Saga Cruises. What Do Better And Worse Than Other Cruise Lines?
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- čas přidán 15. 07. 2024
- Is Saga Cruises the best cruise line for your cruise vacation? In this I explore what I think Saga Cruises do better, the same or worse than other premium cruise lines. I also look at who they are and who they are most suited for and why. Saga Cruises is a UK-based line with a different take on a number of areas of cruising, which you will discover...
Note: I travelled as a guest of the cruise line a number of times over the last few years before making this video
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Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.
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#SagaCruises #SagaSpiritOfDiscovery #SagaSpiritOfAdventure
I’ve cruised for 64 years and done a lot of cruises I must say you do your reviews very well, unlike most you find on CZcams .
Sounds good I hope other cruise lines will take their lead too especially on solo travellers
As a nearing 36 year old (disabled, ambulatory wheelchair user) who has no interest in partying (I don’t even drink alcohol), and who can’t stand mini howlers (kids) and who has always wanted to just experience things like afternoon tea and such, I think Saga could be a cruise line for me to look at one day even though I’m Swedish, if I’d even be allowed at my age that is. If I go on a cruise I’d go on a cruise to just relax so I’d likely be found in or by a pool or spa, preferably with peaceful surroundings and a good book. I also often get along better with people who are older than myself, my best friend is nearing 52 (and he’s British) and most people I socialize with in real life locally in Sweden are 50+ as well.
British cuisine is underrated, I don’t know why people call it bland and boring, to me (the little I’ve tried) it is hearty and really yummy.
If there’s also bingo games on a cruise I’d definitely love it lol
Saga is strict about being over 50 unless you're 40+ with a 50+ partner. Looks like youll have to wait a long time and by then there'll be other options on other ships for your needs. Good luck!
Gary, thank you for your review of Saga Cruises. As a former Saga Tour Director in Canada and Alaska, I am very familiar with the company and its focus. I had wondered about their style of cruising. The single cabin option is now an excellent option for me. Your review has encouraged me to consider cruising with them.
I have just sailed on SoD and was pleasantly surprised by the wifi. I was able to video chat with family easily from anywhere I tried on the ship.
I've previously cruised with Saga (and the old Spirit of Adventure and Quest for Adventure) where I had to fly from Australia to places like Cuba or Bermuda to join them. I've always found it easy to book from Australia on line. I have just booked 2 cruises for March and April 2024, one on each of their ships, I booked direct with Saga and they were great. Very easy to deal with and you dont need to go through an agent. They wont offer me the included insurance as my home is not in the UK but I received a discount to cover it. I can have the transfer to and from my UK hotel so that's very helpful. Love your reviews Gary and find them extremely helpful.
Thank you so much for covering Saga in such detail, especially the accessible cabins. As a wheelchair user, I am looking for my very first cruise for 2022 and you seem to have covered all of my queries.
As always Gary, good, concise information. Keep up the good work, you’re the best!
I like the sound of a Door to Door Service especially as an International Traveller.
Thanks Gary, your video reviews and information vids are always relevant and to the point. I always watch them with pen and paper in hand ready to jot down any interesting points or ideas for follow ups that I could research. We are booked on a 32 day Saga cruise in May, and liked your idea of asking to see copies of the ship's daily 'newspaper' or 'events guide / timetable' so that we could get an idea of the kinds of activities on board [though we are probably aware of these], but perhaps more importantly the likely spread of these over a few days. Would appreciate seeing any if readers / viewers have any to share. Keep up the good work - looking forward to your Viking reviews in March as up until this forthcoming Saga cruise Viking have been our go to company, and have an Alaska cruise booked with them for next year, and unfortunately had our Australia & New Zealand cruise cancelled last year.
Very interesting, thank you for covering Saga cruises.
Thank you so much Gary, always something new and existing to learn. Being in South Africa we dont have much cruise options, except if you fly abroard and still then it can be quite confusing to choose. Still trying to figure out a good option for us, having our poor exchange rate and for where we are cruising is something you will only do once of a few times in your life if you are fortunate to afford it.
These presentations are excellent
Thank you Gary as I have never been on a cruise and am put off by a lot of the larger ships and their emphasis on 'fun'. Thanks to your reviews of Saga Cruises, I am now saving my pennies towards a first ever cruise next year.
Very interesting Gary. We have never cruised before and are considering it now. We like the idea of drinks included. We don't drink a lot so the bigger ships really don't appeal to us paying the extra for all inclusive. We are in our seventies but still young at heart.
Thank you for the video!
I have literally JUST found this! We sail in 4 days! On paper, this seems like a very low key/sedate environment. I hope that it’s enjoyable.
Thank you.
