ANEX Tour, the Turkey based tour operating company that mainly does business in Eastern and Central Europe, has decided to enter the cruise business and acquire the 1981 built Saga Sapphire from the UK based Saga Group plc, ANEX said in a statement

Neset Kockar, Chairman of ANEX Tour said: "With changing habits of travellers, we must adopt our product offering accordingly. By acquiring Saga Sapphire, we will be able to create a unique eastern Mediterranean cruise experience for our valued guests."

Kockar stated that Saga Sapphire will be delivered to ANEX in mid-2020, and maiden voyage is to be scheduled from Antalya, making it a first as home port.

The 37,012 gross ton Saga Sapphire accommodates approximately 800 passengers and the British company will replace it by second of two newbuildings on order at Meyer Werft in Germany.