Final Year for Saga Ruby

[tdickson]

Do you know who the New Owners are & will she still be sailing ?, It was reported back in August that a sale was being negotiated, but I have been unable to find any further information

[Alan Snelson]

I attended a memorial service to Bernard Crisp (longtime Cunard Director) on Saga Ruby yesterday. It was lovely to be back on board Vistafjord / Caronia and Saga have refitted her very well.

She does have a future and has been sold to new owners - details to be announced and when there is a small chance that she and QE2 will spend a lot of time together!

Sounds very intriguing, can't wait to hear more!

I remember Bernard Crisp from my time on board R.I.P.

[Twynkle]

Hi Pete and All,

Captain Krys just told us in the Britannia Club cocktail party that the CEO of Saga has asked him to announce the fact that 'Saga Ruby has been sold. She will be used as a hotel ship somewhere in Asia'.
The handover will take place in Gibralter following her final cruise.
Rumour on board remains -it's possible that she may be situated in/off the coast of Burma (Myamar ?sp)
Will write more on our return to the UK - in the meantime, she is trundling, just a bit - maybe the rest will do her good.
The Crew have all known for sometime whether Saga will find work for them on their orther ships, or not.
Some have returned following a visit to their families, post typhoon.
Rosie

[pete cain]

Well done Rosie, hot off the press so to speak, I do hope history doesn't repeat itself (re QE2) at least the new owners  should have learned how ' not to ' approach the project. Good luck Ruby here's hoping for the best!!.

[June Ingram]

Thank you, Rosie, for the update on Ruby.  I truly hope her new owners will take good care of her.

[tdickson]

Unfortunately I missed "Ruby's" last scheduled departure from Southampton (Have been sunning myself in the Caribbean for 2 weeks) but should be around for her return in Jan 2014.
Her new owners ? Who are they ? Another floating Hotel in Asia ?

[Twynkle]

I understand from a friend that Saga Ruby now stuck in Tenerife with a failed generator;
and because it powers the air-conditioning, Captain Majdzinski decided to abandon the original itinerary that would have taken Ruby to the Caribbean for a last time - a new itinerary around the Med is being worked out.

Some passengers we met had been on board since October and were staying till her final night in Service.
This will be dreadfully sad news to both all on board, as well as to all who knew and loved this ship.
She was smoking heavily when we were there (a week ago), we were with several Chief Engineers who noticed that her engines didn't sound too healthy. She was due to call in to Gib for the handover - it would be terrible for them, if those lovely passengers were required to fly home from there too.

There hadn't been a Fancy Dress Ball on the ship until, together - with all of our group (Des Cox, Ulla and all from Maritime Memories) spent our penultimate (but one) final night having the time of our lives - it was one of the very best nights at sea, Ever!

Saga Ruby, your Passengers, Officers and of course, magnificent Crew (some only just back from their short-notice trip home because of the typhoon)   We shall be thinking of you all so much, and hoping that you will soon be heading off, ready for your next next adventure.
http://travel.saga.co.uk/holidays/ocean-cruises/saga-ruby/captains-blog.aspx
 

[pete cain]

That is such sad news Rosie, ending her career with a whimper, what a shame!, I hope they can sort something out  . The care & nuturing being carried out on the externals of the ship , will I'm sure be continued inside, good luck with repairs, good luck to crew & passengers, I suppose if they stick to the Med, then help isn't too far away!.

[pete cain]

Looking at vessel tracker just now it seems that she's opposite Marrakech doing about 12kn.

[tdickson]

More unfortunate news for Saga Ruby's farewell cruise


Saga Holidays Cancels Caribbean Cruise Itinerary Due to Faulty Generator
 
(4:27 p.m. EST) -- U.K.-based Saga Holidays was forced to cancel its 31-night Caribbean itinerary aboard Saga Ruby, due to a faulty generator affecting the ship's air conditioning system.

The ship will continue in the Mediterranean, where it can operate normally at its current generator capacity.

According to a Saga spokesperson, "It was discovered that one of the six generators could not operate properly without a part that needed to be manufactured." Because the air conditioning needs to run at full capacity in the Caribbean, "The Captain decided that for passenger comfort, it would be better to change the itinerary."

Of the 557 passengers onboard, less than 30 have returned to the U.K. and will receive a full refund. Those remaining onboard will receive a 40-percent refund.

"Having personally spoken to a great many passengers about our revised plans, I know that -- although some are disappointed about not proceeding as planned -- there is an understanding that this has been beyond our control, and it was better to find out now than in the heat of the Caribbean," said Robin Shaw, chief executive of Saga Shipping.

The cruise -- which departed from Southampton December 7 -- marks Saga Ruby's last sailing before retirement.