Marvelous video....I love the british acent
Very helpful. I like it. Thanks.
I would like to see the entire industry move this direction rather than mega ships and the upcharges. Thanks Gary!!
I’m with you in that
The modern monsters are destroying the ancient ports of the Mediterranean, Venice being the prime example. Time for a complete ban on any cruise ship carrying more than 1k passengers to all the Med. ports. Keep the monsters in Florida where they love them!
@@paullewis2413 Not ALL of us love them! Some of us detest them. I SOO wish SAGA would sail out of the USA.
@@paullewis2413 no one in Florida loves them. Why the fuck do you think we do?
Same here....
Thank you very informative video. Planning on a cruise in a few years when I turn 50. I will be taking my mother.
It looks like a great option for more remote cruisers to the UK!
Good video. Thank you
Just discovered Viking Cruise lines.....now to check out Saga. Thanks for the info. :)
Just about to book my first cruise, and decided on Saga, for all the reasons you mentioned. I was waiting with deep trepidation for what things they did worse than other cruiselines....very relieved to find out the only negative seems to be 'it's more difficult to book from abroad'. You really had to stretch to find a negative didn't you 😉
Well they have thought of everything. Addressing all the issues I hate on other cruise lines. they deserve to do well
Gary, great review. Do they do a good job with lectures. Thx.
I live in the US but joined a Saga trip from London. Fantastic. Not a cruise, but I'm guessing that would be equally pleasing for the solo traveler.
Sounds good, thanks Garry. We are Canadian but ex pat British. The on,y 2 things that would prevent us using Saga are: the formality and the fact that one has to book in £ , which means if we cancelled and some money was refundable we would lose on the exchange rate rate. I like the size of the ships, and adults only, tips and drinks (2020) included.
You wouldn't necessarily lose on the exchange rate - perhaps you would gain!
We just had our very first cruise ever on Spirit of Adventure. From the moment we were picked up at home everything was fantastic. Customer service brilliant, everything included, didn't spend a penny. May appear more expensive than other ships but not when work out everything. Other seasoned cruisers said never go with P and O again, they even charge for water!
That’s EXACTLY the reason we’re now travelling with Saga! P&O used to be convenient, but you pay more for less! This seems ideal.
Years ago I took a British cruse from England to NYC. It turned out to be very class oriented. As in some restaurants excluding some guests due to upper and lower class tickets. It proved to be an uncomfortable experience since some passengers were haughty.
It would be fantastic if the could make a cruise, (in the Mediterranean for example) where you could sail to a country spend two days in the port, sail to the next country, spend two days ect ect, would much better then a few rushed hour of excursions, be a chance just enjoy the country that you have spent so much money to visit.
I did spot several
There need to be more American based ships that offer the features of the Saga ships. What are the prices like in comparison to the American lines? Are they more in line with ships like Holland America and Celebrity, or Azamara and Oceania, or Regent and Seabourne?
Interesting.
Door to door service is free only within a certain distance. If you in the North of England or Scotland then there is a per mile charge added on. Can amount to quite a bit.
Sounds wonderful! Except the cost, I have always stuck with the cheaper carnival. Once you get on the ship, is there anything that you need to buy? I know somethings are extra like the seafood rest.
We have been on a couple of Saga Cruises (and are going on another later this month). All inclusive means all but the most expensive brands of alcohol are free, but I have never yet seen anyone looking the worse for wear. This might be because at our age we are sensible about our intake, or our medications preclude drinking too much if at all, or we are already so pickled in alcohol that it takes a huge amount to make a noticeable difference. Of course a lot of people don’t drink alcohol, but there is a good range of non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails available. Cheers.
Saga sounds very appealing. I have no problem with children, and I find the availability of singles accommodations great. I also like thesmaller ship size. However, as a California resident, USA, I would like to find something similar that sails from LA or Long Beach. If you have a video on such line I would be interested in seeing it. If not, that might be a subject for the future. Thank you.
Hey Gary, I would be very grateful if you would do some tips elderly cruisers. My mother has expressed an interest in no flight cruises and I think she could use some help.
I really want to try this cruise line out (even though I live in Pennsylvania).
They do what they do well. They have a loyal following for those that like their approach for sure
Sounds wonderful especially the solo cruising. I am from western Kansas.
Wow
Yes but relatively, they still charge too much for solo travellers! Check the brochures out!!! It’s iniquitous!
No kids - book me a cabin - lol
wee question does the television have cc on all channels ?
Need to look at these as I have been with marella but paid over 800 for single supplement and under occupancy on ever cruise as solo passenger.
Like the door to door service option.
But do saga do a disco?
I really enjoyed your presentation. Thank you. Was there a ukulele club on board on your voyage?
