Saga Cruises, part of the listed British lifestyle company Saga plc, said it has placed an order for a 55,900 gross ton cruise ship with Meyer Werft in Germany, with an option for a second ship.
No financial details were given, but Saga said the first vessel would be delivered in the summer of 2019 and the second one, if the option is taken up, in 2021. The new ships will be 234 metres in length, have a beam of 30.8 metres and carry fewer than 1,000 passengers in all balcony accommodation.
"Plans for the ship will be refined over the coming months but we anticipate her to have some 540 suites and cabins each with a balcony. Around 15% of cabins will be designed for single occupancy and the maximum capacity for the ship will be fewer than 1,000 passengers. There will be single sitting dining throughout a range of restaurants as well as a variety of bars, speciality restaurants and al-fresco dining options. There will also be outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a spa, saunas, treatment rooms and beauty salon," the company said.
Robin Shaw, chief executive, Saga Cruises, said in the statement: “Our plan for the first of our new modern and elegant cruise liners is sure to delight our existing passengers and we hope it will entice new passengers to cruise with us. We will retain an intimate small-ship feel, for fewer than 1,000 passengers, a high crew to customer ratio, great public spaces and entertainment facilities and dining can be accommodated in a single sitting."
Lance Batchelor, chief executive officer, Saga plc who announced the decision at the company’s half-year results said: “The cruise operation remains at the heart of the Saga brand and demonstrates our commitment to deliver excellence in customer service and outstanding value. This investment will be transformational for the cruise business and for our cruise customers. The precise details of the new purpose built ship will be finalised over the coming months but will retain the traditional features our customers cherish.”
Saga Cruises started operations in the mid 1990s and it currently employs two ships, the 37,012 gross ton Saga Sapphire and the 18,859 gross ton Saga Pearl II. Both ships were built in Germany in 1981 and are second hand purchases. The ship ordered today is the first newbuilding the company has contracted.
Saga offers a wide range of producrs, from holidays to financial services, to customers over the age of 50.
