the lobby to the stairs, lift or escalator. There will then be a short walk to security and on to check-in. The walk to the ship is approximately 50 metres up the gangway.

If you have booked a guaranteed cabin you may not have been advised which cabin number you have been booked into before you arrive at the ship. When your luggage is dropped off you will be able to let one of our port representatives know who will be able to advise this and add it to your luggage labels whilst you remain in the vehicle.

You will need to provide your passport and any documentation pertaining to any Visa/ESTA that you have been required to obtain before travel, so that these can be checked before you board. You will also be taken through a health questionnaire by the check-in staff.

Whether you are driving yourself or taking advantage of our chauffeured car service, you will drop your luggage at the dedicated drop off point as you arrive at the port and this will be arranged to be delivered to your cabin.

One of our porter's will collect it from your vehicle so you won't have to get out. You will then be dropped off at the terminal entrance hall or directed to your booked car parking space.

Once you enter the terminal you will need to go to the signposted check-in desk. If you have any trouble, there will be directional staff on hand to help you.

Yes, you can. If you’re sailing on Spirit of Adventure or Spirit of Discovery, excursions will be available to book between eight and ten weeks before your cruise departs. We will email you to let you know when they are available to book.

You can then book your included and optional trips through Manage my booking. Please note that pre-booked shore excursion tickets are delivered to cabins upon embark arrival.

The guide date that your excursions will be bookable can be found on our excursion availability page.

To help you choose the excursions most suitable for you, we have graded each according to the activity involved, as detailed below: 

• Panoramic Tour – A slower paced excursion with the majority of sightseeing taking place from your vehicle. There may be a short walk at the port to join your vehicle and any other walking will be at your own discretion, for example at photo stops.
• Easy Activity – Up to approximately 500 yards on mainly flat terrain, with the possibility of some steps.
• Moderate Activity – Between 500 yards and one mile over mixed terrain, often with steps. Please refer to individual tour activity descriptions as some of these tours may not be suitable for those with mobility concerns who are cautioned to carefully evaluate their personal level of stamina and ability.
• Strenuous Activity – Considerable walking for distances over a mile, usually over uneven terrain with many steps. Generally these tours are aimed at able walkers who can manage the pace of the tours within the time frames of the itinerary and steps required without assistance. These tours are not available to wheelchair guests and may not be suitable for those with mobility concerns who are cautioned to carefully evaluate their personal level of stamina and ability.

Guests should also refer to the individual descriptions once shore excursions are on sale on Manage My Booking. They are set out to offer practical advice based on Saga’s operating experience. You are strongly advised to ensure that your chosen excursion is suitable for your individual personal requirements. Further advice on the suitability of excursions is available from the Explore Ashore Team on board.

To ensure capacity for all guests who wish to book an included tour, the tour departure times are often staggered throughout the day. Therefore, if your first preferred departure time is not available, please do book an alternative departure time to ensure your place.

Optional excursions often have limited capacity and should be booked early to avoid disappointment.

If you simply want to do your own thing in each port, you can use our complimentary shuttle bus service. Perfect for independent exploration, this will take you from the ship into the nearest town or city centre. They will run regularly until one hour before sailaway time.

The shuttle buses will be in operation wherever possible, and where you are berthed at least 500 yards away from the nearest suitable drop off point. Feel free to speak to the onboard Explore Ashore team who will be happy to provide travel advice.

Our shore excursions require participants to use a coach or other forms of transport with two or three steps, at least 10 inches high each. Neither Saga nor the local suppliers are able to provide portable steps to access coaches due to insurance implications.

Most, but not all coaches used, can accommodate collapsible wheelchairs which may be stored in the luggage compartment under the coach at the discretion of the local coach operator. It should be noted that escorts, guides or drivers are not obliged to assist or lift guests into vehicles.

Whilst in most destinations we use full size coaches, some destinations, such as the Caribbean and Cape Verde, use small minibus style vehicles which have no storage for wheelchairs or other large walking aids.

If you require accessible transport, please note that these will be arranged dependant on availability at the port we are visiting. This is free of charge for included tours, for optional tours there will be an additional charge. Please advise us at the time of booking your excursions should you need this arranged.

They’re a great way to see more of the places you visit. All excursions have an experienced guide who’ll answer questions and tell you lots of fascinating facts and stories about the place you’re visiting.

Choose from a selection of included sightseeing tours and optional excursions planned by our expert team.

Comfort stops are made during all excursions over two hours in duration, unless mentioned otherwise in the excursion description. Excursions two hours or less in duration, may not include a comfort stop.

Please note that some excursions will make use of public conveniences which may require a small payment. We recommend bringing some small denomination change with you for this reason.

Any WC facilities on board coaches are for emergency use only and may only be made available at the discretion of the local coach operator, subject to local regulations.

Please consider the local weather conditions and destinations visited during your excursion, as you may require additional layers of clothing.

We recommend comfortable, low-heeled shoes.