8 Helpful Cruise Services That Could Change The Way You Cruise Forever
So... I'm hearing... "Perfection"... Too bad I find transatlantic flights just too long and uncomfortable... But I will definitely check them out. Thanks, Gary!
You can always cross the pond on the Queen Mary :-)
jec1ny You mean Queen Mary 2. The Queen Mary doesn’t go anywhere. She’s a museum and hotel now.
Do they accommodate disable people? What about the shore excursions
I want to know how to book a cabin and be guaranteed a bathtub not a shower without booking a suite? Is it possible?
Oh no! I was excited until I realised I have to wait 20 years to enjoy this cruise line ☹
How do you find an UK travel agent?
Sounds wonderful - but I would like it to be more international and not just mainly British travelers.
One thing you don't mention Gary is the quality of the staff. They are mainly Filipino, trained and very well looked after by Saga. In our experience they cannot do enough for you. They seem to love it. It is not for tips because you have already paid them in your fare. Once on board you become part of the on-board family. We have not always found this on other cruise lines. For us it is the cherry on the cake.
I was excited to hear about how Saga catered for solo travellers.... Until I checked out their website. I was very surprised when I changed the number of guests from 2 to 1 to see the price jump up by nearly 50% “per person” hmmm..... That, combined with a smaller room (185sq ft vs 215 for a double room in the standard category) put’s Saga pretty much back in the mix with other cruise lines as far as I’m concerned.
That's very disappointing. I'd do a solo cruise but would like accommodations fairly priced. A solo traveler doesn't eat twice as much, etc. Solo surcharges are too much.
Are all crew from Philippines?
Tesco... CND
Well there you go Gary, yet another Saga cruise brochure has dropped onto my door mat today! Page 17, Celtic Escape, 5 nights cruise. For a double cabin, standard balcony, £995 per person. Single cabin standard balcony £1,867!!! In short, for another £123 one could book a double cabin and invite a family member or friend to join you!!! Outrageous and indefensible!
I agree. That doesn't seem very solo friendly to me!
What do you think about the New Branson Virgin cruise ship? I think he's BRILLIANT!
My daughter and I have been cruising together, she's 35 young so I'm wondering if she could go. We're living in California USA, how friendly are Saga travelers toward Americans?
Double check this but the rule seems to be at least one in your party needs to be a geezer like me over 50. It looks like your good to go.
As far as crew friendly, it doesn't matter there going to be nice to you it's thier job. If they bad mouth you behind your back not your concern, you won't know about it. It's thier problem. You know how people are if it's not you they will complain about someone. That's how they are so go on your cruise and have a blast!
As far as Britt passengers tolerating us Americans, again who cares, not your problem. From my experience, I've had a blast with any and all I meet from kiwis to Britt's. If they don't want to deal with you they will switch tables. Good questions but not to worry you just go enjoy your cruise tuff field frisbees if they don't like it, it's their problem not yours.
Have some spotted dick, chips and bangers. Yummmm
Only one person has to be 50+
But I'm sure there's a minimum age too.
@@donnaschuepbach3830 thank you
@@44ronie I hope you both go and have fun. My 40+ year old son is going on a couple upcoming cruises with me. We're Californians too and I would prefer not to leave the state.
With SAGA someone over 40 can go if they are with someone over 50
LAUNCHED (past tense) in 2020? How can they launch in the future with the past tense?
He's obviously a time traveler.
Good evening, I never went on a cruise ( I worked the airline industry!) and love to do one, especially interested in the + 50 cruise. In a previous video You said it is mostly solo cruise but than I saw all couples....quite older as well as You remarked it. so....what would You suggest? I am a single lady, happy:) to be single that means I will not go on a cruise looking for love ahahah but I also would not like to go and find all old couples...
Most lines will be couples, but lines like Cunard and Holland America as also very good for solos. If you want something more modern and up beat then Norwegian but their solo cabins are all inside cabins and quite small but in a special dedicated solo only area
@@tipsfortravellers Thank You, I will consider all Yours suggestions!
Do they offer a ballroom dancing lessons?
Good for you. You mention "not easy for non-British" as a 'negative'. In reality, it was targeting you audience, wasn't it?
i am very interest this cruise , i need to job can i possible sir/ madam
Has Saga survived the virus and if so where do they sail to/from?
Yes. They sail only out of the Uk. Mostly Dover but also Southampton
@@tipsfortravellers Thank you so much for your quick reply!
a lot of very young looking 50+ year olds on this ship, not including the crew...so under 50's can go?
jeff wreck as long as one party is at least 50, the other one can be 40 or over 😀
@@jjkk6322 40 + much more sensible.
