Saga Cruises, which is part of the UK based lifestyle group Saga plc, forecasts an operating loss in the region of £3 million in the first half due to transitional stage of its cruise business and political uncertainty, the parent company said in a statement.

The company phased out the 18,859 gross ton Saga Pearl II earlier this year and is due to introduce the 58,650 gross ton newbuilding Spirit of Discovery next month.

“The Group expects to be in line with target booking levels for departures this year. Forward bookings for the 2020/21 year for the two new ships are broadly on track, with a significant step up in marketing activities planned for the next three months to coincide with the launch of the Spirit of Discovery,” Saga said.

Trading to week ended 8 June 2019, the company had sold 85.9% of the inventory of Spirit of Discovery’s 2019-20 sailings and 31.1% of those in the following year. A second newbuilding, to be called Spirit of Adventure, will join the fleet next year and on 8 June, 30.6% of its capacity for 2020-21 had been sold.