If you’re visiting churches, cathedrals or other holy places, please dress modestly – so no shorts or bare arms.

Please also bear in mind that some places – especially museums – don’t let you carry bags and cameras. You might need to pay to check them into a locker or safety deposit box.

We don’t include them in the price. You absolutely don’t have to tip your guide or driver, but they’ll always appreciate it if they’ve made a difference to your day. We'll leave the amount up to you.

Yes. A Saga escort will accompany you on every excursion.

You can smoke or vape where it’s allowed in public places, but not when you’re on our coaches.

You can book your trips through Manage My Booking and make payment by debit or credit card.

For pre-booked excursions, you can change or amend your choice of excursions up to approximately 7 days before departure by calling our guest advisors on 0800 504 505. After that please visit the Explore Ashore Desk when onboard to make any changes. Please note you can cancel a tour free of charge (unless specifically stated in the tour description) up to 48 hours prior to that port of call. After that you will still need to pay the full excursion cost (unless you have a medical exemption certificate from the Ship’s doctor).

The operation of each excursion is subject to them reaching minimum required numbers. If we need to cancel a tour for that reason you will be offered an alternative tour where possible or a full refund.

The price includes all entrance fees for sites and attractions unless we state otherwise. Refreshments are only included where specifically mentioned in the tour description. A complimentary bottle of water is available prior to your excursion departure.

Published timings are correct at the time of going to print – Please check the onboard ‘Daily Programme’ delivered to your cabin for confirmed timings.

Please refer to individual tour activity descriptions as some of these tours may not be suitable for those with mobility concerns. You are advised to carefully evaluate your personal level of stamina and ability as to the suitability of the excursion.

We’ll be happy to give you advice about whether a particular excursion is right for you – for example if you have walking difficulties or an impairment.

Yes, they can. Our descriptions are accurate at the time of going to print, but there may be changes that are outside of our control. The Explore Ashore team onboard will advise you of any changes to the advertised excursion that we are made aware of prior to departure.

If we need to cancel an optional excursion due to health and safety concerns or reasons outside of our control, a full refund will be applied.

Yes. Everyone who travels on our ocean cruise ships joins our Britannia Club. Find out more about Britannia Club.

We’ll send them with your cruise confirmation. And you can also see them in the documents section of Manage my booking . If you haven’t booked yet, you can check our booking conditions.

Our ocean cruises are exclusively for over-50s. You can travel with a companion who is over 40 though.

No, it’s fine. It normally just means there aren’t any spaces left. If there are any issues with your booking, we’ll get in touch to let you know.

Yes. You’ll need comprehensive travel insurance covering your ocean cruise.

We include optional Saga Cruise Travel Insurance in the price of all our cruises, which is underwritten by Astrenska Insurance Ltd. Saga provides additional cancellation rights as detailed in our booking conditions, guests are eligible for the additional cancellation cover when taking the optional insurance policy with their cruise. See what's covered.

If you don’t want our optional Saga Cruise Travel Insurance, we'll offer you an opt-out price reduction off the price of your cruise, but it's essential that you obtain alternative comprehensive travel insurance cover including adequate cancellation cover, covering the total cost of your cruise and the destinations you are visiting.

If you have the optional Saga Cruise Travel Insurance and your health changes, please tell us as soon as you can so we can reassess if our optional travel insurance is still suitable for you. If we are no longer able to cover you, we will refund the cost of the optional travel insurance if you have already paid for it, or offer the opt-out price reduction on your cruise instead.

If this is the case, you will then need to arrange your own cover, but it's essential that you obtain alternative comprehensive travel insurance cover including adequate cancellation cover, covering the total cost of your cruise and the destinations your are visiting.

Failure to notify us of any changes may result in the decline of any potential claims.

If you’re planning on travelling more than once a year, our sister company Saga Services Ltd offer annual travel insurance, which may better suit your needs.

It gives you up to 120 days of total cover a year and up to 45 days per trip (which you can extend unless you’re travelling to the USA, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean Islands). You will then be able to receive an opt-out price reduction on your cruise.

Call us on 0800 015 8055 or get a quote online to find out more.

If we can’t give you optional Saga Cruise Travel Insurance, our sister company Saga Services Ltd may be able to offer you standalone travel insurance.

To find out more please call 0800 015 8055 or get a quote online.

Saga Travel Insurance is provided by our sister company. Saga Services Limited are part of the insurance directory. That means we may be able to help cover you if you have a serious medical condition. Find out more about the Money Helper travel insurance directory.

At Saga we offer comprehensive cover to suit your needs when joining us for an ocean cruise.

To enable us to do this we require details of your medical health so that we can assess whether we can offer insurance to suit your needs.

Yes, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is not a substitute for travel insurance – it is complementary to it.

An EHIC or GHIC does not cover you for all the medical costs that you can incur or for repatriation, lost baggage or cancellations.

You may cancel your Saga optional travel insurance policy at any time prior to your departure date and receive the relevant discount.

Please contact us 0800 504 555 for ocean cruises.

To cruise on our ocean ships with our optional travel insurance the lead booker must be over the age of 50, while additional travellers can be aged 40 or over. 

There is no upper age limit.

Non-UK residents can cruise with us. However, we are unable to offer our optional travel insurance to non-UK residents. For more information, please refer to our policy booklet.

An excess of £70 will apply to each claim as follows:

• Section 1 – Medical and associated expenses
• Section 2 – Curtailment
• Section 5 – Baggage
• Section 6 – Money and documents
• Section 10 – Travel delay (other than compensation for each 12-hour period where no excess applies)

Unfortunately, this is not possible as our optional travel insurance is a set price for all travellers subject to a medical screening.

Please refer to your policy booklet for details of what activities are covered.

If you need to discuss any matters concerning your optional travel insurance please contact the Cruise Customer Care team by calling free on 0800 373 034.

If you need to get in touch with us for any other reason, please visit our contact us page.

To make a claim, please call 0800 092 2502 from the UK or +44 1444 442376 from abroad. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Please have you booking number (which is your policy number) to hand when calling.

If you would like to receive your documents in a different format, such as Braille, large print or audio, please contact us on 0800 373 034.

If you use Text Relay in other areas of your life, rest assured, we can also interact with you this way. 

For more information on how to use this service in conjunction with Saga, please refer to your usual Text Relay service provider

Losing a loved one is always difficult, and we understand that organising the administration of your loved one’s estate can feel like a long and different task, but we are committed to providing you with guidance and support during this different time.

Please call one of our specialist team members on 0800 373 034 or email Ocean Cruises at cruise.postsales@saga.co.uk and River Cruises at rivercruise.postsales@saga.co.uk.

Our team will ensure any policies and bookings are cancelled, discuss any refunds available and stop any future promotional mailings and emails which can take up to 6 weeks. We will need confirmation of the executor details to progress with any refunds that may be applicable.

Here are some support services that you may also find helpful:

Cruse

A freephone national helpline staffed by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by bereavement. 

Phone - 0808 808 1677

Online - www.cruse.org.uk

Marie Curie 

A free support line and a wealth of information and support on all aspects of bereavement.

Phone - 0800 090 2309 

Online - www.mariecurie.org.uk

Life can be unpredictable. So, when the unexpected happens, we all need extra support.

There are no hard and fast rules around how our personal circumstances can impact us, which is why it’s important to let us know, so that we can make sure our colleagues are offering you the right level of support during your booking journey and when you're on holiday with us.

If you have an insurance policy or are looking to purchase insurance with us, you can inform us of any additional support you may need.

You may require additional support: 

• If you suffer from a physical disability (either temporary or permanent)
• If you’re living with a mental health condition such as dementia
• If you’re living with learning difficulties
• If English is not your first language
• If you have caring responsibilities or are cared for
• If you’ve recently lost a loved one
• If you have a long-term illness
• If you have a hearing, sight or speech impairment
• If you have experienced a significant life event, such as a relationship breakdown or financial loss or;
• If you just require a little bit of extra help

You can contact us by calling 0800 373 034 or by emailing Ocean Cruises at cruise.postsales@saga.co.uk and River Cruises at rivercruise.postsales@saga.co.uk.

We're only too happy to help. We understand that insurance can be complicated and it's important that you're comfortable and confident that your insurance meets your needs.

If you would like an explanation on questions asked, wording or policies, please let the person you're talking to know.

Don’t be worried about asking questions or asking us to repeat a question, please do tell us if you need us to slow down or speak up. If you would prefer us to speak to someone you trust, who you would like to make decisions on your behalf, just let us know.

If at anytime a call becomes overwhelming, please let the person you’re speaking to know, and we’ll call you back once you’ve had a break.

It can be worrying after you've received a suspicious phone call, text, letter, or email, or you've been visited by a cold caller who you're not sure is genuine. 

Unfortunately, there has been a rise in scams since the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve set up the Saga Fraud and Scam Helpline for all Saga customers.

This 24-hour helpline is provided by Arc Legal Assistance. It's free and you can call any time of the day or night to talk to a trained adviser in complete confidence. 

Simply call 0800 656 9921 and quote 'Saga Scam Helpline'.

There are 25 e-bikes on both Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery which are bookable at the Explore Ashore desk and Reception. Please note that reasonable notice is required for bookings.

The e-bikes have a range of 80km.

If you’re on one of our ships, tips are included – so no need to worry about them.

You can see see a list of facilities available within your cabin here.

Spirit of Adventure 

Spirit of Discovery

Please click the link to see a list of the wellbeing treatments available onboard along with the current price list.

Spirit of Adventure

Spirit of Discovery

We include all-inclusive drinks in every bar, lounge and restaurant. This includes free cocktails, house red, white, rosé and sparkling wine, draught beer, lager, non-alcoholic cocktails, mixers and soft drinks. We also include a selection of premium, brand-label spirits.

