Saga Rose (ex Sagafjord, ex Gripsholm)

[Twynkle]

News of Saga's replacement for Saga Rose
 
http://www.maritimematters.com/shipnews.html

[Chris]

She will look smart in the Saga colours, however it is sad to see the ex.Sagafjord leave - it was nice for her and ex. Vistafjord to be reunited at the end of their careers.

[Rob Lightbody]

Are you reading this, Cunard?!

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4549595.Ship_to_become_floating_hotel_in_city/

AFTER almost half a century sailing the oceans few ships are as closely emblematic of the glorious history of cruising as the Saga Rose.

I can think of one...

her owners are considering exciting plans to keep her in the city which has long been her home .... and is keen to keep her as a hotel catering for up to 460 cruise guests and the general public.

Wonder if "our" ship's owners ever considered such a thing..

If it goes ahead she would sit alongside the Ocean Liner Experience which entrepreneurs

You all know what I want to say next!!

The idea has the enthusiastic backing of city business leaders and politicians..... "We would be absolutely delighted if the Saga Rose was to become a permanent fixture in Southampton..."

Would they have been so enthusiastic about keeping QE2?  Surely they would??

I'm not saying Saga Rose isn't nice.  She is, and I'm over the moon if they manage to save her, and I will go for a visit but...

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Wonder if "our" ship's owners ever considered such a thing..

Well, I certainly know a couple of senior-ish people on board QE2 who did -- but were not asked. They suggested QE2 should have been berthed as a hotel in Southampton, under Cunard ownership, where she could have served as a hotel for those passengers arriving early to board their cruises next day, or wishing to spend an extra night in the area after disembarking.

Additionally (and I thought this a very interesting point!), they said that Cunard each year spends a small fortune putting up its own crews in the hotels of Southampton prior to their rejoining their ships -- having their own floating hotel in Southampton could have helped to ease those expenses and given the crew members a familiar place to stay!

Best of luck to Saga Rose -- I would be delighted to see her preserved in Southampton, and shall certainly make a point of visiting her very soon if it works out well for her... but... ... ...

And perhaps Saga Rose has benefited from the outcry surrounding QE2's sale to distant lands...

[Andy F]

Just returned from Southampton and this made the front page of today's edition.

[Chris]

It's great news for Saga Rose to have a future in the UK - ironic however that she should be retired to the UK considering she was one of the last liners built for the Norwegian America Line while QE2, the very epitome of British shipbuilding was sold off.

It seems to me that we are fortunate that Nakheel saw value in QE2 and that she at least was sold to an organisation who have thus far proved to care for "our" ship... it appears more and more as if QE2 really never had a chance for retirement in the UK.

[Andrew Collier]

With the passing of QE2 the two Saga ships, Saga Rose and Saga Ruby became the last quality classic liners serving the UK. Once Saga Rose is withdrawn, there will be only one, and all of us under 50 are prevented from sailing on it.

Therefore I am thrilled that Saga Rose is to become a hotel, as this will at lease give us a change to go aboard and look around a classic liner in the UK, even if stationary, better than nothing!

Slight shame I live near enough Southampton to not really need to stay in a hotel there though 

[Andrew Collier]

Maybe they can do something about the funnel? I do hope so....

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Don't know whether it's of any use to you, Andy...     ... but Saga do take passengers over 40, provided they are "chaperoned" by another passenger over 50. Sadly, for those under 40, the only advice I can give is hurry up !

As for needing a hotel in Southampton -- how about needing to travel on a ship that is not simply delivering you to your destination (i.e. taking a cruise)? See it as a wee holiday in its own right, with the added advantage that Southampton is within easy reach for you... which it is not for some of us...

And by the way, Saga Rose is a beautiful ship, as even my non shippy colleagues decided recently, when we came upon her quite unexpectedly in Dublin Port :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/sets/72157619524907437/detail/

[Andrew Collier]

Oh don't worry Isabelle, I won't let need actually stop me going! Just easier to justify the expense if so 

Saga Rose is indeed a very beautiful ship, eclipsed only by QE2 and maybe Saga Ruby, Ruby is slighty larger and has it bridge a deck higher, and a second row of large plate windows down the sides, sublt differences, but they do just give it the edge, IMHO!

Aaaages to go till 40, Ruby will be out of service by then, not complained bout the age thing thoo, i'd just liek to go on it now as I am, maybe i'll have to join the crew, or are they all over 40 too?

Nice photos, btw, thanks for the link!

[LegendOfTheSeas]

With the passing of QE2 the two Saga ships, Saga Rose and Saga Ruby became the last quality classic liners serving the UK. Once Saga Rose is withdrawn, there will be only one, and all of us under 50 are prevented from sailing on it.

The Saga age limit has always annoyed me - apart from not being able to go in some great ships isn't ageism illegal? Or does that only apply when discriminating against those over 50?  

Still, I'll be over 40 after January 2010 so if I can persuade an over-50 friend or relative they want to go on a Saga cruise...  

[highlander0108]

We saw the Ruby in Manhattan yesterday and noticed some damage to the bow.  Does anyone here know how that happened and if the ship was going to be repaired before sailing back home?  I posted photos here:

http://qe2-prideoftheclyde.blogspot.com/2009/10/new-york-october-10-2009.html

The Ruby, ex Caronia, was a welcome sight and I could see QE2 moored here along with the Concorde.  She'd be right at home!  Check out the photo at the end of the posting.  

Ken

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I enjoyed your write-up and the pictures, Ken!

As for Saga Ruby, this message was sent by Bob Allen to Liners' List yesterday :

SAGA RUBY collided with Pier 88 this morning while docking.  Repairs will take place in Bayonne, NJ before she sails for England, most likely tomorrow or Monday.

We were at Pier 88 on QE2 last September and continued our voyage unscathed... but this is also where the Normandie burnt and sank... a historic place.

[Twynkle]

Saga Rose and Cork Harbour (Cobh) are both featured in the December edition of Ships Monthly!
as well as in Shipping - December issue

[Rob Lightbody]

Saga Rose to go to Alang?

http://www.maritimematters.com/shipnews.html