Pete Cain's review and comparison of Saga Ruby with QE2

[pete cain]

So to summarise,Ruby is most definately not QE2, she was built for a different purpose,but fulfilling it magnificently as we speak,
  but if you want more than a little of the atmosphere of QE2 then this is the  one for me at least,Ruby is her own person (
 so as to speak ) so it does her injustice to go for a direct comparrison, other than the 'feel' of it, & the reawakening of pleasures one thought would never experience again.

  Don't get me wrong here Ruby is an ageing ship, she creaks in a force 8, (just like QE2), we were awakened at 4-30 am one morning with the announcement '' Victoria'' in the galley, I believe for a flood on QE2 they used Niagra, to muster the crew so even more similarities there.

   Solas might take her away from us just like her sister Rose, talking to a member of the crew it was sub divisions of fireproofing that did for her, perhaps retro regulations  will do for Ruby, talk of 2015 was the end game for her anyway, I earnestly hope not mr SAGA

  Our 1st cruise was on board DISCOVERY (ex Island Princess  aka Love Boat ), we still get flyers from her owners , &  at the end of 2012 she's having a major  refit , so I hope if it's good enough for All Leisure Holidays to invest, I hope Saga get the calculators out, her (ruby) loyal customers deserve it.

 We plan another visit on Ruby for 2013  'just one more time to experience it before it's gone' perhaps.


              In closing , could I thank Bobso , without whose help in re-sizing these images & his most valuable info, to Isabelle, & Lynda for the crutches  provided to do this ( for a spanner man I was well out'o'me depth) Thankyou all Pete....

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Pete, thank you for this excellent report and comparison! You confirm what I have always thought about the ship that I still think of as the Caronia (and when we were on board, many of the passengers still thought of her as the Vistafjord...).

It looks like the public spaces have all remained unchanged in layout if not in decor since her Caronia days. I have very fond memories of the Garden Lounge with its forward facing views and immediate access to the open decks -- that was a splendid room which QE2 in her later years could not match with anything of her own. I also liked that large restaurant with its single seating meal service for the whole ship -- all grades of cabins combined being offered the same menu and the same service.

You have not shown any cabins -- I believe these may be the only features altered since she changed hands.

And yes... I am coming round to the view that I shall -- nay must -- give her a try in her new capacity as a Saga ship.

Thank you for all your efforts, Pete -- you set yourself an ambitious target and achieved it so easily!

[Twynkle]

Thank you from me too, Pete
It's a great report - you've really shown us Saga Ruby at her best.
Can just imagine you leaning against her railings - and sea watching.
Exactly as we could on QE2.
What you wrote sounds as if she's left you with very happy memories - Hope so!
Lots of good wishes to you and Mrs Pete.
Rosie

[Rod]

I was lucky enough to travel on the Sagafjiord with my wife and her parents for a 3 day cruise to nowhere. Had a great time. Well run, great staff great food.

[bobso]

That is a great story Pete--well done!! As isabelle said--if you have any pictures of cabins--it would be nice to see them.

[Rob Lightbody]

Do you all think she deserves a dedicated section here like we have already for Waverley and Rotterdam?

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Yes please, Rob! Pete's excellent pictures and review could then have their own thread.

It is quite possible that those of us who enjoy being over 50 will more and more look to Saga Ruby to bring back the fond memories of QE2. And I for one will be happy if those of us over 40 join us! We don't have many occasions in life any more when we can act as chaperones    .

[Twynkle]

Hi Pete and Isabelle,

Hope it's alright with you for me to post this here
This was the inside cabin and shower etc and the Lounge ready for Tea!
I fortunately was able to pay the single person's rate for a double cabin.

[Lynda Bradford]

Fantastic report of the Saga Ruby Pete.  I enjoyed reading about the comparisons to QE2 which were supported by the photos you posted.  I have never sailed on this ship but after reading your report I should consider a cruise. 