There are lifts forward and aft which travel between Deck 4 and Deck 13. Lifts will not operate in an emergency, and you will need to manage the stairs unaided.

The ship is fitted throughout with UK 230v sockets. There are also USB charging ports in all cabins, and 115v shaving sockets in all guest bathrooms.

It's really up to you what you pack.

You'll find some handy items already in your cabin:

• Hairdryer
• Bathrobes
• Slippers
• Tea and coffee making facilities
• Toiletries

Plus, there's complimentary Wi-Fi available if you're bringing a tablet with you.

Yes. Evening dress code applies from 6pm and must be followed by all guests in the ship’s public areas for the evening. The dress code is recommended for the ambiance and comfort of all guests. Details will be shown in your Daily Programme.

Evening-casual

For dinner, evening-casual is the way to go – just like at any other restaurant.

For ladies:

• Smart dress
• A blouse or elegant top with trousers or skirt

For gentlemen:

• Smart, open-neck shirt and trousers
• A jacket is optional

Please note, polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts and denim are not considered smart-casual attire in the evenings and should not be worn.

Formal nights

Getting smartly dressed up for the occasional formal night has long been part of the fun of cruising.

As a guide, there'll be:

• One formal night for cruises from four to seven nights.
• Two formal nights for cruises of eight to 11 nights.
• Three formal nights for cruises of 12 to 21 nights.

For ladies:

• Evening gown
• Cocktail dress
• Dress suit
• Elegant separates

For gentlemen:

• Smart suit with tie
• Dinner jacket including bow tie

On formal evenings, formal attire is required in all restaurants apart from selected seating in The Grill. Evening-casual attire can be worn in selected seating in The Grill, all bars, including the Britannia Lounge and the Playhouse theatre.

The dress code includes a smart dress or an elegant blouse or top with trousers or skirt for ladies. For gentlemen, a smart open neck shirt and trousers are required. A jacket is optional, and we would ask that polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts and denim are kept for casual wear during the day. Guests are also able to take advantage of the complimentary room service.

There are no luggage restrictions. Simply pack everything you need for your cruise and leave it all to your chauffeur. Even porterage is included when you arrive at the ship.

All we ask is that no single item of luggage exceeds 25kg, for the safety of our drivers and crew.

All luggage passes through a security scanner. We cannot risk damaging any of your suit carriers so you must carry these by hand or pack in a suitcase.

Please note: If you are using our chauffeur service, we plan for one large suitcase per person. If you’re going to take more, or you are taking any additional items such as mobility aids, please let us know so we can make sure the car we send is big enough, especially if you're sharing.

At most ports the ship will berth in a harbour, so you'll cross a gangway to get to shore.

At some ports (marked with an anchor – ⚓), the ship will anchor offshore. This means you'll take a smaller boat to shore. These are called 'tenders' or 'launches'.

Before you can board, you'll need to show that you are able to walk down the 16 steps unassisted from deck 4 to the tender platform, so that we know you are physically able to get on and off the tender safely.

If you are not able to do this, unfortunately, you will not be able to use the tenders.

There may also be times when the officer in charge decides that the conditions make it too risky for you to embark the tender. If this is the case, they will explain this to you and ask you to remain on board. This is a decision that they will only make as a last resort. Please understand that your safety is their first priority.

To make things easier for your first night, we will allocate where you will dine and after this you can, of course, dine at your leisure, in the venue of your choice. 

Speciality restaurants must be booked in advance once you are onboard and this can be done either in person at the restaurant or by telephone. You can make a reservation for the speciality restaurants between 0900 to 1700 by simply dialling our booking line 6363 or by visiting the restaurants from 0930 to 1030 or 1730 to 1815.

Please note that these cannot be booked before departure.

We ask that all guests wash their hands using the nearest available facilities before entering any dining venues.

Opening hours

Breakfast

The Grill

0730-1000 (hours may vary)

Early riser continental breakfast 0700-0730

Grand Dining Room

0800-0930 (hours may vary)

Lunch

The Grand Dining Room

1200-1330 (hours may vary)

The Grill

1200-1400 (hours may vary)

The Verandah & The Lido

1130-1500 (Weather permitting)

Afternoon Tea

The Grand Dining Room

1600-1645

Dinner

The Grand Dining Room

1830-2100

The Grill

1830-2100

Speciality Restaurants

1830-2100

The libraries aboard both ships are open and stocked with books. Please note a limited selection of uncurated books are available.

If you’re on one of our ocean cruise ships, you don’t pay any extra to dine in any of our restaurants.

On Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure, there are self-service launderettes on B (starboard side) and D (port side) decks forward. There is no charge for using these facilities and washing powder and fabric conditioner are supplied free of charge.

We also have laundry, pressing and dry-cleaning services. Please refer to the laundry request option on your interactive TV or form in your cabin, for details and prices.

