'The Magic of the Fjords' - 29th May - June 5th 2013.
Despite fog, rain and low cloud, the early days on board were absolutely lovely - Saga Ruby continues to be the most beautiful ship on the high seas, she handles conditions as well as she ever did, she's retained her stunning good looks, and alongside Aida Stella (Flam and Dover) - there was no doubting who was the true Star. When did you last walk up along the steepening gradient of the deck as you reach the 'Bit beneath the Bridge? When were you last able to watch in wonder over a fo'c'sle full of winding lines, windlasses, cables and capstans etc complete with an officer and crew working their socks off - or equally good, stare astern towards the wake, across seven open decks from up top?
It's easy to recognise the ship's enjoying life as her bow cuts through waves sometimes in haste at over 20kts, and at others, while she trundles happily along at 12!
Sparkling white superstructure (painted throughout whilst being repaired Jan-April), not a sign of rust - the only wrinkles of the 'ageing' process we noticed (to our amateur eyes) was from one or two of the exhausts from her QE2 look-alike tenders, billowing yellowish black smoke under the canopies - these both in serious need of attention!
Reminders of QE2 are ever-present - from Saga Ruby's almost identical Bridge, her wonderful whistle, and right down to the magnificent sounds and reverberation of her engines / shafts and props; her teak decks and yards of railings too, all remain on the whole in incredibly good nick.
Cabins are well lit, thoughtfully furnished in varnished wood (no 'plastic'), complete with a basket of maritime necessities including binoculars! Together with a smart bathtub and shower, in a nicely fitted bathroom - these would please many a 'passenger' on a 'hotel ship' should this be her next type of work.
The new owner of Saga Ruby could do a great deal worse than replicate her original furnishings as Vistafjord, - take a look at her interiors on this site from the Love Boat Cruise, 25th May 1985
http://www.thecaptainslog.org.uk/ShipGalleryIndex/Vistafjord.htmlYes - there's no doubt she is hard work for all departments needing to keep her on her toes. However with a passenger to crew ratio of 2:1, it's been interesting to think of and compare this with the Cunarders' ratios. There, the high tempo working pace is accompanied by periodic anxiety experienced by some (on board the 'Queens'), both from the perspective of pax as well as crew. On board Saga Ruby - evidently a happy ship, the waiters and others were often heard singing / humming as they worked, and yet most are heading for an uncertain future after January 7th - again more reminders of the last days of Service on board QE2.
It was a seven night cruise as far as Skjolden, Norway via Stavanger (a reminder of the remarkable sail-away that the port shared with QE2 almost five years ago) Flam, and then to Bergen - by which time there was a generalised concern regarding the spread of a virus. Somehow only a few seemed to be thinking of the future of this truly wonderful ship with her Master, Captain Wesley Dunlop with his Ukrainian Senior Officers, and Crew who are almost all from the Philippines with a few from the UK. Interestingly she took two pilots (working shifts) who remained on board throughout the cruise in Norwegian waters.
It would be a significant mistake by this maritime nation were there not to be a buyer who cared enough about this ship, to keep her out of harm's way and the scrap merchants.
She is a wonderful ship - QE2's old mate and 'Piglet to her Pig'!
Saga Ruby needs to earn a living for someone who can afford to keep her alive as 'working' ship, whether as a training vessel, hotel or museum - or all three - she'll grace any port she's parked in.
I have taken photos, will post soon
In the meantime - there is more to see of 'The Ruby' here:
https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Saga%20RubyPS - I'm sorry - I almost forgot to mention her stairways!
Pete in his description and comparison with QE2 on his topic mentions the external stairways - I agree with everything he writes.
These (Sssh - dare I say it?!) are more impressive than those on almost any other ship - and the rounded staircases spanning the 3 decks forward are simply the best! Although she has only three lifts (elevators) Saga Ruby wins hands down when it comes to stepping about at sea!
If you can manage to go and spend a few nights on board, there's no doubt that she'd be delighted to show you all of her very best bits!
Rosie