The new Mediterranean itinerary includes stops throughout Spain, Italy, France and Portugal. Saga Ruby is scheduled to return to Southampton on January 7.

[June Ingram]

Sad news about Ruby....

[Twynkle]

More unfortunate news for Saga Ruby's farewell cruise


Saga Holidays Cancels Caribbean Cruise Itinerary Due to Faulty Generator
 
(4:27 p.m. EST) -- U.K.-based Saga Holidays was forced to cancel its 31-night Caribbean itinerary aboard Saga Ruby, due to a faulty generator affecting the ship's air conditioning system.

The ship will continue in the Mediterranean, where it can operate normally at its current generator capacity.

According to a Saga spokesperson, "It was discovered that one of the six generators could not operate properly without a part that needed to be manufactured." Because the air conditioning needs to run at full capacity in the Caribbean, "The Captain decided that for passenger comfort, it would be better to change the itinerary."

Of the 557 passengers onboard, less than 30 have returned to the U.K. and will receive a full refund. Those remaining onboard will receive a 40-percent refund.

"Having personally spoken to a great many passengers about our revised plans, I know that -- although some are disappointed about not proceeding as planned -- there is an understanding that this has been beyond our control, and it was better to find out now than in the heat of the Caribbean," said Robin Shaw, chief executive of Saga Shipping.

The cruise -- which departed from Southampton December 7 -- marks Saga Ruby's last sailing before retirement.

The new Mediterranean itinerary includes stops throughout Spain, Italy, France and Portugal. Saga Ruby is scheduled to return to Southampton on January 7.

Hi Trevor,
Thank you for this - Please can yu let us know where it was published?

AIS - Saga Ruby is currently passing through the Straits of Gibraltar

Rosie

[tdickson]

Cruise Critic announced it earlier today.
Hopefully I will get a further update in the morning as I am with Saga all today on board Saga Pearl 11.

[June Ingram]

Hi Trevor,
Thank you for this - Please can yu let us know where it was published?

AIS - Saga Ruby is currently passing through the Straits of Gibraltar

Rosie

Hi Rosie - Can you please let us know where Ruby is today ?  Thanks !  June

[pete cain]

June, look at this link  hope it works. Pete



  http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/details/ships/248563000

[June Ingram]

Hi Pete - Thanks very much for the link.  It does work and I see where she is.  June

[tdickson]

The Latest update via SAGA Ruby Captain:


Almeria, Spain
December 15, 2013 - 11:00 pm
At 5 o’clock on Saturday evening Saga Ruby departed from Southampton on her last cruise. With all of our passengers on board, we left the City Cruise Terminal accompanied by tunes from the local brass band.
Once we dropped the pilot, we set sail in a westerly direction along the English Channel on our Grand Voyage towards the Azores. However, on the following day, after carefully studying the weather forecast and consulting the weather routing service, we decided to follow a more southerly route across the Atlantic. This would take us South toward the Canaries before making a jump across the pond.
After a bumpy voyage to Tenerife, we docked in Santa Cruz on Wednesday evening with the intention of carrying on the following day. Just before arrival, our Chief Engineer reported a problem with one of our generators that he hoped to fix while we were alongside. However, the next day, we received the rather gloomy information that he required a part that could not be manufactured on board nor obtained in a short space of time from the shore side. While the vessel was still safe to run in the mild climate, we soon realise that it would not be comfortable operated in the Caribbean. Our Air Conditioning system draws large amount of power that, with one less generator, could not be provided.
Overnight, Saga came out with a new itinerary that would put us in the Western Med for the Christmas and New Year period. We asked passengers whether they would like to continue the cruise with us and receive compensation or travel back home and receive a full refund. I am pleased to say nearly all passengers decided to stay. I was warmed by the positive response we received.  I can honestly say that our passengers are the most loyal group that I have ever come across.
So here we are, on a completely new cruise to some lovely destinations. First on our list – Almeria in Spain.
Captain Krzysztof Majdzinski, Saga Ruby

[Mauretania1907]

I thought Captain Philip Rentell was Ruby's master, or has he now retired. btw, thanks to whoever recommended his book, I have recently purchased it.

[pete cain]

Revised itinerary for Ruby in the med, at bottom of link
           
http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/captain-greybeard/http://

[Twynkle]

Captain David Bray (part of the Maritime Memories group on board) had painted Saga Ruby as a special donation to an Auction in aid of the rescue efforts post typhoon, in the Philippines.
It sold for £800.
There are also prints of the same picture available for £40.
Although, at the moment there doesn't seem to be a copy in his online gallery, Captain Bray can be contacted at his website:   http://www.nauticalnostalgia.com/Art/gallery.html

He also has a vast fascinating collection of photos of old ships taken worldwide.