On our ocean cruise ships, you can smoke or vape in the smoking area on deck 11.

There’s no smoking anywhere else on board, including on cabin balconies.

Multiple venues are available onboard, so you are free to choose where to spend your days and evenings. Every night there will be a show in The Playhouse or alternative entertainment can be found in the Britannia Lounge, with live performances and music for dancing.

You can also find entertainment in The Club, The Supper Club and The Living Room. Alternatively, you can enjoy the shows from the comfort of your cabin via the TV.

Information about what activities and entertainment are scheduled can be found in the daily 'Today' programme and on the TV within your cabin.

Formal nights are traditionally a highlight of our cruises. There will be:

• One formal night for cruises from four to seven nights
• Two formal nights for cruises of eight to 11 nights
• Three formal nights for cruises of 12 to 21 nights

You can see deck plans here.

Spirit of Discovery deck plan

Spirit of Adventure deck plan

Our captains update the blog as often as they can. But they do have lots of other duties to keep them busy. Keep checking back though – their updates always give fascinating insights into life on board.

Yes. All our ships have free Wi-Fi. Although it can sometimes be a bit patchy because of the nature of ocean cruising. If you plan on reading your books on a tablet we would advise that you download these before leaving home.

Sterling is the currency onboard and we operate a cashless system using your cabin key card to make purchases during your cruise. These will be charged to your onboard account which you can settle at the end of your cruise by credit or debit card.

When you register your card you are agreeing to Saga obtaining pre-authorisation, and your bank may reduce the balance of funds/credit available to you. Saga will release this pre-authorisation at the end of the cruise and it may take a few days before the funds are made available to you again.

For purchases made off the ship, our Reception offers a limited foreign exchange service of selected currencies, but we encourage you to purchase any foreign currency before your cruise.

A charge of £3 applies if you use personal cheques to settle your onboard account and/or purchase foreign exchange during your cruise. There are no additional charges for paying by credit card, debit card, traveller's cheque or cash.

Due to safety reason, please don't bring your own iron on board.

Just go to our online Manage my booking service to log in. Or you can find the link at the top of the page on the Saga website. Only the lead passenger can log in. You’ll need your booking number, surname and date of birth.

On Manage my booking you can:

• Pay online
• Update your details
• Book excursions
• Book our return UK travel service
• See your itinerary, cabin and flight details
• View previously sent documents.

The best way is to pay online at Manage my booking. We don’t charge for debit or credit cards. (We don’t take American Express.)

For ocean cruises the deposit is £250 or 15% of the cruise cost, whichever’s greater.

You’ll need to pay a deposit for each guest when you book.

The balance payment for your cruise is due no later than 90 days before your departure date. You can pay this online by visiting Manage my Booking.

You can pay by debit or credit card for no extra charge. (We don’t take American Express.)

We process refunds within 28 days of updating your booking. If we’re refunding to a debit or credit card, it can take up to ten days after we've processed your refund for the money to reach you. If it hasn’t arrived by then, please get in touch by emailing oceancruise.postsales@saga.co.uk or calling 0800 504 505 to speak to one of our guest advisors.

Log in to Manage my booking and go to the ‘payment history’ section. You’ll see what you’ve paid and when, as well as anything left to pay.

Once you’ve booked, write your booking reference number on your voucher and send it to Saga Cruise Limited, PO Box 250, Seaham DO, SR7 1BH.

We only accept vouchers for your final balance – you can’t use them for deposits.

Should we ever reduce our prices or introduce a new special offer after you book, we will calculate the price difference and pass the value of any possible saving back to you (optional ad hoc services are excluded). This applies as long as the discounted cruise is exactly the same package offered under exactly the same terms of sale (which means the full terms that apply to your holiday contract, including your cabin grade and whether your cabin is allocated at the time of booking or at embarkation). In calculating any possible saving due, we’ll take into consideration all offers and discounts that were applied at the time of booking and compare the overall price that you’ve been charged with the current price. We will pass on the value of the saving in the form of a higher-grade cabin, on-board credit, or other value-added benefit.

You can find full details here.

Generally our cruises include:

• Travel to your departure port including return economy flights if you need them
• Fruit and water in your cabin when you arrive
• Excursions, entertainment and activities
• Food, soft drinks, wine, beer, and cocktails along with a range of premium spirits
• Wifi
• Shuttle buses in ports where these are provided
• Cruise ship facilities and hotel accommodation
• Port taxes

We’ll never add extra charges or fees once you’ve booked (unless you choose to add something). So whatever happens to fuel prices or exchange rates, you don’t need to worry about the price going up.

The earlier you book, the better your chance of getting a bigger discount on our cruises.

This is because we set aside cabins at each grade with our highest 35% discount. Then we sell them first come, first served. As they’re sold we reduce the discount rate, so it’s best to book early if you can.

Please see our accessibility and support page for the things we can help with during your cruise.

