Saga Ruby (ex-Caronia and ex-Vistafjord)

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Just a thought...

If we put together a QE2Story.com cruise on Saga Ruby, I dare say we could find in our midst a 50+ chaperon(e) to lead the group...

Wonder what her future prospects are... it's the last year in action for beautiful sister Saga Rose... 

[HRHugeness]

Well I'm surely old enough to chaperone! When I was on QE2 last Aug/Sept one of the people that I met daily for an afternoon chat/smoke/drink had done the 2008 world cruise on Saga Ruby and absolutely loved it.  Her comment was (and I say this with great trepidation since this site is dedicated to QE2) was that service and elegance of the Ruby was superior to QE2.  Her description of the journey whetted my appetite to try the Ruby and I do hope to have the chance to do so sometime within the next few years--hopefully there will be some notice before she goes out of service! 

I found this site that has interior photos:
http://www.shipparade.com/az/Saga_Ruby/Saga_Ruby_3.htm
The last 4 photos are while she was still Caronia.

She does look lovely.

[singlemalt]

Lovely pictures - so nice to see an elegant interior to match the stunning exterior profile; definitely fit for a HRH in my opinion.

If 'within the next few years' could possibly wait a wee while..... the equivalent of 12 ship years or 42 years for our lovely doggie friends..... then I would be delighted to join you all 
Unless any legal eagles would be happy to put forward a case in relation to current anti-ageist legislation on my behalf?

Sadly I cannot offer any medical assistance but more than willing to pretend should a nurses' uniform be made available 

Ali

[Bob C.]

Very QE2-esque. 

Did I just invent a word?

[Kindlychap]

Well I'm surely old enough to chaperone!

So remember who your friends are!

Seriously, this could be a fun trip some time - I'd rather been relying on my mother who, truth be told, isn't wildly happy at sea. Or on the QE2. Yes, I've confessed it. My mother is a heretic.

Matthew

[Scott Ebersold]

I travelled on her as both the Vistafjord and Caronia.  And ... loved her! 

One night on my birthday the first mate I actually let me turned her 45 degrees to Port in the Agean sea!!!  No joke.   There was a cadet close on hand and I was given explicit instructions, but they turned off the electric controls and handed the wheel over.  It was unbelievable.

I have some pics but they were pre-digital camera.  I'll share them when I get them digitized.
 
Scott

[Andrew Collier]

Awesome Scott, thats a real priveledge! Must have been unreal 

One day maybe my turn will come

Looking forward to seeign the pics!

[Andrew W]

Awesome Scott, thats a real priveledge! Must have been unreal 

One day maybe my turn will come

Looking forward to seeign the pics!

Ho ho ho - "my turn will come" - very good.

[Andrew Collier]

 

[KEV]

Ali-I just looked at your great pics and had to blink twice as at first some of the views looked so similar to QE2. I know where I'm going when I grow up!

[Andrew Collier]

http://jecobinplans.com/estore/index.php?cPath=23_34

If anyone is interested, detail drawings of Saga Rose/Saga Fjord and Saga Ruby/Vista Fjord (as well as Cunard Countess and Cunard Princess) are available from Jecobin on the above link.

Cheers 

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Most of us probably are aware of the bits and pieces of other great liners Stephen Payne drew inspiration from such as the breakwater from the Normandie.  I spent 10 days onboard and just discovered this little nod to the past, which I have written up on my blog.  I can't believe this went unknoticed until I was reviewing my photos.

http://qe2-prideoftheclyde.blogspot.com/2011/02/stephen-paynes-clever-nod-to-past.html

I know that these bumpouts were pointed out here being on the Saga Ruby (Caronia), but I could not find the post.  Either way, I completely forgot about this feature on QM2.  Here's a cropped shot of the Ruby when she was last in NYC.

I loved the place! Here is a picture I took of it at the time. It was my favourite little niche to stand and watch the sea go by    .



https://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/2199934467

[Cruisemarsh]

Sailed on Caronia for a 9 night cruise in 2002. We flew to Rome and cruised back home was the motto....

She was a lovely little ship, fantastic design and was a proper little liner.

[cunardqueen]

I'll look into it with Saga and see what they say, regarding a shippie trip! 

If your a passenger then all you need to do is pen a note to the Captain during the voyage, and usually they say yes, then you can bring a guest or two onboard.
Quite how open they are to receiving "under age " visitors, would be interesting.

[Tyne Turbine]

Not sure if this link has been posted before but to me it is well worth a viewing: