Saga Cruises, the UK based company that sells its holidays to those aged 50 and over, will offer a voyage to South Africa and back early in 2014.

The 18,800 gross ton Saga Pearl II will sail from Southampton on 7 January on a 26 night voyage to Cape Town and start a 22 night return voyage from there on 31 January, the company says on its website.

Saga Pearl II operated a regular service between Southampton and Cape Town briefly in 1984-84, when the then three year old vessel flied the South African flag and was called Astor. It should not be confused with a present vessel of the same name that was built in 1987 as an actual successor of its older namesake, which had emerged not ideal for the liner service, which was operated on a 14 night schedule in each direction.

However, South African Marine Corporation (Safmarine) operated the vessel only for a short time. It is currently operated by Cruise & Maritime Voyages in Australia, from where it will offer a liner voyage to the UK via South Africa in the spring of 2014.