There are some things that we cannot help with as we do not have the facilities, or our strict safety requirements mean that we may not be able to offer the type of assistance you need.

If you need any assistance during the cruise, you must tell us before you travel. Depending on the assistance you need we might need to move or cancel your cruise if we are unable to provide it.

Please call our Cruise Guest Experience team on 0800 504 505.

You can inform us of any additional support you may need.

• You suffer from a physical disability (either temporary or permanent)
• You’re living with a mental health condition such as dementia 
• You’re living with learning difficulties
• English is not your first language
• You have caring responsibilities or are cared for
• You’ve recently lost a loved one
• You have a long-term illness 
• You have a hearing, sight or speech impairment
• You have experienced a significant life event, such as a relationship breakdown or financial loss or;
• If you just require a little bit of extra help.

You can contact us by calling 0800 373 034 or by emailing Ocean Cruises at cruise.postsales@saga.co.uk and River Cruises at rivercruise.postsales@saga.co.uk.

All of our adapted cabins are adapted for the use of one wheelchair and one wheelchair user per cabin.

You will automatically receive emergency assistance if you have booked one of our adapted cabins.

Embarking - you will be met from your vehicle and assisted through check in and onto the ship.

Disembarking - you will be assisted from the Living Room on board, through the luggage hall and to your vehicle for your onward journey.

Embarking - If you have booked emergency assistance you will need to make your own way to the check in desk. If needed, you will then get wheelchair assistance from the check in desk and along the gangway. The port assistance team will drop you at the top of the gangway where you will need to make your own way to your cabin.

Please be aware that if you are embarking from Portsmouth, you will need to go through check in and take a lift to reach the shuttle service, that will transport you to the ship. You will be met off the shuttle service and your wheelchair assistance to the ship will begin at this point.

Disembarking - If you have booked emergency assistance you will get wheelchair assistance from the Living Room on board to the bottom of the gangway and to the baggage hall. You will need to make your own way to your vehicle.

Please be aware that if you are disembarking from Portsmouth, you will need to get assistance to the shuttles where you will need to go unaided on the shuttles and through the luggage hall to your vehicle

Please visit the accessibility and support page if you require further information

There will be a muster drill at the beginning of the cruise, before departure, which must be attended by all guests. There will be a safety video to watch on the tv in your cabin and a tannoy announcement to advise when the muster drill will be taking place. If you have booked emergency assistance, a crew member will meet you at your cabin and take you to your muster station. In the unlikely event of an emergency during your cruise, the same team will meet you.

In an emergency, lifts are not available. To simulate this, you will need to walk down the stairs. If you are in an accessible cabin, then you will be escorted in a lift by a member of crew. In a real emergency, these lifts would not be available and you would be taken to your muster station using an evacuation chair.

We can often upgrade cabins. If you’d like to find out more and get prices, use Manage my booking or call us on 0800 504 505.

If you do not wish to be put forward for a complimentary upgrade, please make us aware. Also, please note that upgrades can be anywhere on the ship and if an upgrade is made it may not be possible to return to the original cabin.

If there’s something specific you need or want, just call us for free on 0800 504 505.

Yes. If you'd like to arrange an onboard gift delivery for yourself or someone close to you, contact us on 0800 504 505 or email us at cruise.postsales@saga.co.uk.

Absolutely! Our return UK travel service means a chauffeur will escort you to and from the port. Please also read the domestic flight FAQ. You'll need to inform us that you'd like to take it.

We’ll provide a suitably sized vehicle for you and your luggage. 

Departing in 2024: If you live within 75 miles of the port, we include a private car service. Otherwise, we offer a shared service if you live up to 300 miles from the port. If you live further away, you can buy extra miles. They cost £2.50 per mile.

Departing in 2025: If you live within 75 miles of the port, we include a private car service. Otherwise, we offer an included shared service nationwide (Mainland UK). If you wish to include the private service and you live outside of 75 miles of the port, you can buy extra miles at a cost of £2.75 per mile.

If anything changes (like flight times), we’ll take care of things for you. If you’ve already booked your cruise, you can book the car service or get a quote online or get in touch.

If you need to update your UK Travel booking then please call us on 0800 504 505 and speak to one of our guest advisors who can update your booking.

This can be for anything from updating luggage amounts or pick up location, to arranging a different method of travel for you.

You will need to tell us which travel option to arrange for you. This can then be added to your booking.

You can add the return chauffeur service online through Manage My Booking.

If domestic flights or car parking at the port works better for you, then please call on 0800 504 505 to speak to one of our guest advisors who will happily arrange this for you.

If you choose to book a domestic flight from an airport closer to your home to London or Southampton, upon arrival, a chauffeur will escort you to the port and the same when you travel home. If you live within 75 miles of the port we offer a private chauffer service. Otherwise, we offer an included shared service. If you wish to include the private service and you live outside of 75 miles of the port, you can buy extra miles at a cost of £2.75 per mile.