[pete cain]

Dear Isabelle, & bob, I didn't take any pictures of cabin(s), unfortunately we & our immediate neighbours had problems with a very VERY noisy hydraulic pump which was situated directly beneath our cabins, apparently this pump controlled the water tight doors in that area of the ship.
   Both ourselves & neighbours had formed the opinion quite independantly , that this might quieten down after leaving port(s).
Unfortunately it didn't,we went to the pursers desk & at the very same time our 'unknown to us' neighbours were there with the same complaint.

   Can I say here, we regarded this as a taster trip so,didn't mind booking an inside (well appointed & spacious cabin for the weeks duration).However this noise was something else & I'm sorry to say we were prepared to get off at Bergen & fly home, however this
didn't happen, because although the ship was full to capacity, the hotel staff found both our neighbour & ourselves  alternative accomodation.
 
  Before dinner we had re packed our cases & etc & left them in the cabin, after dinner we reported to the pursers desk & were shown  to an alternative cabin, where our cases had been delivered , this not normally for passenger use (for entertainers on Ruby), hovever the shower was unusable (we were warned beforehand & agreed to this arrangement)
because there had been a leak & the maintenance team were going to be re-tiling, therefore we slept in that cabin vacating it during the day , so they could work & we showered in the previously allocated cabin for 3 days untill work was completed.

 Ruby's staff could nt've been more helpful, we arrived back one evening to a very nice complementary bottle of wine & letter with £100 each credit, (we didn't claim this because we are not serial complainers, & felt a bit embarrased, because we should have done our homework more thoroughly).

  Somewhere on the web, we found on our return home a site maybe even somewhere on Sagas own, a list of noises to be expected in cabins around the ship, e/g stabaliser noises , anchor machine noises & so on, havn't been able to find it since .

 This didn' t spoil our experience one jot!, after all QE2 wasn't without her problems was she the older she got, (there you are another simillarity).I firmly believe that all these boats are worked to the limits of capacity nowadays , to earn their keep, the costs of keeping them employed with all the hidden  extras must be eye watering.

 In the meantime we looked at this site before our trip & can confirm this is how it is & there are som cabinshots


     http://www.shipparade.com/cruise_ship_reviews/Saga_Cruises/Saga_Ruby/Saga_Ruby.htm, clicl on image for bigger view, as ever sorry if this has been posted before, it it worth a second look.

  Plese don't let our little inconvenience change your mind about Ruby, it hasn't ours, we're going back in 2013 (one more time)
 just a case of really doing your homework. Rob, it would be nice for her to have her own place, she is the last & long may she sail.....

[pete cain]

Just been told by venerable wife , that cabinnoises & etc are/ were available if one is booking on-line, we missed that one, like we all know information is everything, Rosie nice pics .. pete..........

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

http://www.shipparade.com/cruise_ship_reviews/Saga_Cruises/Saga_Ruby/Saga_Ruby.htm,

That is an excellent site, Pete. Very good all-round pictures of the ship, and copious explanations too.

Yes, more and more I am looking forward to re-acquainting myself with her.

I am glad that you had such good experiences with the helpfulness of the crew too. My own memories of noise were of a bit of engine noise, particularly when she slowed down to pick up the pilot or drop him off again. I enjoyed dozing on my bed and yet having an idea of what the ship was doing

[Mauretania1907]

Ah, Saga Ruby is even now approaching Auckland as I type (Thanks for link to her Captain's blog too, it's really interesting) O, if I only had some spare shekels. I knew her as Vistafjord, she came here quite often on her world voyages. I saw Saga Rose last year when she came to Auckland and will definitely go to blow a kiss at Ruby this Tuesday. She looks so lovely from your pics, so thanks for them. I think she should definitely be suggested as a possible cruise - and if you're under fifty, try to get an older friend to be your 'chaperone' -0 and you might try telling Saga that we are all ship lovers and more likely to enjoy the ship, rather than be an annoyance.
Note: I have just received a copy of Berlitz cruise guide for 2012 and his description of the mega-ships don't enthrall me at all, all booze, gambling and noise - roll on the ships like Ruby. Long might they last - and if someone has the good idea of building new ships on the premise that smaller might be better, I might give them a try. Meanwhile I see some mega ships have a (pay extra) adults only quiet area.