Saga, the UK based company that offers a wide range of services to customers over the age of 50,said its cruising operations had improved their performance in the first half of its year, which covers the 1 February to 31 July period.

“Saga’s travel division experienced strong cruising performance compared with the same period last year. Saga Holidays and Titan Travel bookings also grew during the first half of the year and forward booking are also well ahead. In the 50+ awards Saga holidays was voted by customers as the nation’s best tour operator for the over 50s,” its parent company Acromas Holdings said in a statement. However, the company which is not listed did not provide any figures related to its trading.

Saga Cruises operates three ships, the 1981 built Saga Sapphire and Saga Pearl II of the same vintage plus Saga Ruby, which was built in 1973 and which will be withdrawn from service early next year.

On 2 July 2013 the Group entered into a series of transactions to replace part of its existing bank debt with alternative funding and to extend the terms of the remaining facility. In addition, £579 million of cash held by the Group was used to repay part of the bank loans, Acromas Holdings said.