We would recommend flying as a consideration for longer car journeys to make the travel day less arduous, but be mindful your luggage will need to meet airline limitations.

Tip: You can also consider flying down the night before and booking your own overnight hotel. We can escort you from your hotel to the port if preferred.

Our return UK travel service is available to anyone in mainland England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Wight and Channel Islands. We're not currently able to offer the service to those in the Scottish Islands, Isle of Man, Sark or the Isles of Scilly.

We start booking vehicles approximately 30 days before you cruise, and aim to tell you 7-14 days before within your final travel documents. As I'm sure you'll appreciate it's quite a logistics exercise so requests to change the time can only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

We stagger arrivals to the ship from 12:30-15:30 to minimise congestion at the port and whilst boarding.

They’ll be waiting in the arrivals area holding a card with your name, and a member of our Port Operations Team will help connect you to your chauffeur.

You can choose between a return chauffeur service, domestic flights or port car parking.

Please call us on 01293 450570. The line is open 24/7.

We plan for one large suitcase and one carry on (hand luggage size) per person. If you’re bringing additional luggage or other large items, such as mobility aids, please let us know, ideally no later than 30 days before you cruise, so we can plan the right size vehicle. You can do this by emailing cruise.postsales@saga.co.uk and including your booking number, or by calling 0800 504 505 and speaking to one of our guest advisors.

For the safety of our drivers and crew we ask that each suitcase is under 25kg.

We use a mix of executive saloon, estate and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) to escort you. If you have a private journey and luggage is limited, you will most likely have a saloon or estate car. However, if shared, and/or have a larger luggage count, the MPV's offer the space required to escort you.

Please note that MPV's may be configured with rear facing seats and you will require a reasonable level of mobility to get in and out of the rear seating compartment. If you have any concerns about this, please liaise with our Contact Centre team to discuss travel options. You may also want to consider upgrading to a private car service, however, as above, if you have lots of luggage an MPV may be the only option.

We do ask providers to avoid rear facing where possible but we can't guarantee it.

It depends how far you’re travelling. Your chauffeur will check with you when they pick you up. If not, just ask.

We limit to a maximum of four guests in a vehicle, and the type of vehicle will depend on the luggage count. If you keep us informed of your exact luggage count, we'll ensure you travel in comfort with your luggage safely stowed away.

If your trip is under 100 miles, it might add up to 30 minutes to the journey. If it’s over 100 miles it might be up to an hour.

We’re more than happy to help you track down any new friends you meet. But we can’t share other people’s contact details. We can send them your details so they can get in touch though.

If you’d like us to do that, just email us at customer.relations@saga.co.uk with as many details about them as possible.

If you’ve given us your email in Manage my booking, we’ll send you a survey on the penultimate day of your cruise. You will also have the option of completing this survey using one of the ships iPads. Please ask a member of the onboard team for details of where you can do this.

We are unable to provide a paper copy of this survey and if you’ve booked through one of our trade partners, we are unable to send you the link – you’ll need to ask a member of the onboard team.

• Car service: please get in touch as soon as possible so we can track down your luggage quickly and arrange its safe return.
• On board: get in touch to let us know and we’ll do our absolute best to find it. If we can’t, you’ll need to speak to your insurer.

If you are still on your cruise and you have a concern please speak to your onboard team who will do everything they can to resolve any issues whilst you are away.

Alternatively, if you need emergency assistance you can contact our Duty Officer, 24-hours a day on 01303 771999.

Alternatively, if you would like to contact us on your return, email our Guest Relations team directly at customer.relations@saga.co.uk or fill out the online form.

You can also call to register your concern via our Contact Centre on 0800 373 034 or write to us at Customer Relations Department, Saga Cruise, PO Box 250, Seaham DO, SR7 1BH, if preferred.

We will always acknowledge your concerns within 3 working days and if we need some time to look into your feedback our team will explain this.

If your concern is in relation to a claim, please contact Collinson Insurance Services Limited. You can do this by calling them on 0800 092 2502, emailing complaints@collinsonInsurance.com or writing to Sussex House Perrymount Road Haywards Heath West Sussex RH16 1DN.

Yes. You will be able to select ‘Save & Exit’ at any point in your application. To return to your application select ‘Continue Existing Application’ and you will then be asked to provide passport information.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, a Visa/ETA is not required. A Visa/ETA is only required when arriving to Canada by air.

Currently, you do not require an ETIAS for travel within Europe. It is expected that this may be required in 2025, although there is no confirmed date of when this will be required as of yet.