Surcharge for double occupancy when one travels solo? Isn’t that single occupancy?
Greg Johnson if you travel solo, on most cruise ships, you have to pay double...you have to pay as though there two people in your cabin even though there is only one person. I’m traveling on a princess cruise soon and the price per person is $1300 for the 15 day cruise...i had to pay $2600. It gets expense and that’s why I am checking out Saga. Seems they have more solo rooms and I won’t have to pay double.
@@traveler320ak7 and doubling the fare is not fair. The solo traveling isn't eating twice the food, using twice the services/venues, etc. I can see charging twice the tips - but that's it!
Solo prices are ridiculously high, not much less expensive than paying for a double room for two people. Disappointing.
I would like Saga to pick me up in front of my flat in Chicago. I'm outside now, but I don't see them.
They don't do USA pick-ups. Hop on a plane and they'll pick you up from your UK hotel. LOL
Just like International travellers have to hop on planes to do cruises on cruise liners based in the US. lol
Wish American Cruises would emulate the Saga Cruises!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
999 guests is a small ship?
In the "official" cruise rankings it is .... though it does seem large number
On any cruise ships is there any kind of spirituality place. Just a thought.
Yes. In the privacy and comfort of your own cabin/accommodation.
Adults only! Here I come…
how come their are some people looking like their below 50
This was filmed on a special cruise for people working in the cruise and travel indusstry
What informal cruise lines depart from European ports. I quite like the idea of carnival for example but flying to the states adds extra expense.
I find a lot of UK centric cruise lines are a bit more formal then I'd particularly be interested in.
Does carnival have a European equivalent as flying to anywhere in Europe has to be cheaper then the states if you allready live in Europe
Hold on. A ship launched in 2020??
Yes
Some of those guests looked well under 50.......
Yeah, and well over 150 kgs. lol.
That is because this is a pre launch cruise for travel agents
I noticed that many of the passengers looked like they were under 50, which is a good thing since it avoids looking like an extension of a senior citizen home.
How stupid 999 instead of 1000 just a tax loophole
A "very British" cruise? As opposed to what?
A ":very American" cruise for instance.
🍯 blood honey American
Viking wanna be….
Solo is great!
Over 50 and very British?? That already spells "way too boring" for me! LOL! But I do also wish all the cruise lines would make more solo rooms/accommodations. This is the world we live in now.
I don't understand about no casino and this is an over 50 cruise line????
that was a deal breaker, I don't do suits
I see after my comments made 9 months ago, you have failed to address the subject I raised then, regarding the outrageously unfair fares charged for solo travellers!
One of the most British of experiences? Not the food, I hope!
This is one of the best reviews that I have ever seen towards nailing the experience. Unless you have not been to England and spent some time there, as an American this would be a awful cruise experience. Brittish people really still disdain the Americans and the rest of the world, (intensely) and it would be a long and terrible old age death cruise. Americans, Canadians and most of the world do not get British humor and attitude. Though the ship looks nice that would be the longest trip of your life if you're not British. I think that this video needs to be on the home page of Saga as a review so the wrong person does not have the miss fortune of going on and having this experience. I did notice on your B roll there were a lot of younger people than 50 on it, so that was not perfectly clear if every passenger must be over 50. Maybe you could just drop it in as a card to clarify this. Please keep up more videos like this. I think you should be compted to go on every cruise line and describe who they should be for. This will help a lot of people not make the wrong choice. Cheers.
@@JulieWallis1963 you're in denial
julie Wallis , of course we’re raciest, just as most British are as well. We’re just honest about it.
It would be boring and a bit creepy, kind of like a failed experiment that cannot live outside their habitation bubble.
It would be great cursing on this ship with no racist Americans like Ear Ole
Cruising not cursing
Saga cruises sound fabulous to me.... I don’t like kids and I don’t want to listen to American accents when I’m on holiday
Wow, you’re special.
I’m sure Americans take the cruise as well 😉
Awww, I’m Texan complete with accent. I was hoping I’d be allowed to cruise with a lovely crowd.
I'm over 50 and Saga looks like a snooze fest! Nothing exciting on board. No ziplines, bowling, water slides, or fun? Looks like the cruise line that fun goes to die.
Thank goodness there are no ziplines, bowling or "fun"
You must be an American.
Then I guess you won't going on Saga
Maybe...when I'm 80 years old.
We're all trying to live our best life sir!
No kids! - that's a plus. Over 50's, hmm over 40's would be preferable. Only other thing they could improve would be - No obese! Now that would be a plus - lol. Nice looking ship, far preferable to the floating condo/shopping malls.
Difficult not to be obese with all that food on board and non-stop eating. lol