Travel to the following countries will be subject to a valid ETIAS when this does come into force - Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

No. We have reviewed the process and as the application now requires you to upload a photo of your passport and provide personal information, we are sadly unable to complete this on your behalf and you will need to obtain your ESTA directly from the US Customs and Border Protection website. The ESTA is valid for a period of 2 years, rather than just for the duration of your cruise, guests should obtain these directly as they may be used for future travel within this time. We recommend that you apply through the official US Customs and Border Protection website, which should take approximately 25 minutes to complete. Please note that each guest on the booking will require their own ESTA and you will need to have the following information to hand in order to complete it:

• Your valid passport: You will be asked to upload a photo of your passport to complete your application. You will also be asked to check the passport number, date of issue and expiration date.
• Your valid email address: During your application an email verification code will be sent to this email so please ensure you have access to retrieve this information. 
• Personal Information: Your date of birth, home address and telephone number
• Your next of kin or emergency point of contact: Name, date of birth & telephone number
• Employment Information if applicable: If currently or previously employed you will need to provide job title, name of employer and address.
• Payment method: The fee for the application is $21.00 which can be paid with Credit Card, Debit Card or PayPal.

Each guest will need a copy of their ESTA ready to show our staff at check-in as this is a mandatory condition of travel for this cruise and you will not be able to board without one.

Should you have any questions about the ESTA or completing it, please refer to the FAQ section of the application website.

Select ‘Yes’ if you are currently, or have previously been, employed. You will then be asked to provide Job Title, Employer Name and Address, and telephone number. Please complete the required fields indicated by a red asterisk *

Select ‘No’ if you do not have any work experience.

Why do you need my employer information?

Pursuant to Section 214b of the Immigration and Nationality Act, all individuals must demonstrate that they are not intending immigrants into the United States and qualify for visitor or non-immigrant status. Employment information can help demonstrate eligibility under this legal requirement.

You should be advised at the time of booking whether a visa is required for any of the destinations on your ocean cruise. This will also show on your confirmation document once you have booked, and you will need to arrange these yourself before you travel.

You pay online via the ESTA website using a credit/debit card or a PayPal account.

To upload a photo of your passport, you have the option of selecting either ‘from camera’ or ‘gallery’.

If you select ‘from gallery’ you need to upload the photo from your chosen device and must be a gif, png, jpg or jpeg image. The application will not accept a PDF.

If you select ‘camera’, you need to click on ’Allow’ to use camera, and hold your passport in front of your device camera for the camera to take the photo. The passport must fit inside the box frame which will appear on your device screen.

If your passport photo has successfully uploaded (either via camera or gallery) the website will automatically move onto the ‘Review and confirm’ page.

Once your application is completed you will receive an email with your application number. To check the status of your request select ‘Check ESTA Status’ on the website and then select ‘Check Individual Status’. If your application has been approved it will state ‘Authorisation Approved’. To access your travel authorisation you will be required to enter your application number and passport details. We recommend you download the authorisation by selecting the download option and you can then either print or save as a digital document to show at embarkation.

An ESTA is valid for two years from when it is granted, so if your ESTA will still be valid for the departure and return date of your Saga cruise, you do not need to re-apply for a new ESTA. Please do remember to bring along a copy to show at embarkation.

Please check your full cruise itinerary, if any of your itinerary ports are in the US Territory, you will require an ESTA.

Select Yes when completing the application as you will be travelling to other countries and destinations during your cruise.

If the system will not accept your telephone number, please remove “0” from the start of your number. Do not input brackets, spaces, or hyphens between numbers as these characters will not be accepted.

The Department for Homeland Security recommend you apply for an ESTA at least 72 hours before travel. It is valid for two years from when it is granted.

Once your application is completed you will receive an email with your application number. Please keep this email safe as it will allow you to check the status of your application.

No, once approved, the ESTA is linked to your passport, you can download a copy of your ESTA by going to the US Customs and Border Protection website and select Check ESTA Status on the website and then select Check Individual Status.

To access your travel authorisation you will be required to enter your application number and passport details. We recommend you download the authorisation by selecting the download option and you can then either print or save as a digital document to show at embarkation.

You will need to show a copy your ESTA during embarkation at the port and we recommend you print a copy to bring with you. However, an electronic copy will also be accepted at the port.

No, the I94 is only required when travelling through boarders by Land, this is NOT required for your cruise as you are travelling by sea. Please note that in some USA ports electronic processing might not be available and in these cases, guests will be required to fill out an I-94W form onboard and pay the additional $6.

You can request an early disembarkation, but this cannot be guaranteed.

If you wish to request an early disembarkation time, it is better to add a request to your booking before you travel. You can also do this onboard the ship at the reception desk.

An early disembarkation is considered to be within the first hour of the ships disembarkation window. Please be aware that due to operational reasons, there may be times that we cannot take requests onboard.

You will be asked to vacate your cabin between 0800 and 0830.

Disembarkation will be between approximately 0800 and 1030. You will receive a letter in your cabin to confirm your disembarkation time approximately 5 days before you're due to disembark.

Luggage will be collected from your cabin the evening prior to disembarkation. You may wish to bring a small overnight bag with you for your nightwear and toiletries for your final night on board.

You will collect your luggage from the luggage hall after disembarkation. You are asked to carefully check that you have picked up the correct luggage.